We left our house at 7am, drove to the Memphis Temple (itty bitty compared to DC!) then went to lunch in Memphis, then Stake conference in Little Rock, then "snacks" after conference. Man are we beat!
A great day in all, but long for sure.
29 January 2012
20 January 2012
Birthday Songs
I wanted to know the #1 song on the day I was born, but I didn't want to go through all the Facebook requirements to find out (fill out a survey, give them all your contact info and receive spam messages for the rest of your life, etc.), so I googled it. I found this. It's so easy to change the year, that Evan and I started looking up the whole family. Interested?
Mine: The Bangles Walk Like An Egyptian
Evan: Madonna Crazy For You
To which he said, "Come ON! Are you kidding me?" He apparently wasn't pleased with that song.
The Diva: Gloria Estefan Coming Out of the Dark
The Executioner: Poison Every Rose has its Thorn
The Mechanist, MD: Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder Ebony and Ivory
The Strategist: Stevie Wonder I Just Called to Say I Love You
The Tycoon: The Everly Brothers All I have to do is Dream
The Boss: Jimmy Dean Big Bad John
We were, less enthused, for the new generation upon learning the songs the day they entered our world.
The Muscle: Chris Brown feat. T-Pain Kiss Kiss
The Face: Katy Perry Teenage Dream
This then led into a long rant from Evan about how in the WORLD did Katy Perry beat MJ's records for #1's
from one album? KATY PERRY. Ridiculous.
The on to my side!
Dad: Paul Anka Diana
Mom: The Beatles Love Me Do
Middle Child: Janet Jackson Miss You Much
Youngest: Surface The First Time
This was a fun activity for us to do on a Friday morning. And I got to remember some good songs, some I was okay with forgetting, and hear some I hadn't heard before.
Mine: The Bangles Walk Like An Egyptian
Evan: Madonna Crazy For You
To which he said, "Come ON! Are you kidding me?" He apparently wasn't pleased with that song.
The Diva: Gloria Estefan Coming Out of the Dark
The Executioner: Poison Every Rose has its Thorn
The Mechanist, MD: Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder Ebony and Ivory
The Strategist: Stevie Wonder I Just Called to Say I Love You
The Tycoon: The Everly Brothers All I have to do is Dream
The Boss: Jimmy Dean Big Bad John
We were, less enthused, for the new generation upon learning the songs the day they entered our world.
The Muscle: Chris Brown feat. T-Pain Kiss Kiss
The Face: Katy Perry Teenage Dream
This then led into a long rant from Evan about how in the WORLD did Katy Perry beat MJ's records for #1's
from one album? KATY PERRY. Ridiculous.
The on to my side!
Dad: Paul Anka Diana
Mom: The Beatles Love Me Do
Middle Child: Janet Jackson Miss You Much
Youngest: Surface The First Time
This was a fun activity for us to do on a Friday morning. And I got to remember some good songs, some I was okay with forgetting, and hear some I hadn't heard before.
15 January 2012
Date Night
Yesterday, I worked a few hours in the morning, and then came home. The sun was out, it wasn't all that cold out, and we didn't have any responsibilities planned for the afternoon, so Evan asked if I wanted to go to Burns Park. There is a disc golf course there, and we haven't played since Richmond- so of course! This park is huge, I had no idea. In addition to TWO 18 hole disc golf courses, there are 12 soccer fields, a few dozen tennis courts, a bunch of baseball fields, batting cages, "funland" (a small amusement park-like area), walking trails, biking trails, equestrian trails and a bunch of other things we don't even know about.
Aside- When we first moved out here, we started asking locals what they did for fun. Nobody mentioned this place. Either A) They are trying to keep it a secret from transplants to keep it pretty and not busy, or B) Conway people are kinda like Norfolk people where, when asked what there is nearby they assume you mean within a ten mile radius. Either way, we feel like we've found a cure-all (or cure-most) for what to do on the weekends.
Any how, we were playing disc golf. And I would like to say, my game has improved. After hole 4 or so I was throwing one more stroke than Evan. Which, with my 1 stroke handicap puts me almost tied with him (of course, I don't take stroke penalties for landing in the water, or deep in the trees, or anything...). I still have a long way to go, but I am improving!
Then, there was this one hole. It was right on the edge of the park, and there was a fence running to the left of us. Really, it shouldn't have been a problem, but if you angled your disc wrong (which I often do) or the wind started up (which happened a lot yesterday) then it might just get carried over the fence. Sure enough, mine went over the fence. So we walk down there, and tried to figure out how to get my disc back. Just so happens there was a gap under the fence just big enough for me. So I wiggled through and retrieved my disc.
At least now we know I can get through that fence, so we don't have to worry when it goes over. Also, it was pretty fun to crawl under like that.
After disc golfing, we had dinner at Applebees (courtesy of gift cards from Christmas/birthday). And it was delicious!
Then we used our free redbox rental promo code (yay for more free stuff!) and watched Rise of Planet of the Apes. Which we both really enjoyed. I guess now we need to watch Planet of the Apes so we can have the whole story start to finish.
Overall, a good date night.
Aside- When we first moved out here, we started asking locals what they did for fun. Nobody mentioned this place. Either A) They are trying to keep it a secret from transplants to keep it pretty and not busy, or B) Conway people are kinda like Norfolk people where, when asked what there is nearby they assume you mean within a ten mile radius. Either way, we feel like we've found a cure-all (or cure-most) for what to do on the weekends.
Any how, we were playing disc golf. And I would like to say, my game has improved. After hole 4 or so I was throwing one more stroke than Evan. Which, with my 1 stroke handicap puts me almost tied with him (of course, I don't take stroke penalties for landing in the water, or deep in the trees, or anything...). I still have a long way to go, but I am improving!
Then, there was this one hole. It was right on the edge of the park, and there was a fence running to the left of us. Really, it shouldn't have been a problem, but if you angled your disc wrong (which I often do) or the wind started up (which happened a lot yesterday) then it might just get carried over the fence. Sure enough, mine went over the fence. So we walk down there, and tried to figure out how to get my disc back. Just so happens there was a gap under the fence just big enough for me. So I wiggled through and retrieved my disc.
Evan asked if I had a lot of experience running from the police.
After the next throw, Evan threw his disk over the fence, and a new talent was discovered.
At least now we know I can get through that fence, so we don't have to worry when it goes over. Also, it was pretty fun to crawl under like that.
After disc golfing, we had dinner at Applebees (courtesy of gift cards from Christmas/birthday). And it was delicious!
Then we used our free redbox rental promo code (yay for more free stuff!) and watched Rise of Planet of the Apes. Which we both really enjoyed. I guess now we need to watch Planet of the Apes so we can have the whole story start to finish.
Overall, a good date night.
14 January 2012
The visitor returns
The backstory:
Part 1
Part 2
We hadn't heard from our scratchy friend in quite a while. We had a friend come check on the apartment while we were gone and he didn't hear anything either on his visits. We got back from vacation and a whole week went by without any noise. Then, one day, the scratching was back. It sounded like something big and heavy walking through the laundry room. However, every time I open the door there is nothing there, just frantic scratching and squeaking to get away. We finally lured our landlord to the apartment (we leave our rent check on the counter and tell him it's ready, he usually gives us a time he'll be there and then shows up three days later. We are starting to think he is avoiding seeing us because we always have something to point out) and he said it sounded like a bird in the dryer vent. He works for the forestry department so I trust his judgement.
I was relieved. One, because it kinda sounded like a bird one time (see the video in part 1) and I was worried that maybe something was dragging a bird in then killing it. But there was no smell, so I had to rule that out. Two, because birds are easier to get rid of than rats/mice/rodents. I assume.
Landlord said he'd go check the cover to the vent on the outside to make sure it stayed out.A few days went by, and the sound is back. Not in full force, but it is definitely working its way back in. Therefore, we have decided to name the bird. We decided it must be a girl, since I found debris behind our dryer that could mean it is nesting in my vent.
And so, her name shall be Edna. And we shall continue to try and sneak a peek at her when she is rustling around in the laundry room.
Part 1
Part 2
We hadn't heard from our scratchy friend in quite a while. We had a friend come check on the apartment while we were gone and he didn't hear anything either on his visits. We got back from vacation and a whole week went by without any noise. Then, one day, the scratching was back. It sounded like something big and heavy walking through the laundry room. However, every time I open the door there is nothing there, just frantic scratching and squeaking to get away. We finally lured our landlord to the apartment (we leave our rent check on the counter and tell him it's ready, he usually gives us a time he'll be there and then shows up three days later. We are starting to think he is avoiding seeing us because we always have something to point out) and he said it sounded like a bird in the dryer vent. He works for the forestry department so I trust his judgement.
I was relieved. One, because it kinda sounded like a bird one time (see the video in part 1) and I was worried that maybe something was dragging a bird in then killing it. But there was no smell, so I had to rule that out. Two, because birds are easier to get rid of than rats/mice/rodents. I assume.
Landlord said he'd go check the cover to the vent on the outside to make sure it stayed out.A few days went by, and the sound is back. Not in full force, but it is definitely working its way back in. Therefore, we have decided to name the bird. We decided it must be a girl, since I found debris behind our dryer that could mean it is nesting in my vent.
And so, her name shall be Edna. And we shall continue to try and sneak a peek at her when she is rustling around in the laundry room.
04 January 2012
2011
Well good-bye 2011! Here are the top ten for the Andersons (in no particular order, somewhat chronological):
1. I student taught and had a blast! Then got this awesome goody bag.
2. VCU went to the final four! (Our final four pizza)
3. Evan got accepted to grad school! (A drive-by shot of the campus on our first visit)
4. We found a cute kitty! We ended up leaving her with a new home (the neighbors adored her). It wasn't practical to take a new kitty with us when we didn't even have a home yet. She sure was cute though.
5. I graduated!! FINALLY! It was glorious.
6. We celebrated our first anniversary! Go Anderson's!
7. We moved! Goodbye Richmond, VA, Hello Conway, AR!
8. I got a job as a nanny. (no picture for that one, apologies)
9. Evan started working on another research project, and then was invited to be second author! This is a huge honor for him. And this is the mascot we created.
2011 was good to us. I feel like I've been hearing too many people upset about the past year and giving it the boot with a 'good riddance' attitude, but I am happy with the growth our year gave us.
Some goals for 2012:
* Exercise more
-I've noticed my pants have been a little tight the last few months. I'd like to fix that.
* Plan weekly menus
- I do this about once a month. My end goal is to do it every week, but I'll start with aiming for two weeks in a row. Eventually I will be able to do it every week. But until then, one week at a time.
* Budget
- We've actually been pretty good about this. Better than in the past (Adding Evan to my life has helped), but still something to improve on.
* Enjoy life
- I'm a generally happy person, but somedays I think, "Man, Arkansas. Good things we'll be gone in five years." So I need to find a way to get more involved with life here, and not think of it as so temporary. It's not a bad place, I just was very happy with life in Richmond and decided to be bitter about the move at first. It is wearing off though, so this should be an easy goal :)
* Scripture Study
- Alway room for improvement in this department.
Pretty generic, yup. But we all have things we need to work on, and who really gets better at it in one year and doesn't need any more practice or motivation?
Here's to a great 2012!
1. I student taught and had a blast! Then got this awesome goody bag.
2. VCU went to the final four! (Our final four pizza)
3. Evan got accepted to grad school! (A drive-by shot of the campus on our first visit)
4. We found a cute kitty! We ended up leaving her with a new home (the neighbors adored her). It wasn't practical to take a new kitty with us when we didn't even have a home yet. She sure was cute though.
5. I graduated!! FINALLY! It was glorious.
6. We celebrated our first anniversary! Go Anderson's!
7. We moved! Goodbye Richmond, VA, Hello Conway, AR!
8. I got a job as a nanny. (no picture for that one, apologies)
9. Evan started working on another research project, and then was invited to be second author! This is a huge honor for him. And this is the mascot we created.
10. We went cruisin, then to Washington, for an epic Christmas vacation.
2011 was good to us. I feel like I've been hearing too many people upset about the past year and giving it the boot with a 'good riddance' attitude, but I am happy with the growth our year gave us.
Some goals for 2012:
* Exercise more
-I've noticed my pants have been a little tight the last few months. I'd like to fix that.
* Plan weekly menus
- I do this about once a month. My end goal is to do it every week, but I'll start with aiming for two weeks in a row. Eventually I will be able to do it every week. But until then, one week at a time.
* Budget
- We've actually been pretty good about this. Better than in the past (Adding Evan to my life has helped), but still something to improve on.
* Enjoy life
- I'm a generally happy person, but somedays I think, "Man, Arkansas. Good things we'll be gone in five years." So I need to find a way to get more involved with life here, and not think of it as so temporary. It's not a bad place, I just was very happy with life in Richmond and decided to be bitter about the move at first. It is wearing off though, so this should be an easy goal :)
* Scripture Study
- Alway room for improvement in this department.
Pretty generic, yup. But we all have things we need to work on, and who really gets better at it in one year and doesn't need any more practice or motivation?
Here's to a great 2012!
Quarter Century
So, I turned 25. And as promised, I got to celebrate for a whole week. (See the recap of Evan's 25th) It was a little broken up because of all the traveling, but still fun. It all started one week before my birthday, while we were on the cruise. We celebrated a week early by telling the waitstaff so they sang to me, I wore a napkin on my head, and then I got a cute bracelet from Evan's parents. When we got home, there was a big box delivered fresh from Target waiting for me, and I got to open it :) Evan bought me a sewing machine. I've been asking for one for months and now I have one! Now I just need to learn how to use it.
On my actual birthday we were in Washington and my parents took me out to Blind Onion pizza, a fave, and Evan and I went shopping. My grandpa handed me some money and told me to buy my own present, so I bought a purse! I haven't used one in a while because I haven't had one I really liked, but now I do.
On the flight back, I got to meet the pianist and lead singer form Pink Martini. WOOOOOO!!!!!!! I saw Thomas Lauderdale just standing there and I said, "Evan, I think that's the guy form Pink Martini!" So I googled him on Evan's phone and sure enough, the picture matched. So Evan walked up (cause I could never do that, and he is a good husband) and said, "Are you Thomas Lauderdale?"
"Yes, I am."
"From Pink Martini?"
"Yes."
"This is my wife, she's a huge fan. Do you do autographs?"
Then he started looking through his bag! I was all ready to have him sign, like, my planner. Or my boarding pass. But he pulled out a cd, unwrapped it, then signed it! Then he said, "China (as in China Forbes) will be here soon, she's shopping."
Sure enough, she walked up, and she signed it too! It was amazing. Just Amazing.
Then we celebrated my birthday, again, in Conway, one week after my birthday. Just a friendly get together at a restaurant with some friends. So really birthweek was stretched out over almost two weeks, but I still enjoy having the whole elongated celebration.
Happy 25th to me!
On my actual birthday we were in Washington and my parents took me out to Blind Onion pizza, a fave, and Evan and I went shopping. My grandpa handed me some money and told me to buy my own present, so I bought a purse! I haven't used one in a while because I haven't had one I really liked, but now I do.
On the flight back, I got to meet the pianist and lead singer form Pink Martini. WOOOOOO!!!!!!! I saw Thomas Lauderdale just standing there and I said, "Evan, I think that's the guy form Pink Martini!" So I googled him on Evan's phone and sure enough, the picture matched. So Evan walked up (cause I could never do that, and he is a good husband) and said, "Are you Thomas Lauderdale?"
"Yes, I am."
"From Pink Martini?"
"Yes."
"This is my wife, she's a huge fan. Do you do autographs?"
Then he started looking through his bag! I was all ready to have him sign, like, my planner. Or my boarding pass. But he pulled out a cd, unwrapped it, then signed it! Then he said, "China (as in China Forbes) will be here soon, she's shopping."
Sure enough, she walked up, and she signed it too! It was amazing. Just Amazing.
Then we celebrated my birthday, again, in Conway, one week after my birthday. Just a friendly get together at a restaurant with some friends. So really birthweek was stretched out over almost two weeks, but I still enjoy having the whole elongated celebration.
Happy 25th to me!
03 January 2012
Anderson Super Vacation: Part 2
The West Coast.
After our wonderful cruise, we drove back to Arkansas, then took a nap, a shower and drove to the airport so we could fly to my family. It was great to see everyone again and be in my hometown. I forgot how much I can love the PNW! Again, the highlights:
With Dad
After our wonderful cruise, we drove back to Arkansas, then took a nap, a shower and drove to the airport so we could fly to my family. It was great to see everyone again and be in my hometown. I forgot how much I can love the PNW! Again, the highlights:
We took Evan to Seattle where he saw things such as Pike Place Market, the Flying Fish Market (inside Pike Place), the original Starbuck's, The Space Needle, The Experience Music Project museum, and other fun things.
See? Space Needle
The fountain in front of the Space Needle. A big tree made of lighted balls.
With Mom.
We also went to the Tillamook Cheese factory. And ate cheese. And watched people cut cheese. And pretended to drive this cheese van.
And pretended to crash the cheese van.
Evan's first visit to the Pacific. Two thumbs up for epic waves in the rain!
Cold, wet, rainy. A perfect introduction to the Northwest.
And Evan learned that my love for popcorn is a family thing. And my batches are like kids meals compared to my brother. He makes them by the bagful. As in, that paper grocery bag is full of popcorn.
All in all, a good second half to the trip. Evan did spend about a day and a half in bed sick, but it was still enjoyable. He got to play Playstation with my brothers and loved every minute. I am pretty sure he has had his eyes opened to the beauty of Washington (And Oregon) and wouldn't mind another visit back soon. In fact, I know he wants to go back to dig up some razor clams during the season. So keep an eye out for us Washington!
Anderson Super Vacation: Part 1
The Cruise.
This year was an Anderson Christmas year. Last year should have been a Trimbo year, but we were newlyweds, and the 1 mile to the Andersons was a lot more doable than the 3,000 to the Trimbos. So we were off schedule. To get us back on track, we had Christmas with both families!
Evan's parents took us (and the rest of the family) on a cruise to the Bahamas. It was lovely. Warm weather, sun, white beaches, good food, and family. We had a load of fun. Here are some of the highlights:
To begin, we made t-shirts for everyone to wear. They read A-Team on the front and had our names and a nickname on the back. We were a hit on the ship. 10 people with matching shirts? Yeah, people knew us by name by the end of the week. We let Dad, "The Tycoon," open the box and distribute shirts.
Girls were in hot pink, boys in neon green.
This is the first time Evan, "The Professor" and Sara, "The Executioner," have see each other since she left for her mission.
The first night, admiring the sunset
Love my hubby!
The siblings (The Professor, The Mehanist, MD, and The Diva) went mini golfing. On the boat. It's on the 12th level.
Sisters (Executioner, Diva, and Wild Card), minus one. Heather, "The Strategist," was across the table. Evan gave me an assortment of headbands for Christmas, so I shared for our fancy dinner.
We gave the parents (The Boss and The Tycoon) a photo book with The Family: A Proclamation. We paired pictures of the family with different parts of the document.
My cute Nephew, "The Muscle," and I made a sandal mountain. We buried everybody's sandals. Then put Evan's sunglasses on top, and a smilie face. It was great fun for us.
Merry Christmas from Nassau!
Abby fell asleep on the beach and was pinking, so she got a little spray down of sunscreen midnap
We tried out some Conch Fritters. Conch is the biggest harvest they get in the Bahamas, they use the meat for food and sell the shells.
Tasting my fritter!
We like it!
There was a "Winter Wonderland" on the ship where they sang Christmas Carols, and it 'snowed' (bubbles). We took, "The Face" to see it before dinner.
Evan and Andrew are the proud owners of Conch shells that have been altered to work like a trumpet. They are LOUD.
Heather tried it our too. I gave it a try, but before anyone could snap a picture :)
Even the Muscle gave it a shot. Not quite as much volume as Dad and Uncle E, but he gave it a try!
That would be Paradise Island (a resort) behind us. We didn't go there, but it added nicely to the picture!
And of course, the assortment of towel animals:
01 January 2012
Anderson Super Vacation: An Introduction
Forget Atlantic to Pacific! We went all the way to the Carribean and back this year for Christmas.
I will tell you how we went from this:
To this:
But when I have more time. For now, I need to reset my sleep cycle to Central Time and ease my way back into the real world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
