So Long Summer

FALL is here!

Cases in Point:

The return of Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte' aka bliss in a cup. Also, my candy dish is chalk full of candy corn and peanuts.



Husker Football. Need I say more?

"To Be" vs "To Do"

"To Be" List
I came across this as a posting that someone shared on Facebook and I loved it and thought I should share it.

TO BE LIST

I am a self-proclaimed compulsive "To Do" list maker. I make multiple lists a day...during commercial breaks, while I'm watching tv, laying in bed, eating dinner etc. etc. Sometimes I make lists and add things I've already done just to have the thrill of checking it off! Extreme I know. The lists are sometimes written on paper, sometimes in my planner, sometimes on scripts but often times, mental checklists in my head. Lists of errands to run, goals to attain, grocery lists, people to call, things to send. As I mentioned, it is a bit of quirk. Don't judge, you know you do it too :)
To get away from this, I'm going to try to swap out my choice of lists. Easing up of the "To Do-ing" and focus more on the "To Be-ing".

Next Chapter

Life in the Aftermath
It's been awhile since I last blogged. Almost 3 months in fact! Some of my friends had urged me to write, not as a "former" but more just for some commentary. Maybe someone will read this or maybe it will end up in the abyss that is the interwebs, either way, here it is.

This blog started off as a documentation in my journey and travels as Miss Nebraska 2009. Well that crazy/wonderful train is over and now its time to ease into some new adventures (or in my case, dive head first!) Closing the chapter of Miss Nebraska my phone is no longer buzzing like a doorbell on Halloween, I don't have to haul a moving closet and tiara in my car with bobbypins and sharpies on hand at all time. A lot of people have asked me if I miss it? In some ways yes, but mostly...no. I don't mean it in a callous way, more in a fulfilled/I did what I needed to do sort of way. It is really nice to just breathe. be. I've never been very good at that, but I guess this is the best time to figure it out. So even though the venture was incredible life goes on. Hallelujah. I know we always find ourselves in transitions and while typically they are uncomfortable this is far from it. Its glorious. I'm enjoying being on the other end of things and serving as a volunteer to the wonderful MAO program as opposed to being the "Miss". So here is to taking off the tiara... and moving on...

When it comes to transitioning into the workforce full time again, working at the tv station is fabulous. I'm stilling trying to find the perfect balance of caffeine and sleep to manage the 2:50 a.m. wakeup call but anchoring the morning and midday with Luke has been a blast thus far.
Oddly enough I've still had about two different speaking engagements or volunteer opportunities a week. This summer I was busy helping out with the Gold and Silver Awards ceremonies for Girl Scouts and gearing up to be a Studio 2-B Youth facilitator at Park Middle School this fall. I helped out with fundraising for the new recreation center in Ogallala and have been attending weekly Kiwanis meetings. I was thrilled to helped out with the Dancing with Stars Benefit for the Lincoln Midwest Ballet Company and the Nebraska Broadcasters Association gala.

Its been awesome to be able to spend some real time with friends and family too. I've got to road trip with some of my besties to weddings this summer and gear up fora dear friends wedding this fall with multiple showers.

Speaking of weddings.....

The biggest announcement...I'm ENGAGED!! Yep, I'm getting hitched. Not sure when or where but I can tell you to who, and he's wonderful. Perfect for me in fact. Charlie proposed on July 29th at a park in Lincolns Haymarket and every day before and since then has been awesome. We are a work in progress when it comes to the logistics of the big day but I think we have the important part right! For now we are just trying to enjoy the engagement and the planning! Thanks to everyone for all of the love and congratulations.

So there you have it, thats what is going on in a very condensed nutshell. I'm leading a "normal life" whatever that really means. haha who am I kidding?

MISS NEBRASKA 2010

TERESA SCANLAN!!!!!!!!!!

I'm beyond thrilled and excited for our new Miss Nebraska. She will be a fabulous representative to the state and I can't wait to follow her journey. She will be incredible! Another congratulations to the finalists:
Top seven Jessica States and Amber Lieder
4th Runner up Jenn Curtis
3rd Runner up Nicky Haverland
2nd Runner up Kayla Batt
1st Runner up Devin Howell

Click HERE for video for the brunch
Click HERE for video for the crowning

Prelim #2

Congrats JaCee on an incredible year, I am so proud of all of your accomplishments little lady!

Congrats to Devin Howell on her preliminary swimsuit win and Teresa Scanlan for preliminary talent winner!

Backstage antics

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW MISS NEBRASKA OUTSTANDING TEEN STACY CRAIGHEAD! An incredible year awaits you, I can't wait to see who your new "Big Sis" will be!

Cupcakes always makes the tears better!

Anyone who is close to me knows that cupcakes/frosting/all things sparkly and girly make me ridiculously happy. So as my year as Miss Nebraska is dwindling down (4 hours left in fact) I am so very grateful to all of those around me who are surrounding me with fun and love and of course, FROSTING! From my host family throwing me a festive party, to the Miss NE Brunch, I would say that today has been nothing short of amazing. Honestly, this ENTIRE year has been nothing short of awesome.
A first grader asked me, "Miss Nebraska do you get to keep the crown?". Yes I do. However, I am totally fine with not having to wear it again. I think I was getting a bald spot, kidding. What I mean by that is, I am completely at peace and happy with my year. I feel like I accomplished all of goals: to further the program, encourage young women, advocate for the state and make the most of every moment. Am I emotional? Yes. Will I cry tonight? My magic 8 ball says yes. But it's not because I don't get to "be" Miss Nebraska anymore it is because I am so grateful for this experience and it truly is closing one chapter and opening another.
I don't know who Miss Nebraska 2010 will be but I do know whoever she, she has an incredible/rollercoaster of a year to look forward to. I would be 100% thrilled and supportive of any of the young women to take the job.
Good luck ladies! I can't wait to announce the new Miss Nebraska 2010!
Love,
Brittany

#1

You don't have to be afraid
To put your dream in action
Your never gonna fade
You'll be the main attraction
In my Victory
Just Remember me
When I make it SHINE

Congratulations to preliminary talent winner Devin Howell! What an entertaining piano piece! Also, a big congratulations to Teresa Scanlan for her breathtaking presentation in evening gown.

Preliminary Night One=Success. We truly could not have asked for a better way to kick off the competition! The production numbers were spectacular and the contestants were simply amazing! I'm so proud of each and every one of them. All week long I have been the glorified cheerleader and self-appointed Mother Hen and that is because I am truly so proud of each and everyone of these young women. They are all so unique and I know that any one of them would be a fabulous representative. I was more nervous last night than I was last year competing! In numerous interviews I have been asked "who is going to take it? Who will win?" and I honest to Betsy, whole heartedly and utterly do not have a clue! What I do know, is these ladies will continue to shine it on. I'm enjoying my last 24 hours as Miss Nebraska and have been surrounded by all of the people I love the most. I'm truly enjoying every last minute! I even got inducted in to the "cool kids" club aka the hostesses inner circle. They awarded me with frosting(my fav) and a rhinestoned spoon. I feel so honored. Although I'm having a blast, that doesn't mean the waterworks haven't set in... I teared up at Rotary, cried at the parents brunch, my video. Yada yada yada. They are happy tears I swear. I will get it together.
All for now! Stay tuned!
BACKSTAGE SHENANIGANS