Happy New Year's Eve!

Happy New Year - this year goes to eleven! 

I totally stole that from my friend on facebook but I love all things Spinal Tap so the fact that our next year goes to 11 leaves me quite excited and filled with great hope for all things wonderful.  My sister also keeps insisting that Snookie is jumping out of the ball that drops down in Times Square?! What a wonderful sight to begin a fresh new year with.... might have to stay up to see that one.  I guess it will take our minds off of poor Dick Clark. 

Someone was saying on twitter that they are setting goals for the new year verses resolutions as goals are more attainable.  Oh yes sir-ee there will be a list of goals made up in here and plenty of them. 

First up getting this house in gear b/c I am hosting a little dinner soiree tomorrow for 10 adults and 17 kids - (yes I said 17) - good heavens, I should have counted out that number ahead of time..   I sure hope they like to play Just Dance 2 and my house is still standing by the end of the night!   

I am planning of serving Barefoot Contessa Paella which I have had before and it's VERY good and my sister tells me I can make it ahead and keep on the warm setting of the crock pot so I just don't see how this can go wrong.  Except for the fact that saffron threads are 17.99 for a teeny jar at Stop and Shop - an essential ingredient I understand for paella but holy shnikes!  I am told this tiny jar will last me a long time - it had better!  I want to make paella with this very bottle for my 95th birthday.  Stay tuned :) 

I am ordering pizza for the 17 kids - I don't have enough saffron threads....

Cheers to a Happy New Year to all.  One of my goals is to be a MUCH better blogger in '11 xo, Brie

Summer Reading

I made an announcement early this year that I would read seven books this summer. Seven is a lot for me, I have never been much of a reader. Don't get me wrong, I love a good book. It's finding the time and don't forget I am very easily diverted!






I am almost done my third book of the summer and the third in the Twilight series, Eclipse. I like them, I would love to tell you that I love them but am going to leave it at I like them. I am a little more than half way through (these books are long, this one is over 600 pages, it's light enjoyable reading though) PS I'm still on team Jacob :)


I have my 4th book on deck just in from the library and I can't wait to read it!!

I only have it for 3 weeks (clock started ticking yesterday) so I need to cruise through Eclipse to get this done!

Time is running out but I'm no quitter! First day of fall is officially September 22 and I am feeling a second wind coming on. Hurricane Danny seems to want to help me get this done too - looks like he is fixing to make my weekend a washout! What's your favorite book of the summer? xo, Brie

Back in Jersey

Yesterday we said goodbye to Cape Cod for the summer :( It was hard to leave, the summer could not have been better! We had a great drive and made perfect time, didn't hit any traffic at all which is always a bonus.


I am in a huge mess here and have to spend the next couple of days getting things together. Unpacking and laundry and more unpacking and laundry. Organization has never been a strong suit for me. Many people make resolutions at the start of the calendar year, but I am more motivated by the start back to school so I am in the process of making lists and trying to get my act together. Remember that clean slate feeling at the beginning of each school year? That's where I am at!


It is always hard to say goodbye to the Cape, but at the same time it feels good to be home. I'll leave you with some word fun summarizing our summer with some Wordle fun! Why it is the size of a postage stamp, I cannot say. Give me time as I ease back into regular blogging! If you click on it you can see it enlarged :) xo, Brie

Ring the Alarm!

before
Originally uploaded by kbbags

Fly Lady would call this little disaster area in my house a HOT SPOT. This little nook is in my kitchen and where my phone/answering machine is, impt school papers for the kids, checkbook, stamps, pen/pencil cup etc. It's my morning satellite office and in fly lady speak, it's a burning inferno. Or in Christian speak - one hot mess!

I can't take it no more! So, this morning the second the kids left for school... I cleared off EVERYTHING, wiped it down with some method spray, and grabbed a trash bag. I really don't love to throw things away (no idea why!) but Fly Lady sensei says to do it and do it quick without too much hemming and hawwing. I do as I'm told :)

As I weeded through this little disaster area I found some really funny things... here is a collection of my favorites!

As you can see there are some insane things here.... a lobster ornament, a bobbin, an airplane earplug, 2 jo malone sample sprays (score!), my little pony maraca (just in time for cinco de mayo), a clothespin, a tealight, 3 mismatched earrings, and a key that opens only God knows what! I also found 5.83 in coins. It's like an I spy game here.

oh yeah, and these..... DOH!

The Laser Tag birthday party thank you notes. As you can see, the Funplex takes the minimalist approach to thank you's which I am all for! The party was 3 weeks ago, I am sure the guests will be impressed that it took me this long to mail these incredibly complicated thank you notes.

and last but not least..... the after shot. Ah, I feel so proud and peaceful. One down, about 150 more hot spots to go :) xo, Brie

Spinning: The Devil's Workshop?

In an effort for a new and healthier me in 2008, I have been partaking in some spinning classes at my local Y. Since its only the 11th of January, I am trying not to get too excited here, but I think I may have found something I can actually stick with!

I am not going to lie.... its hard as h-e-double hockey sticks. I am miserable pretty much throughout the entire 45 minute routine except for the first and last five minutes which are warm up and cool down. Those I can handle :) All the hard work aside, the feeling you get when that class is over is awesome and that's what keeps me coming back. I should also add that I have a few good friends meeting me there each time and that doesn't hurt either. (More pressure not to bail!) The music is good too and I just downloaded Wanna Be Startin' Something by Michael J after an inspiring spin this week! Ma ma se, ma ma sa, ma ma cu sa! Love it! Have a great weekend, I'll be back on Monday! xo, Brie

PS Only got around to watching Project Runway last night - spinning is making me so tired and I can't keep my eyes open past 10! All I can say is - THANK GOD Christian stayed! I didn't know what to think of this young 21 yo designer at first... he's a little cocky, a lot of funky, but at the end of the day his sass has grown on me. He won't win, but I do

♥ Christian, he's got lots more good reality moments and fierce designs in him!

Phase 2 Complete (kind of)

This took me 3 hours to refold and organize. It really looked like a fabric explosion took place somewhere around the middle of my reorganization, I nearly fled the scene. As I uploaded the pic I so proudly took, at a second glance I realize this does not look all that impressive. HOWEVER, had you seen the "before" shot (which I admit I was too embarrassed to take) you would probably be offering me lots of congratulations and maybe even a prize ;) The important thing is, I now have a better grasp on what I have and will actually be able to find it when I need it. Only 10 more stations to go!

Here We Go!

This has literally been on my "to do" list for years!! Start my own blog that is... so I made it a New Year's resolution to start a new Keeks and Brie blog for 2008. Since technically it's still 2007, I think we are off to a great start!

There are a couple of things I hope to accomplish with this shiny new blog. I hope you'll get to know us a little better, I hope to show off new products with contests etc, and I hope to improve my writing, photography, and overall computer skills. This last part will take time, so please pardon the larger than life pictures, typos, and rambling :) This blog will definitely be a journey with a high learning curve for me!

Thanks for stopping in, I promise to update lots and lots! xo Brie