Top 10 of 2010

I am a goal-oriented girl, so I always set goals at this time of year and so far have been successful at meeting them. I am pretty practical about this and in the past my goals have included such things as: Get my degree (done), learn a new skill (done), Move out of Logan (done), and...well, you get the picture. So, I am setting 10 goals this year and have decided to post them one at a time-otherwise this post would get way too long. I also have decided that I needed some fun goals to balance out the lofty ones. So, for this first goal of 2010, I decided that I should set a fun goal to get things started right:

GOAL #1: Buy a new pair of shoes every month.

Now I have to admit that this idea was not my own, but I loved it, so I am making it my goal this year. The rules are simple-all I have to do is buy at least one pair of shoes every month this year and I will be a success. They can be any kind of shoe. To get myself started off right, I actually bought 2 pairs. I didn't need them, but I wanted them and they were the right price-with tax and everything they ended up being $11.64 total and I love them:


So for goal #1 I am 1 for 12 and feeling pretty good about it. Stay tuned for some more goals...I've gotta go shopping:)

Top 9 of 2009

Along with this time of year comes an opportunity to reflect on the past year at the good times and the bad. Luckily, I, for one had a great 2009, so here are the 9 highlights in no particular order:

1. The TV show Glee. It is funny and has singing. Makes me happy every time that it is on.
2. Fall Season in Logan which includes Homecoming Week. I spent my last beautiful fall in Logan and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the snow-less season. I am always awed at Heavenly Father's creations when I get to observe the wonders that happen in nature.
3. I Graduated! This one definitely deserves an exclamation point! After a lot of random happenings, I have finally achieved my goal of having a college degree. I have always known that I am a smart girl and now I have a piece of paper that backs me up on this theory.
4. I moved to California. After achieving the above, I decided that I needed to hightail it out of Logan. So, on October 29th, 2009, I pulled out of Logan for my last time and drove my belongings to California. So far, this has been a great move for me and although I am still looking for a job, it has been really good to be here.
5. No Broken Bones! Anyone who knows me, knows that when I can say that i haven't broken even one bone for a whole year, this is quite an accomplishment. Concussions do not count.
6. Kelly Clarkson concert with Laura. Apparently this is becoming a yearly sister tradition and I am really happy about that. We got to see her outside in Orem this year and she did not disappoint.
7. I survived the Canyon in the winter. This should be printed on t-shirts for people that can say that they survived the crazy canyon unscathed. I did it through 3 blizzards and the Jeep and I survived with style so we have definite bragging rights.
8. I got to welcome a new brother into my family. Jen and Ryan got married Vegas style in February and we all had a blast enjoying some time with the fam and playing for the weekend. Other weddings worth mentioning: Shayna and Jeremy, Brad and Tanja, and Marisa and Eric. I love when people are in love.
9. It was a good year to reconnect with some loved lifelong friends and their families. And to reconnect with my own family here in Cali. There is no better sound than to hear an 18-month old squeal with excitement when you go to her house:)

These are just the highlights of what was a really good year for me. Hope that it was this good for everyone. Stay tuned for my Top 10 of 2010...time to set some goals:)

Singleton Living. Seriously.

In my world as a single girl just barely over 30 (that's my story and I'm sticking to it), I find myself in a very weird place socially. I have just moved home and am attending a family ward which definitely has its ups and downs. I have been here long enough so that people know I am sticking around, but they just don't quite know what to do with me. I find that I am very complimented when people ask why I am not married because that means that they actually wonder. I get the question from the well-meaning people as to if I am single, as always, and I have to say that I am now getting the most unique responses to my answer to that question. A new acquaintance who is married and has some kids even responded, "Lucky!" when I stated my single status. The following conversation that I had on Sunday with an older sister in the ward let me know, however, that I am in a whole new league:

SISTER: So, I have been meaning to talk to you-you have been on my mind a lot lately.
ME: Oh? That's nice, what about?
S: Well, how do you feel about getting married?
M: I feel good about getting married, why do you ask?
S: Well, it is something that I think you should do-have you thought about how you are going to make it happen?
M: Uh...Uh...well, since coming to California, not so much.
S: You really should. Think about it I mean. Do you need some help?
M: Uh...Uh...Apparently.
S: Oh, good, because I was kind of the Yenta of the singles ward when my husband and I were serving over there and since being released, I haven't had the opportunity to work with a young-ish person and get them married. I miss that.
M: Wow. Okay, Yenta. Are you sure that you are up for the challenge? (I really did say that)
S: Oh yes-you just have to have an open attitude and not be picky. I will consider it my project to get you married.
M: Excellent. Isn't it time for class?

So, as a result of this conversation, I have decided a few things: 1) I will have an open attitude. I will be open to anyone who considers themselves a Yenta. 2) I am really not picky. Well, except for a couple of things. I need someone to be at least my height within an inch or taller than me. I am not a bodyguard. I need someone who will laugh at my jokes. I am pretty funny. Other than that, I am pretty flexible. 3) I am pretty sure that I am still young! Not young-ish like she said. YOUNG.
Now, if anyone wants to join "Team Get Anne Married"-you are welcome to. I will get you Yenta's number. Seriously.

Thanksgiving at the Beach. Seriously.

For Thanksgiving this year, it ended up being just me, Laura and the parents, so we decided to accept an invitation to spend big thursday here:It was a great day to spend with family and friends, so of course we decided to spend some time taking pictures of ourselves:
And after a great day of stuffing ourselves, walking on the beach, and taking naps on the porch with the sound of the ocean in the background, we came home and got to hang out with our favorite Barlow:It was a great day and we had a bunch of fun visits from friends and family throughout the weekend and even got in a little trouble with the law:Or, as we call him, Officer Barlow...Anyways, I love this holiday season and the opportunity that it brings to remind me to be thankful for everything that I have.

Livin' It Up In California...

It has been a while, since I have posted, but I have spent the past few weeks packing up all of my belongings, driving them through the desert and then unpacking all of my belongings. So, now I am here and loving being in sunny California. No joke, it has been sunny and around 60 degrees since I got here. And although Logan looked like this when I left:I am pretty sure that it didn't stay that way for long...
So, after leaving Logan, I went to spend a couple of days in Salt Lake and play with some of my favorites:Then, my Dad flew in and we were off on the 12-hour trek to Cali. We got to spend the night in Elko, Nevada and then stop in Winemucca to buy some ammo-which made me feel very redneck to be driving around in a Jeep full of my belongings and buying ammo-and then we were home in record time. So, now I am all unpacked and get to hang out with this anytime I want:
and now, while I do miss my friends and loved ones in Utah, I am really loving being here in California. Come visit!

What I Have Learned from Logan

When I look back at the history of my life in Logan, I will definitely think of the many lessons that I learned here with fondness. So, here is a list of the things that I have learned that will go into the life skills resume:

1. I love the mountains. I never really knew how much before. I have hiked them, camped in them, had numerous bonfires in them, skiied them, sled on them, driven through them when they were fiery colors and when they were so icy and snowy it was scary-all in the name of love. I will miss having the majestic views of the mountains every time I leave the house.
2. I heart Utah State. It has been a great school to attend and to be employed at. I have seen it from the side of a student and an employee and although we will never claim to be "The Lord's School" like a school south of us that shall remain nameless, I truly believe that USU is an inspired place. Apparently I am now a true-blooded Aggie who loves the spot where the sagebrush grows...
3. I have learned many life skills here in Logan. But maybe the best of all skills that I will be able to take into my daily life is a foreign language: REDNECK. That's right. I am fluent in redneck. After spending a few years working at a fence company, I am now able to speak and understand what it means when someone says that they "usedta could" do something or the appropriate use of "getter done". I understand the value of hunting and what a big buck contest is and to always say no when one of the hunters comes back from a week in the woods and offers a dried mystery meat in an unmarked plastic bag. I also know the difference between regular wranglers and sunday wranglers. Now, how to put that on a resume...

4. I have made many friends that I will always consider family. I know what it means to have people around that will come running in the middle of the night if I need them and for this I will always be greatful.

5. No matter how long I have lived in Utah, I can proudly say that the words "Oh my heck" have never become part of my vocabulary. Never.

6. I have learned that no matter what the weather is anywhere else in the state, the canyon has the potential to be a wild ride any time of the year. I have learned that I am able to survive rain, sleet, snow, or hail-sometimes all in one drive...

7. I have learned that having sisters around me is one of my favorite things! No matter what we are doing, whether it is cooking dinner, attending a double feature, or just hanging out-we have a blast. Here we are at Maddox this past Friday taking a picture in front of a random statue:I am sure that there are many more things that I have learned here in Logan, but these are by far the top of the list....

What I'm Watching Now...

I have thoroughly enjoyed this new TV Season especially the addition of GLEE. It is an irreverent, quirky look at the outcasts that make up a high school glee club. They say things like, "You know, that Rachel girl makes me want to set myself on fire, but she can sure sing." But I have to say that one of my favorite lines came in last night's episode when Sue Sylvester, the coach of the award-winning cheerleaders says, "I love minorities. I do. In fact, I love them so much I am considering moving to California to become one." Like I said. Love it.
So, if you haven't had a chance to check it out yet, go to fox.com and catch the first episodes...