This year is coming to be known at the year of surprises. It first started with Dad's surprise 50th birthday party last May. Then for Zeniff's birthday I surprised him with 2 plane tickets to Dallas to visit his family. Operation SSS (Super Secret Sam) started back in August. My favorite cousin Sam and I were visiting on the phone and had this great idea that he would come out for Thanksgiving this year but better yet, we weren't going to tell ANYONE that he was coming!! Sunday night before Thanksgiving Sam flew into Salt Lake. I picked him up and then we headed straight to Moab arriving at almost midnight. We did have to fill Nichole in on our scheme -- but only because we needed a place to stay! Monday morning we went around surprising the family... Grandma wasn't as surprised as we thought she would be. Dad was in total shock and couldn't stop laughing and hugging Sam. (I personally think he was trying to hide a few tears too). Then Mom just started bawling! It was a great surprise. I only regret that I didn't video tape the whole thing!
09 December 2008
17 November 2008
Family Symphony
About 2 months ago I bought a cello and I have been teaching myself to play. Over the weekend my sister Sarah and her husband came up to my house for dinner. In the middle of preparing dinner I remembered that I had found this arrangement of Cannon in D for Cello and Piano. We looked over the music for a minute and then wa-lah -- The first attempt of a family symphony! ENJOY!
30 October 2008
Just an Eyebrow Wax?
I went to the salon last night to get an eyebrow wax and my bangs trimmed. I ended up being there for 3 hours and this is what happened...
Before:
During:
After:
Before:
During:
After:
29 October 2008
Look who's Turning 30!!
Thats right! Zeniff turned 30 years old yesterday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZE!! I hope your birthday surprises were the BEST!
01 October 2008
Coming to America...
Over the last couple of months Zeniff has been working on obtaining his US Citizenship. He has kept pretty quiet about it and it was only by accident I found out that as of last Wednesday, he was officially one the newest citizens of the United States of America!! I was over joyed to hear about it, but needless to say he was somewhat less than ecstatic. In fact, he didn't seem to care much about it at all.
Last night I invited him down for dinner (a pretty usual thing for us) but when he arrived, to his surprise, it was much more that a dinner for two. I had left work early to begin party preparations of getting balloons, making signs, and getting all the food ready for an "All American" barbecue. My roomates and I all dressed up in our Red, White, and Blue patriotic attire and when he walked in we yelled "Happy Citizenship!" Then we enjoyed a feast of hamburgers and baked beans, followed by a yummy and colorul dessert! Welcome to America Zeniff!
His Arrival
"Happy Citizenship"
I got him the box DVD set "Band of Brothers"
US
Yummy Patriotic Dessert
25 September 2008
100 Things
So I've seen this post on other people's blogs before and thought it looked kinda fun. It was actually a lot harder than I thought! Enjoy!
1. My middle name in Gayle, after my Grandma Gayle
2. On of my roommates nicknamed me Tang, like the drink – it stuck (Thanks Ash)
3. My boss introduces me to professional colleagues like that. “This is Natalie Tangren, Tang like the drink”
4. My sister used to tell me I was adopted or switched in the hospital – it made me cry
5. In spite of that, I love my family – they are my life. (I was not adopted or switched at birth)
6. My office is covered in pictures of them
7. I believe education is important
8. I have degree in Accounting
9. I have only failed one test in my life – please do not ask for advice regarding the tax treatment of §1231 exchanges (I actually had to look it up to make sure it was the right section)
10. I passed some college classes by only showing up on test days – I got a B+
11. I’m a true aggie (twice)
12. I secretly want to move back to Logan – I love it there
13. I played the Tenor Sax in the marching band at Utah State
14. I also play the Piano, Organ, Violin, Guitar, and most recently the Cello
15. Music was my minor in college
16. I yelled at one of my music professors on the last day of class - that is the only time in my life I have told someone off
17. I also have a minor in Personal Financial Planning
18. I try to see people as people, with hopes, dreams, and fears just like me
19. I find that when I do, I’m much more tolerant
20. I believe we are all children of God
21. I am spiritual
22. I struggle with feelings of inadequacy
23. My greatest fear is that my permanent teeth will suddenly fall out – that is actually a recurring nightmare I have
24. One day I will compete in a triathlon
25. First I need to get a bike
26. I don’t know how to swim
27. I hate licorice – the smell alone makes me sick
28. I can not fly without being doped up on Dramamine; I threw up on an air plane once because I didn’t
29. I have traveled to over half of the continental United States
30. I love algebra and wish I would have taken college algebra just for fun
31. In grade school, I was actually a grade ahead in math – I rocked at multiplication tables
32. My brother-in-law took me to my junior prom (This was before he married my sister)
33. We also went to Homecoming and Sadie Hawkins together (again, before he was married)
34. I’m a Daddy’s girl
35. I sing well – although you will never hear me sing solo
36. Valerie is the only person who has really heard me sing with attitude and gusto
37. I want to learn to tap dance
38. I am a good writer, and I proofread all of my boss’s important letters and emails before she sends them.
39. I don’t like roasted marshmallows or smores
40. I love camping with my family
41. I love to go star gazing and watch meteor showers – I’m probably the best person I know at finding satellites
42. Classical 89.1 is one of my favorite radio stations – It is calming to me
43. I’m a terrible conversationalist – I never know what to say
44. Silence does not bother me at all
45. I like to set goals
46. I will not watch scary moves or go to anything haunted
47. I can not keep both eyes open in pictures. My left eye naturally closes when I smile. Annoying!
48. I’m always cold and sleep with an electric blanket from October to May
49. I love hot chocolate and drink a cup everyday during the winter
50. I am starting to collect scarecrows
51. I have an obsession with Harvest decorations; I put them up September 1st
52. I will get married in the fall (I don’t know to who, when, or where, just that it will be sometime from late September to mid November)
53. I have had a lot of people ask me to teach them to play the piano
54. I doubt my ability to be a good teacher
55. I drool in my sleep
56. My first car was a silver 1990 Mitsubishi Gallant – I loved it
57. When my dad took it to the crusher, I felt like a part of me died (That could also be because he had me dismantle everything to get all the “good stuff” off of it first)
58. I invest a lot of my paycheck into my 401k
59. One of my professors told me that if you start young and invest wisely it will be nearly impossible for you to NOT become a millionaire – I believe him
60. I hate debt
61. The only concert I have been to was Fleetwood Mac – I went with my parents
62. In college my goal was to learn Prelude in C# minor by Rachmaninoff; that was my recital piece my last semester
63. I think I’m really crafty, and I like to admire my own work
64. I don’t usually buy crafts. I go to the craft store for ideas then I buy the supplies and make it myself. (I have a lot of unfinished projects!)
65. I’m afraid to keep a journal
66. I want to be the best at whatever I do and have a hard time taking criticism
67. I want to kiss someone in the pouring rain – I think it sounds romantic
68. I never discuss relationships with anyone in my family – I think it weird and it makes me uncomfortable
69. I’m from Moab and have never gone mountain biking
70. Once I donated 12 inches of my hair to Locks of Love
71. I have a phobia of snakes
72. I’m terrible at keeping in touch with old friends
73. I’m very private and don’t tell hardly anyone personal things about me
74. I rarely ask people personal or even general questions – I feel like I’m being nosy
75. I think that vacuuming and putting the dishes away are the worst household chores – I would rather clean the bathroom
76. My favorite flowers are lilies
77. I love to shop but I rarely buy anything. I always talk myself out of it because I know I don’t “need it” – I just want to need it
78. If actually break down and buy something there is a 65% chance that I will return it
79. I had stitches when I was 5 and split my forehead open all the way to the skull – I thought I was dying that day
80. I have two scars next to my right eye. One from falling on a rocking chair when I was 1 year old. The second was when my mom cut me with a piece of glass. Accidentally of course!
81. I eat chocolate milk with a spoon – that’s right no sipping for me, I spoon every bite
82. I can’t wear watches, bracelets, or anything around my wrist
83. My toenails are ALWAYS painted
84. I hate store bought pasta sauces; I make all mine from scratch
85. I have been told that I am the worst story-teller in the world because I include every detail
86. If I cross my right knee over my left for too long my right knee starts throbbing
87. I don’t get nervous before performing musically in front of people; after the performance I can stop shaking
88. I am very responsible and even with a really flexible schedule, I still feel bad if I’m not in the office for 8 hours a day – busy or not
89. I once left a bag of Chinese food in the dressing room of a high-end department store in New York City
90. I like to take road trips and just drive without a schedule
91. I love the performing arts – musicals, plays, symphonies, etc.
92. I eat cold cereal for breakfast every morning, and 4 out of 7 nights for dinner
93. When riding as a passenger with someone I gasp and push the imaginary breaks in the passenger seat - often
94. I have had a “steady” job since I was in the 5th grade – It all began with a paper route
95. I HATE shredded lettuce – even one shred can ruin the entire sandwich or burger
96. I’m ticklish everywhere
97. I get motion sickness swinging on swings
98. I have a bad habit of constantly cracking my knuckles, wrists, back, and neck
99. My ultimate goal in life is to be a successful wife and mother
100. In the meantime, I love being an accountant
1. My middle name in Gayle, after my Grandma Gayle
2. On of my roommates nicknamed me Tang, like the drink – it stuck (Thanks Ash)
3. My boss introduces me to professional colleagues like that. “This is Natalie Tangren, Tang like the drink”
4. My sister used to tell me I was adopted or switched in the hospital – it made me cry
5. In spite of that, I love my family – they are my life. (I was not adopted or switched at birth)
6. My office is covered in pictures of them
7. I believe education is important
8. I have degree in Accounting
9. I have only failed one test in my life – please do not ask for advice regarding the tax treatment of §1231 exchanges (I actually had to look it up to make sure it was the right section)
10. I passed some college classes by only showing up on test days – I got a B+
11. I’m a true aggie (twice)
12. I secretly want to move back to Logan – I love it there
13. I played the Tenor Sax in the marching band at Utah State
14. I also play the Piano, Organ, Violin, Guitar, and most recently the Cello
15. Music was my minor in college
16. I yelled at one of my music professors on the last day of class - that is the only time in my life I have told someone off
17. I also have a minor in Personal Financial Planning
18. I try to see people as people, with hopes, dreams, and fears just like me
19. I find that when I do, I’m much more tolerant
20. I believe we are all children of God
21. I am spiritual
22. I struggle with feelings of inadequacy
23. My greatest fear is that my permanent teeth will suddenly fall out – that is actually a recurring nightmare I have
24. One day I will compete in a triathlon
25. First I need to get a bike
26. I don’t know how to swim
27. I hate licorice – the smell alone makes me sick
28. I can not fly without being doped up on Dramamine; I threw up on an air plane once because I didn’t
29. I have traveled to over half of the continental United States
30. I love algebra and wish I would have taken college algebra just for fun
31. In grade school, I was actually a grade ahead in math – I rocked at multiplication tables
32. My brother-in-law took me to my junior prom (This was before he married my sister)
33. We also went to Homecoming and Sadie Hawkins together (again, before he was married)
34. I’m a Daddy’s girl
35. I sing well – although you will never hear me sing solo
36. Valerie is the only person who has really heard me sing with attitude and gusto
37. I want to learn to tap dance
38. I am a good writer, and I proofread all of my boss’s important letters and emails before she sends them.
39. I don’t like roasted marshmallows or smores
40. I love camping with my family
41. I love to go star gazing and watch meteor showers – I’m probably the best person I know at finding satellites
42. Classical 89.1 is one of my favorite radio stations – It is calming to me
43. I’m a terrible conversationalist – I never know what to say
44. Silence does not bother me at all
45. I like to set goals
46. I will not watch scary moves or go to anything haunted
47. I can not keep both eyes open in pictures. My left eye naturally closes when I smile. Annoying!
48. I’m always cold and sleep with an electric blanket from October to May
49. I love hot chocolate and drink a cup everyday during the winter
50. I am starting to collect scarecrows
51. I have an obsession with Harvest decorations; I put them up September 1st
52. I will get married in the fall (I don’t know to who, when, or where, just that it will be sometime from late September to mid November)
53. I have had a lot of people ask me to teach them to play the piano
54. I doubt my ability to be a good teacher
55. I drool in my sleep
56. My first car was a silver 1990 Mitsubishi Gallant – I loved it
57. When my dad took it to the crusher, I felt like a part of me died (That could also be because he had me dismantle everything to get all the “good stuff” off of it first)
58. I invest a lot of my paycheck into my 401k
59. One of my professors told me that if you start young and invest wisely it will be nearly impossible for you to NOT become a millionaire – I believe him
60. I hate debt
61. The only concert I have been to was Fleetwood Mac – I went with my parents
62. In college my goal was to learn Prelude in C# minor by Rachmaninoff; that was my recital piece my last semester
63. I think I’m really crafty, and I like to admire my own work
64. I don’t usually buy crafts. I go to the craft store for ideas then I buy the supplies and make it myself. (I have a lot of unfinished projects!)
65. I’m afraid to keep a journal
66. I want to be the best at whatever I do and have a hard time taking criticism
67. I want to kiss someone in the pouring rain – I think it sounds romantic
68. I never discuss relationships with anyone in my family – I think it weird and it makes me uncomfortable
69. I’m from Moab and have never gone mountain biking
70. Once I donated 12 inches of my hair to Locks of Love
71. I have a phobia of snakes
72. I’m terrible at keeping in touch with old friends
73. I’m very private and don’t tell hardly anyone personal things about me
74. I rarely ask people personal or even general questions – I feel like I’m being nosy
75. I think that vacuuming and putting the dishes away are the worst household chores – I would rather clean the bathroom
76. My favorite flowers are lilies
77. I love to shop but I rarely buy anything. I always talk myself out of it because I know I don’t “need it” – I just want to need it
78. If actually break down and buy something there is a 65% chance that I will return it
79. I had stitches when I was 5 and split my forehead open all the way to the skull – I thought I was dying that day
80. I have two scars next to my right eye. One from falling on a rocking chair when I was 1 year old. The second was when my mom cut me with a piece of glass. Accidentally of course!
81. I eat chocolate milk with a spoon – that’s right no sipping for me, I spoon every bite
82. I can’t wear watches, bracelets, or anything around my wrist
83. My toenails are ALWAYS painted
84. I hate store bought pasta sauces; I make all mine from scratch
85. I have been told that I am the worst story-teller in the world because I include every detail
86. If I cross my right knee over my left for too long my right knee starts throbbing
87. I don’t get nervous before performing musically in front of people; after the performance I can stop shaking
88. I am very responsible and even with a really flexible schedule, I still feel bad if I’m not in the office for 8 hours a day – busy or not
89. I once left a bag of Chinese food in the dressing room of a high-end department store in New York City
90. I like to take road trips and just drive without a schedule
91. I love the performing arts – musicals, plays, symphonies, etc.
92. I eat cold cereal for breakfast every morning, and 4 out of 7 nights for dinner
93. When riding as a passenger with someone I gasp and push the imaginary breaks in the passenger seat - often
94. I have had a “steady” job since I was in the 5th grade – It all began with a paper route
95. I HATE shredded lettuce – even one shred can ruin the entire sandwich or burger
96. I’m ticklish everywhere
97. I get motion sickness swinging on swings
98. I have a bad habit of constantly cracking my knuckles, wrists, back, and neck
99. My ultimate goal in life is to be a successful wife and mother
100. In the meantime, I love being an accountant
08 September 2008
My First Audit
So I realize that I have been slacking terribly and have not updated my blog in awhile! Luckily, nothing too incredibly exciting has happened. Work was keeping me super busy during August and the first part of September as I underwent my first audit. Last summer I worked as an auditor in Boise, and I could never figure why I kept feeling like all of our clients hated us! Well, after having a group of strangers come in my office and go through all my files and scrutinize every journal entry asking why? why? why? I could finally empathize with them! Being the only accountant for the foundation and the only one with access to the financial records it felt like I was personally being audited! After a month and a half of question after question, we finally received the finalized audit report. It was an unqualified audit!! WHEW! (If you aren't familiar with different audit results, that is the best one to get!) Not that I was worried about it, it was just a lot of stress. Anyway I'm glad that it is over but am even more thrilled to have it behind me for another year!
08 August 2008
Shopping Fever
This week at work has been super busy and very stressful. It is our annual audit it seems like my "To Do:" list is not getting any shorter. Well last night, in the midst of my stress, I had this incredible urge unwind and go shopping - and those of you who also occasionally suffer from shopping fever know that there is only one cure! 
I have been wanting some new running shoes for awhile now and just so happens that while I was out yesterday I found some that were too good to pass up. Nike, which I thought were super cute and also happened to be on sale. I immediately snatched them up and headed toward the register - stress free and excited about my near purchase. Only then did I notice a sign that said "Women's Athletic Apparel 50% off!" Woo Hoo!!
You can probably guess what happened next... so needless to say - I left Kohls a few dollars short and with a new running wardrobe. I guess now I had better get to the gym.
I have been wanting some new running shoes for awhile now and just so happens that while I was out yesterday I found some that were too good to pass up. Nike, which I thought were super cute and also happened to be on sale. I immediately snatched them up and headed toward the register - stress free and excited about my near purchase. Only then did I notice a sign that said "Women's Athletic Apparel 50% off!" Woo Hoo!!
You can probably guess what happened next... so needless to say - I left Kohls a few dollars short and with a new running wardrobe. I guess now I had better get to the gym.
25 July 2008
The Finished Product
So after nearly two years of waiting my car is finally finished!!! In October 2006, my s
enior year of college, I bought a Nissan Maxima which was wrecked. At the time the trunk was smashed into the back seat. The original plan was to have Dad fix it up and bring it up to Logan at my graduation the following spring. Well sometime between October and May, finding long lost relatives, graduations, vacation, and 2 weddings my car was somehow pushed to the back burner and a project we thought would only take a few months ended up taking much, much longer.
Fi
nally in December 2007, (over a year after I bought the car) we brought it back into the shop and really began the body work. Dad and I worked for days over the Christmas break to get all the body work finished and the first coats of primer on. Being the middle of winter however, it was too cold to paint the car Luckily, the metal was protected enough by the primer and so in January I was actually able to start driving my multi-colored car and we put off the painting for a few more months until the weather warmed up the following spring or summer.
Over the long 24th of July weekend I planned a trip down to Moab specifically to get my car painted. It was a long 2 days of prep work to get the whole thing sanded, masked, re-primed, un-masked, re-sanded, and masked again! Then Saturday morning we were up and out to the shop painting by 6:00 am! Within just a few hours Dad had my car all painted and looking like new!! 
Although is may have been a long wait it was definitely worth it and now I have a Sweet Action Car!
enior year of college, I bought a Nissan Maxima which was wrecked. At the time the trunk was smashed into the back seat. The original plan was to have Dad fix it up and bring it up to Logan at my graduation the following spring. Well sometime between October and May, finding long lost relatives, graduations, vacation, and 2 weddings my car was somehow pushed to the back burner and a project we thought would only take a few months ended up taking much, much longer. Fi
nally in December 2007, (over a year after I bought the car) we brought it back into the shop and really began the body work. Dad and I worked for days over the Christmas break to get all the body work finished and the first coats of primer on. Being the middle of winter however, it was too cold to paint the car Luckily, the metal was protected enough by the primer and so in January I was actually able to start driving my multi-colored car and we put off the painting for a few more months until the weather warmed up the following spring or summer.
Over the long 24th of July weekend I planned a trip down to Moab specifically to get my car painted. It was a long 2 days of prep work to get the whole thing sanded, masked, re-primed, un-masked, re-sanded, and masked again! Then Saturday morning we were up and out to the shop painting by 6:00 am! Within just a few hours Dad had my car all painted and looking like new!! 
Although is may have been a long wait it was definitely worth it and now I have a Sweet Action Car!
15 July 2008
OUCH!!!
So last night I was playing basketball with some friends and I totally jammed my finger! OUCH!!! It hurt soooo bad! I ended up playing the rest of the night one handed and then afterward I was finally able to get it all taped up. Today it is incredibly sore, swollen, and bruised and it is moving down into the palm of my hand! I really hope I didn't break it!
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