What I want for Christmas ...

This economy is tough on a lot of people and I've been lucky enough to lack nothing. What I want for Christmas this year is quality time with family and friends over lunch, dinner, hot chocolate, a matinee or a killer game of Scrabble. Please consider donating to your local food bank or helping out someone through a Sub-for-Santa program on my behalf. Yes, give that can of SPAM to someone who needs the lovely salted pink morsels of protein. I'll get my own.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Don't eat too much turkey ... gobble, gobble!

A Grateful Heart

I have been thinking all week about being grateful. I think a grateful person is a happy person. They see how much they are blessed and that gratitude propels them forward. I thought of the people I worked with on my mission in Indonesia. There were families who had very little as far as material wealth, yet they were the happiest people I know. Then there are those who have wealth, but were miserable and lonely. The difference, I observed, is a grateful heart. With that in mind and Thanksgiving fast approaching, I thought I'd list the things I am grateful for (not necessarily in the order of importance).

1. My health. Despite being overweight (or as an Indonesian friend called me, "prosperous") and out of shape (I like to think of it as being fit enough to sit for long periods of time without tiring), I'm in pretty good health. I'm grateful that the string of virus that have caused me to cough for almost two months have brought out kind, concerned friends who offer me tips on how to get over it, cough drops, leftover prescription meds, or just calls to check up on me.

2. My job. It really isn't fair that after 13 years at the same firm, I'm still having a lot fun with my bosses. They treat me well and kindly. I could go and work elsewhere for more money, but they've earned my loyalty.

3. My friends. Too many to name and list their acts of love and kindness towards me. Suffice to say, I am lucky that I have friends I know I can call on if I'm ever in need of the spiritual, emotional, and/or temporal. Despite their snide remarks on my blog or facebook or to my face, I love my friends for making me laugh, feel loved and constantly nourishing my soul and occasionally my body with yummy foods and my mind because most of them are such know-it-alls.

4. Daily tender mercies from God. Whether it be a sunny sky, a beautiful flower I see on the way to work, or dark chocolate left by an anonymous "friend", I'm grateful for the little things that make me happy to be alive.

5. Opportunities to serve. I'm grateful for the families I'm able to help through Sub-for-Santa, they help me realize how blessed I've been throughout the year. I'm grateful for my callings in church as an Employment Specialist and the "Paper Product Coordinator" and I hope I'm doing some good and helping people.

6. My stuff. I really have too much stuff and need to learn to throw things away. My car, Chloe, that I'm constantly scraping. My home, that's overflowing with stuff I need to organize or throw out. My electronic gadgets that keep me occupied and hopefully somewhat organized and in touch with people. My card making stuff that is taking over the dining and living room. Clothes, clothes and more clothes because I'm becoming more and more prosperous and need bigger sizes.

I have much more to be grateful for. I won't bore you with all of them. However, I hope you too will take a quiet moment this week to "Count your blessings/Name them one by one/Count your many blessings/See what God hath done."

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

I apologize in advance should anyone find this offensive ...

After lunch today, I decided to go to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory to get a treat. Matt pointed this sign to me. This and comments by the girl behind the counter got our minds in the gutter.

"Whoa! Look at how big this banana is! It's probably too big for the bowl."

"You want that bagged? You know, the nuts might fall off."

Flirting: Part II

My boss, Brian, printed this article for me. It's nice that he's looking out for me. Running your hands through your hair or tapping your foot slowly are not on the list (which my other boss, Steve, is really sad about). We all like that "props" are suggested, although with some people that can get pretty wierd pretty fast.

Expert Flirting Tips
By Fran Greene

Having trouble coming up with something to say when you've met someone you'd like to date? Try these top 10 tips to help you flirt.

Some people are natural flirts, but what if you're not one of those people? We've compiled 10 expert tips on flirting that even the most timid of singles can use.

10. Flirting is an attitude
A good flirt is self-confident and not afraid to take risks. Be enthusiastic and positive—it works!

9. Start a conversation
The best opening line is saying hello. Talk about the surroundings, ask a question, ask for help or state an opinion.

8. Have fun
Be playful, light-hearted and spontaneous. Show your vulnerability.

7. Use props
Never leave home without a prop. Props are natural conversation starters. They encourage conversation and others will be compelled to start talking to you. Great props include dogs, kids, unusual jewelry, a fabulous scent, a sweatshirt with your favorite passion, interesting ties, hats or an interesting book or newspaper.

6. Be the host
Change your behavior from guest to host. You are not a passive person waiting around for romance; instead, you're the welcome committee.

5. Make the first move
Move closer to the person you want to meet. Say hello.

4. Listen
You have two ears and one mouth because you should listen twice as much as you speak. Listening is a true art. Your flirting partner will be drawn to you. Everyone loves to be heard.

3. Eye contact
Please look your partner in the eye gently (no more than a few seconds) and then glance away. Don't stare—it's a turn-off.

2. Compliment
Compliment your flirting partner. The best compliments have the element of surprise. The "flirtee" will know that you really noticed him or her. Remember, your compliments must be honest, sincere and genuine. When you receive a compliment, the best response is a simple "Thank you!"

1. Smile
It's contagious. Smiling makes you so much more approachable. A smile lights up your face and draws people to you. You'll be a people magnet.

Fran Greene is a frequent Match.com contributor and a nationally recognized, sought-after expert on flirting, dating and relationships. Greene has appeared on Dateline NBC, The Today Show, and has been featured in the New York Times, Self, and Cosmopolitan.

Late one foggy Halloween night ...

A man is walking home alone late one foggy Halloween night, when behind him he hears:

BUMP ... BUMP ... BUMP ...

Walking faster, he looks back and through the fog he makes out the image of an upright casket banging its way down the middle of the street toward him.

BUMP ... BUMP ... BUMP ...

Terrified, the man begins to run toward his home, the casket bouncing quickly behind him.

FASTER ... FASTER ... FASTER ...

BUMP ... BUMP ... BUMP ...

He runs up to his door, fumbles with his keys, opens the door, rushes in, slams and locks the door behind him. However, the casket crashes through his door, with the lid of the casket clapping.

Clappity-BUMP ... Clappity-BUMP ... Clappity-BUMP ...

... on his heels, as the terrified man runs. Rushing upstairs to the bathroom, he locks himself in. His heart is pounding; his head is reeling; his breath is coming in sobbing gasps. With a loud CRASH the casket breaks down the door. Bumping and clapping toward him. The man screams and reaches for something, anything, but all he can find is a bottle of cough syrup! Desperate, he throws the cough syrup at the casket ...

AND THE COFFIN STOPS.

"Vote early ... and often!"

I decided to vote early last night after work. I got to the Bountiful Library and went to the voting area. Right off the bat, a poll worker told me that from the end of the line where I was, it’ll take approximately 90 minutes to the voting booths! OMG! Luckily, I didn’t have anything else planned last night and I didn’t want to show up on Election Day when the other 70% of registered voters will be showing up. I asked for a pamphlet and reviewed the other items I’ll be voting for to kill the time in line. On the bright side, I only stood in line for an hour.

While in line, I started to chat with the man standing behind me who told me of his divorce, travels, etc. By the time we were within sight of the registration tables, he asked me for my phone number and possibly doing lunch. Too bad he cut me off in the parking lot earlier, smelled like cigarettes, and was at least two decades older. Why don’t men my own age ask me out? On the bright side, I only stood in line for an hour.

Autumn is here ...

Against the grey morning sky,

a bed of vibrant orange.

Autumn is here ...

"Change for the Better" by Journey

Yeah, I'm hooked on this song and can't stop listening to it. I've been playing the CD for a couple of weeks and keep going back to this song and listening to it over and over. Click on the link below to see and hear the final cut of the song on youtube. [Sigh ... I love Arnel Pineda]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNOuqZwUgfM

Down the lowest I can go
With no one left to turn
On the edge, I lose control
Before I crash and burn
Can I turn around
Slow it down, oh

Hold on, we've still got living to do
So far gone
See life for someone like you
In your eyes
You showed me reasons to live
Take time
The time it takes to forgive

It's my life, it'll change for the better
I've faced the light
It's worth the fight
See a new day
Start a new way
Get it straight
Make it change for the better

I was dying, a drowning man
And I wish you well
Pull me from the darkness
And save me from myself

Wake up, shake it off
Let go
What I'm pretending to be
I know
I'm still the man I could be, yeah

It's my life, it'll change for the better
I've faced the light
It's worth the fight
See a new day
Start a new way
Get it straight
Make a change for the better

I'm waking up to find
A different state of mind
There was a new place, I'm okay
I've changed for the better

I've opened up my eyes
I'm glad to be alive
It's never too late
To cheat fate
Changed for the better

And now then there is no hope
Until we are faced without
We can never fall in love
Until we learn to live without
In our love we can't find peace
Without conflict in our lives
And the healing will begin, oh
'Til we open up our eyes

It's my life, it'll change for the better
I've faced the light
It's worth the fights
See a new day
Start a new way
Get it straight
It all comes together

Made my mind up
There's still time enough
I'm all right
Made a change for the better

Change for the better
Change for the better, yeah
Oh, oh, oh
Yeah, I'm all right
Oh

Getting to know me ...

Okay, this is the second time I've gotten this exact email in about a couple of months. I'm not forwarding again to my friends (some who didn't bother to reply back), but I thought that this was one of the funner get-to-know-me emails. So, here it is again with today's answers:

1. What is your occupation right now?
A: Legal Secretary.

2. What color are your socks right now?
A: Still wearing sandals, so not wearing any.

3. What are you listening to right now?
A: Journey's "Revelation" CD ... specifically playing "Change for the Better" over and over again. I can't get enough of this song.

4. What was the last thing that you ate?
A: Chinese/Thai leftovers.

5. Can you drive a stick shift?
A: No.

6. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
A: A client.

7. Do you like the person who sent this to you?
A: Yes, otherwise she won't have my email address.

8. How old are you today?
A: 39.

9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
A: Spelling Bee?

10. What is your favorite drink?
A: Limeaid and Coke ... not together.

11. Have you ever dyed your hair?
A: Tried to, but didn't take ... I blame the dye. I wanted a red tint to my hair.

12. Favorite food?
A: Depends on the mood, but I can always have pho or chinese brocolli.

13. What is the last movie you watched?
A: I saw "Traitor" a few weeks ago ... geez, has it been that long?

14. Favorite day of the year?
A: Don't really have one ... any day I don't have to do anything.

15. How do you vent anger?
A: Cry, sleep, or stew.

16. What was your favorite toy as a child?
A: A stick? just kidding probably the series of plastic dolls.

17. What is your favorite season?
A: Spring and Fall ... not too hot, not too cold, just right ...

18. What nicknames did you have as a child?
A: Ing, Nge.

19. Cherries or Blueberries?
A: Do I have to chose?

20. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back?
A: If they have time.

21. Who is the most likely to respond?
A: Whoever has time to kill.

22. Who is least likely to respond?
A: Whoever is annoyed.

23. Living arrangements?
A: All by myself/Don't wanna be/All by myself ... (Taking roommate applications. Male, temple worthy, must be willing to give a ring, half the mortgage and associated expenses and share last name and bed ... among other qualifications ...).

24. When was the last time you really cried?
A: A couple of days ago and I feel so much better now ... it's a female thing, I hear.

25. What is on the floor of your closet?
A: Shoes.

26. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to?
A: Nobody, going on the blog.

27. What did you do last night?
A: Worked until 8:00, Shopping at Target for wedding and baby gifts.

28. What are you most afraid of?
A: "I've fallen and I can't get up" ... alone and no one can hear me calling for help.

29. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?
A: Teriyaki with swiss cheese and mushroom.

30. Favorite dog breed?
A: Cyber/robotic. It won't die if I don't feed it ... or walk it.

31. Favorite day of the week?
A: Saturday.

32. How many states have you lived in?
A: Three -- Hawaii, New York, Utah.

33. Diamonds or pearls?
A: Again, I have to choose?

34. What is your favorite flower?
A: Orchids.

35.Where is your favorite vacation spot?
A: Anywhere warm, with fresh fruits and seafood ... and drinks with the paper umbrellas ... served by a tanned, shirt-less cabana boy ... Hey, I'm allowed to dream, right?