While my bosses are away...

I will blog. Seriously though, I don't have anything to do at work besides occasionally swiping some Jif from the jar on my desk and admiring my completed to-do list.
As usual, it is difficult for me to think of a cohesive theme for my post. So, I will just blab. Bullet points are the best structure I can come up with right now. So sue me. No . . . don't . . . that is the complete opposite of what I'm trying to say.

• I went to a women's conference at my church this past weekend. One of my favorite quotes from the speaker: "I used to live in Arizona. If you want to know what that feels like, go home, turn on a blow dryer, and put it in your mouth." On a more serious note, something the speaker mentioned really got my attention. She talked about how we need to be careful to not spend the majority of our energy trying to affect people who really aren't open to us. This can actually prevent us from loving our friends, family, and other people who we can greatly affect because we get so burned out and even obsessed with those difficult relationships. Entrusting people to God is a tough thing for me to do. I tend to want to "fix" everything and will try to do that past the point that is healthy. I have been discovering the truth of this the past few months because a very rough friendship got cut off from me through circumstances beyond my control. I was hanging on to this relationship and trying to be there for this person however I could, even though the best I had to give was consistently rejected and misused. My heart still breaks for this person, but I now have so much more energy for my husband, my family, my friends, and everyone else I know. It's a tough concept for me that sometimes the best thing is to take a step back from someone, but I guess that once in a while it needs to happen. Dude... sorry, I really did not mean for this first point to be 4,000 words. I promise to be more concise with the forthcoming topics.
• My question of late for my friends: "If you could be doing ANYTHING right now without having to worry about finances or any other obstacle, what would it be?" Hey, we can dream, right? Share your answer if you feel so inclined.
• On Thursday, I have my very first voice lesson. Ever. I am really excited and nervous. I have huge admiration for the vocal chops of my teacher, and while I can't wait for her to disciple me in all things jazzy, broadway, and amazing, I also know that I will sound like a poor little pipsqueak baby compared to her. This experience will probably help me relate more to Jesus' apostles... really, wouldn't it have been a tasty slice of humble pie to hang out with God incarnate? I am so not implying that my teacher is Jesus, btw, so save your heresy flags for another time.
• Weird things about living in our apartment: people leaving their McDonalds' cups on our porch as they walk by; the lawn being transformed into a fake graveyard every October; being able to hear the people who live above us peeing (eek!); reading about things that Aaron and I unwittingly did to offend the management in the monthly newsletter.
• Definitely more awesome things about living in our apartment: running into wonderful jammie-clad old ladies in the laundry room and talking with them about the weather and Cactus Cooler; spotting the requisite complex cat in one of his or her many favorite hiding places; walking by and spinning the poor sad mobile that is never spinning; being within walking distance of the Orange circle (especially Felix's and their cravetastic tostada).
• I think that Aaron should dress up as Waldo for Halloween... any "yes" votes? Not that it will happen THIS Halloween, but maybe someday.

Alright, I think that is sufficient random bullet-pointing for now.