Annie's Lil Bits

So, sadly, Annie's Lil Bits, my mom's restaurant, will be closing tomorrow. Words can't describe what Annie's means to me personally. I wish so very much that I could be there for the closing. However, since I can't be there, I decided to write a tribute to the ol' Annie's. Mind you, a poet I am not. I tried my best to capture the finer points of dear Annie's. My mom has done a great job with Annie's and I am excited for her new ventures. Good luck mom!

Ode to Annie's

In 1998, our story begins
and ten years later, it sadly ends.

A decade of happiness, Annie's has given
and to many a good way to make a living.
Different employees have come and gone,
Some we felt may have worked here too long!

Most of those by Annie's employed,
their hard work and dedication, we've enjoyed.
Each one brought to this special place
their individual personalities and tastes.

Some brought recipes, others hard work,
for some it was here they first learned to cook!
Cooking and cleaning and serving the guests,
Annie's employees were simply the best!

To compliment the staff of our charming little place
was the great food we served on our plates.
Each day a different special was made,
when ordered, before you a blue plate was laid.

Daily soups were made from scratch,
so tasty the competition could never match!
Hamburger vegetable and creamy potato
never before were such great soups ladled.

Your choices were many when it came to your beverage,
The drinks at Annie's were anything but average.
Fresh berries in your tea or lemonade, often topped the list,
but a Millstream root beer in frosted mug wasn't to be missed.

For our scrumptious salads, we were well known,
employees and even customers came up with their own!
Bartley's and Eric's were among the best,
Yet the Oriental Crunch outsold the rest.

With each salad, our muffins we serve
praise of their own, the muffins deserve.
Different flavors of muffins were made each day
For sure, that day's choices you could never say.
Mandarin orange or pineapple, with sugar on top,
Annie's muffins were simply the cream of the crop!

For lunch, a hamburger or hot dog you could try,
Don't bother asking, we don't sell fries!
A garden burger for those who don't do meat,
our chicken and egg salads were hard to beat!

Before you fill up, make sure you save some space,
The desserts at Annie's are all the craze!
Homemade cheesecake, Chocolate or New York,
So yummy you'll never want to put down your fork!
Our pies were made from scratch,
Decorated cookies sold by the batch.
Whether vanilla or chocolate or twist,
Our frozen yogurt was truly bliss.

Many business lunches, we did cater,
get your food to go, if you don't want to tip the waiter!
Annie's Lil Bits was the place to dine,
Open Monday thru Saturday, nine to five.

Because we once could only seat a few,
Annie's remodeled and was made anew.
A quaint and charming place to eat,
at Annie's friends and family did meet.

Perhaps really the most important part
is the mark Annie's has made on our hearts.
It's been the place to eat for a decade
and where lasting friendships have been made.

Annie's has been a great success,
The boss lady Marianne is simply the best!
To each the memory of Annie's will remain dear,
We thank you Annie's for ten great years!

Ducky Daddy Daughter Date

On Saturday I had a Women's Conference for my stake to attend. That meant some quality time for Malia and David. They went up to the first dam in Logan Canyon and fed the ducks popcorn. Malia had a blast! I'm glad David took the camera with him. I complain that I never get a break from my little Malia, but don't ever want to miss a minute either. I especially love the video he recorded. Although, having her that close to the water would have made me nervous. Malia doesn't say a word the whole clip. She usually babbles incessantly, but get the girl around ducks and she doesn't make a peep! That's okay, the ducks were noisy enough themselves. I'm glad they had a good day together. Malia sure does love her Papa!

Malia's Growing Hair

So there is no question that Malia is blessed (?) with lots of hair. While, fortunately, the hair other than that on her head has significantly subsided, the rest is out of control! I try my best to keep it tamed. A lady at church suggested I set her on the sink while I do her hair so she can look at herself. The results were the same as usual, only now I have a broken toothbrush holder! I wish I could momentarily decapitate her so I could braid her hair! It is long enough, I just can't get her to sit still for 2 seconds. The other day I finally got to braid a little bit of it.


You can see here how long her hair is getting, too. Today I actually got her to sit still long enough to let me put two braids in! The braids ended up sticking straight out and she looked like Pippy Longstocking! The hairdo didn't last very long. Within a few hours she pulled out all of the hairpieces. The back of her hair is growing, but the sides are still short. Mullets are coming back, right? I just want it to grow out...

So tired.....

The other day Malia hung out at a neighbor's while I went to my doctor appointment. She had so much fun while she was there (they have a baby AND a puppy!), that she forgot to take her afternoon nap! When we got home after 4 I tried to lay her down but she kept saying "no!" and running around. I decided to get on with house work and let her play. Moments later she set herself down at her play table and zonked out! It's not very often that this girl succombs to sleep. She is usually like the Energizer Bunny! I love the drool on her shirt. When I tried to wake her up to move her, she gave me that look like she was super annoyed with me and that I should have just let her sleep there!

Four Generation Picture

I think this picture was taken around Easter 2007. I don't have the original, so I'm not quite sure. I just remember growing up and seeing a four generation picture with me as the baby and always wanted to do one when I had my own child. When Malia was born, one of my first thoughts was that I wanted to get a four generation picture taken. Seated is my grandma, Marian Louise Terry. Mother of 8 children! Next to me is my mom, Marianne Louise Yount. Mother of 3 unruly, trying children (in our younger years, of course!) I know I am very blessed to have these great women go before me. They have been great examples and I have learned much from their strength and determination. Thank You!

Enough Already!

Sorry for the barage of postings. I don't post for a week and then once I get started, I can't stop. We have too much snow! This is the sidewalk in front of our house. The snow is taller than my Malia. Granted the girl is short for her age, but too much snow. One of my neighbors tried to clear the sidewalk with the plow on the front of his four wheeler and couldn't because there was just too much. Another neighbor got it cleared with his tractor. Enough already!

Oh, How I Miss IOWA!

I can't take credit for the poem nor do I know to whom credit is due. However, true words. Although, I could argue that it could just as easily describe Utah!

It's winter in Iowa
And the gentle breezes blow

Seventy miles an hour

At twenty-five below.

Oh, how I love Iowa

When the snow's up to your butt;
You take a breath of winter

And your nose gets frozen shut.

Yes, the weather here is wonderful

So I guess I'll hang around,

I could never leave Iowa

'Cause I'm frozen to the ground!!

A Super Survey

Getting to know ME

Where were you born? Waterloo, Iowa
Middle name: Lyn
How old will you be this year? 29, there already, 29 is just as "unfun" as I expected!
Nicknames: Mana, Nadia, Emancipee (thanks, Bart)
Are you taller than your mother or father? Yep. Dad's 5'6" and mom's 5'4". I'm 5'8"ish.... milkman? Just kidding, mom!
Do you cry often during movies? If it's in any way emotional, I'm bound to cry. I used to be a rock and mock those who were sappy. These last few years I have turned into a baby!
What is your biggest pet peeve? Right now, potholes. What good are new tires if I have to dodge craters in the road?
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite foods: Ahh... so many. I love Mexican food. I tell David that's why I married him. I even like "fake" Mexican food, especially Cafe Rio. Although, it did make me sick the last time I ate there. Not that it will stop me from returning!
Favorite Beverage: Dr. Pepper, I've tried a million times to stop, no success yet.
Favorite cold cereal: Life
Favorite smells: Rain, rather the scents the rain unmasks, Malia's detangling spray (Dutch Apple), and David's cologne.
Favorite time of day: 3pm. Malia is still down for her nap and I usually read, watch 'Ellen', talk to Britt on the phone, and/or "work" on the computer.
Favorite make-up products? Yeah, about make-up. Does carmex count?
How many pillows do you sleep with? Two or three.
Do you play an instrument? I am proficient at the recorder, struggle with the piano, and would love to play the guitar. I took a guitar class once. Got an A. I only know one chord!
Have you ever been skinny dipping? Yes. The year was 1998. The place was off the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. That's all you get.
Did you do any sports in High School? Basketball and Volleyball. And Show Choir. I know most folks may not count Show Choir as a sport but I worked my butt off, literally!
What was the last movie you saw in the theater? I can't remember... sad, huh?
What is your favorite article of clothing? My nasty, not-so attractive T-shirt nightgown. It has kitties dancing in tutus on it. Nice, huh? Sure does turn the hubby on. That's a lie. I'm pretty sure he'd rather burn it than see me wear it again!
What is your dream vacation? Hawaii. I got to live there for a bit in college but went and saw a lot of stuff by myself. I would love to go see it all again with David.
What was your first impression of your spouse? Funny story, that I may never share.
If you were an animal what would you be? A frog. They get to hangout on lily pads and sing all day long. Good times.
What is your favorite "me- time" activity? Reading, blogging, watching movies.
Favorite TV shows? Grey's, American Idol, Ellen, October Road. I'm sure the list would be more interesting and longer if I had cable.
What is your dream car? Anything that's paid off.
What is one of your weaknesses? Overeating.
What do you fix for dinner when there's nothing to fix? Hamburger or Tuna Helper. David loves it. I know the sodium content is atrocious. David still salts it! The man would wear a salt lick around his neck if he could.
If you could live in a different decade/era which one would it be? Probably the late 1800's. Granted I struggle getting my dishes and laundry done with our many conveniences, but I am intrigued by those times. Such hard work.
What is the emotion you feel the most? Exhaustion, maybe that doesn't count, how about feeling overwhelmed?
Do you consider yourself outgoing? Yes, sort of. I am with my family, no doubt. Trying to be with others. Making friends is tough work!
What is something you are constantly working on? My lack of ambition. It's harder to have than I thought! Seemed much easier to be ambitious when I was working full time. Now I spend a good part of the morning talking myself into doing housework!
Any hidden talents? I'm pretty good at getting stains out of Malia's clothes. Although some credit must go to Shout! and Oxi Clean. I'm also pretty good at packing cars to move. Could be because I have moved so many times. Guaranteed to get it all in!
What is a word or phrase you overuse? retarded. So never appropriate. I stopped using it while I was teaching and even chastized my students for saying it. Sadly, it's crept back into my vocabulary.
What was the hardest thing that happened to you this past year? I guess the miscarriage was this year, technically. Last year? Quitting teaching and moving away from my family. Who knew I was so attached to Britt?
What is the best thing that happened to you this past year? David getting the Melchizedek Priesthood and living in the same state as me. Also moving to the great metropolis of Lewiston. Honestly, this place has been great. Mostly because of our fantastic ward. And getting to stay home with Malia. I know I complain sometimes that I miss teaching, but I wouldn't trade being with Malia for anything.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish this year? Losing lots of weight. Seriously. I'll start Monday. How many times have I said that in my life? Sad.
The best piece of advice you learned this past year? Live the Gospel and you'll be alright.


Thanks for the tag Christina! Now I tag Dianne, Brittney, Traci, Lori, Mom, Sharon, Janelle, Elizabeth(s), Hillary, Deanne, Susanne, Lorianne, and anyone else so inclined. Sorry for the long list ladies, but I want to hear all of these things from each of you. You have to include a recent photo of yourself. I wanted to cheat with an older, better looking photo, but opted for this up to date (taken minutes ago, mind you) photo so you could see the most recent me. Good times!

Feliz Cumpleanos David!

Today is my wonderful husband's birthday! Can I just say how much I love this man? That's the beauty of the blog, isn't it? I can ramble on about whatever I darn well want to. David is amazing. We have come so far in the three and a half years that we have been married. We have had some pretty rough spots and have been given a good share of trials, but it has all been worth it. David makes me feel so loved. He is a great father to Malia and works so hard for our little family. We have such a great time together. Today he was supposed to have work off. Because he was Employee of the Year, he was to get his birthday off paid. They asked him to work, so he did. Goes to show the man's dedication! Above all I am the most proud of his dedication to the Gospel. When we struggled through the miscarriage, it was beyond comforting to have my husband give me a blessing. I am so proud that he takes the responsibility so seriously. I put this picture in for those who may doubt David ever smiles! Too bad Malia wasn't cooperating. I love you David and can't wait to be yours forever.

SSHHHHH!!!!

So I am at a discipline loss with my lovely little Malia. The above picture is the response I get from her 46% of the time when I ask her to do or not do something. The remaining 54% of the time I get a finger pointed at me and a firm "NO!" We are trying time out. I have a little chair set up in the hallway and I set a timer for 1 minute. The girl thinks it's great! I put her there twice yesterday and she was content as could be, swinging her little legs, sitting ever so nicely. If only I could get that composure during sacrament! They tell me persistence is the key, so we'll keep trying time out. She hasn't responded to any other method of discipline either. Sometimes she is just so mean! Especially when it comes to playing with other kids. We have play group every Thursday and she is a brute! She is the smallest one there and the biggest bully. She pushes around 3 year olds and is constantly telling everyone "No"! There is one little girl that cries at the sight of Malia! How embarassing. We've concluded that she only behaves this way when I'm around. How flattering! When she was with Dianne and Lori, she was well behaved. As soon as I show up, she gets naughty. What's a girl to do?? As long as she is recieving undivided attention, she is an angel. She really is lots of fun, most of the time. I just want to make sure I am doing all that I can. I realize that some of it is just part of her temperment. Others have suggested a lot of it has to do with her being the oldest and the only child currently. Regardless, am I wrong to expect more? I realize she is only 18 months. However, I want her to learn to be respectful and well, NICE!