Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Free Frisbee?!? Awesome!

I got to go to a seminar today with my office and although the seminar itself was pretty lame-we were supposed to be learning about balancing work and life, but instead learned about how the presenter balances her incredibly talented 4 children and all of their activities-but they had prizes! There were some cool planners and binders and gym bags, but what I really wanted was the consolation prize: a collapsible frisbee! It starts out in a pouch like this: Notice how big it is compared to the keyboard. But the coolest part is that it unfolds into this:A fully functional frisbee! What exactly is it that makes us get so excited about free stuff? Not once have I ever thought, "Wow, you know what this day needs? Some frisbee...too bad I don't have one with me." But the prospect of having one today made me literally clap my hands in excitement. It doesn't seem to matter what it is that is dangled in front of us, but if it is free, it magically transforms into the coolest thing ever.
Not that I am complaining. I will now have a frisbee to carry with me in my purse so that I can play anytime and anywhere the need arises. I will just keep it next to my free measuring tape and floss. Perfect.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Flashback Friday from the Mouths of Babes

The other week I was playing with Ellie, a 5-year-old daughter of a member of the Bishopric in our ward. We were racing down the hallways of the church and I would let Ellie win (of course because she is 5), but she decided that she needed to help me out a little with my racing skills:

Anne: Oh man! You beat me again-you are SO fast!
Ellie: I know, I usually beat everyone in my class. Can we race again?
Anne: Sure, but I bet you will beat me...again.
Ellie: You know, if you were skinnier, you could run faster.
Anne: Ha Ha-Awesome.

As we all know, kids only speak the truth. They mean no harm by what they say, bless their little souls. But what Ellie said really resonated with me and got me to thinking-there are probably a lot of things that I could do better if I were skinnier. Now that school is over and I have a few more minutes of time, I will be rededicating myself to being healthy and getting in shape again so that I can beat people when I race them. I will definitely keep everyone posted on my progress, because I am sure that we can all use a little motivation...and I am sure that Ellie will keep me in check. Thanks Ellie:)
Anyways, here is the flashback picture of the week and it will give you a little hint to where I will be next weekend:That's right, I am headed to Cali for the weekend with Laura to celebrate her birthday and of course go to some A's games. It will be a blast and a well needed break for both of us and we get to just hang out with our family. Ahh life is good!

Friday, May 8, 2009

Flashback Friday and Happy Mother's Day!

In honor of Mother's Day, I thought that I would post a good pic of me and my Mom from back in the day:This testifies of the love I have for my Mom because it is definitely a great picture of her, but for me, this documents the start of my Awkward Phase-I am pretty sure that I am 11 or 12 here and already taller than my 5'4" Mom. She even has heels on and I have flats! Anyways-my Mom has always been a great lady and a great example and has always loved all of us unconditionally. Even through our Awkward Phases(which I think that I might still be in...)so thanks for being a great Mom! Love you:)

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Singleton Living. Seriously.

There are very few times that us single gals really lament not having a guy around. Don't get me wrong, if the right guy comes along, there will be no protests from me. But every once in a while, like when there is something heavy to be moved, something slimy to be smooshed, a lid to be opened, or a vehicle to be worked on, I can't help but think, "Wow, it would be really nice to have a guy around." My latest adventure into car repair has made me think that a boyfriend right now would be great.So there I was, just making a call to my trusted mechanic who has taken very good care of the Jeep in the past when I got someone new on the phone and here is how our conversation went:

Mechanic: Brent Allen Automotive, how can I help you?
AnneBarlow: Hi-this is Anne. I need to make an appointment for you to look at my Jeep. You've had it in there before.
M: Oh? Is there something wrong with it?
AB: I am not totally sure, but it has started to make a whistling sound.
M: A whistle or a whistle?
AB: Yes.
M: Well what do you think it is?
AB: I am not sure, maybe a belt problem? You would probably be better equipped to figure out the problem than I am...
M: Well, I am not so sure about that. You said that you have a Jeep?
AB:Yes, a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
M: I heard those were pretty crappy cars to own. I would probably never buy one.
AB: Well, I love mine and it has been a really good car for me so far. Except for the whistling sound.
M: A whistling sound or a whistling sound?
AB: You must be new. (long pause) Is Brent there?
M: Oh Sure-here he is.
Brent: Hi Anne-you can bring the Jeep in on Saturday. No problem.

Now before you ask, this conversation was for real and it happened to me just yesterday. Luckily, I am the daughter of a car guy who taught me well, so it is very rare that a mechanic tries to pull one over on me. I have to think though, that if there was a male voice coming from my end of the line, the conversation would have gone differently.Seriously.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Wedding Saturdays are way better than Rainy Mondays

It is becoming that wedding time of year again and one of my most favorite people got married on Saturday. Here is Beautiful Shayna Val Ringer now Peterson with her new husband Jeremy:After a snowy week, it turned out to be a beautiful day. The wedding was incredible and it was great to spend an entire day with the spirit of happiness. I even got a blast from the past when I ran into one of my friends from my Ricks College days. Love it when that happens. And did I mention that I am VERY ready for Spring?

Friday, April 17, 2009

10 Things I Hate About...

As many of you know, I have been doing some random blog posts to get credit for one of my classes and my Professor commented in class that some people's blogs have been too positive. Whoops...so here is a list of some not so positive things that I came up with that I could live without:
1. Bad Breath. I sat behind Amy Bad Breath in Mrs. Henderson's 8th Grade French class and I don't really remember much about her, just that she had horrible breath and I never wanted to talk to her. So if you are someone's Amy Bad Breath, always have a fresh piece of gum ready. Always.
2. When people start a sentence with, "No offense, but..." Here's a tip, if you have to clarify that what you are about to say is not going to be offensive, it probably will offend.
3. Big Hair Days. As a curly haired girl, I can usually pull of having cute hair if I try. The problem is, sometimes it just gets HUGE and looks like I am trying to be an '80s rocker. Someone even commented on it in Sunday School one time about how they were trying to make a comment but the teacher couldn't see them because they were sitting behind my huge hair. Not funny.
4. When people refer to everything outside of Utah and Idaho as "The Mission Field". I stole this one from Laura, but I totally agree. Does this mean that anyone living in Utah and Idaho is exempt from doing missionary work? If this were true, why are missionaries even sent here anymore and not out "to the mission field"?
5. The question, "Why aren't you married?" This always brings an awkward stop to any conversation much like the question, "Why are you so ugly?" would. I never really know what people are expecting to hear as the answer to this question, but so far I have been able to avoid vocalizing some of the sarcastic answers that run through my head. So far...
6. Personal Space Invaders. I have a very fine tuned creep-o-meter and if you are one that gives me the creeps, get out of my space. Hand shakes and high fives are fine, but sometimes even that is too close. And no hugging. Ever.
7. Knowers of Everything. You know who I am talking about. These are the people who know more information than you about anything and everything. And they shove it down your throat. No matter what they have had more experience than you, and they make sure that you always know if they think that you are wrong-awesome.
8. Complainers. I am just as sympathetic as the next person, but stop complaining. If you are having a hard time about something and feeling sorry for yourself, get online and google one of the following words: poverty, bankruptcy, unemployment rates, cancer, recent deaths...or anything along those lines. I guarantee it will make you feel better about your life because you will most likely find someone who has it worse than you. Guaranteed.
9. Bad Drivers. Enough said.
10. Migraines. I am pretty sure that the person who finally discovers the be all end all cure for migraines will win the Nobel Peace Prize and just might be credited as providing one of the greatest gifts to mankind ever. Pretty sure this is what would happen.
So there's my list. I am sure that I could come up with more if I really tried, but these are just some things that have been on my mind for the last couple of weeks because I have probably dealt with each of them in one way or another. Feel free to share if I have missed anything...

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Goodbye Old Friend

Dear Anne-
We have been together for a long time now and it has been a good ride. We have been there for each other in good times and in bad, in fat times and in thin. We have been dressed up together, gone camping,painted,worked hard,traveled,and just hung out with friends. It has been years since the first time we met and now, I am afraid it is time for a fond farewell. As much as I have tried to keep my threads together, I am wearing thin, faded and developing holes where there shouldn't be holes. It is time to let me go. Now I know that it will be tough to go on without me, but I know that you can do it. You will have to try on endless pairs of replacements for me, never being satisfied until you find the perfect fit, but you cannot get discouraged. Have the faith that you can find another pair like me that accentuates all the right places, is the perfect color and the perfect length. You can do it. I must go to the dumpster now, but be strong.
With love, Your Favorite Jeans.