Month: September 2007

Our homeschool heritage put to the test

“Did Thomas Edison invent the light bulb or the telephone?” “I don’t know… both?” “Or did Albert Einstein invent the light bulb?” “Maybe.” “I can’t remember.” “I think that Thomas Edison invented both… but then again, Annie, I’m not very smart.”

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I-35 South

Here I sit, in a Red Roof Inn in Austin, Texas. I am here with my sister Becca and her adorable puppy dog Gabe after an 11 hour drive south from Kansas City. On Monday, Becca will have her first day of dog training school at Triple Crown Dog Academy. If thoughts of “dog training…

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Lest I get a big head

It’s hard work to be a model. I should know. My sister-in-law, Ashley Parsons, generously took an entire Sunday afternoon to help me out with a photo shoot for, well, “my career,” I guess. I have to be honest and say that when it comes to “packaging” myself, I am severely uncomfortable. I have never…

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The secret lives of old ladies

This afternoon, I was hanging out with Micah and Tyler, the world’s coolest nephews (don’t dispute it – this is a scientific fact). We went upstairs to their playroom, full of awesome, rad toys. Micah proceeded to “beat” me with a baseball bat until I was lying on the floor. “Here, Annie, put this under…

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A blog as boring as western Kansas

The 9-hour drive from Denver to Kansas City was uneventful. The most exciting thing that happened was pulling over at a gas station to lie down, belly on asphalt, and yank a tumbleweed out from under the car. Other than that, it was rattlesnake farms and “Come see the 5-legged steer!” signs. I almost ran…

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Signs and sights of Montrose

This morning, I leave my hometown of Montrose, CO, for the next stage of The Big Trip. But before I do, I would like to provide you with some images of small town life. Let’s begin with the hair salons. These are some of my favorites: This woman is so alluring, I can hardly stand…

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Little Miss Redcloud & Sunshine

I figured that since I had already climbed one 14er this week, I might as well do two more. In one day. Yesterday, I summited both Redcloud Peak (14,034′) and Sunshine Peak (14,001′ – hey, when it counts, it counts – just don’t knock any rocks off the top). My dad and I met up…

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Bloody knuckles and rock stars

Some days are very normal, basic, routine. Today was not one of those days. And actually, it deserves a long, thorough blog. We’re pretty good friends by now – I hope you’ll read until the end. This morning at 5am, my dad, our dear friend Dan Clader, and I left for Mt. Sneffels (elevation 14,150…

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Awkward vs. Awkwarder

Last night, I attended a 5th-8th grade volleyball showdown, held in the gym of a local church. The contenders? The Christian Schoolers (the Knights) vs. the Homeschoolers (the Flames). I was there in support of my friend Kellyn, who was celebrating her 11th birthday on the volleyball court as one of the Knights. Technically, it…

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This used to be my town

This morning, I awoke in my hometown of Montrose, Colorado. My parents left Colorado for the glamour of Kansas City about 4 years ago, so over the past several years, my visits to Montrose have been few and far between. Anxious to get out for a stroll down memory lane, I decided to walk across…

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