Quick Update

Since I haven't posted in a week, I wanted to show you a snip-it of what I've been up to in pictures. I suppose I have been pretty busy trying to catch up from the Holiday. That's pretty sad considering it's been a whole week! So here I am, finally posting!

My holiday break started at 11am on Wednesday.

We met up with Scott's parents and sister for a movie. We saw Life of Pi. Wow! That was a great movie! I def recommend it. Oh and if you can see in in recliners with food, do that too!

Thursday

Turkey day. I made cream cheese brownies and green bean casserole for the family feast.

Friday

We set up our Christmas tree. These are all of our random ornaments. We don't have a theme for our tree :)

Mac was being a bit dramatic, and wanted attention. He kept moving from place to place just sitting alone and crying. Doesn't that sound sad?! He really does get attention, don't worry... Just cracked me up!

Saturday

Melvin had his first adventure to Canyon Lake. We went out to spend the day with Scott's sister and her family. Their new house was just precious!

You must watch these videos!

Melvin wasn't the best swimmer. He just needs a little bit more practice.

Sunday

Thanks to Kyndal for the pic!

I spent Sunday with girl friends celebrating at a baby shower. One of my good friends from high school is expecting, and due in January! Such a fun time.

Got lots of cuddles from this little man

Thursday

Last nights dinner that I cooked all by myself. I'm getting better(kinda) at this whole domestic thing.
That's pork cutlet, stuffing, peas and carrots. Mmmm! I want some more right now.

Tomorrow is the first day of December, CRAZY! It's going to be one busy month, that's for sure. Maybe I'll start my Christmas shopping soon... Maybe not?... Happy Friday everyone!

Random Wednesday {link up!}

In honor of Thanksgiving, I wanted to share a random list of things I'm thankful for this year! Some of are more important than others, but nonetheless I'm thankful!

I'm thankful for...

• Having the chance to plan mine and Scott's wedding. Although it can be stressful at times, I'm grateful that I have a wedding to plan!
• These guys.

They make it hard for me to leave in the morning. Sorry so dark!

• Working for four hours today(and earning time), and having casual Friday on a Wednesday.



yes, I wore this to work today...

• Sour, gummy candies.
• Love and acceptance from my future in-laws. I've never met another family who is so warm and welcoming than the Hamiltons. I'm beyond blessed to call them family.
• The fact that ALL of my family lives within 30 minutes of me. Love that we are so close.
• Joining a small group of Godly women who encourage me and are helping me grow my faith.
• Melvin. 

• My job. It's such a blessing. It's low stress, entertaining(at times), easy, and I'm just plain happy with it! :)
• Coffee. And my in house barista-Scott!
• Waking up next to my future hubby every morning.
• My education and supportive family, especially Bob, my step dad! I couldn't have done it without them.
• My gym membership
• Exceptions to my closet challenge! Thanks mom!

• Scott. We have the perfect dynamic for each other. So happy God brought us together. As Scott would say, we go together like peanut butter and jelly. :)

Linking up with Shanna! Thanks for giving me an excuse to be random, girl!

Formula 1

If you haven't been watching the news lately, then you're probably unaware of the big thing that happened over the weekend in the US!

Formula 1

If you're like me, then you probably don't know much about formula 1 racing. In Brooke terms, it's these itty bitty cars that zip around a winding race track, trying to fit as many laps as they can into a certain amount of time. I might add it's nothing like nascar, people.

There are formula 1 tracks all over the world! I thought of it almost like sport fútbol, or soccer, because it's so well known all over the world, with hardcore fans that travel to see their drivers hopefully win.

Austin is now another home to formula 1 racing, the only track in America. Pretty cool, huh?!

 This weekend kicked off the grand opening, and of all places, it's basically in my backyard!
 
I'm sure you can only imagine how busy Austin was this past weekend. Circuit of the Americas brought so many people to our city. Sure some Austinites were unhappy with the crowds, traffic, and events. But for someone who experienced the "traffic," it actually wasn't bad at all! It HAD to bring a lot of revenue to our city too, so that's always a good thing.

Be sure to turn down your volume, these cars are LOUD!

I was amazed with the diehard fans, the diverse culture, the speed of the f1 cars, the amount of Ferrari's I saw at one time!, how loud the f1 cars were, and the whole set up! I seriously felt like I was in a different country. It didn't have that weird Austin feel. Lots of logo attire, cologne, and fancy clothes. It was all so different than what I've ever experienced before. Super fun to say the least!

 

The Ferrari's racing! My favorite part! They played dirty, and I loved it. Who woulda thought!

Until next time, Circuit of Americas!

How to be Popular in the Cube World

I went to a "Workplace Communication" seminar a few weeks ago on how to communicate with your coworkers in the form of written, verbal and non verbal communications. At the end of the presentation, they gave us a handout on "how to be popular in the cube world." Well some of these things on this list couldn't be more true! I have to share. I know some of y'all out there work in the cube world, and you HAVE to witness some of these things...

Don't enter another person's cubicle unless you are invited.

Don't interrupt someone who is on the phone by using sign language or any other means of communication.

Think twice before interrupting someone who appears deep in thought.

Remember that speakerphones and cubicles don't mix.

 Don't discuss confidential matters in a cubical.

Find a private place to make or receive personal phone calls.

Your cubicle is a direct reflection of you. Keep it neat and orderly.

Avoid strong perfumes.

Keep your germs to yourself.

Always hold yourself to a higher standard, no matter your job or your title.

Treat every employee with the same respect.

Mind your own business.

If you are having lunch at your desk, make sure you're not disrupting others.

 Don't borrow items from other mates in the office without letting them know.

Don't be a whiner who complains all the time.

Don't read other workmates memos, notes or faxes.

Practice good hygiene but please not in public. Hair brushing, eyebrow plucking, flossing etc. should be done in the restroom during your lunch hour.

Don't gossip(huge in my office!)

Don't play music at your desk during business hours. If you have to, use headphones.

You can place pictures of your family, friends and relatives on your desk, but limit to 4-5 pictures.

Don't tell off-color or dirty jokes.

This ecard has nothing to do with cubicle etiquette, but I'm definitely guilty of crying in my cube! haha

Aren't some of those so funny and TRUE?! I love that we have these seminars and trainings, but disappointed that nothing really changes in the office. Cheers to being positive?! haha

Closet Challenge

I'm so excited to be linking up with Jen from The Arizona Russums for the closet challenge today! When I first found out about this challenge, I couldn't wait to try it myself. Then she made it official with a link up and I had to join in.

The concept of this challenge is to wear every piece of clothing in your closet before re-wearing it, or buying more. If you put something on, and it doesn't fit right, (and never will), then put it in the giveaway pile. Once you wear something and deem it acceptable for your closet, hang it up backwards to show you've already worn it (pictured below). It gives you a chance to mix and match the clothes you already have, without going out and buying more.

I'm doing this challenge for a couple of reason: I have too many clothes. I want more clothes. I have 0 hangers. I have $0.00 in the budget for new clothes. It would make Scott happy.

You can see my closet on the left, hangers in the top right, and my give away pile on the bottom.

So far I've given away 15 items! That means I have 15 more hangers free. But, as you can see I still have a lot more clothes to wear before I can go out and buy more. Unless it's absolutely necessary.

and since it's Wednesday, here's scenes from "What I Wore Wednesday"...

Hooray for temps being in the 40's this morning! That calls for a celebration in scarf and boot form!

Enjoy your Wednesday friends!

Update via Instagram

AKA a bunch of pictures of Melvin!

I can't get enough of my new fur baby, Melvin! 

Last weekend we took him in for his first hair cut. For puppies under 6 months, they only cut around the paws, face and tail. I can't wait to see what he looks like when he gets a full body cut.

Clean, happy puppy

We just got this ottoman from pier 1 last weekend and I am in love!

Yesterday, I enjoyed my first ever bloody mary! I've always just taken sips from others, but I'm finally starting to have a love for them myself! BTW This was taken at Trudy's brunch. All drinks are $2.50 before 12.... yes please!

I finally got around to unpacking some of our party gifts from two weeks ago (oops). I couldn't be happier with the dishes we picked out! Can't wait until we have a complete set of 12. Can anyone say dinner party? Also, loving the bedazzled flutes, and our "Mr. and Mrs." serving set.

Melvin got a bath yesterday. I should have taken before and after pictures. This puppy knows how to roll in dirt and make a mess of himself!

Bath time wears Melvin out!

Happy Monday friends! Find me on instagram at brookehouston

Overtime

Yesterday I received an email asking if there were any volunteers willing to work and earn overtime. I don't know about you, but most employers don't just give you the opportunity to gain three weeks of paid overtime.

Of course I quickly replied and said I would start the next day(today).

So here I sit, one hour in, and one more to go. My office is scary quiet right now. I guess you can tell I'm using my time wisely? :)

But hey, I was really busy earlier!

It's actually kind of nice to work in peace. A lot of times people don't follow cubicle etiquette, which can be annoying. I'll continue to see how this goes later on this month. I have a feeling Fridays will be torture. Oh well. I'll be happy when I get my check in the mail. :)

More on my job here.

Vote Day!

My take on voting:
I believe in voting, but I know my presidential vote doesn't really matter in the actual election of the president. Ever since finding out about the electoral college, my theory on "your vote counts" has been shot. Although, your vote towards the local elections counts directly. Which is a shame since most people, including myself, don't know much about the canidates and propositions... I'm guilty of not researching more before heading into the polls.

Fortunately, my office gave us time on Friday to "make our vote count" so I won't be standing in all those crazy lines today.

Oh, and do you remember a time when people didn't share who they voted for? Can we go back to that time? I frankly can't wait for the election to be over so we can see all of our favorite facebook politicians go back in to hiding. Can I get an amen?


Get out and vote, who knows, it might count this time.