my list.

See ya later, November. It was good while it lasted. Okay to be honest, it was a really great month. It's obviously the perfect time to reflect upon those things that we're thankful for. Here is my unfinished list of both large and small things:

• Of course, my family. I feel as if this one is kind of a given. They all know me and still like me :)
• Living in Salt Lake. I honestly love it and feel as if this is right where I'm supposed to be at this point in my life. Which is a very comforting thought.
• Google. Nerdy? Sure. But given the number of times throughout the day that I visit the site, I can't deny it - I'm addicted. It knows everything. Except the future. But I'm sure they're working on it.
• The nun that I usually see walking every morning on South Temple. Haven't seen her lately; maybe she bought a car. Can nuns drive cars? I think Whoopi did in Sister Act, but I'm not certain that is the best thing to reference. Maybe I'll ask Google later.
• The Hog aka my car. She's a good car. AND she's red which is definitely a plus. At some point in her life she is also going to have the capability of starting herself and warming up while I watch from the comfort of my house. All in good time, Hog. All in good time.
• The discovery of Flight of the Conchords. Props to iMatt.
• The horrible Martha Stewart. I certainly don't care for her, but I love nearly everything her designers put out there.
• Song lyrics worth reading. And those who write them.
• Email. I seriously love getting emails. Really helps my work day go by a little quicker.
• Sleeping in.
• Good books. Good music. Good movies.
• York Peppermint Patties.
• Stretching after working out. Makes it all worth it.
• My newest magazine addiction: Real Simple.
• My job. I'm sure you've all heard me vent here and there, but in the end I'm very thankful to work where I do. Our office is full of very unselfish, hardworking people who just want to make a difference. How lucky am I to be there with them? Very.
• Hot showers.
• The Grammar Girl podcast.
• The feeling of accomplishment that passes over me when I accept water instead of soda.
• Tulips. Especially red, orange, and yellow ones.
• Twinkle lights. Well, basically anything that twinkles and/or sparkles that isn't kitschy.
• The older couple that I saw yesterday. They were holding hands. Still. After all these years. I'm taking notes.
• The smell of lilacs.
• Day old banana bread. Without nuts, of course.
• Jiffy Lube. For the first time in my life I paid someone to change my oil. And guess what? They also topped off my washer fluid. What a pleasant surprise.
• Mustard. The only condiment that can bring a smile to my face anytime, anywhere.
• My wonderful friends who are so patient and understanding and sarcastic and just all around great people.
• The man on South Temple who rides his unicycle to work. While wearing a bow tie. I suppose if you're riding a unicycle to work it only makes sense to wear the bow tie, if only for theatrical purposes.
• Fonts
• Peppermint chap stick. $1 at Big Lots.
• The smell of clean laundry.
• Colors. This one may sound cheesy, but I really do. We're surrounded by gorgeous colors - it's a shame we don't always notice them.
• Pineapple. Fresh. Grilled. Mmm.
• A roommate who can't stand wrinkles and therefore irons all of my unacceptably wrinkled clothing.
• Holidays. And holiday traditions.
• The validated feeling I get when the credit card machine at the store tells me I'm approved. Thanks.
• The four huge windows at work that I get to look out of everyday. They provide a great view of the mountains.
• Art. Especially Vermeer. Oh and the sculptor Bernini.

To be continued...

presenting....

Shanna. The girl who introduced me to Mansfield Park. The miracle worker who is slowly selling me on choral music. And guess what? She recently had a birthday.

We decided that a girls' dinner was in order and Shanna chose The Red Iguana. The only downside of the night was that our dear Vanessa couldn't make it due to an irritatingly boring sick streak. She was certainly missed.

Pictures are below. Isn't the green wall bright and fantastic? There were also yellow walls, red walls, purple walls, etc. Quite the colorful little setup they've got. Maybe it's all psychological and brighter colors make you eat more? If so, mission accomplished. I practically had to roll myself outta there.

Anyway. Back on topic. Good company + good food = great night. Thanks for having a birthday, Shann. We love you!

watch out, kids.

PG. That's what I get. In the same league as most cartoons. The reasons are as follows: the use of the word whore two times and the word dead five times. Thing is, I'm not sure they understand that dead is simply in reference to a plant. Oops, sorry - my cactus succulent which, by the way, is really shootin' up there. Show you later. Anyway - it is certainly not referring to blood, slaughter, guns, guts, gore, trolops, murder, and/or anything else equally disconcerting. Think I've upped myself to PG-13 yet?
P.S. Happy Wednesday that is doubling as a Friday. I wholeheartedly support three day work weeks. If anyone comes across something that will help make the day go by faster, let me know. I have a feeling it might be a long one.

those sneaky ninjas...

This was a much needed bright spot in my day. I'm almost ashamed to admit how long I laughed at it. Oh those sneaky ninjas...


Ninja Parade Slips Through Town Unnoticed Once Again

ode to ash.

Anyone sick of odes? Cause I'm not. They help remind me why I love all the great people in my life. This ode is to my dear friend Ashley who is celebrating her birthday today. Ash and I met in Logan when we lived in the same apartment building. We didn't really get to know each other until about halfway through the year, but that's all that was necessary for me to know that everyone should have a 'lil bit of Ash in their life. She is one of the most accepting and genuine people I know. It wasn't hard to come up with a few things that I love about her...

• She has enough hoodies to clothe a small army. You think I'm joking...this girl LOVES her hoodies.
• Her Harry Potter accent is dead on.
• You could fit a small child in her purse. This is how I know she and Hilda will get along.
• She's pretty much BFF with Joshua Radin.
• After years of friendship, I still cannot manage to spell her last name correctly.
• The dancing. Every single time her phone rings.
• She thinks that I talk weird and can't resist teasing me about it. Which I secretly think is funny.
• She's gives excellent advice.
• When she forgets someone's name, she just calls them "whore" instead.
• She talks like a pirate on days besides September 19th.
• She has this really fantastic corner shelf that I'm convinced she will give to me someday.
• When she has absolutely no idea what I'm talking about, she's not afraid to tell me. And make me start over. I appreciate your honesty, Ash. I realize I can be quite vague sometimes.
• Even though she's from Idaho, she's not a farmer. In fact, I'm not sure she even likes potatoes.
• She can spot a stinky boy from a mile away.
• A couple of summers ago she worked at Red Robin. And I love anything associated with Red Robin. (Unlimited steak fries - who's with me?)
• She wears so many layers I'm not quite sure how she moves. Think ... Ralphie in A Christmas Story. Okay maybe not to that extent, but close.
• She shares my love of Wentworth and his prison breaking antics.

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is a sampling of the many reasons I'm so glad to have Ashley in my life. But the main reason is because she has the incredible ability to make everyone feel as if they are worth something. Which I think is more important than everything else on this list. Like I said - everyone could use a 'lil bit of Ashley in their lives. If you don't, talk to me. I can point you in her direction.

apparently i have a secret.

Two posts in one day. I know - horror of horrors. But I'm doing it anyway.

So a girl I work with studies palm reading. When this was discovered, we jumped at the chance to have her take a look at our palms and tell us wonderful things. Much to my disappointment, my reading was quite short. Despite this, she did have a couple of things to tell. Not sure I am ready to base my life upon what my palms are saying about me. But all in all, it was certainly very interesting. Anyway - here's the rundown:

So it turns out I have two types of hands - who knew? My right hand is an air hand while my left is a water hand. The air hand indicates someone who is very contemplative - whose mind is always going and thinking about things. The water hand signifies someone who is very motivated by feelings and also very adaptable in various situations. Interesting.

My palms also said that ...

• Good communication is very important to me.
• I try to be diplomatic and tactful.
• I enjoy working with my hands.
• I have a secret. Hmmm. I think she may have thrown that in there to add a bit of drama.
• I am a lover of all things beautiful.
• My family is very important to me.
• I have two overlapping lifelines. I can't recall what she said this meant, but I don't remember her saying I was going to die or anything. So I'm not worried.
• I will have one deep love in my life.
• I work hard to see situations from both sides.
• And last but not least - I need more sleep. C'mon now - I could have told you that.

So there you have it. A chiromancy take on the life of Jess. Strange, I don't recall her telling me that I'll die fat, happy, and filthy rich. Maybe she didn't look hard enough.

spooktacular.

Another Halloween come and gone. This year was spent at Hilda's ritzy mansion. That's right - mansion. She's a pretty big deal :) Got some great pictures:

I have to admit, though - I was sad to miss seeing my nieces and nephews all dressed up and excited to go trick-or-treating. But Jennie sent me some great pictures (Kambri will be added asap):

Princess Aubree

Soldier Dude Trace

Soldier Dude Riley

P.S. A great big Happy Birthday to my sweet nephew Trace! The big 7 ... getting so old. Trace, hope your birthday wasn't a "wip off" ;)