Ann Again...and again

Let's See What Happens If I Put A Bird On It

2012-05-30T17:19:00.000-07:00

I've made my "Hail Mary" play in trying to get my 8th grade daughter to do better at turning in her work to increase her grades. I've bribed her.

Over the course of many, many months Katie has said how much she would like a parakeet. She shared a room with her little sister who was very clear in not wanting a bird in their room. However, they don't share a room any longer so... here we go.

This is how I came up with this idea, it came to me in a dream. I'm not kidding. The other night I had a dream that there was a sweet, little parakeet in Katie's room and it made her happy which, in turn, made her more productive and accommodating when asked to do "something". Things were done, the sun was shining, the birds - you know where I'm going with this - were singing.

So here's my thought process, if I can say 'focus on doing what needs to get done and we'll get you a parakeet' turns into an actual parakeet living in her bedroom, that's fine with me. I love those little birds. She didn't "play" me to have this opportunity come her way. The desire to have a parakeet was something mentioned weeks ago, and some part of my brain came up with the idea that this might help us all get something that we want.

Her currency wasn't seeing an "A", or a "B" by her class assignments. It wasn't receiving money for good grades. What is helping her focus is the opportunity to have a little bird which she plans to train to say her name, so she will feel she has a little buddy to take care of and love. Fine with me.

Gatorade With A Kick

2012-05-29T13:55:00.002-07:00

There's water in it, right? ;->

Everything Old Is New Again

2012-05-29T12:39:00.001-07:00

My idea of "oldies songs" and my daughter’s ideas are so predictable that I have to laugh. Then, of course, I go through the self-examination of just how old I am and the laughter gets quieter. (Not that I need music to bring that point home, my aching back and creaky knees work even better.)

My 5^th grade daughter presented her speech on Whitney Houston in class today and used the term “oldies music”. The teacher and I laughed. He said he needs to start playing some Buddy Holly to help the kids really know “oldies music”. Their groans made me laugh.

I read an article the other day that clothes from the ‘80’s are considered vintage. And I’m talking the 1980’s! What?!? If only I had saved my turtle necks with the little whales all over them, or my Calvin Klein’s with the zippers at the ankles. (I could never fit into those flippin’ jeans! Darn you Brooke Shields!)

When my daughters get home from school I think I’ll create our own little juke box and play a little Elvis and Bobby Darin. I’m sure they’ll laugh at first, but they just might get into it. Who knows.

One Of The BEST Wedding Proposals! - Video

2012-05-26T17:30:00.000-07:00

This video was created in my town Portland, OR. Local actor Isaac Lamb proposes to girlfriend, and fellow actor, Amy Frankel. Get the tissues!!!!

Virtual Girls Night Out - Guilty Pleasure

2012-05-25T16:29:00.001-07:00

Happy Memorial Day - Weekend blog pals! Any barbeque plans? Trips to the mountains or beach? I have a birthday party to attend on Sunday for a sweet soon-to-be 5 year old. It's a Hawaiian theme so I better get my grass skirt ready. Heck, maybe I'll wear it for tonight's Virtual Girls Night Out! Also, I have a question for you. See below. Cheers!

*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, along with your blog link, to let us know you've stopped by and visit the blogs of those that have visited as well. Happy VGNO!*

Time For Some Tunes!

My Johnny boy is back! I feel he did the right thing and "went away" for awhile. I love his new album. (Yep, I said 'album' and I always will. Now has anyone seen my Walkman? ;-> )

John Mayer "Shadow Days"

Time For A Cocktail!

Mai Tai

Ingredients:

1 oz. Dark Rum
1 oz Light Rum
1 oz Orange Curacao
2 oz Orange Juice
1/2 oz Lime Juice
Dash Orgeat
Dash Simple syrup (bar syrup)

Preparation:

Combine all of the ingredients in the order listed in a Old Fashioned style glass over shaved ice. Stir with a swizzle stick. Garnish with a slice of pineapple and a cherry.

I had never heard of Orgeat. Wow. Can't wait to try it. Cheers! :->

Time For A Question!

There is a show I watch that, until recently, I would have been embarrassed to have been caught watching. But you know what? I like it and that's that. I'm not going to call it a "guilty pleasure" because I'm too old to feel guilty about the silly, non-educational television I (occasionally) watch. But for the purpose of my question I will ask - What T.V. Show Is Your "Guilty Pleasure"? (comment below)

Oh, and that show I watch? It's "Don't Be Tardy For The Wedding". Love it! Lordy, lordy that girl Kim is something else! I love how they open the show with her talking to her precious baby T.J. 'What hat will he wear today?' I ask myself. Her mom is upsetting me now. What is up with their relationship?? I need to check out when the next episode is on to see what happens!

Alright blog pals, have fun at our Virtual Girls Night Out.

Hinting

2012-05-25T15:40:00.002-07:00

It is such a treat of romantic proportions to receive a surprise bouquet of flowers from my husband. Even if it’s my birthday I am pleasantly surprised when I open the door to find a long box filled with beautiful blossoms. There is a gorgeous selection at online florist Serenta Flowers. You can choose what blossoms you would like to send by flower variety, price range or style. If you like to make your decisions guided by theme they have categories based on expressions – Thank You, Congratulations, etc. Every occasion is available at SerentaFlowers.com.

Not only is there a lovely selection of floral bouquets, you can also choose from a variety of plants, chocolates and wines. Wouldn’t it be a surprise to receive a Lemon Tree at your door? Talk about something unexpected.

The wine selection from SerentaFlowers.com comes from various wine regions throughout Europe and Australia. You can create beautiful pairings of Belgian Bliss chocolates and a lovely bottle of Claret from the Bordeux region. Wouldn’t this just be a fantastic gift basket for an amazing date night? Or, maybe some English Champagne Truffles with a bottle of Champagne?

Is our Wedding Anniversary coming up? Yes. Am I planting seeds of things I’d like to receive? Perhaps. (And by ‘perhaps’ I do mean ‘Yes’. But you knew that already, didn’t you? ;-> )

They Almost Tricked Me

2012-05-24T12:54:00.002-07:00

If clothing retail stores want to sell more items they need to have better lighting in their dressing rooms. I mean, there needs to be lighting that hits brightly and floods your eyeballs making it seem that your flab, cellulite, whatever you perceive as physical flaws, get washed away in a sea of light. Just like an over-exposed photograph. I was in such a dressing room today and the incredible lighting almost tricked me into buying a swimsuit.

I caught on to one clothing stores use of "skinny" mirrors a while back. It took about 3 shopping trips but I finally got it. Remember Elaine from "Seinfeld" and that black dress that fit in the store, yet was 4 sizes too big when she tried it on at home? I've lived it and it's real. ("That's false reflecting!" - Elaine, Seinfeld ep. "The Secretary".)

I know where I'm shopping the next time I need a self-esteem boost.

(It was T.J. Maxx in Beaverton, OR by the way ;-> )

Walking With Benny

2012-05-23T09:52:00.001-07:00

*Finally playing with the video feature on my new phone ;->

Most mornings Benny and I just walk along, smell the air, check out the trees and that's that. But this morning we found a little guest. Very cute. (You might need to make the video bigger)

Need Advice

2012-05-21T15:16:00.003-07:00

If I find one more piece of homework or class work in my daughters binder, after she's told me she's turned everything in, I don't know WHAT I'm going to do?!!!

She says she's not trying to get failing grades - so she won't get into the high school we want her to go to - but actions speak louder than words. Is it really so hard for an Eighth grader to remember to turn in work??

I need some advice!

Virtual Girls Night Out Blog Party - Amazing Giveaway!

2012-05-18T11:55:00.002-07:00

The school year is coming to a close and I honestly can't believe it. I mean seriously, where does the time go? My oldest is graduating from Jr. High and that brings all kinds of 'Oh my little baby girl *sniff*' moments that has her dreading every time I go in for a hug. "Mom!!" I know, I know. I can't help it! *sniff* Time to get my mind off the impending graduation and play at our Virtual Girls Night Out!

*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, along with your blog link, to let us know you've stopped by and visit the blogs of those that have visited as well. Happy VGNO!*

If you've been listening to music for the past 6 months I'm sure you've heard Fun. "Tonight". It's used in commercials, Glee's used it. Love it. Good song, it even makes me cry when I'm feeling particularly old in my mid-Forties. So I was given a good dose of "Ha!" when I saw this song/video parody.

Time For Some Tunes!

Fun.'s "Tonight We're Not Young"

I'm sure all of us could relate to this at one time or another. My "feeling old" actually started a long time ago. So now I should just laugh and have fun! The older you get, the more you deserve it.

Time For A Cocktail!

Woo Woo Cocktail

Ingredients:

~ 2 oz Vodka
~ 1 Tbsp Peach Schnapps
~ 1/2 cup Cranberry Juice
~ Lime wedge

Preparation:

Place the lime wedge into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Add the other ingredients. Shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

After a couple of these I do believe we'll be saying "Woo Woo!"

Time For A Giveaway!

I am sponsoring an incredible cash giveaway on my partner site Ann Again... and again Reviews. $600 cash toward the Man Cave of his, or your ;-> , dreams. With an additional $100 restaurant gift certificate. WOW! Click here to visit Ann Again... and again Reviews and enter to win. Good luck!!!

OK blog pals, thanks for stopping by the Virtual Girls Night Out (a.k.a. VGNO) I hope you had fun ;->

Don't Get Me Started On The Lighting

2012-05-15T17:33:00.000-07:00

I have this "thing" where, if I don't like the lighting in a store, I won't shop there. I can't explain it. I won't apologize for it. It's just me and that's that. I also hate eating ice cream with wooden spoons. (And no, I didn't have a horrible ice cream cup / wooden spoon travesty when I was young, I just absolutely can't tolerate the texture.) But I digress.

When I go shopping with my mom it's not unusual for her to hear me say, 'We need to get out of here. The lighting is giving me a headache.' I don't want to be difficult but good lighting, to me, says whether what you are selling has quality, or that it will always have that yellow-ish, brown-ish hue about it. Fluorescent lighting isn't a winner for me, most of the time.

I will say though, that I was pleasantly surprised recently when I went into a store and enjoyed the glow only to find that they were fluorescent lights. Gone were the yellow-ish/brown-ish hues and here we had lovely white/pink/blue-ish hues. Now those colors I can do, and I seem to spend more around that kind of lighting. (Cruel. Yet effective.)

Now you know how I feel about lighting. You don't want to get me started on smells of stores! Oh, no you don't ;->

I Used To Have...

2012-05-12T17:52:00.000-07:00

I used to have little girls.

That's Katie on the left and Lily on the right. Ages 6 and 3.

Lily was in the process of growing out a bang trim that she had given herself with Safety Scissors. Katie smiled much easier then and was happy to wear pink. Now, Lily, at age 11 won't let you near her hair with scissors and Katie, age 14, wouldn't be caught any where wearing any pink of any kind.

I used to have little girls.

Now I have an 11 year old who has her ears pierced -

and wants to color her hair red.

And a 14 year old who loves the outdoors and catching butterflies -

and who is entering High School next Fall.

I used to have little girls.

Happy Mother's Day to all who used to have, and still have, precious little ones in their lives.

More Juice

2012-05-12T16:10:00.001-07:00

We have a friend in the neighborhood that is truly gifted in creating race tracks and roller coaster tracks for on-line game sites. What he does is so cool, so fun and so well done that others began to take note and use his services. From his experience of becoming increasing popular with on-line game sites I learned more about computer servers and all of the energy they can take. He told me about needing "more juice" and that's when I learned of sites that can host your content so you don't have use up most, or all, of your computers capabilities to process information. Slow running computers are such a drag! Literally ;->

When I heard of the services at www.dotblock.com my mind became a bit muddled. I don't normally speak "computer", but soon I came to understand the need for such services of web hosting. Again, a slow running computer is one of my biggest annoyances and with the "stacks" available through DotBlock.com you don't need to be concerned about the little swirling dots of "please wait", or frozen information on your screen (all the while thinking you could have looked up the information in a true book by the time your computer unfreezes).
For those that need "more juice" check out DotBlock.com.

A Man and His Bike

2012-05-10T09:48:00.000-07:00

He's still here!

For years my husband and I have been watching a particular older gentleman ride his bike on the busy street in front of our house. We see him head East. We see him head West. Little blue bike with a little, older gentleman wearing his little white hat. Week after week, after month, for the past 8 years, or so. Sometimes twice a day. We have no idea of where he's going, but he just "goes".

We have named him Mo.

We don't know his actual name, but he looks like a Mo to us. "Hey! Mo just rode by on his bike!" I'll hear from our living room. There's something reassuring when we see him. As I've mentioned, he is an older gentleman and the energy he puts into his bike rides, I'm sure, keep his heart pumping like a 75 year old. (I'm guessing his actual age is 85-90 yrs. old).

We rely on seeing Mo, so when a span of time goes by without a sighting we get concerned. And isn't that silly? We don't know this man, yet we think of him and feel something's off if we don't see him.

Guess who I saw this morning?

Mo.

Things should be alll-right today.

A Little Bit Of Help

2012-05-08T11:19:00.002-07:00

The cost of health insurance is crazy expensive. I get so angry and so confused trying to figure out what plan will fit my family’s needs best, what deductible range should we be in, what-the-what and which way did they go?! Geez! And just when you think you have things organized, you receive information that what you thought was covered wasn't and a nice sized bill is in your mailbox.

You would think by the time you're older health insurance costs would be less. In my mind I think it should be a service where your monthly payments are put into your “account”. When you need to visit the doctor, etc. you use your insurance funds. What you don’t use stays in your account until you need it. But no, health insurance doesn’t work that way. Costs only seem to increase when you're older.

There are servers that will provide assistance in covering the costs of deductibles and co-payments, otherwise known and Medicare Supplement Insurance, and I believe it is a service worth looking into. When deciding which supplement will work best for your plan you will still need to look through all of the lovely descriptions of various plans, but in the end, it's worth it. Any kind of financial relief is helpful.

Alone Time

2012-05-08T10:25:00.000-07:00

Regarding the someEcard that I recently posted - it's true. Even though my daughters are 14 and 11, it seems that they haven't outgrown the need to use the bathroom once I've shut the bathroom door.

It happens to my husband too.

I don't get it. Is it the "power of suggestion"? Like being at a restaurant and hearing what your friend is ordering and you think 'Hey. That sounds good. I'll have that too'? Um, wait. Equating going into the bathroom and ordering at a restaurant isn't quite the connection I was going for, but you get what I mean.

I've even gone a step ahead and asked them, 'Anyone need the restroom?' "Nope", they say. Then...

knock knock knock

Seriously???

Privacy???

2012-05-06T17:59:00.000-07:00

Yep.

Every Day. Ev-er-y Day!

Virtual Girls Night Out - Spring Fling Time!

2012-05-04T10:45:00.000-07:00

Time for me to get myself in gear and get our house ready for our annual Spring Fling party tomorrow. I still have so much to do but I really need to relax for a bit and party at our Virtual Girls Night Out! Cheers! (Be sure to check out the giveaways happening at my partner site, Ann Again... and again Reviews. Great things for Mother's Day!)

*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, along with your blog link, to let us know you've stopped by and visit the blogs of those that have visited as well. Happy VGNO!*

Time For Some Tunes!

Eric Hutchinson "Watching You Watch Him"

Time For A Cocktail!

Mexi-Tini

Ingredients:1 oz Van Gogh Oranje Vodka
1 oz tequila
1/2 oz orange juice
orange slice for garnish
Preparation:Pour ingredients into cocktail shaker, and add crushed ice. Let stand for five seconds. Shake vigorously for five seconds. Strain into a martini glass, and garnish with an orange slice.

Salud!

Time For A Question!

Do you have anything special planned for Cinco de Mayo? We are combining our party into a Spring Fling/Cinco de Mayo/Kentucky Derby Viewing party. Whew! If you're in the neighborhood you are more than welcome to join us!

Have fun at our Virtual Girls Night Out my dear blog buddies. :->

DeNiro

2012-05-02T14:56:00.000-07:00

He He.

I'm easily amused.

What Would You Do?

2012-04-30T17:48:00.001-07:00

So you've found all of the items that you want to purchase at the grocery store and you take your little hand-basket to the check-out. However, once you're there you realize that you don't have enough cash on hand and that your check book is at home on the dining room table. Now, if only your debit card hadn't been swindled by someone in New Jersey last week you could actually USE your debit card however, it's been cancelled and you're waiting for a new one to be issued, hence the checkbook.

The cashier is very nice in holding your basket of food while you run across the aisle to the handy bank that's located in your store. When you return to purchase your food you look down at the floor and see...

A one hundred dollar bill.

What do you do?

I am from the ilk of "karma" and waiting for something large to fall on me if I do something wrong so I picked it up, said to the cashier "I KNOW this didn't fall out of my wallet" and waited while she called the store manager. The two of them quickly went out the door to see if they could find the customer who had just been in line before me.

Ah, what I could do with that hundred dollars.

But, it wasn't mine in the first place. And, again, I would just be waiting for something large to fall on me. Karma is real people!

The management didn't find the customer. Now my name is on the outside of the envelope holding the money in case the rightful owner doesn't claim it.

We'll see how this goes ;->

Virtual Girls Night Out - Happy Pills

2012-04-27T17:06:00.000-07:00

Well, we managed to get through the week with no school drama. What a relief! I'm not going to think about all of the things that we still need to work on, I'm going to stay in the moment and be happy that we made it to Friday. Time for a Virtual Girls Night Out!

*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, along with your blog link, to let us know you've stopped by and visit the blogs of those that have visited as well. Happy VGNO!*

Time For Some Tunes!

Norah Jones "Happy Pills"

Time For A Cocktail!

Kiwi Mango Mint

Ingredients:

1 part 42 Below Kiwi Vodka
5 parts mango nectar or juice
8 mint leaves

Preparation:

Fill a highball glass with ice. Add the mint leaves and vodka. Top with nectar or juice. Stir well.

Sounds delicious. Cheers!!!

Time For Some Pinterest!

Thank you Nicole Etolen (nmetolen).

All righty blog buddies, have a great time at our Virtual Girls Night Out.

Friday Funny

2012-04-27T10:28:00.001-07:00

He he

Credit Repair Help

2012-04-27T10:22:00.000-07:00

Things are starting to come around. I see many family members and friends who are getting back on track after the messed up financial times we’ve been going through and we all say ‘It’s about time!’ When it comes to money it’s never easy to talk about what’s really going on, it seems those closest to you are probably the hardest. If you find that you are in need of credit repair there are wonderful on-line options available to you.

While visiting CreditRepairInfo.com you will find some of the best credit repair service around. You don’t need to feel intimated with not knowing all of the terms or avenues that go with repairing your credit, the people at CreditRepairInfo.com will start you on your way to getting you back on track with your credit.

They have a comprehensive learning center that will take you step-by-step through the process of credit repair. They offer free consultations and guidance toward removing late fees, tax liens and judgments. Not only do they provide credit repair advice they show you that you can build your credit after a bankruptcy. If you are in the need for navigation through the waters of credit repair visit CreditRepairInfo.com.

Gorgeous Video - This Is Where I Live - Portland

2012-04-26T21:31:00.004-07:00

Absolutely stunning Time Lapse of my fantastic home town, Portland, Oregon

President Obama Slow Jams The News w/ Jimmy Fallon

2012-04-25T11:46:00.001-07:00

LOVE!

oooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhh yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh