the 1st part is lame...and it goes downhill from there...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I apologize in advance for this post. Any shred of creativity and humor I once may have had has been zapped by UV rays and chlorine. They need to make a sunscreen for THAT kind of protection, if you ask me. C'mon, scientists. BE somebody.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPOzdAYAI4Dono1jYJ6ibU4EjaLzkx5jpf40WnuNaHGlu8n6KCnqa5gTUX6S1UyfEpVKd8nSlO77Zw8i8EWYuUDJalJWJez7Mq3us8MenwFmTOfL8RyyfcPhbrmvCjeJzRFvwZNdhO6H0/s1600/G1britt4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpf3W3nE1F4tWCFs3HldcJtvx4W5FSaSJNCp50c3fseAt9Sfp8YUjEEWGa2el4Z_QLCwMxtdYUeMdiNElHgqvtDR5206bLpfFDXd2SdO5ZSt3aCxRTBuv3gFJ52nypd20Mp8r-sIbTdb7c/s1600/G1britt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> shoes: converse brand. shorts: american eagle. shirt: forever21. necklace & flower clips: gift. watch: target.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3U7BwmBdlbtunPAPM0eaMTjAuwHJ3OH-u2tPuJYbyCeAe8QJeZYyeIa7aSNvrMXtOBpCV68zznUsrYSPPb8WQEIUNiZW5_ir3hYi6jrfHjYKvfIUc3gASSWmkPIVWNscSVv8JdrsIYEqb/s1600/G1britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This crown braid? Yeah. Awkward. I took it out because it's too weird, and I can't concentrate knowing that I look like a lopsided pinhead. Not to offend the lopsided pinhead population out there...I'm sure you're all very capable crown-braiders.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzM6rGG4Xpj-nkPyM1VttYUs7nU12r0U92eBo3aWvvFD4vB9TrtI6-Jr8MrR9Mfp8KFGUjJH1oM34ZGZdE5tG1LYtk0o8a_oeHoDyMwLQd3Z7h16RKA6B6j_crdwaQO3cZANmDjSfaQIv/s1600/G1britt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" /></a></div><div align="center">So, here's the deal, guys. I love this top, but I'm finding it hard to style differently. This is the case with several of my 30x30 shirts, actually. In cooler weather, it's easier for me to change things up by layering differently. But when it's hot, like it is now (not complaining, here. just, y'know, stating facts), the last thing I want to do is layer stuff just so it looks different on the ol' blog.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">[Editor's note: So we've come to that, have we? "Ol' blog"? Ouch. Like Ol' Yeller...didn't he die at the end?]</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">So. This top is like an outfit unto itself. I don't really know what that means, actually, despite the piece of embossed cardstock somewhere in my house that says some PhDs think I know 4 years' worth of something about the English language. (Suckers.) Basically, if I wear this top, it doesn't really matter what else goes with it, because it's bold and detailed and can't really be paired with a non-neutral bottom like plaid because...ouch on the brain and on the eyes. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Speaking of pained brains: "apparently" you're "not" supposed to eat "crappy" foods "late" at night every "night" if you're "trying" to lose tummy "flub." [Editor's note: Admit it...you're a huge fan of an overuse of the arbitrarily placed quotation mark, aren't you?] Guess who's going to actively embrace her tummy flub? That's right. Me. Because some things are totally worth a romantic m&m snack by TV-light.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Happy Tuesday.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click below for similar style...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background: white; border-bottom: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-left: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-right: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-top: #bfbfbf 1px solid; display: block; position: relative; width: 430px;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="150" scrolling="no" src="http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid6676-2041974-73&look=3397022&size=Small&width=6&height=1&layouttype=0&border=0&footer=0" width="430"></iframe><br /><div style="bottom: 2px; height: 18px; left: 0px; line-height: 12px; position: absolute; width: 100%;"><div style="left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; position: absolute;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/Converse#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; color: #606060; font: 11px verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;">More Converse...</a></div><div style="padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 3px; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;"><img alt="ShopStyle" src="http://resources.shopstyle.com/im/widget/ShopStyleLogo_powered_small.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></img></a></div></div></div></div>

the 1st part is lame...and it goes downhill from there...

I apologize in advance for this post. Any shred of creativity and humor I once may have had has been zapped by UV rays and chlorine. They ne...

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excuses excuses

<div align="center">Hey guys! I'm back from running Ragnar. It was such a great (and tiring. and crazy) experience, one that has been on my bucket list for several years. (LOVE when I can checkmark a "bucket list" box, you know?) </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">I'm alive and well (minus my quads, the stinking complainers...I can hardly move without them screaming at me). My team--especially my van, which included two of my SILs--was awesome.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjViwjkQNvWoDvu2Xlsq93U0Q-eBUyzGjQsyVU2nt8tiA_DqjSo9N-W_fkFhn9lV8f4t0KuJydetXq4x0I13TCnZMRO8l2igJadwdPBWChHcKFOelTYi0xwTyFOXN5uXcVpXWTtu6hnkyw/s1600/M1britt3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(above: left to right, me & my beautiful sis-in-laws T & M.)</span></div><br /><div align="center">This is what I wore to church today. I think I looked pregnant, with how this top poofed out over this skirt. Which isn't exactly the look I was going for, but I was too sore to change. Which is also my excuse for the tired, frizzy hair you see here. Not one for the books today, friends. Forgive me? No? Rats. And...meh.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWblftPzEZnLibIkQZk4DadQup6FgqBa-6hVCh-Vva9fOsrRrfFM9jm3JePihokqVaLSUG1jFpgxoGve00lehn_gR-lB78DQHo_MGdUsACShQqWDkyVQKlfVwQPg82qkFGTUSAdxRcsvP/s1600/M1britt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">shoes, shirt, & bracelets: forever21. skirt: j.crew.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdpBndzk2GQDMcWQPk2Yb92-HsMZtp21aYci21cLasjGddoFEnPMxUABTCwz-MouiYJCuFCjhsrp8swG9WWu-Xc2MFTlUm03wvDPXkV488AmK8RU6LGrtnhBWb8szKxgiwp06XdTFCSDP/s1600/M1britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" /></a></div><div align="center">This week I'm grateful for:</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">- my husband, my dad, my brothers, and all the guys out there who love being fathers.</div><div align="center">- my body. Specifically my legs.</div><div align="center">- my Ragnar support van and funny memories (e.g., honking at horses, human fog horns, the merits of cops vs. volunteers, "um, what's that flag for?", honey bucket stories, etc.) </div><div align="center">- my family who supported me in doing Ragnar.</div><div align="center">- being blister-free.</div><div align="center">- IcyHot type substances.</div><div align="center">- magical summer evenings spent outside with my husband & kids, with water and frisbees and popsicles and time. Lots and lots of time.</div><div align="center">- sunglasses.</div><div align="center">- successful potty-training experiences. (waaaaaay better than unsuccessful ones...)</div><div align="center">- hot showers.</div><div align="center">- when zits go away.</div><div align="center">- ziploc bags.</div><div align="center">- cell phone service in the middle of nowhere. And having something to text and someone to text it to.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Happy Sunday.</div>

excuses excuses

Hey guys! I'm back from running Ragnar. It was such a great (and tiring. and crazy) experience, one that has been on my bucket list for ...

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something's wrong with my phone. it says it's not saturday today...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsjV8AZS32P9ggoI_XB-NUAOj2Jdp2P6MxVJSrpqmVORruZiDfm7xUCE111icVW2FdK1oy5qcbMkgEvuEdobsz_PvLrs3x_sCh_62xdJ6RnZTyygGBWAURi5YFh810ggbqNpXDHuZgB5d/s1600/T1britt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsjV8AZS32P9ggoI_XB-NUAOj2Jdp2P6MxVJSrpqmVORruZiDfm7xUCE111icVW2FdK1oy5qcbMkgEvuEdobsz_PvLrs3x_sCh_62xdJ6RnZTyygGBWAURi5YFh810ggbqNpXDHuZgB5d/s400/T1britt3.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">shoes: american eagle outfitters. jeans: kohl's. shirt & bracelets: forever21. cami: motherhood maternity. flower clips: gift.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vWx64BzVy9rlPgLPmYWoPuiCkrJSp5yMLiT8zkwhb1KKNedBaoUIYjvH55xn9bqhi2VIVLLh-993ZfBYZM0lv7qrBJcQw9K5oN614SB4L4PU45WSni9FjQ1lNlx8P8mb9ZAiGKkv71k9/s1600/T1britt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vWx64BzVy9rlPgLPmYWoPuiCkrJSp5yMLiT8zkwhb1KKNedBaoUIYjvH55xn9bqhi2VIVLLh-993ZfBYZM0lv7qrBJcQw9K5oN614SB4L4PU45WSni9FjQ1lNlx8P8mb9ZAiGKkv71k9/s400/T1britt1.jpg" t8="true" width="280" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">pose below: <em>the karate kid</em>, circa 1985.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKOOqGow9HLTzSW0uMGMmxo7FCW24WDsFiNd4CfUzQreo8QK9cYsX3ZTkbTZVNfrakJ0-XoQQjnamzU2sVAZ2Np-Ins-R_lTq6OP0FhyFdJyDPuTMF4P_64he-gwHfpMzip6HMDsSY_Ft/s1600/T1britt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKOOqGow9HLTzSW0uMGMmxo7FCW24WDsFiNd4CfUzQreo8QK9cYsX3ZTkbTZVNfrakJ0-XoQQjnamzU2sVAZ2Np-Ins-R_lTq6OP0FhyFdJyDPuTMF4P_64he-gwHfpMzip6HMDsSY_Ft/s400/T1britt2.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center">Some days just don't feel like the day they actually are. Yesterday totally felt like Saturday, both to me and my husband. Today, too, 'cept a super-lame Saturday where has to go to work. I tried to convince him that his boss wanted him to take a "thunderstorm day" (very similar to a "snow day" with one minor difference. I'll leave it up to you intelligent peoples to figure out what that might be). For some reason he didn't believe me.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Fine. Ruin my pseudo-weekend. I was left to drown my sorrows in some pseudo-comfort-food, a.k.a. spinach, at lunchtime. [Editor's note: Not comforting.]</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">So. Fast-forward to me and the kiddos at home this afternoon. We've been working on trying harder to (translation: I'm a nazi and all but yell at them when they don't) include the 2-year-old in playtime activities. [Editor's note: That and the spinach comment above might jeopardize my mother-of-the-year award for 2011. Better learn to bake. Stat.]<br /><br />A few minutes ago, a fight was about to break out amongst the kidlets, when my 5-year-old showed her alarmingly strategic brainpower. <br />"Addie! D'you want to play with us and be our puppy?" </div><div align="center">The toddler nodded vigorously, definitely down with that idea. Being a housepet is one of her all-time favorite pasttimes.</div><div align="center">"Great. C'mere, cute puppy. It's crate time!"</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Sheer genius. And I can't even get mad, because they "included" her.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Happy <strike>Saturday</strike> Thursday.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Want this super-comf look? Get click-happy below...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background: white; border-bottom: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-left: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-right: #bfbfbf 1px solid; border-top: #bfbfbf 1px solid; display: block; position: relative; width: 430px;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="150" scrolling="no" src="http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid6676-2041974-73&look=3282369&size=Small&width=6&height=1&layouttype=0&border=0&footer=0" width="430"></iframe><br /><div style="bottom: 2px; height: 18px; left: 0px; line-height: 12px; position: absolute; width: 100%;"><div style="left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 2px; position: absolute;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/Lucky-Brand#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; color: #606060; font: 11px verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;">More Lucky Brand...</a></div><div style="padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 3px; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/#pid=uid6676-2041974-73" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;"><img alt="ShopStyle" src="http://resources.shopstyle.com/im/widget/ShopStyleLogo_powered_small.png" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></img></a></div></div></div></div>

something's wrong with my phone. it says it's not saturday today...

  shoes: american eagle outfitters. jeans: kohl's. shirt & bracelets: forever21. cami: motherhood maternity. flower clips: gift. pos...

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