Virtual GNO - Super Bowl XLIII Edition

There's going to be a football game this Sunday. Have you heard about it? ;-> I live in Oregon and we don't have a professional team. I'm sure that's why I'm apathetic to the hype. However, I love any occasion that brings out the chips and dip so, Yeah! Super Bowl XLIII! Whoo-Hooo!!!

My husband is from Chicago so he's as excited as any Bears fan would be about this years game. ("Oh. Is There a game? Uh.") However he does make fantastic Wings and I can't wait to get my hands on 'em! I allow myself a calorie-count-free-day for the Super Bowl. Potato chips, wings, dip. Yummmm.... Once a year. I can do this once a year. The Super Bowl is all about food as far as I'm concerned. Anyone else?

This is a Virtual Girls Night Out (boys welcome too :-> ), a social evening without having to get out of our cozy pajamas. We are here to visit other blogs and play. The Virtual GNO is a way of meeting up with bloggers you know, and make some new friends as well. So sign Mr. Linky below and join in the fun!

Time For Some Music!

I'm eagerly awaiting the new U2 album (That's right. I said album.) They were part of the Half-Time entertainment in 2002. (Amazing job honoring Sept. 11th victims.) Here's a little something to tide me over until the album comes out. *look closely at the crowd scenes*

U2 "Window In The Skies"
One of my all-time favorite videos. Fantastic work.


Time For A Cocktail!

"Smoothie With A Kick"
Ingredients:
Frozen Berries
Coconut Milk
Pineapple Juice
Club Soda
Dark Rum
Crushed Ice

Preparation: Get out your blender and mix the ingredients to your liking. A little more of this, a tad more of that. YUM!!!

Time For A Party Game!

"I Will. I Won't. I Wish".
*answer these questions with the first letter of your last name*

~I Will: Have more laughs with my children
~I Won't: Have trouble eating chips & dip this Sunday ;->
~I Wish: Human-kind would be just that, more Human and more Kind.

I can't wait to see what you come up with!

OK now, have fun at our Virtual GNO. Sign Mr. Linky to join the Virtual GNO. Visit those that sign-in! Go blog-hopping! And I would love to meet your blog friends. Post our party on your blog and hopefully they will join us:-> Have fun!

Hairy Nipples

Yep. That's right. I said hairy nipples. Did you know that women have a problem with this? I had never heard of this issue until I watched the T.V. show "The Doctors". Yesterday the focus was on "Embarrassing Medical Problems". This definitely falls into that catagory!

My mom keeps telling me about this show. So yesterday I thought I'd give it a try. Unfortunately, for my husband, he was working from home. After the segments on blackheads, discharge issues and cellulite my husband was outta' there. He said he was afraid he was going to grow a vagina.

I couldn't take much more either. If it wasn't for the gorgeous Dr. Travis Stork I probably would have turned it off after the first segment on vomiting. For those fans of "The Bachelor" you already know how handsome he is. (I don't watch the show so he's new to me.) Have you seen this guy?

If he walked in while I was in my paper gown I don't know what I would do? Probably make an "embarrassing medical problem" of my own.

I'm going to give this program another shot. Luckily Hubby's at the office so he'll miss today's segment, "Were You Circumsized As An Adult?" OUCH!

***Please come back tomorrow for our Virtual Girls Night Out. It's a fun way to meet other bloggers and introduce them to your site. I hope to see you!***

My Inner Dialogue

I found myself trying to justify my "Homemaker" status. It came at me out of the blue.
I was getting ready to leave a family gathering. After making my rounds with the hugs and kisses I was told "I'm really glad staying home with the kids is working out for you." uh-huh. I just kept looking at them, a little smile on my face, kind of stunned. I know they weren't trying to be hurtful but it just struck me. I started thinking about my cousins who are moms and have young children. They work outside the home part-time. They bring home paychecks. I don't right now.
My immediate inner dialogue screamed 'I volunteer at the girls school a lot. I write. I organize everything that has to do with the children, the house and cars. Justify yourself Ann!' But I didn't say anything. I felt worthless. I don't get paid for anything I do and that plays a big part in my self-esteem. I don't want it to, but it does.
UGH


Time for a little "Is It Wrong?"

1.) Is it wrong that all I think about while I'm exercising is what I want for lunch?
2.) Is it wrong to return a phone call when you know the person won't be home?
3.) Is it wrong to tell the annoying neighbor kid at your door that you're still having dinner when you finished over an hour ago?

OH! Hey! Guess what? I am going to be having a give-away! My first one! With support of the One2One Network I will be hosting a give-away promoting the new movie "He's Just Not That Into You". Details coming soon!

***I would love it if you joined me at Beautiful! Fabulous! Today's post "No One Told Me To Bring My Dancing Shoes"***

Tuesday Tunes - Indigo Girls

My-Oh-My! I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm tired of the snow. It is so rare that Portland gets REAL snow. I'm usually like a kid looking out the window in the morning who sees the snow and knows that school is cancelled. YES!!!
Well, today it's snowing... again... and I do believe it's time for winter to pass.

I'm sharing one of my absolutely favorite bands/duos, The Indigo Girls. They make me think of Spring and Summer. They always come around the Pacific Northwest when the weather is warm and everyone is feeling good. I love these ladies!!! Some of the best times of my life have been at their shows. (And Amy, Emily? Anytime you want to stop by, the door is always open :-> )

Indigo Girls - "Little Perennials"

The Indigo Girls - New Music - More Music Videos

Something Kind Of Cool

I hope you had fun at last weeks Virtual GNO. I could watch that Chelsea Handler video over and over (and I did ;-> ) Man, she makes me laugh.
I wanted to share with you another video that a friend sent my way today. It's kind of cool.

"From George Washington to Barack Obama - A Long Way"

I can't figure out why they would choose to put Ravel's "Bolero" as the background music. I'm not mature enough to NOT think of the movie "10". Bo Derek's beads (among other things) swaying while she runs down the beach. Hmmm... maybe Bill Clinton put this montage together? ;->

Virtual GNO - Beat The Cold

I'm getting very frustrated. I have been doing everything I know to fight off this flippin' cold! And I don't mean as in 'warmth'. I'm great at the hand-washing. I'm diligent with the Zicam zinc lozanges and the Airborn. But last night my sinuses started rebelling against all of my efforts and now I'm fuzzy. I don't want to be fuzzy!!!
I'm going to keep fighting this stupid cold.
And that goes for the frigid cold that is happening all around the town. Enough already!!!

This is a Virtual Girls Night Out (boys welcome too :-> ), a social evening without having to get out of our cozy pajamas. (If you are one who does go out in your p.j.'s that's just fine. I'm not judging!)
We are here to visit other blogs and play. The Virtual GNO is a way of meeting up with bloggers you know, and make some new friends as well. So sign Mr. Linky below and join in the fun!

I'm going to take my fuzzy head and dance around to warm up.

Adele "Cold Shoulder"

(yep. it's a cold theme :-> )

I'm drinking my tea with echinacea. Tea, tea, tea. I'm in the mood for something with a little bit of a kick. What sounds good?...

Hoppin' Hot Scotch

Ingredients:
2 oz. butterscotch schnapps
8-10 oz. hot chocolate (water or milk)
Whipped cream (optional)
Chocolate shavings (optional)
1/2 oz. amaretto (optional, but gives off a warm, almond aroma)

Preparation:
In an Irish coffee mug, add schnapps followed by hot chocolate.
Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream.
Top off with a sprinkle of chocolate shavings.

After this I just might forget my stuffy nose. Yum!!!

OK. With the new year I made a promise to myself that I would step-it-up-a-notch with the exercise. I'm serious this time. Really. Our family received the WiiFit for Christmas and it's fantastic. I enjoy it so much more than going to the gym and attending classes where I always felt so left out. So uncoordinated. I found that nobody expresses my frustration better than Chelsea Handler. (Get a tissue. You're going to laugh until you cry.)

Chelsea Handler "S Factor"

That's my girl!
Do you have any gym, or workout, horror stories? I'd love to hear them!

Have fun at our Virtual GNO. Sign Mr. Linky to join the Virtual GNO. Visit those that sign-in! Go blog-hopping!

Feeling Left Out

I think our dog is feeling left out. He seems to have taken matters into his own hands, er, paws.

*** see more pictures at Jen's Cheaper Than Therapy - Thousand Words Thursday ***

(And if tomorrow's Friday that must mean it's time to hold our Virtual Girls Night Out! Come back tomorrow and join the fun!)

MSN Maps... You've Lost Me

MSN Map, I'm done with you. DONE I tell you!

I had made an appointment for this morning at 8:30 am. No problem, I thought. I'll drop my girls off at school and make it right on time. Last night I printed the directions from MSN Maps and thought I would be just fine. Oh-no-my-friend. I was not fine.

After half an hour I called the appointment to find that I was so-o-o flippin' far away from where I needed to be. I was almost directly ACROSS from where I needed to be! They talked me down and guided me in the right direction.

When I got home I checked with MSN Map again and they gave the exact same directions as before. I tried to contact them to let them know how full of S*%T they were but, to no avail.

So let me pass on a find. My mother told me to try Rand McNally. I did, and they gave the EXACT and PRECISE directions that I needed. (I know this now after the fact.)

So I'm passing this on to one and all. Change is here! Get your directions from RandMcNally.com!!! I hope this helps more lost souls :->

Tuesday Tunes - PRESIDENT OBAMA

"We Are Not As Divided As Our Politics Suggest":
President Barack Obama

"Yes We Can"


(And we are :-> )


Many blessings on this President.

will.i.am "It's A New Day"


HOPEHOPEHOPEHOPEHOPEHOPEHOPEHOPEHOPEHOPEHOPEHOPEHOPEHOPEHOPEHOPEHOPEHOPEHOPEHOPE
I know we don't all agree on politics. But you have to admit that America deserves to have hope. And a massive majority of us feel that way now. Finally.

I'm Obamified! Get The Look!

If you want to get Obama-fied go to this website Obamiconme. You too can have the Shepard Fairey look.
It doesn't matter who you voted for. Go visit the site and see some of the great "posters". (The "ShamWow" guy is even there!)

Let me know if you make a poster!! Obamiconme.pastemagazine.com
Thanks Robin :->

What The Hell Am I Watching?

Hubby and I were invited to a play last night. Our friend is the director. I had heard of the show but never seen it. He told me that I would "really, really like it." I asked if there were naked people in it and my friend said "Yes". OK then!

So this show starts off in the dark with two people having a very, very, very good time. Lights come up and we begin. Yep. They're naked. Eventually clothes are worn and conversation begins.

This show is about a man who proclaims to love this woman. I mean lo-o-ove this woman. He tries to get her to believe him and to understand the connection they have. That they are meant to be together. This is after they've slept together on their first "date"! This is only their first date!!!

She's freaking out and wants him to leave. He won't go. He doesn't even leave when she threatens to call the police. He says that if they take him away he'll just come back, she has a fire escape, he can climb in her window. It's an "Oh Baby, can't you see how much I love you? I will never leave. Isn't that great!!!"
NO!!! There's nothing great about that!

I couldn't believe what I was watching.

For an hour and a half the man is trying to convince the woman that they have a connection and that they need to stop going through this world alone. They don't need to go looking any more. They are IT for each other. (She must be amazing in bed.)

Of course this play was written by a man. A man who has a very twisted take on love. No woman I know would try to turn this kind of scenario into something romantic. This is a horror story my friend! This is a classic Tori Spelling-Lifetime-For-Women movie!

And it just gets me that my "friend" who directed this said I would "really, really like it". No wonder he and I stopped dating years ago.

Virtual GNO - Let's Celebrate!

I'll take celebrations any way I can. Today I'm celebrating the fact that all the passengers on Flight 1549 survived. My gosh! I just can't imagine going through that experience.
And I'm also going to celebrate the fact that I live somewhere that isn't freezing cold! If you aren't so lucky, do you have a way to stay warm? If so, let's celebrate!
This is a Virtual Girls Night Out (boys welcome too :-> ), a social evening without having to get out of our cozy pajamas. (If you are one who does go out in your p.j.'s that's just fine. I'm not judging!)
We are here to visit other blogs and play. The Virtual GNO is a way of meeting up with bloggers you know, and make some new friends as well. So sign Mr. Linky below and join in the fun!

Time To Dance!

Regina from Margarita Bloom let me know about this girl. You'll be hooked.
Alesha Dixon "The Boy Does Nothing"


If this sticks in your head today, I'm sorry ;->. Go visit Margarita Bloom. She has some of the yummiest bath and body products!!! My favorite is the Aphrodite scent. And today is Regina's birthday. Happy Birthday!!!

Time For A Cocktail

A perfectly named cocktail for the day.

Survivor Cocktail
Ingredients:

Light Rum - 1.5 oz
White Creme de Cacao - .25 oz
Pineapple Juice - 1 oz.
Lime Juice - .25 oz

--Fill a shaker half full with ice cubes. Pour all ingredients into shaker and shake well. Fill a Tumbler almost full of ice cubes, and strain drink into Tumbler.

YUM!


Time For A Party Game!

The Name Game. Use the first letter of your name to answer the questions. Your answers need to be real places, names and things. Nothing made up :-> (You cannot use your name for #3 boy/girl "name" question.)


1. What is your name: Ann

2. A 4 Letter Word: Able

3. A Boys Name: Andy

4. A Girls Name: Alison

5. An Occupation: Anchor-person

6. A Color: Aqua

7. Something you wear: Angora Sweater

8. A Beverage: A lot of wine (Kidding!) Apple Juice

9. A Food: Apple

10. Something found in the bathroom: Ankle cream (I don't know what I'm saying.)

11. A place: Anchorage

12. A Reason for being late: Auto problems

13. Something you shout: All's Well!!!

OK. It's your turn! I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Have fun at our Virtual GNO. Sign Mr. Linky to join the Virtual GNO. Visit those that sign-in! Go blog-hopping!

The Face Says It All

I had to pull out this old Santa photo. Christmas is long gone, but my oldest's attitude that shows in this picture, is not. Why? Why is her first reaction always grumpy? She's 11 now and I'm very nervous about what the teen years hold. YIKES!
(The inner dialogue for all of us in this picture holds so much. I can hear it now!)
***Go visit other participants of Jen's "Thousand Words Thursday"***

Honestly?

I have been given a blog award and, in exchange, I need to list 10 honest things about me.
Oh man. What?!? (Just how much do I want this award?)
Well, this is the "Honest Scrap" Award, so let me see what I can come up with.

1. I hate making lists about myself. Honestly
2. I really like getting awards so I force myself to make lists about myself.
3. I get really happy when someone tells me they like what's going on at my blog.
4. I suck up my discomfort and do what I can to keep making certain people happy.
5. I hope that they truly appreciate the effort that I put forth. Honestly.
6. Sitting at the computer is taking me away from the 3 loads of laundry that I should be doing. I tell myself that making this list is MUCH MORE IMPORTANT.
7. My youngest is home sick today and I feel guilty that I didn't see the sickness signs sooner.
8. If someone in our house is sick I compulsively wash my hands and spray everything with Lysol.
9. I know that coughing is natural, but it bugs the crap out of me.
10. I am so glad I'm at number 10 right now. My list making is over.


What is an Honest Scrap Award? In the words of Vivian Zabel at Brain Cells and Bubble Wrap:
"Scrap means left-overs, fragments, discarded material. Many times truth and honesty is discarded material, considered fragments and left over. So, we need to tell it like it is, and let the scraps fall where they will."

Thanks Tasha at "Catch The Drift" for sharing this award with me. You've made me incredibly happy. Honestly. :->


***and today's my day at Beautiful! Fabulous! come on over!***

Tuesday Tunes - David Cook

American Idol begins it's 8th season tonight. I actually watched the whole season last year (much to my husband's agony). There was one performance that caught his attention and absolutely knocked me off my feet. When I heard David Cook sing "Always Be My Baby" I got chills. I still do.

(By pass the gobbly-de-gook and fast-forward to :57)
David Cook - "Always Be My Baby"

Always Be My Baby - David Cook

I love this boy!!!
Are you going to watch American Idol this season?

Too Much Partying

As I stand in the hallway of my daughter's school I'm doing my best to concentrate. Mr. Chun is giving me information about an upcoming field trip and other things that I've offered to help with.

The thing is while he's talking to me, inside my head I'm having a conversation with him. "Mr. Chun, I would absolutely LOVE to listen to you right now. I would enjoy nothing more than getting these events organized and truly getting started right-this-moment. But you see, my husband and I celebrated our victory of holding an 11-year old's birthday party last night. The event was very involved and we were so happy that we pulled it off. Well, you see, because of our celebrating I have a slight hangover which makes it a bit difficult to pay attention right now. How about we talk tomorrow morning? OK?"

But instead, I stood in the hallway with Mr. Chun and kept my eyes on his. I just kept nodding my head, "Uh huh, yeah. OK. Yep. Sounds good."

Yeah the party was a success! (Ugh the celebrating was a success too. But it was fun! :->)

Scrambling To Hold A Birthday Party

How was the Virtual GNO for you? I hope you had a great time!!!

Today I'm scrambling to hold a birthday party for my oldest. She turned 11 during Portland's crazy "Artic Blast" and no one was driving any where for any thing.
So Friday my daughter reminded me that she still hadn't had her party. I felt so bad! Her birthday was 3 weeks ago.
So, after many phone calls, and quick organization, my husband and I are hosting a dozen 5th graders at a pool party.
Wish us luck!!!

Virtual GNO - Let's Get 2009 Started!

OK Now, On with a Virtual Girls Night Out. Last weeks was rained out - boo! - so let's get started.
Remember, this is our social evening without having to get out of our cozy pajamas. (If you are one who does go out in your p.j.'s that's just fine. I'm not judging!)
We are here to visit and play. The Virtual GNO is a way of meeting up with bloggers you know, and visit some new friends as well. So sign Mr. Linky below and join in the fun!

Time For Some Music

I'm getting a little risque with this video choice. I really like the song, and I really like Scott Weiland so here we go. (You might want to make sure the kiddies are out of the room for this one;-> )

Scott Weiland - "Paralysis"


My oh my! Whadja' think? (I have SO MANY comments about this video!) You know what I think it's time for?...


Time For A Cocktail

Since last weeks VGNO was put off by rain, this weeks recipe is titled...

Dark & Stormy
Ingredients:
2 oz Dark Rum
3 oz Ginger Beer
lime wedge for garnish (if desired)
Preparation:
Build the ingredients in a highball glass filled with ice cubes.
Garnish with the lime wedge.
Or, forget the ice and warm it up! Rum is great warm.
Enjoy!


Time To Share

Lovely blogger LaTonya from Che'Demi's Boutique posted this list and I loved it so much I asked if I could share it on my blog as well. Here are...

Thoughts for the New Year!

1. Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.

2. Don’t knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn’t start a conversation if it didn’t change once in awhile.

3. Don’t treat God like a lawyer….only calling upon Him when you’re in trouble.

4. A gossiper is like an old shoe in which the tongue never stays in place.

5. The right temperature at home is maintained by warm hearts, not hot heads.

6. Nothing is often a good thing to say.

7. Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers, but to be fearless in facing them.

8. Conscience is that little voice that tells us Someone may be watching.

9. Middle age is when the products you bought with a lifetime guarantee begin to wear out.


Yep! It's time for me to buy some new products. (I'm still waiting for my Heidi Klum face to arrive.) Hey, do you have any products, or giveaways, that we should know about? Share with us!

And look at how lucky we are! Angie of Mama Bear Gets Chatty will give $5 off any premade Photo Greeting Card Design from her Etsy shop to those who mention VGNO in the message to seller! www.PhotoGreetings.etsy.com. How cool is that!

Have fun at our Virtual GNO. Sign Mr. Linky to join the Virtual GNO. Visit those that sign in! Go blog-hopping!

How Cute Is This?!?

How can you not smile when you see this baby?!!!
This is actually for a giveaway on Northwest Mom Finds from the etsy site Citefuzz. Please go check out this site. (I'm not entering the giveaway, but I just HAD to show this picture.)

What Is She Wearing?

While watching "Superstars of Dance" on TiVo last night, my daughter and I were caught off guard by a dancers costume.
I was trying to explain the outfit as a choice to wear something that symbolized the dance; to accentuate how elegantly her body moved, and the colors represented the dancers emotions.
My 11 year olds response? "That's not an outfit. That's a miss-fit."
She was right.

Did anyone else watch this show?


****and today's my day at Beautiful! Fabulous! come on over****

Tuesday Tunes - Green Day/Oasis

My favorite radio station told a story about a musician claiming Coldplay copied one of his songs. This isn't a new thing. Many unknown bands claim that "so-and-so" stole their music and didn't give them credit. It usually turns out that the unknown band just wants to 'get known'.
When you think about the number of possible notes/chords, as times goes on, someone is bound to come up with the same combination/sound. There's just so much you can do with the musical scale.
This story reminded me of one of my favorite music combo's. Two great songs, blended to make one great song.

Green Day/Oasis - "Boulevard of Broken Dreams w/ Wonderwall"

(yeah, a little bit of Eminem and Aerosmith too.)

Ghosts of Christmas Cookies Past

Ugh!
Those damn Christmas cookies are holding tight to my stomach and thighs. Darn you Rachel Ray and your Rugelach recipe!!!! I made the mistake of baking not just one, but two batches of this cookie-type when I'm the only one in our household that likes them. My intention was to take them to holiday gatherings but, our weather was a bit snowier than we're used to, so gatherings were postponed. So it was me in the house and 4 dozen cookies. EVIL!!!
I just took my first turn on the Wii with Wii Fitness. It was actually a lot of fun! My calves are shaking, but I think that's a good sign. (We'll see how I feel tomorrow.)

We Interupt This Virtual GNO

I was going through some music choices for our Virtual Girls Night Out when my husband came up from the basement and said that we were flooding.
What?!?
Ah, of course. Oregon's soil can only hold so much rain. Now we're going through flooding and mud slides. Yeah for the Pacific Northwest!
Guitar Guy figured the gutter was full of leaves and that was creating a lovely waterfall right into our window well. So out into the elements he goes, ladder in hand.


(I did what any self respecting blogger would do and took pictures!)

Up the ladder he goes on a dark and stormy night



Getting a little tipsy!



That part is done so let's go soak up water in the basement. Hey! I know just the thing!



What's that?




YEAH! ShamWow saves the day!

No, I am not getting carried away with infomercials, my mom bought these for the family and I'm really glad she did. It did a great job. (Nudge, nudge, wink, wink ShamWow people. You could send me another if you wanna :-> )

So that's what I did last night instead of having fun at our Virtual Girls Night Out. I hope to make up for it next Friday.