That Caviar is a Garnish!

I stole this from Patricia's Facebook but it was just too good

Giving Thanks

Lots to be thankful for, so here is a small snippet in no particular order

• Brody, he's my world.
• That Sandy only sideswiped DC and we were spared the brunt of the storm
• The Google maps app, I would be so utterly lost driving (and sometimes even walking) without it.
• Space heaters
• Brody, when after I had a horrible day at work last week, I came home to flowers, a clean house, and fresh laundry :)
• Diet root beer, and of course the free Diet Dr Pepper at work
• My amazing Young Women, who are all incredible and better people than me
• Going to movies
• Going out to eat
• Instagram, without which I would miss out on lots of adorable pics of my nieces and nephews 
• Boots weather
• Family. The holidays just aren't as fun without them
• Free shipping
• Gchat. I can't stress enough how much it more tolerable it makes working full time
• Brody, and his newfound, budding enthusiasm for cooking
• New catalogs in the mail
• Our wonderful ward.  It's unlike any other I've ever been a part of.
• iTunes Genius suggestions and Pandora
• Fall leaves
• Getting letters/packages in the mail
• Friends who encourage me in my ambitions and dreams
• Brody, who is so good with technology and such when I'm clueless
• Hulu and Netflix
• The world's easiest 8-minute walking commute
• Short work-weeks and holidays, wahoo!!!

And I could go on for days......I hope you're Thanksgiving week is off to a good start!

Yellow Vests

Appropriate

A good one for this month

Stand By Your....Boots

I got my favortie pair a boots a couple of years ago for Christmas.  They were a bit of an investment but considering how much I've worn and love them, they were worth it.   Those puppies will be with me for a long time.  However, upon moving to DC and living our walking-heavy pedestrian lifestyle, one of the soles had developed a bit of a hole.  I was pretty sad and upset considering, but I quickly learned that they were still under their two-year warranty...

So, I packed them up and shipped them off to the refurbishing center a couple weeks ago, and low and behold, they arrived today good as new!  New soles on both boots, and I think they even re-conditioned the leather for me.  And it was all free. It was a welcome pick-me-up today and the perfect start to the weekend.  I love when a company or establishment will actually stand by their work product, becasue it's becoming a bit of a rarity these days. So I'm passing off my good vibes to you all.  Bon Weekend :)



Do You Hear The People Sing?

eeeek! It looks so good!

Loved This

*last political post I promise. 

I got this from my brother-in-law's Facebook post about what his business partner said regarding the election and I LOVE It.

My business partner Graydon Stoner wrote the best thoughts I've read in some time in relation to the election. "Best" because I can do much better in the areas he suggests.

"My only post regarding the election:

For all those either gloating that they won, or lamenting that they lost, I hope both sides can identify that there is a serious problem with our political parties. Republicans and Democrats seem to embrace extremism over careful consideration. Each party seems to look out for their own interest rather than the country’s. Each side has recklessly spent the United States to the brink of financial ruin.

Why does each party seem to care nothing about the path this country is on?

Because of us. Look around and you’ll see parents who spend more time with their TV, their hobbies or partying with their friends than spending time with their children. You’ll see children who are more interested in playing video games or watching TV than studying or spending time with family. Everyone seems more interested in doing what is fun and easy, rather than doing what is necessary and important.

Why should we fault our leaders when they are just accurately representing the people that voted them into office?

I’m tired of it. So I’m making a personal commitment to do more to help those around me. I’m going to find more ways to serve. I’m going to look for worthy causes to donate my time and resources. I’m going to take a more personal interest in my neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family.

Just imagine if we all did this. We might not have a government going bankrupt trying to fund social services for millions of Americans or paying for countless wars across the world. If each of us was doing a better job of "impart(ing) of (our) substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants" then we might see that it is our responsibility to be the ‘safety net’ and not our government’s.

I’m done waiting for change to come from the top down. Thoreau said, “For every thousand hacking at the leaves of evil, there is one striking at the root.”

I’m sharpening my ax."

The Definition of Insanity

I've heard insanity defined several times as "Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result."  Sometimes this quote is mis-attributed to Einstein, sometimes to Mark Twain. Somtimes it's worded slightly differently, often it's the same.  Sometimes it's used to inspire, and sometimes it probably does.

The thing is....this is not the definition of insanity. Not even close.

In fact, the only dictionary in which you'll find this definition is Urban Dictionary.  The behavior it's describing is actually perseveration, a medical condition.   But I digress...

In terms of our federal government and the election results (which save for a few Senate seats is essentially more of the same), I really really hope our country hasn't gone "urban dictionary insane".  I really hope the next time there is a Congress with the lowest approval rating ever, that the voters won't give them a second term.  I really hope the next four years are better than the last four. I really hope that Congress and the President can work together to actually get things done.  I really hope the partisanship--on both sides--doesn't drive us right over that fiscal cliff.  I really hope the economy picks up soon, and the spending stops. And I really hope that people in both parties will stop being crazy stubborn hypocrites, and start being pragmatic.

No matter who you voted for, it's over.  Onward and upward people.  Perhaps it's best that I let those infinitely more eloquent and articulate speak for me:

"We congratulate President Obama on winning a second term as President of the United States.

After a long campaign, this is now a time for Americans to come together. It is a long tradition among Latter-day Saints to pray for our national leaders in our personal prayers and in our congregations. We invite Americans everywhere, whatever their political persuasion, to pray for the President, for his administration and the new Congress as they lead us through difficult and turbulent times. May our national leaders reflect the best in wisdom and judgment as they fulfill the great trust afforded to them by the American people.

We also commend Governor Romney for engaging at the highest level of our democratic process which, by its nature, demands so much of those who offer themselves for public service. We wish him and his family every success in their future endeavors."

-The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Something in the Air

There is a buzz in the air over here.  We're so close! Everyone at work is prepping their talking points and post-election analysis (two versions of course), and we even spent a good 10 minutes during our monday morning meeting today going over how best to live-tweet the election (I'm not kidding).

I just looked up where I can vote tomorrow morning and I'm actually excited, (and not just for the political ads to stop), I'm excited because I actually feel like an informed citizen, exercising that precious right to vote.  I'll be honest and say that I've never been into politics and in the past, haven't done much more than speak to my friends and family in terms of educating myself on the issues.  However, since moving to DC and being constantly inundated with all-things politics and government, I actually feel like an informed voter.  And even though I kind of wish we lived in Virginia right now (for the swing-state vote obviously), and even though I'm still a cynic when it comes to politicians, I'm excited to vote tomorrow and see how it all turns out.