AnnOnandOn

Splish Splash

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:26:00 +0000

This is what I'm doing after my second day at work.

Add a little bubbly to the tub and my glass... then call me when dinner's ready.

I'd love to hear what you are up to.

My Change

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:16:00 +0000

My "Fear of Change" post received a lot of comments.

Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to share your thoughts..

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.
Alexander Graham Bell

Last week I had one hand on the door.
This week with a firm grip I closed the door as an ESL teacher. Just as that door closed
with cautious steps, yet without regret, I walked through the next door...

I am now working in one of the most sensational boulangeries/bakeries in Quebec.

This is something I've been talking about doing... maybe even dreaming about it.

All I know is even with my aching feet (standing all day) and tired mind

(trying to speak and understand French all day long) I made a change.

I know that my life is about the choices I make, the ego I choose to ignore and

the ability to see myself for who I am.

And right now...

I am happy.

Change in all things is sweet.

Aristotle

One fine day...

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:13:00 +0000

...on Grand Allee our eyes met.

Have you captured a simple moment that can bring you back to that minute?

(A photo I took last year.)

Pretty...Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:44:00 +0000

This luxury ankle length Petal and Dove Kimono Robe could be yours....

Plum Pretty Sugar and The Alternative Wife Giveaway (click)

You don't want to miss this.

O.k. you might, so my chances of winner improve. (wink)

Ends February 12th

Fashion.Photos. Homophones.

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:33:00 +0000

Re-post with answers.

Homophones: two or more words that share the same pronunciation but have different meanings. They may or may not be spelled on the same way.

One (hint design on most of the dresses) First photo flower/Second flour

Two (hint the type of antler on the table) First photo moose/ second mousse

Three (hint cute white thing on the floor) First Photo bear/second bare (skin)

Four Frist photo Sun/ Second son

Five (hint next to the girl in blue) First photo pail/ Second pale (skin)

The ESL teacher in me had so much fun doing this.

Stay tune for the homographs.

(Joke... ummm kind of)

Can you think of any more?

Answers: flower/flour, moose/mousse, bear/bare, sun/son, pail/pale

Fear of Change

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:12:00 +0000

Relationships. Fashion. Career. Life.

So many people take the path right in front of them never looking to the sides.

Sport that sassy hat.

Take a dance class.

Try to paint.

Start that book that's trapped in your head.

Kiss that frog...he might end up being your prince.

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” -Maria Robinson

I can't wait to hear from you.
Have you made any changes recently?

Photos from WeHeartIt

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Today is a gift...enjoy it!

Will Work For Food!

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:40:00 +0000

Almost everyday someone is standing on a corner asking for money and I do what I can when I can.

I am always happy to see this guy and his dog.

This has to be the most photographed dog in Quebec City.

Last weekend they had a crowd gathered around them every time I walked past.

He just sits there...and smiles. (Well, sort of.) I moved to the side and watched as people

caught sight of them...the smiles were priceless.

Sadly, I forgot their names...which is really bugging me. I'll ask him again this weekend.

Do you give money to people who are standing on the street?

Same Changes

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:12:00 +0000

I just watched Morning Glory. It was cute.....

The music through out the movie was very fitting. I guess that is what I'm trying to say.
I actually watched until the end to see who sang what.

Here's my favorite....

The Weepies- Same Changes

Have you heard of The Weebies?

My Walk Home....

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:03:00 +0000

Come on...get your boots on and take a walk with me. I just finished teaching and I'm looking forward to going home. Once I get off the bus it only takes me about 10 minutes to walk there. Are you ready?

Bundle up it's about 17 degrees outside today and the wind is whipping.

Place d'Youville- theaters, music, restaurants and pleasant accommodations

The Palais Montcalm concert hall (below)

Throughout the winter months the city maintains numerous ice skating rinks for anyone to enjoy. At the Place d'Youville rink, skaters twirl and sway to Quebecois music under twinkling lights. They even provide rental skates for the tourist...of course all the locals have their own. (Wink)

18th century walls surround the heart of Quebec City, these walls that protected the original city are now a place where people live and work...like me.

On another walk I'll show you some of my favorite places to eat and shop.

We are in a bit of a hurry... it's too cold to stop.

Quebec City is the only walled city in North America. Within the gates, the original old town (Vieux Quebec or Old Quebec) was established 400 years ago and remains as charming as ever.

The drab winter day definitely robbed my jaunt of it's allurement.

Perhaps in the spring we can do this again.

We're here...it was so nice having someone to talk to...in English.

Thanks for the visit and have a wonderful day.

Bus 82

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:57:00 +0000

Feeling pretty good about my new bus skills I got online before heading to work this morning and decided to catch a different bus going to my 11:00 job. (The student has two choices...they can come to our office or with an extra cost we can go directly to their office.) Go figure, in the winter we do a lot of the traveling.

Well, I learned three things today. First, it's very important to read all of the directions before trying to get fancy by using a new bus route. Two, when you are lost you might want to get off the bus as soon as you realize it because (three) the bus often gets to the final destination and you HAVE to get off. UNLESS, you beg the bus driver(in Franglish...a little English a little French) to let you stay on because you are so lost that you will never find your way back.

Time of departure: 10:15

Start of Class 11:00

Time that I would normally arrive if I wasn't trying to act like I knew what I was doing 10:45

Time that I begged the bus driver to let me stay on the bus 11:45

Time he dropped me off at a random bus stop in the middle of who knows where 11:55
Time class ended 1:00

Time I finally got off the bus and went home 1:15

All I could do was laugh...

What would you have done?

Took place yesterday....1/30/12

Excuse me Madame...can I help you with that coat?

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:40:00 +0000

Right now I'm stalking a beautiful camel color Michael Kors jacket at Simons Department Store. While I'm completely in love with it...the nagging idea of paying rent and eating has squashed my ideas of flaunting a new sassy winter jacket. Responsibilities are absolutely no fun. Yesterday, I went in and tried to hide the last one they had. Which ultimately means I've placed it in the perfect spot for a savvy shopper to find.

Did I mention it has a fabulous faux lined collar?

Do you own a lot of winter jackets?

Have you ever tried to hide something in a store in hopes of going back to get it?

Mush...

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 23:08:00 +0000

Dating back to 1894...Carnaval de Quebec has begun.

Crepes for breakfast.

Coffee for dessert.

Dogsled races for entertainment.

To witness the eager dogs is compelling.
With each paw that makes contact with the snow I could feel the willingness to please and the desire to go.

This year, with the festivities only minutes from my front door, carnival is sure to be well documented.

Click here to read more about the Carnaval de Quebec

A.m.

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:09:00 +0000

Just a few photos to describe my morning.... Scratch that! I'll let you conjure up the images on your own.

6:40 a.m.
The sidewalks were a sheet of ice on my walk to the bus stop. Every step needing to be calculated for slip free shoe-sidewalk contact. I arrived 30 minutes early for my first student, so I walked across the street to a restaurant. All appeared normal until the waitress walked out in stripper attire. Note to self: a room of sweaty men and mirrored girly silhouettes on the wall equals... ladies of the night serving eggs over my hammy. Just to prove I was o.k. with being the only fully clothed female I sat at the bar, yes...the bar at 7:30 a.m. and ordered an orange juice.

My hopes for the pretty young thing walking around in 5 inch heels that early in the morning...big tips.

One photo to describe my evening....

That's more like it.... ahhhh!

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:21:00 +0000

Good morning...

I hope you had a nice weekend. With below zero temperatures all weekend we nestled in and stayed warm. Saturday evening we shared a wonderful dinner with good friends at our place. It was a relaxing night with home cooking, wine and engaging conversation. It's the kind of night when they walk out the door you're already looking forward to the next time.

I declare it comfy sweater day!

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:25:00 +0000

I was up with the roosters (the coq) again today.

With both feet I jumped back into work teaching English as a Second Language. (ESL) I started teaching the first week we arrived in 2007, so I didn't need a lot of preparation just an alarm clock. Up around 6 on a bus by 7 is a new thing for me. Oddly enough getting up hasn't been difficult, but going out into the cold has. The first few steps always leaves prominent prints in the snow as I stiffen to brace the cold. Then about 5 minutes into the walk the top half of my body warms up. I get a little sweaty (never a feminine thing to say) and after 10 minutes I'm peeling layers off.

My city living adventure has changed the way I do things. First things first, I set down the car keys and got myself a bus pass. The parking spots here are small and few. Parking was the only stressful thing about living in the Old City thus far, so I needed to come up with a solution, after consulting a rocket scientist, I've decided to walk or take good old public transportation. With temperatures anywhere from -4 to 3 degrees(f)...I'm usually bundled beyond recognition. The one day I tried to look cute, as in fashionable, leaving the house left me with numb fingers, borderline frosh bite, and a red nose.

What are you doing to say warm?

How do you get to work? Have you ever changed your routine?

Photos from WeHeartIt.

Alice Swaim

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:40:00 +0000

Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go;

it is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow.

Alice M. Swaim

Last night we had a snow storm.

This morning it took hot coffee and warm mittens to get me out the door at 7:00 a.m.

As silent bundles of both men and women traipsed past me through the snow I envisioned fragile blossoms.

Bonjour

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 01:48:00 +0000

Idaho to Michigan to Quebec City....2,735 miles

We are back in Canada for our final 3 1/2 months. I found the cutest place right in the city.

It's super small, but perfect for the short period of time that we will be here.

It has internet, a parking spot and we are seconds from lots of amazing restaurants, stores and historical sites. This is going to be a great adventure. I can't wait to share it with you

(I'm back in action with a new computer and high speed internet.)

Interstate I 80

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:37:00 +0000

1912 miles...31 hours....

That is a lot of "us" time in the truck. Don't tell my husband... I enjoy every minute.

Along the way:
~ Twinkling Christmas lights provide hours of entertainment
~ Take time to thank the employees at gas stations with clean bathrooms
~ Eating in instead of driving through is a great way to meet locals
~ Black ice is so scary!
~ Stopping at every Cabela's and Bass Pro...is not my favorite, but provides great people watching and puts my husband in a good mood
~ Nebraska has a lot of cows! Moo

Ho..Ho..Ho... $25.00 Sam's Club-Chex Party Mix Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:26:00 +0000

While some things are changing there will always be some things that stay the same. I know, change is good, but if you ask me there will never be anything better than the original Chex Party Mix creation. In my life this once a year treat has become a 365 day tasty treat that leads me to over indulge each and every time I get my hands on a bag of it. Hands down Chex Party Mix will beat out any form of chocolate or cookie.

That being said, there are some pretty fabulous and delicious new savory Chex Party Mix recipes out there. People are now swapping a traditional cookie party for a Chex Mix Party. I say... mix it up.

It's not too late for you to get a few friends together. Me and some of my closest friends at Sam's Club, General Mills and My Blog Spark want to make your party the easies, funnest and yummiest party this holiday season.... (that's a lot of superlatives)

How to throw the ultimate Sam´s Club Chex Party Mix-Change:
•Set the date and spread the word. Announce your Chex Party Mix-Change using some of these festive invites
•Mix it up. Use these mouth-watering Chex recipe cards including Chex Pumpkin Pie Crunch and Hot Buttered Yum Chex Mix and this shopping list to make party prep a snap.
•Share the fun. Use some of these easy tips & tricks to add some extra flare to your party and check out some of the packaging ideas.
Visit ChexPartyMixChange.com for even more party-planning tips and be sure to also check out Sam´s Club, your one stop Chex spot that has everything you need to throw a Chex Party Mix-Change!

Tis the season...one lucky person will win a $25.00 gift card to Sam's Club and a box of Chex cereal to get your party started. (I got one too!)
Here's how:
- Tell me what recipe sounds the best to you. 1 entry
- Follow my blog. 1 entry
- Post this on your blog or a giveaway blog(tell me where). 8 entries

That opens it up for a total of 10 opportunities to win. This giveaway is not going to last long! It will only be open from today until the morning of Friday, December 16th. I will send the name of the winner into My Blog Spark that afternoon. Please remember to provide your email address with your comment.

Good luck...

The next morning.....

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:32:00 +0000

It's that time of year when your social calendar lights up... your husbands-cousins-in laws, the neighbor and some of your closest friends open their doors to celebrate the holidays. I can't help you with your outfits, but I can help you with a host gift.

Put yourself in their shoes... they cleaned the house, planned the perfect menu, kept your glass full throughout the night...how about making them breakfast. There are countless recipes for homemade bread and so many fun ways to package them. It's an affordable....thoughtful gift that any host would be happy to receive.

Are you having a party this year? What are some additional gift ideas you have?
Feel free to share one of your recipes...
or check out this recipe from My Blog Spark and Better Crocker

Another cute idea.

Home again...home again jiggity jig

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 20:28:00 +0000

The meaning of "home" varies from person to person. When I was in Michigan a couple weeks ago people greeted me by saying "welcome home". When I returned to Idaho I was greeted with "welcome home". In an email I received from a friend in Quebec City they asked when I was coming home....

Where we love is home, Home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.

~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., Homesick in Heaven

For several years Idaho has been our home away from home. It 's a place that is always hard to leave and a place I always look forward to returning. Within the next few weeks my husband will be finishing his field work and our time here in Idaho will come to an end. I'm sure our final days will be hard and saying good-bye to friends that we have made throughout the years will end in tears, but what an experience it has been.... an experience that I am so grateful for. Just hearing the word Idaho will always warm my heart.

Home is not where you live but where they understand you. ~Christian Morgenstern

$40.00....Sam's Club- Yoplait Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:54:00 +0000

It's the eve of Thanksgiving. Are you heading out the door to do some last minute grocery shopping? Are you wondering if you have enough food? Do you have something for everyone? If you have overnight guest now you have to think about breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner and late night snack. By the second day you are questioning who's bright idea was it to invite everyone to stay at your house...(I know you love them, but man can those kids eat...)

Now you're wondering why you even stopped by here today when all I've done is stress you out more, but I do have a solution for you....Yogurt. To be more specific, Yoplait yogurt at Sam's Club.

Breakfast...yogurt. For some people lunch...yogurt. Snacks...definitely...yogurt.

Whether you start your day with a yogurt or enjoy it as an afternoon snack, Sam´s Club can help you stock up on your family´s favorite Yoplait® yogurts at great, everyday low prices. With their extended yogurt selections, featuring new Yoplait Light® with Granola and Trix yogurt, finding the flavors, and prices, you love just became even easier.

And, do I have a treat for you. Because of MyBlogSpark, Yoplait and Sam's Club I am going to give one person a $40.00 gift card to Sam's Club to fill up your fridge with Yoplait.(I got the same thing and you should see my refrigerator.)

This giveaway starts today, November 23 and ends in one week. On Wednesday, Nov. 30th I will pick one name. Here is how you can win:
Follow my blog- 1 entry
Check out Yoplait.com and tell me your favorite yogurt- 2 entries
Check out Sam's Club.com and tell me something you found to put on your Christmas list- 2 entries

That's not it.... if you link this giveaway or share it on your blog you get an additional 5 entries. 10 possible points.

Good luck and happy shopping... I'll be thinking about you as I drive to Detroit (in a rental car) to catch a plane heading to Lexington. Final destination...in the arms of my husband!

Nurse Ann, Annie the Nanny, Aunt Annie......

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:56:00 +0000

Just when my seat was starting to get warm in Idaho I was asked to fly to Michigan to help out a friend. My one piece of luggage was just big enough for me to pack all of my hats: nurse, aunt, nanny, cleaning lady, dog groomer, chauffeur, counselor, friend, in-law, daughter......

Speaking of hats, my hat goes off to all of you parents. My goodness there is a lot to remember and too much to manage. Now, going days without a shower because it's hard to find the time or wearing whatever is within sight makes sense to me. Not to mention just how unimportant it all is when you have the chance to hold a child in your arms, listen to them sound out new words for their spelling test or hear them laugh so hard they may burst open with happiness. So many emotions, so many new experiences, so lucky you are....

Since my sister and parents live within 45 minutes of where I am staying I've had the opportunity to see them and to watch my nieces and nephew doing (nail biting) extracurricular activities. I feel alive when I hear "Aunt Annie......"

My friend is doing well enough that today we are going to make cupcakes. What are you doing?

Photos from WeHeartIt

Next post....is a giveaway! Hint $$$$$$$

noreply@blogger.com (Ann On and On...) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 19:36:00 +0000

A perfect autumn day has the crunching of leaves beneath my feet,

city windows dressed in the color of pumpkins,

and the smell of apples wafting in the air.

I use words like splender, bliss, luster and harvest.

Breathing in and out replenishes me.

I am in my element when partnered with autumn.