IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL

I am going on a mission. I leave today. I will no longer be posting anything on this blog.

BUT WAIT!

I will have a mission blog for all you folks who want to keep up-to-date on the goings-on of Hermana Sheffield.

Hermana Sheffield and the Mission to Florida

Also, if you would like to email me, please send it to annadees@gmail.com and it will be forwarded on to my LDS mail account. You can also write me a letter!
My MTC address is:
Sister Anna Dee Sheffield
MTC Mailbox # 251
FL-FTL 1018
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793


After I leave the MTC, my new address will be on my new blog. 


I love all you wonderful people. See you in 18 months!

Quotes and Friends (pardon the cheese)

"There are some things you can't share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them." -J.K. Rowling
"A Friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same."
Elbert Hubbard, you may have a strange name, but you said what I was thinking.


 In case you haven't noticed, I love my friends. They are so wonderful. And there's nothing like giving a talk in church before leaving for 18 months to bring them all together. I am so grateful to all those who came and supported me today. I have never felt so loved!
Of course, then everyone left.
 Sad face. 
Already, I miss you all.


Also, everyone else was doing this, so I did, too. Only mine's a little different because I'm a little different.
Things I Wish I Could Say to 11 Nameless People (and some quotes that can say it better):
1. I don't know if I would have made it through the last six months without you. You are an amazing person! I'm so glad we are so close and will forever have inside jokes. And don't worry, you will get married.
("Hey, when I got friends, I can get through anything." - Boy Meets World)
2. Sorry I'm not very patient with you. I know you are trying to help, but you don't always know the whole story. I think if you don't worry so much, things will get better.
("Yeah I called her up, she gave me a bunch of crap about me not listening to her, or something, I don't know, I wasn't really paying attention." -Dumb and Dumber)
3. I am so excited things are working out for you! I wish I could be there every step of the way, but I have no doubt we'll be friends forever.
("Oh, you're the best friends anybody ever had. And it's funny, but I feel as if I'd known you all the time, but I couldn't have, could I?" --Wizard of Oz)
4. Just be yourself and you will find the right person. Who you are is great, but your current girlfriend is not up to your level of awesome. 
("Better be without sense than misapply it as you do."
"Men of sense, whatever you may say, do not want silly wives!" -Emma [the movie, not my sister])
5. Our friendship still confuses me, but I'm glad to call you my friend. I love how open you are about your unique personality traits. I wish I could be that confident in myself.
("Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."--Casablanca)
6. We have a connection that I cannot explain. I love you as if you were part of my family. You always make me smile. I hope I can be there for you like you have been there for me.
("There are as many forms of love as there are moments in time." -Mansfield Park)
7. I regret not becoming a True Aggie with you. Maybe we still can.
("Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." - from Ferris Bueller's Day Off)
8. I wish we could be as close as we used to be. I still want to know about your life. Sorry I wasn't there when you needed me.
("It doesn't matter who, when, or where . . . You can always use a hug." -Hope Floats)
9. You are my most favorite person in the world. I would be nothing without you. Thank you times infinity.
(Take love, multiply it by infinity and take it to the depths of forever.. and you still have only a glimpse of how I feel for you." - Meet Joe Black)
10. The choices you are making are dumb. Stop being so obstinate and take the advice of those who care about you; you would be much happier. I'm always here when you are ready to tell the truth.
("Only a true friend would be that truly honest." --Shrek)
11. Quit stalling. Everything will be okay, but you have to go. Also, you are a little too over-the-top and crude for girls to take you seriously, but I don't think that will be a problem when you come back.
("It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends."--Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone) (had to be done)


Here's a fitting quote for you all (hint hint):
A friendship can weather most things and thrive in thin soil; but it needs a little mulch of letters and phone calls and small, silly presents every so often - just to save it from drying out completely.
Pam Brown

July.

One post to represent the entire month.

Note the finality of the title. July is over. But it was pretty fun. So fun, in fact, that I didn't make the time to blog about it. Therefore, I will now present you with a summary of my goings-on in no particular order.

Maddie with her "Can I have anothor pwetzel, pweese?" face.
I saw this face at least 20 times while at Fat Cats.

First off: Camp. Minus four or five days, I spent every week day from 8:30-4:30 at Bernie Soloman Summer Camp. This is my fourth year working at the JCC and it has been great. Especially this year because I am a "floater" (a.k.a. substitute counselor) and can easily take days off for whatever reason (some which will heretofore be mentioned). Although I am nearing the end of my enthusiasm for camp, there have been some pretty great times. For some reason, I only have pictures of Girls 6 for your enjoyment.

Girls 6 all lined up after swimming.

Eva, Reese, and Eve looking good on a dinosaur at the Zoo.

Emma and Jordan with the double rainbow.

b)We've had some crazy/cool weather this July. 15 minute downpours, awesome sunsets, preparatory humidity, hot hot afternoon sunshine, hot morning sunshine, thunderstorms at in opportune moments, etc. Good thing I like crazy and cool.

Erie clouds and sun-tipped trees.
 

3- I love our garden. I'm so happy that we have one, especially this year because I wasn't sure we were going to get it ready in time.  Eating beans and tomatoes right off the vine is the taste of summer to me. Finding hidden squash and cucumbers is a delightful challenge. I won't even mention the golden raspberries and blackberries.

Rosie shedding what's left of her summer skin.

Last of all; Summer means spending time in the backyard, usually in the evening. The cats come out of their cool hiding places and mom is more apt to weed the grass.

Iconic cat on a bench with laundry on the line.

D. My family is pretty cool. We know how to party when the occasion calls for it. We're also pretty good at playing in church, going to amazing concerts, digging sand canals, and playing games. Too bad I have no photographic evidence of these things.

7- I have great friends. They mean the world to me. Whether we are playing rock band, dressing up for Harry Potter, seeing a midnight movie (or four), going to the zoo, scaring ourselves at Lagoon, eating ice cream, having a barbecue at first dam, or just talking, they make me happy.

What did the fish say when he ran into the wall?

My chain is pretty short.

Next, I leave in less than a score of days. I'm not sure that is enough time. But I have my practical shoes and skirts, my new luggage and camera, and my books and a place to keep addresses, so I'm getting there.

Perhaps my blog should be a little more organized. But if you don't like it, it will all be over soon anyway.

Thank you and good luck.

P.S. I found another housing community called Old Farm here in Salt Lake. How cool is that?!

Haircut

I realize this is a bit late, but there are a few (mostly those of you not in Salt Lake whom I have not yet gone to visit) who have not seen me since I donated my hair two weeks ago.

Now you have.
I also found the before and after pictures of my last three donations (I searched and searched but could not find the photo evidence of the first donation of my hair in 2005).

10-12 inches every 2 years. That is a lot of hair.
I was told it takes about 4-6 donations of hair to make a wig. It has taken 8 years, but I have finally donated enough hair to make one wig. I hope you enjoy it, hair-loss-victim.

Angie's Wedding!

Friday, June 10, 2011 at 8:40 am, Angela Kay Peterson was sealed to Sabel Guy Mangum in the Logan Temple. I know because I was there! It was amazing. If you are reading this, and you're not married yet, I want to be there when you get married. It was that amazing.

The Mangums emerge

Very necessary father-of-the-bride hug

Look at all those cute smiles!

Sassy Angie in her awesome dress

My most favorite Kandra Pictures:

Friends!

In the evening, everyone drove to Blackfoot for the Reception. Talk about a fun road trip. I would do it again any time. Thanks for the laughs, guys!

Receiving Line, complete with Angie making a face!

Best Roommate Ever

 Our table of attending friends:

Shannon and her cousin

Zack Wilson

Ian, Brian, and Jaron

Unable to attend: Lexi (Cousin's Wedding), Kandra (work), Joseph & Stacey (thought is was on the 11th), Brittany (...)

Cutting the Cake. Sabel was smart and did not smash it into Angie's face.

They also danced and possibly threw certain items after we left. I'll find out.

All in all, it was a most excellent day. I'm so happy for Angie and Sabel I can hardly contain it! Now they are in Mexico basking in the sunlight and hopefully seeing some sea turtles. 

Also, summer is now officially underway and it's not as much fun as pre-summer (the month between college ending and jobs starting). All the cool people are now working in various locations, off in another country, going to camp, or completely consumed with the return of a missionary, leaving no time for partying together. I guess I had to return to regularly scheduled life programming eventually. Yay for Bernie Camp.

66 days!

What summer is all about - PSYCH!

(Both the TV show and the 90s catch phrase.)

This has been a great summer for no apparent reason. Minus the cruise, that was obviously awesome! 

Actually, it is almost a never-ending summer for me. I won't see snow for 20 months because I'm going to a place where the average high temperature is between 75 - 90 degrees all year round. And humid.

That's right everybody, I got my mission call:

FLORIDA FORT LAUDERDALE - Spanish Speaking

I've never been to Florida, I don't speak Spanish, and I'm not the biggest fan of wearing skirts, but I am SUPER excited for this.  18 months without worrying about school or jobs. 18 months of sharing good news with others and helping them be happy forever. 18 months of structure and dedicated work. This is going to good. Really good.

Fort Lauderdale - The Venice of America

Also, I finally got to be in an orchestra for a musical again! First time since high school. I didn't get to play violin in a well-known musical like I wanted to, but playing viola in a new musical was cool, too.  Good job to my brother-in-law's sister-in-law! Shelter was pretty great, just ask all my cool new "friends" who were in it. Or my cool "new" friends who came to see it. 

Speaking of friends, aren't they great? I love all my friends. Every time I see/talk/text them, I walk away smiling.  Even if all we do is talk about our other friends (Don't deny it, you all know I'm right). I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for fulfilling my need-to-know-istis.  But to clarify, I'm not nosy, I'm curious because I care. I only want to know so I can help others. Really. 

Most Epic moment as of late? Definitely May 24th. I, Emmordan, Mom, and 50,000 of our closest friends joined together in Rice-Eccles Stadium to watch the most amazing concert I've ever been too and some that I haven't. Yes, it was that good. I don't care if you don't like Bono or The Edge (I'm not sure that is even possible), that U2 concert can't be beat. It was worth the year-long wait to see them.

The Fray opening for U2 on their massive stage called "The Claw"

The 360 video screen showed us fun facts. Like my name.

Giant rotating faces of Bono, Adam, Edge, and Larry.

Some things about summer are a bit mundane, but they are the essence of my summer. Things like planting vegetables in the garden, babysitting the little boys, playing Nertz on the living room floor, Sunday walks, watching the Price is Right, making jewelry with beads, repeatedly cleaning the same rooms, sitting on the swings in the warm sunlight, sitting on the swings in the dark of night, reading outside so long that you fall asleep and get sunburned, washing blankets and hanging them out to dry, going to see midnight movies, and watching TV, current and recorded. 

Some things about this summer are a little more unique. Cheryl and I took care of our Grandpa's house and dog while they went to California. Laila is a ridiculously expensive and babied red-haired toy poodle. But at least she kind of like me now.  Plus, staying there with her gave me a chance to read some old journals. Hilarious. I can't believe I wrote those things (and it was only five months ago)!

A few random thoughts:

*I don't know why I am so happy. It is largely unfounded, but why not be happy! Everyone would have a better day if they just smiled.

*I have to apologize to Angie for not following her guidance to watch Psych earlier. It is great. Or fantastic. I've heard it both ways.

*I don't know if have a job. I don't know if I want a job.

*The Paper Chain in my room says I have 73 days until I enter the MTC!

*Angie's getting married on Friday! And I get to be there when she is sealed! Yay Yay Yay!

An Unimaginably Good Time

Perhaps the terrible semester I had makes it seem so much better.
Perhaps we had the perfect group of friends going.
Perhaps it was simply awesome by itself.

Either way I can't remember ever being this happy!

On Saturday, May 7th, I graduated from Utah State University.  I wasn't really looking forward to it; it just seemed like a formality. However, it was great to see so many friends again and celebrate our accomplishments together. Plus, I had friends and family that came to support me! And we went to Twizlberry (where Brian left the sherbet on and created a nice pile of pomegranate)! What great people!

Jaron, me, and Brian

The fam.

Angie graduated, too!

Then the real adventure began.

Sunday we drove from 11:30am Utah time to 10:30pm California time. We saw some beautiful scenery, license plates from several different states, and the world's largest thermometer. We talked and laughed and no one slept the whole time! We stayed in a dumpy motel ten minutes away from the pier, watched AFV, and realized we miss Bob Saget. 

We got on Carnival Paradise Monday afternoon and explored a lot. We got kicked out of the "adult area" and met the busty lass. We saw dolphins jumping into the sunset, met Jerry in the piano bar, saw ten minutes of a "fun" show, and listened to some interesting Karaoke talent. Also, Jen flirted with Kyle, drunken ladies danced, constantly-drunk Mike clapped for us, Jaron got scarred by Rex, and I tried sushi for the first time. All in all, an amazing first day.

Jaron - Anna - Queen Mary

Waiting for launch.

Goodbye, LA!

Pictures and Pirates

Sing us a song, piano man

One of many towel animals

Karaoke!

Drunken Lady dancing 

 Day 2 dawned bright and clear, or at least I think it did, our room didn't have a window. We were docked at Catalina Island, in the beautiful city of Avalon.  We got off the boat and wandered around for a bit, then we rented tandem bikes to check out the entire city. So great. After lunch, we snorkeled on the cold, rocky shore at Lover's Cove, soaked up the sun next to some girls reading the Ensign, and stayed in a hot tub to avoid the wind. That night was "Elegant Night" so we dressed up all fancy, took lots of cheesy and awkward pictures, ate dinner, listened to Big Trouble (everyone's favorite cruise cover band), and danced.

 

 
 

Tuesday was my favorite day.

Wednesday was spent in Ensenada, Mexico! My first time out of the country! It looked pretty much like Southern California except there was more Spanish and a few more Mexicans.  We drove around the bay to a beautiful private cove. After a bumpy ride up the mountain, we reached our destination to go snorkeling with Sal and Sermando. It was unbelievably gorgeous. We saw and held lots of sea creatures.

Before heading back to the boat, we got fish tacos, wandered around Mexican tourist shops, watched Jaron get suckered into several purchases, and ate Mexican Churros.  I got a Mexican blanket, tried Mexican coke, and Lobster at dinner. We also got a call at dinner time telling us that we brought live animals in the boat and that was bad. Jaron got escorted down to his room to dispose of them! That is why we no longer have a starfish to bring home from Mexico! We spent the evening with Big Trouble, karaoke again (this time with a cute little girl singing "I got a feeling"), and sitting on the front of the boat.

Beautiful private cove in which we snorkeled

Sun fish - sticks to your hands

View of a Mexican city on our return from snorkeling

Jaron and Ian getting their fish tacos

Classic Mexican Restaurant

I love churros!

Wednesday also included the best dinner show of the cruise.

Thursday was a Fun day at sea.  We played mini-golf, sat and talked in the sun, joined a battle-of-the-sexes, enjoyed the chocolate bar, enjoyed the sushi bar, enjoyed the free drinks, enjoyed the live band and dancing, and saw the stars.

On Board Mini-Golf

Friday we ate one last free buffet breakfast, left Paradise, and drove to Huntington Beach. It was the best beach yet.  Ian swam, Jen collected shells, Zack ate a mussel, everyone jumped, and we sat on the sandy beach in the sun. Perfect.  Eventually we drove back to Utah. We stopped at In-and-Out in Barstow, heard the sunset (as described by Ian), ate almost an entire package of Chewy Chips Ahoy, saw an epic double rainbow all the way across the sky (so intense), and maybe slept a little. We almost caught up to Jaron and Zack, too. We got home between 1 and 2 am full of unrestrained happiness.

The whole gang

Very excited jumping

Huntington Beach!

Best way to start a summer ever.