Ann Again...and again

What About The Hokey Pokey?

2012-01-26T13:26:00.000-08:00

Poor things. They didn't stand a chance.

A Place For Everything

2012-01-26T13:13:00.000-08:00

While trying to organize my girls room, I'm finding so many papers and cards and things that I think aren't that important lying around their desks and floor. I've learned my lesson not to throw anything away without asking however, that little section in my brain marked "Neat Freak" is urging me to just chuck it all.

Instead, I've been trying to find creative ways to keep all their precious (for now) knickknacks. Good thing I've lived in a tiny apartment in NYC because my mind goes back to organizing in tiny spaces. Our girls share a room and part of our situation is trying to decorate one room that holds two different personalities, interests and colors.

The quickest way to organize is to find a home for the papers and cards on a bulletin board. I like the fabric kind. What can add a level of sharpness are enclosed fabric bulletin boards. It brings it up a notch in the sleekness, I think. One daughter will like the fabric and I'm sure the other will like enclosed cork bulletin boards. I don't really care, I just want them to decide what kind of enclosed bulletin boards they want and let's get their room in order. Pah-leeze!

Quote Of The Day

2012-01-25T08:48:00.000-08:00

Agreed.

Planning Ahead

2012-01-25T08:33:00.000-08:00

While my oldest daughter is preparing to enter high school next year I'm happy to hear that she is planning on attending a college in our neighborhood. I'm happy about her plans, but I'm not happy about the cost of this college. It's a private school which makes the dollar signs in my head spin. (Anyone else getting dizzy?)

In my typical way of trying to be prepared for anything I've been researching websites that offer information on scholarships and grants for college. I've easily found SchoolScholarships.com. This website offers financial aid information and provides knowledge on what scholarships are out there and how to obtain them. There are scholarships for just about every minority you can think of. Did you know there's even a scholarship available for bloggers? The more I delve into this website I just might find a grant for left-handed students.

I think this is the perfect time for my daughter to see what kind of effort she'll need to put into her classwork in high school to obtain the optimum scholarship or grant. Do we fit the financial criteria for aid? You bet we do. I'll put a very safe bet down that most of you do to. What this site offers are criteria of what schools are looking for when selecting scholarship and grant recipients. Every little bit of information helps when you're trying to get ahead. I hope this information helps you too.

Probably Shouldn't Be This Mad, But I Am

2012-01-24T09:52:00.000-08:00

'Another example that the 14 year old brain is not fully formed.' I repeated this to myself while driving to where I was praying my daughter was.

After school yesterday my daughter asked if she could go to her friends house. I made sure she got there and trusted that she would stay at that house until she was picked up. At 5:00 I called my husband to ask if he could pick-up our girl on his way home from work. I called her friends house with our plan and no one answered. I waited 5 minutes and called again, no one answered. Another 5 minutes, no answer.

I'm doing my best to stay calm, perhaps they're playing video games in the basement which, I've been told, isn't near the phone. Now, this upsets me that they can't hear the phone ring but I'm sure Rob's knocking on the door will get someone's attention. Rob calls from the house saying the house is dark and no one is answering the door. Not good.

I called a mom whose daughter was also supposed to be at this friend's house and she said that everyone is probably at the youth groups new choir and band practice. This is something I know nothing about however, it makes sense that my daughter would be there. What DOESN'T make sense is that she didn't call and tell me that she changed venues on me. Not cool!

I do hold my daughter responsible. She should have called and asked permission. But what gets me is when that friend (whose house my daughter was supposed to be at) is in our home, and we would like to go some where, I always have the friend call her parents to ask their permission if she can go as well. This act is something this parent did not give to me. They drove my daughter some place without my knowledge/permission. AND... when I called on their cell phone, they didn't answer so I left a message. AND... after the fact of me picking up my daughter this parent STILL didn't call to either respond to my phone message of 'my daughter is supposed to be at your house and yet no one is home' or call to say "I took your daughter some place yet she wasn't there when I went to pick the kids up. Is she with you?".

What the hell???

Ack. Argh. Bleech!!!

5 Deadly Terms Used By A Woman

2012-01-23T15:10:00.000-08:00

Are there more terms not listed? ;->

Getting Crafty

2012-01-23T09:43:00.000-08:00

I wish I was good at sewing. It just isn't natural for me. My grandmother was amazing with her sewing machine, my mother can do, well, just about anything and my sister learned from both of them and is incredible. I, on the other hand, was not touched in the stitchery department and just don't get it.

When it comes to making things with my hands I need a lot of assistance. (A lot!) I did take up knitting for a while but became so annoyed when my scarves started to look like flowing waves rather than creating rows of even stitches. I'm sure my husband got tired of hearing me say, 'When did I drop a stitch? What's going on here?!' And my poor girls, doing their best to have a smile on their face while they wear a scarf their mother had made. Those scarves are now being used as blankets for Barbies.

I want to keep trying though. I feel it's a matter of time before it really clicks with me and I make something worth showcasing in my home. Perhaps I'll try embroidery. I've seen some cute machine embroidery designs for Valentine's Day on DigiStitches.com. There's an adorable little owl design that I'm pretty sure I could do. And they have a cute Scalloped Hearts Monogram design that would be wonderful on a pillow. Super cute gift idea!

OK. I'm feeling inspired. The weather has been grey and rainy so settling in by a cozy fire trying my hand at embroidery sounds lovely, doesn't it? And if I'm keeping my hands busy then I won't be so inclined to nibble on things when I'm not even hungry. I can do this. If my finished projects aren't too embarrassing I'll show them to you. I'll keep you posted ;->

Who Cares That They're Ugly

2012-01-21T18:12:00.000-08:00

But you wear whatever you want ;->

Virtual Girls Night Out - How's Your Weather?

2012-01-20T11:21:00.000-08:00

There's no way I'm going to complain about the light rain that continues to fall around Portland while our surrounding neighbors are dealing with high floods washing away their cars and flooding their homes. And our neighbors to the North in Seattle are dealing with major ice storms cutting off their power. I like having electricity and being able to drive/walk when I need to, no ice thank you very much. For those of you that are a bit stranded in your house let's get this Virtual Girls Night Out going!

*The VGNO is for those who want to party "virtually" with other bloggers. Get on your fuzzy slippers, make yourself a cocktail, and have fun! Leave a comment to let us know you've stopped by. Happy VGNO!*

Time For Some Tunes!

Gotye "Somebody That I Used To Know"

Hey. That guys nekkid! Nice paint job.

Time For A Cocktail!

(This is for a group ;-> )
Paint Can
1 fifth vodka

2 liters Squirt® citrus soda
1 can frozen limeade concentrate
1 can frozen lemonade concentrate

Directions:

~Go to your local paint store and purchase a brand new paint can. Fill the paint can completely with ice.
~Add the vodka, the frozen limeade & the frozen lemonade (do not mix these with water). Finish filling the paint can with Squirt.
~Place the lid on the paint can very tightly. Wrap a towel around the paint can and shake the can vigorously. Keep shaking the paint can until the towel sticks to it (caused by frost). Open the can and pass it around. You drink it directly out of the paint can.

Um... I think this is pretty silly. But hey, maybe paint cans will be all the rage this year ;->

The Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project Update!

Our little gem is now traveling from Washington State to Wesley Chapel, FL. As soon as pictures are posted I'll share them here too ;->. If you have no idea of what I'm referrencing check out The Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project here. Send me an e-mail to be added to the Visitors List.

Have fun at our Virtual Girls Night Out blog pals! I hope you're staying dry and warm where ever you are.

Freeshipping.com Reviews

2012-01-20T11:19:00.001-08:00

Guest post by Amanda Johnson

Freeshipping.com Reviews

Freeshipping.com is a members-only subscription rewards program that provides consumer benefits to people who shop online. Subscription rewards programs are a little different than buying clubs, and in the eyes of most avid online shoppers they are advantageous. In a buying club, you sign up for a contract and are then billed monthly for certain merchandise. Most often the merchandise is sent to you automatically and you don’t have much choice in the matter. With a subscription based service like freeshipping.com you can choose from thousands of online stores when, where, and however often you please.

So when you are doing your research and deciding whether to subscribe, it is first good to understand the distinction I have just laid out. There are some freeshipping.com reviews out there with misinformation regarding the facts, which could lead you to miss out on an opportunity that you would have otherwise jumped at. When you are sifting through reviews on the Internet for this or any other service, a good way to start will be to first sort out the people who have the information about the services accurate. You can make sure by cross-checking the info with what you’ll find on freeshipping.com’s website. Then, you can see what those people who have their facts right have to say about the service. It is of no use to read a review about any service, when the reviewer has clearly never used it and doesn’t have all the info. Once you’re sure that the reviewer has done his or her homework, it will be safer to accept the opinion as a valid one.

So what makes for a good or “valid” review versus a bad or “invalid” one? Remember, what we want to get at are the people who have useful information to offer us in making a buying decision. For most of avid shoppers, we are well aware of the surface information regarding many rewards programs. What’s important to us is the meat—the experiences of an honest consumer with the product. An honest consumer is one who doesn’t have an agenda or even a bias (be it conscious or not) toward a product and is willing to evaluate the experience objectively on its merits and shortcomings. So what we don’t want is a consumer who is just out for a romp on the Web, logging freeshipping.com complaints , and not really getting at any crucial information about the product or the experience with it. A list of grievances is clearly indicative of an unhappy consumer, but it says very little about a given product. All it tells us is that the consumer was not pleased. In cases where people are actively spreading negative information about a rewards program, it seems more common that the consumer actually had misinformation or unrealistic expectations about what benefits he or she would receive. That’s why, as I’ve said here and elsewhere, it is most important to get the facts first, then take a look at the opinions, and then make your own buying decision.

Mind Games

2012-01-19T10:15:00.000-08:00

I don't need to lead a BIG life. I don't ask for the newest car, or latest fashion. I don't wear much jewelry and it's very rare that I get my nails done. It isn't that I don't like those things, I would enjoy all of that very much, it's just not what I'm about.

All I ask is for the good health of my family, my car and appliances to work when I need them to and, hopefully, find some peace - or release of anxiety - in my mind. When circumstances seem to go in a positive direction I hold back on what should be happiness and wait for it to all crumble back to the way it was before.

I know you can't count on anything to stay the same. Change is the only constant. I know that. I just wish I could let go of the negative, nagging voice and be "happy". I'll keep workin' on it! :->

Spread Out!

2012-01-18T12:05:00.000-08:00

Two-finger spacing, my dear. Two-fingers.

(*not my daughter's work)

For Me, It's All About The Food

2012-01-18T11:57:00.000-08:00

There's some kind of important football game coming up, right?

;->

I'm not the most avid football fan but what does excite me about the "Big Game" is the food. I love dips. I love chips. I love chili and hot dogs and wings and... oh, I better slow down here. The game isn't for a few weeks. We will most likely have family and friends over and my husband will cook up batches of delicious food that will make every one happy while they cheer on their favorite team. (I'll be with the food, thank you very much.)

Something we really need to look into are serving dishes for a group. We do have parties through out the year and lots of little dishes cluttering the tables just isn't cutting it any more. Hotel Supplies and Restaurant supply can be a great resource. PeachSuite Hospitality Supply has some great deals for the Super Bowl. I found a nice slow-cooker that would be perfect for my sister's fantastic Beans recipe. My favorite!

PeachSuite also offers resort supplies and catering supplies which will, and I'm staying positive by saying "will", come in handy for my husband's business idea of sharing Chicago style hot dogs to those of us in the Pacific Northwest. Dreams are good. Pursuing them is better.

Getting Ready

2012-01-18T11:26:00.000-08:00

Menopause. There, I said it. It hasn't happened yet, but it's on its way. I mean, I'm in the right age group and there are some months I wonder if my flightiness of mood or sudden lack of energy are symptoms of menopause. 'Is this it?' I wonder. I joke with my husband and remind him that he needs to keep his sense of humor when "the change" comes. I've heard some stories of women getting quite kooky when their hormones are completely changing so I'm bracing myself (and him too).

I'm not sure what I'm going to take when menopause shows it's pretty face, or better yet sweaty face from hot flashes. The women in my family have taken different routes along the way, trying to find what works. What's the treatment this month? Why is it so difficult to find the magic potion?

In my arsenal of "being prepared for anything" I have a file of sites that share good information. The website Amberen has an excellent video with clear explanations of whats going on in our bodies. Very helpful. They offer a 30 day free trial of their product and claim that 92.6 percent of women who have tried Amberen have chosen to purchase the product.

I don't want menopause to be a big deal. I really don't. I just want to find something that will put me on an even keel (have I ever been "even"? ;-> ) and get on with my life. If you are in the market for menopause relief visit www.amberen.com. You may "Follow" Amberen for deals on Twitter. You can also "Like" Amberen on Facebook for special deals. Information is a good thing. I hope this helps.

Put This On

2012-01-17T09:14:00.000-08:00

I need to stop getting so annoyed with my girls not wearing their coats. Their nice, new, warm, cozy, you-are-so-lucky-to-have, coats.

The winter weather is creeping closer to Portland, OR and I've (finally) caught on with being prepared in the clothing department. Boots. Check. Gloves. Check. Winter coats. Check. Are my girls wearing any of these things when necessary??? Ugh.

When my 14 y/o wants to hang out with her friends and walk with them to McDonald's (I've done my best to avoid this place over the years but hey, she's 14 and wants some fries) I'll remind her to wear something more than her Aeropostale hoodie. "Mom. I'm fine. ByeIloveyou...." door shuts before I can harass her with the coat issue any further. What do I hear when they return? "I am so COLD!" Gee, really?

Yes, my girls are old enough to dress themselves and decide when they are cold. However, it's difficult for me to handle the fact that these awesome jackets are going to waste! Well, maybe I should give them to a shelter. I feel so guilty having these coats just hanging in the closet with no use. With my luck the day the coats are gone would be the day I hear, "Mom, where's my coat?"

Saying Of The Day

2012-01-15T20:43:00.000-08:00

Upromise - Every Little Bit Helps

2012-01-15T20:31:00.000-08:00

Did you know that when you shop in your grocery store, or at your favorite on-line retailer, you could save money for college? I've heard about the site upromise but I hadn't checked it out, until now. What a wonderful way to do whatever you can to save your pennies for your child's college education.

Joining upromise is easy and free. What this program entails is acquiring a upromise credit card and using that card to make your purchases. The first 12 months carry a 0% finance charge. You will receive 1% savings on all purchases all the time, 10% savings on purchases from participating grocery and drug store items. You continue the 1% savings at Exxon and Mobil gas stations and 2% savings on eligible purchases on-line.

While checking out the participating retailers I've found my local Kroger's store (where most of my purchases are made) and my favorite drug store are a part of upromise shopping deals. I had no idea it would be this easy to save what ever I can for my children's college educations.

upromise offers something that goes straight to what I'm all about... coupons. All you need to do is enter your zip code and they will show eCoupons that are applicable to stores in your area which will help you save even more in your upromise college savings account. At this point in our lives, we need all the help we can get to help our children toward a bright future.

Virtual Girls Night Out - Distract Me!

2012-01-13T12:11:00.000-08:00

So... my husband's company has been purchased and today is the day he/we find out what's in store regarding his job *gulp*. Ooooooooooooh my goodness. Well. Whaddya' gonna do, right? Right now, I'm going to distract myself from waiting for the phone to ring and get our Virtual Girls Night Out started! Let's do this!

*The VGNO is for those who want to party "virtually" with other bloggers. Add the link to your blog below, get on your fuzzy slippers, make yourself a cocktail, visit those that have left their blog link and have fun! Happy VGNO!*

Time for Some Tunes!

Goo Goo Dolls "Better Days"

Oh John, John, John. You've got the best teeth around I have to say. And those cheek bones, and your eyes and, well, I think you can tell where I'm going with this ;->

Time For A Cocktail!

Green Hope
Ingredients:
3 oz. Vodka
1 1/2 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz.   Grapefruit Juice
1/2 oz.   Bols Creme de Banana
1/2 oz.   Bols Green Curacao Liqueur
Directions:
Add all ingredients in a chilled shaker. Shake until slightly frothy and serve.

Banana and curacao?? Well, I'm up for anything.

Time For A Sweet Giveaway!

I have a lovely giveaway on my site Ann Again... and again Reviews for the latest creation from Hershey. Three lucky winners will receive an 8 oz. bag of Hershey's with Almonds. There's 4 days left - with very low entries. Go take a chance and enter! (Click here.)

Argh! I still haven't heard from him! Geez. OK. I'm going to go distract myself by visiting my blog pals and see what's going on in your World. Happy VGNO! Leave me a comment to let me know you stopped by :->

Quote Of The Day - Thursday

2012-01-12T09:48:00.000-08:00

On the eve of changes, I need these words.

Shopping

2012-01-12T09:40:00.000-08:00

If finding a great deal brings you a thrill then you will love to be a part of NoMoreRack.com. Every day they have a wonderful variety of items that are steeply discounted for 24 hours. You can find clothing for men, women and children. Toys, electronics, jewelry. Accessories and make-up. They offer just about everything! (Except the kitchen sink. But who knows what will happen in the future.)

Part of the fun of getting an amazing deal at NoMoreRack is that not only are these prices available for 24 hours, they may sell out within their first hour of being posted, so you need to check-out the site every morning to make sure you don't miss a savings opportunity of up to 60% to 90% off a quality item.

NoMoreRack.com acquires their items from manufacture closeouts, cancelled orders, factory overrun and overstock. They ensure that everything they sell is 100% authentic and at the highest quality. One thing that I absolutely love is their $2 flat rate shipping and handling fee. Only $2 !

Yesterday there was a great deal on Philosophy shower gel and body lotion (picked that up) and now I'm waiting for today's deal on Sephora eye shadow. (I plan on picking that up as well!) Another fun, heart-racing opportunity at NoMoreRack.com is their daily Free Deal. This morning it was a pair of beautiful stainless steel hoop earrings. With the Free Deal all you pay is the $2 shipping and handling. That's it! Everyday they offer a new Free Deal so that's another reason to check-in every morning when deals go live, 12pm Eastern/9am Pacific.

NoMoreRack.com has been featured on The View and on The Martha Stewart Show as a site for great bargains. They have also been written up in House Beautiful and Country Living. If you choose to purchase the Charity Deal offering, a $1.00 of every sale goes to The Pet Rescue Center based in California, which provides a no-kill sanctuary for dogs and cats while trying to find a loving family for adoption. When was the last time shopping from home was this fun and this worthwhile?

Keeping A Safe Distance

2012-01-11T15:27:00.000-08:00

When the sun shines in the Pacific Northwest even the most unlikely mates find common ground and call a truce. (But Benny still isn't going to share his Care Bear.)

Write Someone A Letter

2012-01-11T15:22:00.000-08:00

With the increasing use of the internet and e-mail we are always hearing of the plight of the US Postal Service. That makes me sad. I love mail, or snail mail - whatever you want to call it. I love receiving a hand written letter or card. And the sight of the little red flag on mailboxes always makes me hopeful.

I've seen a beautiful selection of mailboxes offered at Whitehall Mailboxes. They carry a lovely collection of sizes, styles and price ranges. They also use recycled materials which I feel is a wonderful bonus. What kind of look am I going for? Classic, regal, or charming? Decisions, decisions.

I'm drawn to a wall mount design because we live on a somewhat busy street. I know my tastes must sound tame by calling a monogrammed mailbox "flashy", but that's how I am. It's all filigree and brassy and very pretty. What I find incredibly necessary is the lockable insert. In this day and age, it's just a fact of life.

If you're in the market to spruce up the exterior of your home, take a look at what's available at Whitehall products. And put it to good use and write someone a letter. You just might get one back.

Quote Of The Day

2012-01-09T08:52:00.001-08:00

Virtual Girls Night Out - Say My Name, Say My Name

2012-01-06T12:55:00.000-08:00

So my 11 yr. old tells me she wants to be called something else. She says she doesn't feel like a 'Lily'. She wants to be called Rachel. Hmmm. When I was young I remember my pretend name be Marcia. I had a very good reason for this because I lo-o-o-oved "The Brady Bunch" and Marcia was, well, you know, fantastic. But my daughter doesn't have a Rachel in her real, or t.v., life. What is up with this?!? How about a little Virtual Girls Night Out then I'll get down to investigating.

*The Virtual Girls Night Out is for those that don't have a chance to get out of the house but still want to "hang with their friends". So, make yourself a cocktail, put on something cozy and have fun. Leave a comment to let us know you stopped by. We'll visit your blog and say "Happy VGNO!"*

Time For Some Tunes!

Brandi Carlile "Dying Day"

If I could sing, I mean really sing, I would want to sound like Brandi Carlile. *sigh*

Time For A Cocktail!

Today is Epiphany (also The Twelve Day of Christmas) hence this recipe;

Epiphany
Ingredients:
1 3/4 oz. Marker's Mark Bourbon
1/2 oz. Creme de Mure Liquor
2 oz. Pressed Apple Juice
Directions:
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass.

I'm confused what bourbon has to do with Epiphany. But I'll give it a try ;->

Time For A Question!

With my daughter wanting to go by the name of 'Rachel' now, and my memory flash of wanting to be called Marcia, I was wondering if others went through this phase? How old were you? And what name did you choose for yourself?

Have fun at our Friday night Virtual Girls Night Out friends! Cheers!!!

Sign Of The Day

2012-01-06T10:05:00.000-08:00

(*yes, I'm from Portland so... I've "put a bird on it". If you don't know what I'm talking about click here: "Portlandia - Put A Bird On It")