September 27, 2007

My Theme Song

I feel exactly like this.... my new theme song. Listen closely.... maybe a few times.


UPDATE: The link will be taken off YouTube eventually, so if it doesn't work, search on YouTube.com for "Anita Renfroe William Tell."

September 25, 2007

I've Been Tagged

So, I've been tagged, and because I like Jen, I will respond, even though I don't want to.

5 Things I was doing 10 years ago...
1) Learning to be a new wife.
2) Building a house (the one we live in now).
3) Working full-time for my dad's company.
4) Dreaming of having children.
5) Teaching the Mia Maids in Lindsay Ward.

5 Things on my "to-do" list today....
1) Go to Adult Institute at the Stake Center (loved it, as usual).
2) Get a poster laminated at Teaching Tools (done).
3) Make visiting teaching appointments (actually, my companion did).
4) Visit neighbor who just had her first baby (still pending).

5 snacks I enjoy....
1) Smoothies made of mixed frozen fruit and skim milk.
2) Unsalted chips and fresh chunky salsa.
3) Whole grain pita chips and roasted garlic hummus.
4) Fresh fruit.
5) Chocolate and peanut butter

5 things I would do if I were a billionaire...
1) Be a philanthropist.
2) Be a philanthropist.
3) Be a philanthropist.
4) Be a philanthropist.
5) Be a philanthropist.

5 bad habits...
1) Procrastinating
2) Biting my nails
3) Interrupting my husband
4) Taking too long to say what I want to say
5) Eating when I'm not hungry

5 things I would never wear again.... (notice the non-committal "would" rather than "will")
1) Jelly shoes
2) Polo shirt with collar flipped up, and a strand or two of bright colored beads
3) "Skinny jeans" (unless I can ever wear a size 0)
4) Enormous shoulder pads
5) Neon colors from head to toe

5 of my favorite toys....
1) iPod
2) ClearPlay DVD player
3) My new washer and dryer
4) My Steinway grand piano
5) Computer

5 people I tag.... (sorry if you've done this before)
1) Emily
2) Cindy
3) Sarah
4) Melissa
5) Laura

If I didn't tag you, you can still do it... if you want to.

September 13, 2007

Last Chance

Last weekend, my little brother, Stephen, and his cute fiance, Leone (rhymes with peony) were in town, visiting from Seattle. As usual, he made a trip to Last Chance (I think it is the only reason he comes to visit). Since we were headed over to that part of town for a barbeque on Saturday at my older brother's house, Jay and I couldn't resist making the kids suffer through a little "Last Chance" purgatory.

Jay headed for men's wear, while I hit the shoe department. After loading up my cart with shoes (I only bought one pair in the end, but they are super cute red flats), I headed toward the clothing and ran into Stephen who showed me his finds.

Stephen told me that he had seen Jay holding 3 dress shirts that he was planning to buy, and that Jay had said I wouldn't be too happy about it. He was obviously a little confused by that. I sighed, and then explained, "Well, you see, Jay already has about 50 dress shirts at home." Stephen laughed. He thought I was joking. I'm not.

Yes, Jay wears a dress shirt to work every day, so he needs to have plenty. But, hey, I do laundry at least once a week! Recently, Jay explained to me that he fears "Last Chance" might pick up and leave (after all, it's the only one in the country) and then how would he get his preferred shirts (these and these) for only $9.97? So, I stopped bugging him about it. Sort of.

I have been known to exaggerate on occasion (mostly when I was a teenager, but I've gotten over it, so give me a break please!) but I'm not exaggerating about Jay's shirts.

Well, maybe a little. I went and counted them, and he only has..... 46.... (probably because I insisted he get rid of some of them at our garage sale recently). So sue me!

But don't get me started on his shoes!

The Break-up

Dear John (1),

The last 10 years were good ones. You were always there for me. Don't take this personally, but it's just not working (2) for me anymore.

I can no longer put up with your complaining (3). It's time for you to move on (4). I'm sure you will find someone else who will take you (5).

Don't try to change my mind, because you can't. I have already found someone new (6), and we are deeply in love. He cares about the environment (7), takes up much less space and is much taller (8). My life (9) is so much better now. Yes, he has already moved in, which is why you have been sleeping on the back porch.

Goodbye forever. I hope I never see you again.

Regards,
Alice


1) My old washer and dryer.
2) Your drying function.
3) The loud noise you make during the spin cycle.
4) To a landfill... or perhaps a parts shop.
5) If I put you on the curb, I'm sure someone will pick you up.
6) Whirlpool Duet Sport.
7) Uses one third the water, and dries in half the time.
8) Because they stack!
9) My laundry room.

British Humour

A CONVERSATION I HAD WITH JACK THIS MORNING:

"Mommy, what is that you are putting under your arms?"

"It's called deodorant."

Jack nodded wisely, as if he knew exactly what I was talking about, and said, "Ooohhhh! De-ogre-ant."

I think he must have been thinking of one of his favorite story books.... "A Box of Ogres," by Tim Healey, and illustrated by Charles Fuge (published in Great Britain in 1991). I would tell you to run out and buy it, but you can't. It's nearly impossible to find. Knowing how much I love children's books, my sister bought it for me when she went to England as a college student, probably 15 plus years ago. (Thank you Helena!)

My kids love the book for it's crazy story and fun illustrations. And we all get a kick out of the funny British phrases, such as "Nip down to the corner shop," and "How would you like a nice, tasty lad to eat?" and "She handed me a five-pound note," and "I daren't think what they're doing to my kitchen." Plus, the use of words like "Mum" (for "Mom"), "dustbin" and "flabbergasted" are a treat. I enjoy reading it in my (pretty decent) British accent.

If you want to make an attempt to find this charming book, you will have to visit the UK, or find some amazing online book shop (which has so far eluded me) with a used copy for sale. (Yes, I already tried Amazon UK.) Sorry.

Though I did find it available from one library... in South Perth, Australia.

September 07, 2007

Amazing nieNie

Check out my amazing sister-in-law who was interviewed here.