Carving Pumpkins!

Tuesday I went to a pumpkin carving party hosted by the awesome Summer. I also got to see miss Jennifer Morgan, which is always a plus. We had amazing pork tacos, cake, cookies, and CANDY CORN for dessert, AND we went to a pumpkin patch!!! I hadn't been to one since I lived in New Jersey, so I was very excited and a little picture happy! Here are some.

The Pumpkin Patch and Carnival in Corona
Look at all the pumpkins!!

Jennifer and I with the scarecrow!

Jennifer, Summer, and I. Aren't we strong?! :)

I dunno..... I look like a monkey.

Our finished products!
From Left: Shannon, Jennifer, me, Jen, Summer, Lauren

Random Acts of Kindness

Last week i experienced 3 random acts of kindness that I wanted to share. Just nice to know that there are people out there that do nice things, just cause.
Here they are:
Running Store
I was at the gym and they were having an open house where stores could come in and display their products. One was a running store (mind, 2 were food, and not health food, mexican food, and chick-fillet, are they serious?!?! I am in a gym, a place I should be able to call my sanctuary where I can distract myself from eating junk food, and they put it right in front of my nose! Luckily, I stood strong) So, I asked the running store if they had an GU and running belts for water bottles. (notice the guy with the packet in his mouth) The running peoples told me that they didnt have GU nor belts for water bottle there, but they did have them at their store, and if I went before Oct. 31st, i could use this $15 cert!!!! I noticed on the cert that the amount was for $10, and he had crossed it out and wrote $15, and then signed by it! how exiciting $15 bucks off!!!!
H&M
This clothing store is becoming very popular to me. Don't worry, I still am obssessed with Express and will always be, but I bought a knit hat, grey long sleeves, and a dress, for only $47!!!! Insane! During checkout I asked if I could have hangers, and the checker replied, sadly no. When I finished paying, I notice her stuff a hanger in my bag, say shhhh!!! and hand me my bag. Sweet!!! no reason at all, I got a hanger!!
And now for the ultimate act of kindness...
Wig Store
I went to a wig store to try on dark hair, so I could get a good idea of how I looked with dark hair, before I dyed it. (sidenote - i look HORRIBLE with dark hair, and got it highlighted with some low-lights instead) The story was closing, but this cool punk girl, who scared me when I first saw her, let me in. I confess that I am not even there to buy a wig, but wanted to try one on so I could see how I look with dark hair (and right about now, I feel very shallow). They told me it was $3 per wig to try on, I ask to pay with debit, but the machine is down, bc they are closed. So, I am keeping them open, to not even try a wig. I start digging thru my purse and pull out the 1 dollar bill that I have and proceed to start counting quarters. Then, the lady behind the desk told me, "it's ok, you dont have to pay, jsut try the wig." REALLY!?!? ok! So the crazy punk girl with bleach blonde and dark black hair with her nose ring (i think she was about 16) took me back to try on the wig I picked out. I hated it. I wanted a pick to show my friends for second opinions, bc of course I cannot make these decisions on my own, but.... I left my phone in the car. So, punk girl, offers to take the pic with HER phone and then text me the picture. WOW!!! So I said yes, and she took it, and I left with a free try-on and proof of a potential debacle.
I LOVE PEOPLE! - something to keep in mind when I have to deal with other, not-so-nice people
3 separate people, 3 separate occasions, 3 nice gestures. Pay it Forward

Stages of Grief

I have been feeling better about things lately, and so I decided to look up the stages of grief, bc I felt like I was moving right along. Lately, I have felt I am in the anger stage. I am no longer feeling sorry for myself, and not denying that its even happening. So I look at these stages, and find anger as #2. STAGE 2!!! How am I only on stage 2? How many more are there? Well, there are 5 in total, anger is #2. But depression is #4, and I feel that I have def. already experienced that one, and Bargaining is #3, which i am NOT going to do. So, technically, I am only one step away from the end...... acceptance. Only 1 step away! WOOHOO!!! This calls for some major celebration!

Bored......

You know when you are sooooooooo bored that you try to add some life to the time that is passing by eating? But, you're not even hungry!!!!!!! And yet you think, I guess I could just eat my apple and peanut butter early today...that would kill about 10 min.... UGH! My job!

Cristina and Becky pose update:

These next two poses are classic Christina and Becky poses. I swear we have dozens. These 2 were taken at our friend's wedding this past weekend, some more pics to come!


This next one is just for fun!! Another wedding, but how fun are we!!! Christina did not take her bag 'o candy home, while I proceeded to scarf the Rock Candy like it was going outta style, and took about 5 more home! :)

Happy Pre-Halloween!

I went to a Halloween party this past weekend. It was a lot of fun to see old faces and talk with friends. Im really excited about this year's Halloween, bc last year I was in Argentina, and if you are a Christian down there, you think Halloween is only of the devil, and can't have any fun with it. So I started this year a bit early :). Sidenote - I do have shorts on under my costume. Happy Pre-Halloween!!



Rebecca, Me, and Chrissy

Anne and I

Really Pernevi? He is some Thai national sport, fighter, notice the headband, hilarious!

Worth Reading

I, like my friend Dani, dont like to talk much about politics to people, bc I definetely have my viewpoints, most of which are not shared by the rest of California. BUT for this, I am willing to make an exception. I copy pasted this from her, who stole it from her soon to be mother-in-law, so no credit to me. Take some time to read it and pass it on to friends. you will be amazed at the numbers!!!! If you think you cant already afford things now, bc the way the economy is going, under Obama, you will be paying ALOT more. :(

CAPITAL GAINS TAX
MCCAIN 0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home (couples). McCain does not propose any change in existing home sales income tax. OBAMA 28% on profit from ALL home sales
How does this affect you? If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes. If you are heading toward retirement and would like to down-size your home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the money you make from your home will go to taxes.
Personal note: This proposal will adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homes as part of their retirement income.
DIVIDEND TAX
MCCAIN 15% (no change)
OBAMA 39.6% -
How will this affect you? If you have any money invested in stock market, IRA, mutual funds, college funds, life insurance, retirement accounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earned on taxes if Obama becomes president.
Personal note: experts predict that ‘Higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market, yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit.
INCOME TAX
MCCAIN (no changes)
Single making 30K - tax $4,500
Single making 50K - tax $12,500
Single making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 60K- tax $9,000
Married making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 125K - tax $31,250
OBAMA (reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts)
Single making 30K - tax $8,400
Single making 50K - tax $14,000
Single making 75K - tax $23,250
Married making 60K - tax $16,800
Married making 75K - tax $21,000
Married making 125K - tax $38,750
INHERITANCE TAX
MCCAIN - 0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax)
OBAMA Restore the inheritance tax
Personal note: Many families have lost businesses, farms, ranches, and homes that have been in their families for generations because they could not afford the inheritance tax. Those willing their assets to loved ones will only lose them to these taxes.
NEW TAXES PROPOSED
MCAIN None
OBAMA New government taxes proposed on homes that are more than 2400 square feet.
New gasoline taxes
New taxes on natural resources consumption (heating gas, water, electricity)
New taxes on retirement accounts
New taxes to pay for socialized medicine
***
I realize that I’ve already lost you. You probably are so tired of hearing about all this mess that you left as soon as you saw the word “politics”. But if you’re still here, bless you, stout-of-heart. Go do some research, and not just online - the Democratic campaign has effectively hi-jacked our generation, and thus the bloggers, facebookers and “digg”ers of this country.
Think about the repercussions of promises made, and who’s paying for, say, free tuition for college kids or free healthcare. Nothing is ever free.
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/issues/issues.taxes.html
http://elections.foxnews.com/latest-news/index.html
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/candidates/john_mccain/
http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxtopics/presidential_candidates.cfm