Simple Pleasures

Some things just make me smile. They're so silly and simple sometimes. But sometimes those things are the best things. Small and simple things, right? (How many times can I say things, eh?) Some of these things that make me happy I'll link to if you want to see too...

This week I added my Halloween stations to my Pandora mix. Some Halloween songs are so silly. And others are kind of clever. It's fun. My favorite is Monster Mash. But pretty much anything from The Nightmare Before Christmas is also fun. And I can't help but smile at the advice of the Witch Doctor.

While listening to a different Michael Buble song, I thought of a Christmas song of his that I LOVE. So I listened to it. Yes, I listen to Christmas music whenever I feel like it. It makes me happy.

Also related to my Pandora time (hey, I scanned and indexed documents for four hours—music helps me through), I heard this amazing commercial at least half a dozen times. And I've heard it before. And every time I hear it, I smile. I think it's hilarious.

It's my roommate's birthday and so another roommate decorated. It's fun to have that up. But also, since we're discussing simple everyday type pleasures, you should know that our living room walls are the best all the time. Because three of them are covered in scrapbook paper as wallpaper. Which is so much fun, and much cuter than boring white walls.

In my forensic linguistics class, we had a teleconference with a lawyer who studied linguistics here before law school. We had to prepare questions in advance and then the professor called on specific people to ask their questions. I got called on first today. And Mr. Lawyer guy said it was an excellent question. I felt smart for a minute.

As I was walking to class this afternoon, I loved looking at the mountains. The clouds were low, covering the top part of the mountains, and rain had deepened the wonderful fall colors. It was gorgeous. I really can't get over how gorgeous it was!

And speaking of mountains, I love Homecoming Week because the Y is all lit up. I love that!

So there's a glimpse of today's simple pleasures!

October, how do I love thee?

I don't know if you know this, but I LOVE October. Like true love. Love. Top five reasons for this:

1. It's FALL! I love Fall. I love Fall colors: red, orange, yellow–rich, golden fall colors. I love Fall weather–it's cool, but not cold. You can wear sweaters. Fall-colored sweaters are most desirable. And scarves. I love scarves. And then the leaves on the trees are all changing and the mountains get colorful and it's just gorgeous! Fall weather, fall clothes, fall colors, fall mountains. Can it get better?

2. It's GENERAL CONFERENCE! I love General Conference. What's better than listening to God's chosen servants all weekend? And with General Conference weekend comes mission reunion time. And that's always fun.

3. It's PUMPKIN TIME! Oh. My. Word. I. Love. Pumpkins. Pumpkin decor, pumpkin color, pumpkin carving, pumpkin baked goods. Especially the latter. Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting...yep, started with that one yesterday. I love pumpkins. And carving pumpkins is strangely delightful. I love the feel of the guts in my hands. I might be weird.

4. It's HALLOWEEN! I used to dislike Halloween. I'm not one for scary stuff, and you can only take so much candy. But I've had some dang fun Halloweens since coming to BYU, including seeing The Nightmare Before Christmas and making homemade root beer with friends one year and throwing an awesome Halloween party another year with my famous Mark Boothe pumpkin. And there was Freddy the ghost sweeping across our living room. Plus that year at SHA, we drew a haunted house and we cut out pictures of everybody and included them...yep, better include that picture below too. :)

Mark Boothe pumpkin

Freddy the Ghost

SHAtastic Halloween

See? Lots of good Halloween times. This year? We'll see.

5. It's the beginning of the end. I also love October because not only is October itself awesome, but then right after that, we get November, which includes Thanksgiving. Then December, which includes Christmas. Basically October marks the beginning of the holiday season, which is my favorite.

See there, five excellent reasons for why I love this blessed month. May it bring you joy as well.

P.S. This is my 100th post?!! Wowzers. Cool beans. Happy day!