Happy Halloween!

Halloween is serious business at my office - witness the picture of my "suit and tie" boss below. We don't mess around! Everyone brings their kids and we have a huge potluck.

While my costume is not conducive to working, it is kind of creative. Thanks for your help, Dad!

Here's hoping everyone's had a safe, fun and happy Halloween! Tell me, what's the best costume you've seen this year? I've got to get thinking for next year!

Sneaky!

This morning, I was on the phone with my boss in a pretty heavy conversation. Just a few minutes ago, I heard water dripping in the bathroom and thought to myself, "That's weird, maybe I didn't turn the water all the way off." So I go over to the bathroom and open the door...nope! My roommate was in the shower. She was so sneaky I didn't hear her open and close my bedroom door, close the bathroom door and get in the shower! Oops!

Rockin' House

My house is really rocking at this moment...I've been holed up in my room all night. I think one of my roommates has been in hers as well. I just went downstairs and one of my roommates is on the couch fast asleep. I love it! We sure know how to live it up around here.

On another note, do you think "The Secret" really works? If I want something enough it will happen? Or is it more like the idiom "a watched pot never boils"? Weigh in, because I think I want something to happen...

Success

I read a lot of different things throughout my day. Some interesting, some tedious, some funny. Today, I read something thought-provoking about success. It's in Richard Branson's new book, Business Stripped Bare. In case you don't know who he is, here's a little tidbit on him from this year's Forbes Billionaires Special Report. Now, to the last sentence in his book.

"Successful people aren't in possession of secrets known only to themselves. Don't obsess over people who appear to you to be "winners", but listen instead to the wisdom of people who've led enriching lives - people, for instance, who've found time for friends and family. Be generous in your interpretation of what success looks like. The best and most meaningful lives don't always end happily."

Interesting coming from a guy who was a high school dropout and is now worth billions. Don't construe my posting this to thinking that just because he has billions, I value everything he has to say. I just like to remember that words and ideas sought after like success, beauty, riches, wisdom, etc. can have many meanings and definitions. The most important are not usually those most often used. 

Hopes and Dreams

My roommate and I went shopping tonight and went into Banana Republic where I saw this ensemble on a mannequin. 

When I see men's clothes in the store, I wish I had a man of my own that I could dress up. Kind of like a life-size Ken doll, preferably alive. And interested in me. Is that asking too much?

When I was younger, I really wanted to be a personal shopper, mostly because I'm really good at shopping. Probably to my bank account's detriment. I just really like shopping for other people, especially men. I think it's because, as ZZ Top said, "Every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man."

So, if you, or any man you know, needs a personal shopper, call me! I'll do it for a nominal fee (like chocolate and Diet Coke).

Facebook Photo Tags

Sometimes, when I see that "friends" have been tagged in photos on Facebook, crazy thoughts come to my mind. Things like, "I can't remember why I was attracted to him." Or "Wow! He's attractive in that picture. Why did I stop seeing him?" Then I think "young and immature" or "leftovers". I don't really think much after that.

Win a Bag from Handbagplanet.com!

To celebrate their October 15, 2008 grand opening, Handbagplanet.com is giving away a free handbag every our for 24 hours starting at noon on the day of their grand opening. Sign up for a free handbag at www.handbagplanet.com. Good luck if you choose to enter the contest!

I Wonder What Their Home Life Is Like

This is the thought that kept running through my head at a fireside that Sister Kristen Oaks spoke at (and Elder Dallin H. Oaks made some comments at) tonight.

Sister Oaks spoke at a CES fireside late last year, and I really began to love her then. I love her even more after being in the room with her and feeling her incredible spirit.

First things first, they were running a wee bit late. Why, you ask? Well, because they had gone to Costco before the fireside and Elder Oaks "thought he was being sneaky wearing a hat", but he was found in the detergent aisle and was complaining that he wasn't able to get his hot dog because he got caught. Too funny. 

Sister Oaks had a lot of really great things to say about living the gospel. She recently wrote a book called "A Single Voice", which prompted the invitation to speak to our ward. Here are some of the spiritual highlights of my evening:

• If Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will always be there for us, then we must always be there for each other.
• She mentioned a talk that Elder Holland gave to the missionaries and mission presidents this past June in which he said, "Missionary work isn't easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Why would we think it would be easy for us when it was never easy for Him?
• We should treasure feelings of distress during this earthly experience because we are on our way to something celestial.
• "The things I thought were my greatest deficit were actually my greatest strength"

Elder Oaks counseled to keep learning, but to be selective about what we choose to learn. He also stated that when the veil is lifted, we will not be disappointed with what our church has taught us.

Now, to the lighter side, and my question. First of all, Elder Oaks sat back behind the pulpit sometimes shaking his head and laughing at the things Sister Oaks said. Things like, "A good vampire is hard to find", along with mentioning the reason why they were late. When Sister Oaks asked Elder Oaks to come up and say a few words, he first said, "Following you is very different than following a general authority." When she asked if that was a good or a bad thing, he simply said that for the sake of their marriage, he wasn't going to answer the question. He also poked a little fun at all the education Sister Oaks has (she has her PhD) saying, "You know what B.S. stands for, right? Well, M.S. means more of the same and Ph.D. means it's just piled higher & deeper." Can an apostle say things like that over the pulpit? I guess so!

These two seem to really love each other. It's nice to see that side. I sometimes forget that our apostles are human, too. The difference being that they listen to the Lord a little (or a lot) better than I do.

Also, Sister Oaks handed out testimony gloves to everyone who wanted one. Aren't they cute? She takes them with her wherever she travels. She mentioned that in parts of Africa, the children didn't actually receive the gloves because some of the mother are illiterate, but they would still like to teach their children the gospel and use the gloves to do so. Pretty incredible, huh?

Office Debate-Weigh In

There's a debate going on at my office now about when to get married (because one of my co-workers is dating someone seriously and they're both 21). There's a belief that there is "good, better, best" when it comes to choosing a spouse and some people are saying that they're too young to get married. I'm of the camp that it's all about timing. Not necessarily who, but when. What's your thought? Does it matter when someone gets married?

I Might Want This

In my blog searching today, I read something about a parody on the children's book, "Pat the Bunny". The cover of the book is below. I cracked up when I saw it and now I feel like I need to go into a local bookstore to see if they have it! Check out the Amazon description if you're curious for more information.

Truth in Humor

I received this from a co-worker today. Makes you wonder what George Washington and all of the other founders of our country think of our current economic situation. It's too bad we let greed get the better of us.

Debate Night Fun

To make the presidential debates more interesting,  my roommates and I have a little "drinking game" with certain buzzwords (and diet beverages). Tonight, the buzzwords were corruption, golden parachute and Main Street. One of my roommates suggested we go with the hard stuff (Mountain Dew) if "porkbarrel spending" was said. Note to self: you drink diet beverages for a reason-real sugar drinks make you sick.

My roommate thought it might be fun to come up with a debate version of "Mad Libs" because at one point, Mr. Obama seemed to lose a word and didn't complete his sentence. Also, I think Barack learned how to speak "hood" from Chingy - words like "thur" for "there". Since when does "e" make a "u" sound? 

Anyway, I think I'm all hopped up on on Mountain Dew, so if this is a bit discombobulated, my apologies. Hope you all found tonight's debate informative!

Full On Monet

Sometimes I'll look at myself in a mirror from a distance and think, "Wow! I look really hot!" But upon closer inspection, I feel like Amber from Clueless. You know, when Cher asks Christian if he thinks Amber's hot and he says she's a "full on Monet." He goes on to explain that a full on Monet is someone that looks good from far away but is a mess up close.

I had that moment today. Now, my self esteem is not suffering, nor am I looking for pity or compliments, but I just think it's really funny that this is what comes into my head when I'm having a not-so-great looking day. Maybe I watch too many movies. 

Disappointment

Last week, I took a call for one of my bosses from a wholesaler trying to come in and see him next week. When I told this guy (who totally has a "salesperson" voice) that my boss would be out of town he suggested coming by the office to see me. Whatever.

Today he called because his GPS couldn't find our street name, so I gave him directions and he says, "I was thinking of bringing a little something for you. You know, for taking time out of your schedule." What? I was getting hit on! I told him that wasn't necessary and he said that maybe he would get to know me and send me something after dropping off the information.

I think I was a disappointment to him because Mr. Salesperson Voice (with what I think are hairplugs, as well as a gold chain and chest hair sticking out of his shirt) didn't follow up on his original offer or even ask for a business card. Shucks! I feel like I'm always missing out on the winners of the world. 

Oh well. Tomorrow's another day.

Ghost Town

"Everybody Dies." "Yeah, but usually at the end of their life, and just once."

Today, I treated myself. I checked out of work an hour early and took myself to see Ghost Town. From the previews, it looked like it might be kinda funny, but the biggest appeal was Greg Kinnear.

After laughing very hard throughout the entire movie and walking out feeling happy, I totally recommend it! Ricky Gervais is SO SO SO funny. His comedic timing couldn't be better. So, if you need a good movie to see, go see this one. 

What is the Universe Trying to Tell Me?

I know I've mentioned that I really like my co-workers, but I honestly do. It's like having an office full of big brothers (which can sometimes be annoying). Anyway, in the past week I have had four people ask me if I'm dating anyone right now, to which I roll my eyes and say no. Then, I'm in the middle of a work-related conversation and got shooed out of the office so my co-worker could have a 20-minute discussion about baseball. Which I'm totally cool with. I teased him about it afterward and he told me that he was really surprised more guys wouldn't want to date me because sports watching/obsession doesn't really bother me. I grew up in a household watching football and basketball. My mom is the more vocal supporter. Strange, I know. I'm also in a fantasy football league. I don't consider myself to be knowledgeable, but I'm always up for watching a game. 

Anyway, this all makes me wonder if the universe is trying to tell me something that I keep on missing.

Musical Memories

I am tired of all of my normal playlists, so today while at work I put my entire library on random. It has been a day full of songs that remind me of people and times in my life, so here's to a few of them:

"Hey Juliet" by LMNT - This one reminds me of Marin. For some reason, we just loved this song when we were living together (I can't remember if it was during the first or second time). Brings back memories of not ever getting enough sleep but always having fun!

"Step In the Name of Love" by R. Kelly - Not sure why, but I introduced my dad to this song and he would just blast this song and sing right along!

"I Just Called to Say I Love You" by Stevie Wonder - This song will forever remind me of my family. And the episode of the Cosby Show where the family went to the recording studio (remember Rudy and the giraffe?). When I'm in the car, I will usually sing at the top of my lungs!