Ann Again...and again

I can't believe it. We actually got our Christmas tree in November. That's very unusual for us. (And that shiny stuff? That's sunshine, in the Pacific Northwest in November. That's also unusual for us.) My little blue-eyed Lily can't handle sun in her eyes. (And that little one in the shade? That's one of the ever present neighbor children who went with us. We don't seem to be a family of 4 any more.) What's inspiring you today? Take part in Robin's Monday's Muse at Cinnamon & Honey .

What the ?!? With the holiday's in full swing I absolutely, completely FORGOT about Virtual Girls Night Out. How bizarre. I believe it's the first time in a year and a half that it didn't even enter my mind. My dear blog friends, I think you are wonderful. I hope you'll forgive me. (I'm oh-so-very tired.) (*Thanks Martha for the reminder in your post :-> ) I'll put up a link for those that still want to connect. VGNO!!! <a href="http://annagain66.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq253/Annagain_2008/th_100_5263_edited-4-1-1.jpg"/></a><br />

We shall see if I will be away from the Internet for one whole day. Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you find many things to be thankful for. Be well, stay healthy, hug often.

I don't enjoy being in the stands, or anywhere near other parents, during a child's sporting event. Most people are so competitive that they lose their sense of right and wrong and become the biggest JERKS!!! (To put it so-o-o-o politely.) I feel I can support both teams. I want the kids to have a good time. Of course I would like it if my child's team won, but if the game is well played by both sides, good sportsmanship, talent being discovered, kids laughing and having fun, then I don't care who wins. My oldest is in 6th grade and decided to join her grades volleyball team (a little bribery with chocolate helped ;-> ). The volleyball season went pretty well. Her team got better with every game and she looked forward to Saturdays - not the 9:00am games though, we all still had to get up early. Well the season ended with a tournament last Saturday. And, unfortunately, it ended on the worst note possible. And that is all thanks to the 6th grade volleyball te

I'm kinda burned out this week. I think the weather (rainy, windy, grey) plays a part in my weariness. I have so many things that I would like to be doing, but my energy level is way down. And when I go to sleep I just keep thinking about all of the things that I should have done that day, or more things that need to get done and there I am, looking at the numbers on my clock, telling myself that I should be sleeping. Ugh. I know what I need, a Virtual Girls Night Out. *New to the Friday night blog-hopping party? This is what you do: Check out this VGNO post then sign the MckLinky guest book below with your name/blog link. Visit fellow bloggers by clicking on their blog link. Leave some comment luv with a message of "Happy VGNO!" Go blog-hopping!* Time For Some Tunes! I am just loving Glee . I laugh out loud at every episode, and cry at every episode too. Here's a little bit from this week. (Dang commercial at the beginning!) Cast of Glee " Somebody To L

Guess who Rob went to see... Take part in Jen's A Thousand Words Thursday . Please visit her site and link up!

I see the magazines full of holiday decorating ideas. The houses are absolutely beautiful and the families appear so happy. The children are wearing their nicest sweaters and their hair is combed to perfection. Even the family dog appears to have a smile. I always buy these magazines, year after year, hoping to be inspired. I think 'This year I'm going to paint the living room', or 'This year I'm going to learn to sew and make my own curtains'. I mean, look at how happy these families are in their perfectly decorated homes and their plates of baked goods on the counters! But honestly, I'm going on year 13 of having pale white walls and curtains I bought on sale at Target. My "List of Things to Do" is so long it could be mistaken for a short novel. I don't know why I don't have the drive to make the things I dream of making. I guess I missed out on the "Domestic Goddess: Maker of All Things" gene. But I'll keep buying t

It is so-o-o cold and rainy today. Drag! If anyone is thinking of moving to the Pacific Northwest Fall is NOT the season to do it in. Wet, wet, wet. Cold, cold, cold. Let's warm things up and get cozy at the Virtual Girls Night Out! *New to the Friday night blog-hopping party? This is what you do: Check out this VGNO post then sign the MckLinky guest book below with your name/blog link. Visit fellow bloggers by clicking on their blog link. Leave some comment luv with a message of "Happy VGNO!" Go blog-hopping!* Time For Some Tunes! Yep. It's Friday the 13th. This tune is from an album titled "13 Songs". (I'm going wa-a-ay back here ;-> ) Turn it up! Fugazi " Waiting Room " Oh man, the memories this brings back. Being young was fun! Time For A Cocktail! Falling Leaf Fizz Ingredients : 1 part Vodka 4 parts of sparkling wine Dash of simple syrup 1 heaping teaspoon pumpkin butter Pinch of pumpkin pie spice dried apple chip for garnish

Yes. Guitar Guy has a new love Nah. I'm not jealous. Much Do you see the beautiful Mermaid and her pal the Dolphin? Absolutely gorgeous work done by the artists at Breedlove Guitars in Bend, OR Take part in Jen's A Thousand Words Thursday. Please visit her site and link up!

To Honor To Respect We have lost too many No politics Honor Happy Veteran's Day * There's a site that offers a unique way to honor the memory of the men & women who served our country with dignified Military Tributes. Tributes.com . This site also offers on-line support groups. Tributes.com

When I look over our Halloween pictures I truly believe that we put a large part of our true personalities into what is supposed to be our "Alter Ego" Halloween costume. Take my little Lily --- Before After --- She was a Princess Kitty (Her creation - Dad's make-up job) Lily is very much like the personality of this costume. (She wore the ears and tail for weeks before October 31st.) Then we have our 'Tween Katie --- Before After --- That look! Be afraid, be very afraid! Now, Katie didn't want to use the vampire teeth I bought so Rob had some fun with them. Rob --- Before After --- The Ogre Now, is this truly his personality? Nah. I think this is when my theory goes awry. (I hope!!!)

I've done something that I usually mock in others. I've put out some Christmas decorations in November. WHAT?!? I found a red table cloth at an estate sale that I couldn't resist and a beautiful table runner that I just had to have. And of course I need to see how everything looks. I'll probably put it all away before Guitar Guy gets home. Christmas in November? I'm not ready.

Wait? How can this be? This week marks the 20 year anniversary of the release of " Say Anything ". 20 Years?!? Lloyd Dobler I love you. And in honor of you (a.k.a. John Cusack) and the Screenwriter/Director Cameron Crowe, this Virtual Girls Night Out is dedicated to you. *New to the Friday night blog-hopping party? This is what you do: Check out this VGNO post then sign the MckLinky guest book below with your name/blog link. Visit fellow bloggers by clicking on their blog link. Leave some comment luv with a message of "Happy VGNO!" Go blog-hopping!* Time For Some Tunes! No surprise here ;-> Peter Gabriel " In Your Eyes " This song sends my spirit away every time I hear it. Every time. Time For A Cocktail! Boom Box Ingredients 1 part Smirnoff® vodka 1 part white wine 1 part coffee Directions Add Vodka and White Wine to the coffee. The coffee must still be hot. Ummm... I don't know about this one. But I'll give it a try :-> Time For A Q

I think my girls have given up on the idea of having their stuffed animals all to themselves. When Benny and I return from taking them to school he always picks up a stuffed animal from their room and finds a cozy place to land. What a guy. Take part in Jen's A Thousand Words Thursday . Please visit her site and link up!

I went to the Portland Women's Show yesterday at the Oregon Convention Center. I supposedly won the tickets from some other show I attended (probably when I entered another giveaway trying to win a spa weekend for two no doubt). I asked my 11 yr. old if she wanted to go with me and at first she said no. Then I added 'There's probably going to be food samples there' and she quickly changed her answer to "Yes!" For those that enjoy these shows, let me just say, well... I'm glad you enjoy them. Yes you can try out a lipstick that supposedly won't come off until you are darn good and ready for that stuff to come off. You can get your ring cleaned with a product that will also clean your eyeglasses and car dashboard but won't irritate your delicate skin. You can even get a little back massage from someone wearing a vibrating glove. (Image having this done while the salesperson is touting their new line of "Personal Pleasure Products" th