Out with the old, In with the... well, just out with the old.

There's a new year on the horizon, and only a few negativities left in my life. For 2015, I hope to have as little drama and negativity as possible, so New Year's Resolution will consist of what I choose to end, as well as what I choose to start.

Ending things is never easy. No one likes to feel like a quitter. But some times, you have to look at the big picture of your life and realize that you cannot please everyone. That in all actuality, the only person you are guaranteed to please is yourself. And though that may sound selfish, I'm getting to the point in my life where I know what's best for me, and I know what I can handle - which is almost anything - but that sometimes there are things that just need to be washed away instead of endured. Things that seemed like a good idea in theory, but not in reality. At least not for Joey and I. This will mean people, places, things, bad partnerships, and so much more. Not that I necessarily want to end relationships with certain people, but by doing what's best for us, I believe that some people will take it personally. It's not meant to be personal, to them. It's meant to help me wash myself from negativity and things that are holding me back. It's time for me to start moving forward with my life and making my own decisions again. That being said, some people have certain attributes to them that I probably don't need in my life anyways.

I have a great home, a wonderful husband, baby dogs and a cat who loves me unconditionally. Joey has a great job, we have our music, and we are thinking of starting a family. There are only a few things that still brings me headaches and drama, and I'm ready to get that out of my life. All I want is to be able to do what I feel is best for me, make my own decisions, plan my own life events, and be friends with only the people who bring me happiness... without being told what to do. If I make a mistake, it will be MY mistake... not mistakes others are making on my behalf.

I don't want to make enemies. This is the last things on my mind. But I also don't want to be walked all over either, and it's time that my mamma comes out in me and puts that to a stop. So, with that said, here is my New Year's Resolutions:

* Make Music. Play venues. Find Fans. Let people hear my voice. Whether alone, or with Dirty Derringer and Southern Gypsies. (Don't be afraid to do solo shows because comfort comes in pairs.)
* Set the record straight. Move forward from there, no matter the outcome, with a positive outlook.
*Nurture old relationships that have been neglected. I am a recluse. I love being alone for the most part, but this has effected me seeing and talking to old friends and family. And whether or not I want to put on pants should have nothing to do with if I call my mom or not.
* Nurture new relationships. I'm very picky when it comes to who I hang out with.. who I call friends. Mostly because people tend to have their own agendas and I always end up in it's wake. So, I'm picking a few, and I will be building those in the new year.
* Get out more. Granted, we only have one vehicle, therefore, it's difficult for me to get out when Joey has to work so much. And that means I'd have to take him to work, do my thing, go home, head back into town, wait, pick him up. But, I could probably manage that at least once a week. I also use my shows as an excuse. "I have a show this week, I'm getting out." Well, yes, and no. When I have a show I get to hang out Brittany or Joey on a level that most people don't get to enjoy, BUT that's not the only level I should be enjoying. Going to other live music shows, to the movies, to my parents, out to dinner, to a friend's house. These things have been neglected. I vow to work on them.
* Have more date nights. We used to be really good about Having date night every weekend before we moved to Stonewall. But we love our house so much that we don't ever want to leave it anymore. We need to get and about again. (Date night every other week can consist of doing movies and dinner at home. But we need to go out at least every other week, if nothing more than to get us out of the house.)

For now, this list will do. I feel like it should be larger, but something may come to mind before the new year and I'll add it, I'm sure.

My hope for you is that you do the same. Cut the crap - the drama, the fair weather friends, don't be a doormat. I may have shared this video before, but it's my guideline for the new year. Until next time!

Nerdy Girl Vaca

Joey and I just got back from our nerdy anniversary vacation and it was a blast! We went to Wizard World Comic Con in Tulsa, and it was my first Con, but not his, so he showed me ropes. It was so much fun, and I got to meet some pretty cool celebs along the way. Here's some pics:

Dressed up as American Rose Tyler and The Doctor. Because it's basically Halloween there the whole time.

R2D2: Prop from the movie, had a guy driving him. He did everything he does in the movies. It was pretty cool.

Cosplay: Game of Thrones. Pretty good!

Corey Feldman Panel

Tom Felton Panel

Tom Felton walked around the event the whole time. I got to meet him twice and Joey got to meet him once. I have to say, he's a pretty awesome guy. He was shooting some sort of documentary about super-fans.

This is when I met him. Right after the Feldman panel I went outside and was standing alone when he just walked up beside me. He was like, "Hey, what's up," and just stood there. He had a camera guy on him, so he denied a selfie, but talked to me and shook my hand. It was pretty cool to meet Draco in person.

Robert Englund Panel. He still scares the crap out of me.

Michael Rooker panel. He was pretty full of himself, but in a funny way. He's pretty crazy.

Yeah, this cosplayer happened. Joey asked for a pic with her and her first response was, "Oh, no... no..."

All of these pics were from a booth that costs an arm and a leg to get something from. But, it was all pretty legit. You couldn't get anything for less than $400.

Dean Cain Panel. Joey spoke to him and asked him a question. You can find the video on my facebook page. Pretty awesome!

Rutina Wesley from True Blood. One of my fave shows. She came out wearing her fangs. Cool chick.

Eliza Dushku Panel. This chick is freakin' hilarious. She was also wearing this shirt, which is awesome.

Boondock Saints Panel. Best panel by far. They didn't really give a crap about the rules and where taking selfies and signing autographs. When they first came out, they signed those name cards you see in front of them, made paper airplanes out of them, and threw them into the crowd. Later, a woman's phone rang twice... and Sean answered it... twice. It was pretty hilarious. Super cool guys.

Bumblebee Cosplay

Ghostbusters

MY LADY JAM NORMAN REEDUS. MMMMMMMMM....

Scott Wilson! I'm so mad at myself for missing his panel! There were some time issues with the event and it was suppose to be at 2pm but was moved to noon and we missed it. BOO!

 I had such a good time at this thing! I'm such a nerd when it comes to fantasy/sci-fi and horror movies... maybe just movies in general, but especially zombies, so The Walking Dead is my jam. I really hope we can go back next year and maybe we can get a large group of friends to go with us next time. Also, I will be saving up my money so I can see even more people next time!

I also go to eat legit Japanese food for the first time on our trip. We went to a restaurant called Janmai. It was Habatchi and wonderful. Had Saki for the first time as well and it's so good! It was expensive, but totally worth it. I plan on going back there for every anniversary. Red Lobster who?

Thanksgiving

November is not just known for not shaving your face, no, it's also known for Thanksgiving. And I'm not just talking about that thing you do when you get together with your family and eat until you can't breath and watch football and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I'm talking about being thankful.

There is a social media challenge going around right now where you post one thing you are thankful for everyday of November, and I haven't decided yet if I really want to do that. I feel like it's just another reason to post something on Facebook instead of actually giving thanks. It kind of screams, "Look at me! I've got my shit together!" Now, maybe posting a weekly one, or even one big monthly one I can see doing and I feel like that would be totally fine. And I may do that. However, blogs were invented for lengthy posts like that, not Facebook. So, I have decided to do just that and tell all you lovely people what I'm thankful for this year.

1. My husband. He is everything I've ever wanted in a man and best friend. We hardly ever fight and we tell each other everything. We share our lives - just like a marriage is SUPPOSE to be. He is so many things to me. So. Many. So many, in fact, that it would be impossible to name them all. He is perfect. And my happy ending.

2. Elvis Tucker. My little shih tzu, Elvis, has been with me since 2006. He is getting older in his years, he's 8 and a half now, but he has been my rock through everything in my life. It may sound silly to you, but he was there when no one else was - to cuddle, to love, to lick my tears away in the hard times. He has taught me so many things as well. How to forgive, how to be selfless, how to be fearless, and to appreciate the small things. And so much more. There are times that I look back on before Joey and know that if he weren't with me, I wouldn't have made it. Joey has taken that weight off of him since he's been in our lives, and now he's free to just be. I love him so deeply, that if it weren't for him, I don't know if I would know how to love Joey the way I do. He isn't my child - he is my best friend. I have been so blessed to have him and Joey as best friends in my life. Without them, I wouldn't be me.

3. My Mom. Of course mom's are suppose to love you and support you no matter what, but I have had a rough road, and I know that sometimes I didn't make things easy, and still, she always sees me through. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be the woman I am today. She has not only taught me right from wrong, but how to live, love, laugh, be silly and a weirdo, she has encouraged me in all my endeavours and is my biggest fan. She has shown me how to be independant and strong, and how to not let anyone use you as a doormat... not even your own father. She still teaches me to this day, whether she knows it or not, and is still guiding me on my path in life. Here, maybe this will help explain it:

I am thankful for the rest of my family as well. I have a dad who adopted me at 18, in spite the fact that I was basically an adult, and raised me as his own. I have brothers who took me in as their own as well, and didn't hesitate to give me a hard time, just like they did each other. I have a blood brother who experienced many things with me as children - and was disconnected and reconnected with him - and has turned out pretty well, just like me. I have extended family who have claimed me since birth, and some family who doesn't claim me at all, but I know who I can count on. And that's what matters.

4. My Home. Thanks to Lori Bell, Joey and I finally have a home again. Something that's not just a roof over our heads, but a new place to make memories. A place where I am warm, comfortable, safe, and loved. A place that I love, and hope to be for a very long time.

5.The ability to make music. I don't want to boast, but just be thankful. I have been given a voice. A voice I am proud of, that I think is beautiful. An ear for notes and harmony. A range that surpases many, even most professionals today. A way to express myself, my life, my love, my loss. A brain that can multitask, and play guitar while I sing. A way of making things my own, of telling my story. Something that connects me to my mom, my husband, uncle and grandpa, and all the singers in my family before me in a way that only a few experience.. For that, I am thankful.

6. Life. I am thankful to still be here, with air in my lungs and food in my stomach. I am thankful that I didn't have too horrible of a childhood, something that could have led me on a different path. I'm thankful that I have never done drugs or got addicted to them or alcohol, because that could have sent me astray as well.

7. Time. I am thankful that I met my husband at the precise moment in time that I was meant to. We ran in a lot of the same circles, knew the same people, went to a lot of the same parties, were even at a few at the exact same time, and never met. We have been unintentionally avoiding each other our whole lives. And if we had met before, our relationship may not be the same. We wouldn't be the same people. We wouldn't have been able to love appreciate each other the way we do today. I'm thankful for the bad relationships in the past that had lessons to learn. Things that would ready me for my forever after. If we had missed just one lesson, everything could have been different for us. I am also thankful for the time I had with my loved ones lost, and for the time that I currently have. Here's another video that may help with this one as well.

8. My body. I may be "fluffy" but every part of my body works the way it's suppose to. I still have all of my fingers and toes. I still have all of my original parts. Nothing has been taken out. The only thing that has been put in is a cadaver knee replacement, and it's held up just fine. I am thankful for that. I can move. I can dance. I can stand and walk. I can control my body the way that I am suppose to be able to. I have no diseases. I have all of my hair. I have a pretty face. I have large boobs and nice legs. I still have all of my teeth. I can do just about anything in bed that you can, and then some. I have beautiful blue eyes... the only thing my bio dad every gave to me willingly. I have a brain with an IQ of 134. I can talk, think, rationalize, make decisions... all without help. There is nothing wrong with me. And I am thankful.

I am thankful to be.

What are you thankful for?

Painting the Kitchen!

     Well, I started the painting the kitchen project this week before we go on Vacation to ComicCon this coming weekend. I thought taking the wallpaper down was going to be a hassle, and I guess it was to an extent, but it was totally worth it now that I'm done. We actually only took the first layer of wallpaper down. Then we sealed the bottom, clean layer with sealing primer - so you can still see the lines where the panels were if you are really looking for them, but I think it worked out for the best. We wouldn't have been able to get every bit of the bottom layer off, and it would have looked like big, uneven spots all over the wall, even though we did prime it - so I'm glad we did it the way we did. In case you have forgotten, or didn't know - here's a before picture with the wallpaper and the red, which is going by the wayside as well.

The stools are getting a face-lift as well.

Bye Bye Red and Wallpaper! Nice knowing ya!

Also, bye bye wood paneling!

We went with light grey. It's a neutral and uplifting color, and with a kitchen this big, we wanted to keep the visual of it being big and open with the color instead of doing something dark which would make it look smaller. Here's some pics of the bottom layer of the wallpaper, after the top layer was pulled off.

Uh, the red, though... blah!

Yes, there was some caulking and stuff to be done, too. Thanks, B, for fixing it!

And then, of course here are some photos of the sealing, white primer. Looking better already!

And then, we taped. For like, two hours. Why? Because a friend of ours came over with his spray painting air gun to do the grey evenly. We had to tap off the ceiling, the trim, the floor, the table, the counters, the doors, the window... you name it, we taped it. After that - the air gun painting took, maybe, 10 minutes. Which was awesome. However, I somehow forgot to mention -or my husband ignored me - the fact that we weren't repainting the bottom of the wall under the middle trim. It was white. Now it's splattered with grey. So, I had to get some paint and go over that by hand - or by roller I should say. I went with eggshell.

Before bottom eggshell paint.

During.

After.

And then there are the stools. They were kind of a mess. Obviously, they are pretty old, and were left in the house by Lori Bell (our awesome landlord and friend) to keep with the counter space we had. And speaking of the counters...

There are 6 of them, all colors and shapes. Before.

Before.

After grey paint.

I will be sewing on new tops as well. We are trading all red in for blue.

Before Grey Paint. Covering up the wood paneling wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be.

We also (as you can see in the background of the last pic here) painted the wood paneling and door of the back wall. Here's a before and after pic.

Here, it looks white, but it's the same grey as the other walls.

We still have some work to do. The cabinets need to be painted eggshell to match the bottom half of the walls. I have already started on them, just got to get it done. Also, the red will be replaced with a light blue. 

And yes, that's new flooring below as well!

It's a whole new feeling when you walk into the kitchen now. It's light lifting. There's good vibes that come along with the light colors and I love it! I will post more pics here in this post when we have gotten rid of the red completely!