Halloween

Happy Halloween Indeed.  However, it just doesn't really feel like Halloween on this coast with everything else that's been going on, but I hope you're able to enjoy this wonderful holiday.  We were so very lucky that Sandy only side-swiped DC and are praying for those in New York and New Jersey that have have been uprooted by the storm.

Oh Sandy

I wish I could be mad at you, but you've given us a day off!!! And possibly one tomorrow as well...

Okay, that may have been insensitive, but we are all safe and sound, just cozied up at home.  Power still on, no flooding in sight.

Things I Will Never Understand

First and foremost, Happy Friday all!!!

I don't know about you, but I'm really glad the weekend is finally upon us and that this election will be over in a few weeks!!!  Although I'm nervous that it's going to be so close that there is going to be weeks of re-counts and further contention, a la Bush v Gore...

Anywho, here are some of life's most mystifying questions to start your day...

How is Donald Trump a billionaire?  This completely moronic tool is proof that in the business world, schmooze and jargin are often more important that actual smarts.

How airlines determine flight costs.  It changes practically every day.  Wednesdays are the cheapest day to buy airfare.  Why????  Because some bigshot over at the airline company, got together with some bigshot over at the FAA and decided to rip off the American public.  Because they think the American public is a bunch of trusting nit-wits who will pay for everything they don't need rather than make a stink.  Well they're not ripping of this nitwit anymore because I'm not paying for one more thing I don't need.  George Banks is saying NO!

Government contractors.  Before moving to DC I had no idea just how much money our government throws away every year to government contractors.  Look into it.  You will be sick to your stomach.

Twitter.  Let's all be honest and admit that people's status updates are by far and away the most annoying part of Facebook, so I just don't understand the appeal of twitter.  It's basically just status updates...that's it.  I don't get it.

Floral pants.  I just can't get on board with this trend.  It looks cute on some, but it's the kind of thing that your kids will see photos of you wearing in 20 years and laugh about with their friends.  Or like the pictures I see of myself in college wearing ironic graphic tees...

Those Bing commercials.  Just no.  No one likes Bing.  Stop trying to make Bing happen.  No one is really picking Bing over Google.

ArtJamz

Anytime an establishment ends their name with an ironic "z" instead of an "s" you know it's going to be amazing.  Such was the case with ArtJamz, a local art studio where you can come and paint to your heart's content (in acrylic) for a nominal hourly fee and they'll provide the paint, brushes, easel, music, and tons of other supplies--the best part? They clean everything up!

So some of my favorite co-workers and I got together last week to have a painting party, and with some pinsperation, I conjured up a little "portrait" of the back of some girl's head, because it seems just a little off. Which is why I loved it and it made for the perfect inspiration.  Good times all around.

 

I love these girls!



Another Reason to Love Target

Target + Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection.

"The much-buzzed about holiday gift collection features over 50 limited-edition designer products from $7.99 to $499.99, and will be available nationwide at Target and Neiman Marcus stores and online starting Dec. 1. "

You know I love a good retail collaboration...these are some of my favorites below but you can preview the entire GMA sneak peak here.  Holiday Shopping season is almost upon us!



Tory Burch Cooler & Thermos









Diane Von Furstenburg Jewelry Box

 

Alice & Olivia Bike




Tracy Reese Blouse



Thom Browne Blazer




Rodarte Wrapping Paper

 


Carolina Herrara Stationary Set





Hard

Image via Pinterest

I love this quote. Love it. And I repeat it to myself more than I'd like to admit.  Particularly when I'm indulging in feeling sorry for myself. But that Jimmy Doogan knew what he was talking about.  The best things in life, the most rewarding, are always hard. They test you. Your patience, your faith, your will.  But we reap what we sow, good or bad.  And let's be honest, the "hard" is the point.  That's why it's worth accomplishing.  There's no gratification in being handed something on a silver platter even though it seems tempting.

Sorry this is kind of vague and ambiguous, things are good around here. The leaves are just finally starting to change and we're toying with the idea of a little jaunt to Monticello one of these weekends to really see the colors!

Finally...An Answer!!!

It's the question that has nagged us all for over a decade....



Ugh. Rose... hoarding her life jacket....I knew he didn't have to die.
This just confirms the fact that I really need to work for Mythbusters.

http://social.entertainment.msn.com/movies/blogs/the-hitlist-blogpost.aspx?post=4c1b6267-f546-410b-9e84-0f27c7927f58

16th Street

Our ward had an open house/service project last Saturday for our brand new building on 16th street here in DC.  The new building has been about seven years in the making with lots of lobbying for permits and neighborhood resistance but it's finally here.  The 16th street corridor is known for it's bevy of all kinds of churches, so the significance of having an LDS church among the rest is not lost on us.  As a way to reach out to other churches and neighbors, we organized the local "Pack the Pantries" project, to gather boxes of food to give to the Capitol Area Food Bank in conjunction with the open house.  It was so great to see all the volunteers working together like a beehive to get all the food organized and on the Food Bank trucks on Saturday morning.  The Mayor even showed up...you know how I just love politicians...  

The building has received it's fair share of attention, (as it would be where Romney would go to church if elected) and there have been articles about it in the Washington Post and Time Magazine.   In the end, we donated about 750 boxes of food and had a nice steady stream of friendly visitors come through the open house.  Afterwards Brody and I grabbed some lunch and took a lovely stroll through the crisp autumn air, passing pumpkins stands galore that made me giddy for more fall.

The Church did a big article on the event as well, these pictures are all from their site (just a little higher quality than the ones from my phone)



Hello October

Today I am missing my beautiful rocky mountains which are no doubt ablaze with yellow, orange, red and golden tones of autumn. Sigh...it's still pretty much just green here and my patience for fall leaves is wearing thin, although there was a definite nip in the air today which is always a good sign.

In related October news, I think I've finally settled on a costume that is both topical and will allow me to wear comfortbale pajama-like clothes to work.  My friend was the brain child behind it...replacement refs! Or I guess we will be out-of-work replacement refs, but all the same, it should make for a more comfortable day at work.  I had originally planned to go as classy catwoman--no bodysuit, just the fancy hat and red lips a la The Dark Knight Rises, but this will be much more comfy.  Not to mention that I look nothing like Anne Hathaway, although I have a certain friend that could pull this off perfectly (Kath, I'm looking at you).