As many of you know, this year has been one of changes.

In May of this year, I finished up my teaching career at Veritas Academy and began teaching private voice and piano lessons full-time. I did this so that I could have flexibility to take care of my family in GA, if needed (little did I know what a blessing this intuition would be).

In June, Ethan and I went on a two-week trip out west. It was amazing! Who else could say that they were chased by a grizzly bear, drove through a tornado and slept in the back of their truck in a Wal-Mart parking lot?

At the same time, we were in the process of buying our dream house. Stopping at every available Staples in the middle of Montana, Wyoming, North and South Dakota, and filling out more paperwork.

Finally, at the end of July, with all of the paperwork finished, and the mountains of red tape wrent asunder, we bought the house. A few days later, I got the call that Mom had passed away.

In September, I decided at the last minute to enter in a half-marathon. This was the first time that I had ever run 13.whatever miles. The longest I had run before was 10 miles but boredom always seemed to set in at around 6 miles. I’ve never run any type of race before because I was always embarrassed to run with other people, so this was a milestone for me (even though my time was nothing to brag about).

In October, we were finally able to move into our new house (with the help of many wonderful friends). Also, in October, I finally wrote down three of my songs with lyrics. This too is a new step for me.

At the end of November, Ethan and Math-U-See moved to a new warehouse (big deal–no really, it was a big deal).

So as this year quickly comes to a close, I look back very thankful for all my wonderful friends and family and to God for his abundant grace. Thank you.

Every year, I partake in a particularly evil tradition that most women enjoy and men secretly do too.  I speak of clothes shopping.  I relegate this dirty deed to only once a year, because at the end of 2 hours, I’m ready to join a nudist colony…Okay, not quite, but you get my point.

So what makes clothes shopping so evil in my book?

1. Everything is all the same or gothic.
2. It’s unattractive. Just when I think that fashions could not be any less attractive, I stumble upon some that are so hideous, they make the even the 80’s big socks, pink tights, baggy shirts and huge crimped hair look appealing.
3. It’s not the Goodwill prices I normally like to pay—Hello, my name is Anna and I’m a total cheapo (Hi, Anna). I used to find really great outfits back in the days of my Hotlanta Goodwill, but here in Amish country, denim jumpers embroidered with colorful cows are not my style.
4.  It takes a whole lot of time to weed through the stuff that all looks the same anyway.
5. There is no in-between.  There are the mid-life stores, and the teeny-bopper stores.  I’m neither one and both.  I like low-rise pants but not too tight.  I like simple, classy blouses.  Not risqué, not fringed.  Just plain.
6.  The stores play annoying music.
7.  IF, I happen to find something I like, the chances are, it will not fit.  The arms and legs are too short, the waist to big, and the shoulders to tight.  Yes, I think I’m more closely related to the primate than most.

The solution?
Like every entrepreneur I’ve ever heard of, they see a market that’s not meeting a certain need and fill it.  So, I will name my brand, Tall and Skinny: unabashedly politically incorrect.

As most of you know, I like to run.  Here in Amish country, I’ve learned the importance of drawing out maps for myself.  Not because I get lost, but because I have, through trial and error, found that some roads are much more treacherous than others.  On my happy little map, you will see roads, a few houses scattered along the roads, and little x’s with daily percentage marks.  These little x’s tend to dictate where I run depending on the time of day and the day of the week.  Why?  Because these annoying little x’s are dogs.  And, if you should so wonder, I don’t know the names of any of these dogs, so I name them for their looks and personalities. (Tip: NEVER, EVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, SHOULD YOU TURN YOUR BACK TO A DOG)
On Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4-7:30, “Spot” is let out into his front yard to wander.  There is only a 30% chance that he will bark, follow and attempt to nip if, and only if, you are going south on the street.  However, if he catches you going north on his street, you have only a 15% chance that he will not bite you in the face.

Everyday of the week, from 12-3, “White Fang” awaits the casual passer-by.  He’s a gargantuan crafty one that you really have to watch out for (95%).  He likes to hide in nearby rusted-out cars and wait until you’re almost past him to come at you.  Then he leaps like a lioness at you with teeth bared.  I usually avoid his street unless it’s later.  I have been lucky enough to sneak past him while he’s not looking because I’m pretty sure he’s hard of hearing.

Along this same road, there are four other menaces.  “Shiva the white wonder,” “Bear,” “Tido,” and “Buster.”  “Shiva” is lovely but a terror.  Thankfully, “Bear” is always in a fence, and the other two are punting size.

On another street, there are two dogs, (20%) “Rover” and “Jed.”  They act mean as long as you give them the stare down (I have found that giving them the Davy Crockett stare works fairly well).  After you do, they keep barking and slowly back away.  Heh, a dog whisperer…

So today, as I was running, “Crème Puff” came up and ran with me.  For having such a disproportionate head to leg ratio, he was decently fast.  He chased every passing car as we went along.  Finally, a red car passed, slammed on its brakes, and backed up.  The passenger side door of the car swung open and I heard “How did you get out of the house?” ring out loud and clear.  I turned around to look and I got a cold stare from the woman who was now holding the beloved “Crème Puff.”  “He’s followed me now for about a mile,” I said, “ I’m glad you drove by.”   “Yes, me too,” she said as she held her dog in the You-can’t-steal-him-from-me pose.

Let’s just say, I’m not a winner.  Never really have been.  In fact, I’m more of what you might call a professional loser–defeat with a smile 🙂

So tonight, for the first time in my history of Settler’s of Catan, I won a game against Ethan.  Yes, Mr. Jedi Master himself in the cardboard world of Catan, was taken down at exactly 9:58 PM on October 4th, 2007.  I write this not to brag–well who am I kidding?–but to simply have it written down that in my lifetime, I beat him at least once.  So why am I so ecstatic?  Let me briefly account to you my past memorable defeats and wins in the gaming world (including some physical activites).

We’ll start with my wins since they are far fewer.

1. Arm wrestling– I won the tri-college women’s arm-wrestling tournament.  I have only lost once in my life to a girl (who was a concert pianist and cheated) and have beat several guys (I just know how to pick the guys, that’s the key).

2. Scrabble–I know how much those Q’s and V’s are worth and devoted those portions of the dictionary to memory.  Okay, that’s a total lie.  It sounded funny though.

3. Checkers with Ethan (only once)–It was late, we were tired, and I used the mind-control technique.  I don’t think I can get him to fall for it again.

Memorable Losses…Where to begin?  I’ll just stick with three.  That way its looks like I’ve lost as much as I’ve won 😉

1. Mini golf or real golf–Anytime a golf ball is involved, there will be much mayhem.  Those darned windmills and waterfalls.  Of course, there was that one glorious fluke victory in Florida.

2.  Bowling–Have you ever rolled your ball into the lane next to you and gotten them a strike?  Be very impressed.

3.  Uno–I don’t usually win unless I cheat.  Cheating does make it more fun, but if you’re the only one cheating and you still come in last place, cheating tends to lose its luster.

What’s my point in typing all of this useless gibberish?  Just to inform you that

I WON IN SETTLER’S FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!!!!!!!