What I want for Christmas...

What I want for Christmas is this...

If I had this dog, I would name him Charlie...That's all I have to say about that...ps...he's only 75 dollars and he's a border collie mix...I love border collies....and dogs.

I have decided that when my dearest friend, Jessica, gets married, I want to move into an apartment/house where I am allowed to have a dog. I think this characteristic of animal loving, has come from a very young age. I have always loved animals, but mostly, I have always been in love with the K-9 species. When I was a kid, I use to go to the park and make Ashleigh ask people if we could pet their dog...

There is something about a dog. When you come home, they act like you are the most important thing that they have seen in their entire life. They never expect anything from you...still love you when you don't treat them the best and are the first ones to be at your side when you're having a bad day. And when you have to put them down, or when they die...it's almost worst than when a family member dies. I think I am at the most perfect place in my life to own a little guy of my own.

Brittany's going through the temple!!!

That is right, I, Brittany Bly am going through the Draper temple on December 28th at 5:30 pm.

I cannot express the joy and happiness that is in my heart right now. I really feel like I am on the right path for my life. I have never felt so positive and happy and down right good about myself. I feel confident and beautiful and ready to take on the world. I know that these thoughts of joy and peace are directly related to the fact that I am taking this giant step in my eternal growth as a person, and cannot even begin to express my thanks and gratitude to my Heavenly Father. I also have to express my gratitude to my parents and siblings. Most especially my sister Haley. She has been a real rock to me since I moved to Utah and has really helped to me to realize the beauty in the temple. I have been in the process of making this decision for quite a while and I know that it is the right one. As she has already been through the temple, it is great to get advice and reassurance from her.

I just have to say how wonderful this weekend was. My good friend Tiffanee Rogers, who has just moved to Utah has been staying with me while she finds a job and a place to live. Yesterday, we drove up to Salt Lake, (I kept saying, 'lets drive up to the cities', which those of you from Rochester will find entertainment in) walked around Temple Square, and then went to dinner at the Gateway mall. We then walked back to Temple Square and sat outside the Temple as a newly wed couple came out. The looks on their faces were pricelessly beautiful. They looked so happy and so at peace. An even better site was when a family who had just been sealed walked through the doors. A couple with two small boys, all dressed in white, looked almost even more beautiful as they looked at each other with this glow of eternity in their faces. I know that sounds REALLY corny, but there is no other way to describe how the family looked. To know that they will all be sealed together, forever, makes me very excited for the day when I will be able to make those covenants with the person who chooses to fall in love with me. It was a beautiful day, to say the least.

After we watched the couples, Tiff and I went to the visitor's center and watched the movie, "Joy to the World". It really brought the real meaning of Christmas into my heart. It made me realize all that the Savior really stands for: peace, love, hope, forgiveness, charity and joy. It made me very happy to feel and understand the beautiful world that we live in. After this, we rushed to the Joseph Smith building where we watched the Joseph Smith movie. I have seen this movie before, but I just want to express right here, my testimony that he was a true prophet of God. That he did, indeed, see God the father and Jesus Christ. I really believe this. I believe that he restored the gospel on this earth, and that because of him, we have the fullness of truth today. I love this gospel and I am so grateful for it in my life. I can attribute everything I am to three sources, my parents, my loving friends (both Mormon and not), and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I also was reminded of my favorite temple after watching the Joseph Smith movie, and that is the Nauvoo temple. I have always had a special place in my heart for the Nauvoo temple and this may be due to the fact that Nauvoo is the first place where I really felt like I gained my testimony of the church. When they decided to rebuild the temple, I remember feeling SOOO excited about it and thinking...that is where I want to get married. Everyone always wants to get married in Salt Lake, or wherever is most convenient to where their family is, but I have decided that, now that I am grown, Nauvoo is the place where I will be getting married. The temple is gorgeous and I just think it would be so simple and beautiful and exactly how I would want things to be.

I told my mom that when I get married, I just want everyone to camp at the state campground where we use to camp as a family on memorial weekend. She paused then started laughing. I said, 'Mom, why are you laughing? I am serious, I really want to get married there.' She said, 'I'm not laughing that you want to get married in Nauvoo, I'm laughing because we are not getting ready for your wedding day at the camp ground bathrooms...I'm sorry, but no.'

This is generally what the campground looks like when we camp...

....and this is generally how my mom looks/feels when we camp: amused, wet and cold...although her makeup and hair are always FLAWLESS.

All I have to say is, I feel so full of love right now. I feel like my heart might burst and spread this joy and happiness that I feel everywhere. Happy Christmas to everyone!

Introducing: My New Love.

So, because of my building excitement for Christmas, I attempted to watch 'It's a Wonderful Life' on Netflix instant queue. I found myself sorely disappointed when it was not on the instant queue, quickly added it to my dvd queue and proceeded to search for other movies featuring Jimmy Stewart. It started with one that I watched in my high school AP government class, the classic, 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington'.

I totally forgot how inspiring THAT movie was. The uplifting beautiful lesson of this film? One insignificant, ordinary yet honest man can make a difference in this corrupt world when he (or she, I suppose) stands up for the right thing.

I then ventured onto one that I have never seen or heard of before called, 'You Can't Take it With You'. This is a great film featuring, not only the great James Stewart, but also the wonderful leading lady who also starred alongside him in 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington', Jean Arthur.

This was a genius little movie where, Stewart, from a rich family, falls in love with his secretary (Arthur) who is from a quirky odd-ball family. The theme of this story is that, no matter how much money a person may have in this world, it does not buy happiness, or love. Great theme, don't you think? It is not only a cute little love story, but also very entertaining.

After watching these movies back to back, and needing more of my love (Jimmy) I decided to skip the Netflix queue altogether and just buy 'It's a Wonderful Life'....I hate to break this to everyone, but a new obsession has been born and his name is, Jimmy Stewart. That's right. I have decided that I was born in the wrong era! I remember hearing about him being an amazing actor, but seriously, I don't think I have ever seen a more honest-to-what-life-is-really-like actor ever! Not only is he super charismatic, he is beautiful AND believable! Does anyone NOT believe that George Bailey is TRULY in love with Mary Hatch? I don't think so...

Will anyone NOT believe that I am in love with him and no other man will do? I don't think so.

After watching all of these movies, and a few more NOT with Jimmy Stewart, I decided that I really should have been born in the 30's/40's. They really REALLY knew how to make movies back then. They couldn't just throw in a bunch of high tech special effects or CGI's. They had to rely, pretty much solely, on the talent of the actors and actresses. I guess I always thought films from this era were stiff and sort of boring. I have found the contrary to be true! I think there is more wit and irony in these films then most movies I watch today. The plot lines are more interesting, the acting is more clever and the underlying themes of the stories are more brilliant.

So, basically, the conclusion of this post is this: I have decided that until a witty, down to earth, lanky, soft spoken, and lovable man walks into my life...I am going to stick with loving Jimmy Stewart and the men of the 40's films. :)

It's A Wonderful Life.

Let me just say that, although I still have a running obsession with Harry Potter at present...there is one thing that has pulled me momentarily from the whirlwind that is the world of JK Rowling.

Last night, I went to my sister Haley's house for dinner and as I entered the apartment, Amy Grant's Christmas CD was playing in the living room! This totally set my mood and was further encouraged when Jessica came into the house from work and said..."hey, just so you know, they are playing Christmas music on the 106.5." I, realizing that she does not like Christmas in general, let alone anytime before Thanksgiving, thanked her graciously and promptly turned my radio to the above-mentioned station this morning. Little snowflakes dusted my windshield as I drove happily to work listening to "I'll be home for Christmas", and a jazzy rendition of "The Little Drummer Boy". I could literally feel the Christmas spirit flowing through my veins as I pulled into the parking lot, climbed out of my car and entered the building. We had corporate lunch today so one of my coworkers brought in cans of coke and diet coke...I can always tell when it is getting close to Christmas, because the cans are festively decorated with Santa and snowflakes! This just furthered my excitement for the Holiday that is Christmas.

After getting off early from work, and getting a decent paycheck (finally) today. I decided to get my oil changed for the first time since moving here. I dropped my car off at the back of Walmart and quipped with the information that this oil change was going to take more than an hour to complete, I started my rounds through the store. I perused the shoes, clothes and electronics and, finding nothing, finally made my way over to the Christmas aisle. Like a moth to the light, excitement filled my every fiber as the louder-than-it-needed-to-be, but loud-enough-for-me-to-get-giddy Christmas music filled the designated Christmas area. Trees were lit, fake poinsettia's laid out, lights, ornaments, and wreaths as far as the eye could see (or as far as the section went). It was a beautiful sight to see, marvelous to behold (Harry Potter Reference...)

I bought a couple pine scented candles to fill our apartment with some Christmas cheer.

Some people might say that this behavior is overlooking the beloved holiday of Thanksgiving during this time of year. I say...what the hell? If getting too excited over a holiday that brings people closer together, and makes people think of others more than their selves, then what does it matter? Why NOT celebrate it for two months. Getting excited for Christmas early doesn't make me appreciate Thanksgiving any less. If watching Christmas movies on the 10th of November makes me ridiculous than, so be it! I love the holiday season. I love it because I think of my family and I think of people who make me happy. All I want to do from November 1st until January 1st is be happy and be with the people who I love more than anything in this world.

If there is one thing that I have learned since moving to Utah, it is that it doesn't matter how much money you have; it doesn't matter how many things you have if you don't have people in your life who you would do anything for! I don't even know if this is making any sense, but I have just been so blessed these past few months with people in my life who have made it worth living. I have literally been flat broke since I moved here. I don't say this to evoke sympathy, or to say...poor me, but I do it to say that I have learned SOOO much from this experience. I have learned that you can literally have dirt in your pocket and choose to either feel sorry for yourself or choose to be happy. I have chosen to be happy and be grateful for what I do have. I am so grateful for my mom and dad and for their support and their faith in me. I'm a freaking nomad and have been since I graduated from college, and I'm sure that it can't be that easy to have faith in that; I am prepared to accept the title of being the tumbleweed of the Bly family.

I am also so grateful for my brothers and sisters and for the love and encouragement that they give me every single day. I am grateful for God and for my faith in Jesus Christ and for the joy that that knowledge brings me every second. I know that I can return to live with my father in Heaven and what more could I need! Honestly, isn't that what Christmas is celebrating? The birth of Christ, who has made it possible for us to return to heaven?

So...to close, when you see me smiling these days, I hope you know that these are the thoughts that are running through my head! And as Harry Potter would say, Happy Christmas everyone!

All About Harry...

Let me start this post by stating that from about this time until November 19th, if you do not like Harry Potter, you will not want anything to do with me. Seriously...I feel like everytime a new movie comes out, this guy starts acting like a pathetic little kid in a candy store. I cannot even begin to express how much of a psycho nerd I am with Harry Potter. Once I started reading them, which was about 9th grade, I went to every midnight book release, and also every midnight movie premiere. Lame...or not lame? I think not...let me just recap a few of the great memories...through pictures...

Incident #1, Harry Potter Birthday Cake age: 20...too old? Can I get a heeeell no.

Incident #2

Me at platform 9 3/4...in London...

Incident #3-Further proof that I am constantly reading Harry Potter...

Incident #4-Melanie and I going to Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix (those shirts were custom made by mel and me...notice her "e" is backwards...)

what? it's not weird to be 22 and still be obsessed with Harry Potter...

a little artsy side of the night...

Incident #5: Midnight book release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows...(the last one)

this woman was our favorite of the night...she wore the glasses, spoke the accent and also skated in on a pair of rollerblades, of which she wore, along with her roller-blade helmet, all night long...

my nerdy...cute as hell little brother, (who, incidentally is not that little anymore)

I personally like the stick wand

Incident #6, Midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

who knew Luna and Draco were such great friends?

The three of us...PATIENTLY awaiting our entrance to the movie

Mel and I, also patiently awaiting...(not)

Incident soon to be #7...

I highly doubt that my love for Harry Potter will "all end here"...But I do know that I will always be a nerd for it. And...once again, I apologize to those who like to talk about subjects other than Harry during this time of year... :)

Jessica leaving the door open=cats coming into our house...

Yeah...that's right...

Let me paint you the picture. I'm sitting on the computer just surfing the web, checking out other bloggers...(because that's what I am now...a blogger) when Jessica, my lovely roommate, bustles into the house in a fiery front leaving the door wide open. She's on the phone with her previous ex-car insurance agent and waves me off the computer with a smile. I, in no hurry to continue anything online, get up to make a chicken quesadilla, mainly because I am hungry and have the ingredients for once in my life. I'm grating some cheese and shredding some chicken when something out of the corner of my eye catches my attention...I glance to my left and see a little gray cat sauntering right into our kitchen...just like he owns the place. Surprised by this odd predicament I calmly yell..."WHAT THE HELL!? GET OUT OF HERE!" Jessica presses her finger to her lips, because SHE'S still on the phone and I say rather loudly and incredulously..."There is a CAT in our house...a cat that we do not own!!" She promptly turns away and continues her phone call as I scoop the stray in my arms and head up the stairs to the front door. On my way up I notice a pair of yellow eyes looking at me from the top of the stairs through the railing. I shout..."Jessica! Simon's upstairs!" Simon is the name we gave the female stray cat who we've been meaning to take to the pound. Jessica doesn't even acknowledge me as I toss "Houdini" out the door and scurry up the steps to find Simon. She's behind Jessica's bed, meowing LOUDLY, I like to think, begging for me to leave her there. I give her a stern, "Come on cat." and luckily, Simon's a bit smarter than Houdini and follows me down the stairs outside.

What, you may ask, is the moral of this story? I'll tell you what it is...Don't ever feed a stray you are meaning to take to the pound just because you feel sorry that it's going to be euthanized when no one adopts it. One, you probably won't ever take it to the pound and two, it and it's buddies will sneak into your house when your roommate leaves the door open.

Here I am Blogging World!

So...for the three people who will PROBABLY not even read this...Hello. My name is, Brittany Bly.

I am currently living in Utah, (of all the glamorous places that I could possibly choose to live...I choose the classiest of all...Orem. :) I recently moved from the Denver area. I live with one of my best friends, Jessica Bell Bushman,

who is also one of the people who has inspired me to start a blog. Why, you may ask would I do this? There are a few reasons...one, probably for my own benefit. I like to read my own amusing posts as much as the next person. I also think it's a good way to get my thoughts out on paper...er, I mean...on..line? Anyways...Life is indeed interesting. As I sit here, typing this post...I just realize how grateful I am for everything that I have! I literally have 3 dollars to my name, more bills than I can pay because of my recent move and a job that pays crap. But regardless of all of this, I do have a job, I live with Jessica, have my sisters and brother within minutes/hours of me. I live in a ghetto-tastic, cute 4-plex house that use to smell like cat piss. No worries...with a little elbow grease and lots of good smelling candles, Jessica and I eradicated THAT smell quickly. (I feel that I should mention right now that I am a Mormon girl who does sometimes swear. I don't mean to offend anyone, that is never my intent...and I will try my hardest to keep the blog clean but a few hells, damns and asses...MAY just pop out. Forgive my shortcomings, I beg of you.)

On a happier note...General Conference was this weekend. I think about where I was last year this time, and again, I am overwhelmed with gratitude at how well my life is going! Melanie Tidwell (now Johnston) and I

were in Denver searching for jobs, and I had NO clue what my purpose was. Well, I can still say, that I am not sure what exactly my purpose is, but I do know that I am MUCH happier with life.

Whelp...I feel like this is probably a pretty great place for me to end for the day/week/year. I don't know how often I will update this and I have no idea how entertaining it will be for people to read...but alas...until next time...farewell!