A Thousand Words Thursday - Yep, I'm A Mom

Check out more pictures at Jen's Cheaper Than Therapy.

Beat Swine Flu By Blogging!

This situation doesn't seem to be going away any time soon.

I had CNN on for about an hour yesterday afternoon and it's a good thing I wasn't playing a "Swine Flu Drinking Game", they repeated the phrase so often I would have been drunk off my rocker after 10 minutes.

This morning they say the best way to avoid this strain of sickness is by "social distancing"; closing schools, churches, and social gathering spots. Heck, it worked in 1918 why can't it work now!

So if we are to go so far as cloister ourselves into our homes we bloggers have one up on the masses. We will still have our community of blog friends, our BBF's our "Blends" (a.k.a. Blog-Friends). We won't miss a beat. For those that haven't begun a web log, now seems to be the time. You may be physically distant but the relationships you make with your cyber pen pals will get you through your new Swine Flu Seclusion.

So stay well and keep on blogging! ;->

Not 'Spring Cleaning' - More Like 'Spring Purging'

I spent the majority of this weekend clearing out the old and unused. I'm getting myself ready for the neighborhood Yard Sale that happens in July. If I don't get started now, I won't get rid of everything that I really need to let go of.

I thought that I was pretty good about letting go of things I don't use, but after looking at my attic I realize that I am not. Man! What is with all of this stuff?!? Why can't I throw out pillows that I obviously don't want anymore? Why do I have 10 blankets that haven't been used in years neatly folded inside Rubbermaid containers? I make no sense.

And about this drawer of markers and crayons... why am I keeping them? My children have acquired more markers and crayons from recent birthdays so holding onto more of the same is for what purpose Ann? There must be a classroom somewhere that could use these colors. Some little hand must desire "Carnation Pink" or "Unmellow Yellow" to complete their masterpiece.

I am not honoring what I have by keeping it in a Rubbermaid container, or closed up in a drawer. Things need to be used, be useful. I'm going to continue going through my attic, my closets, my desk drawers. Nobody needs this much stuff. Especially when, to someone else, it could be oh-so-very-necessary.

Virtual GNO - Boogie Nights!

What a week. The weather started to become really wonderful, which kind of scared me because I'm not in shape to wear "warm weather clothes" just yet. And the sight of my day-glo white legs (a.k.a. "Native Oregonian Condition") could blind a small animal. I've overdone it with the exercise and I am oh-so-sore. You know what would get my mind off the body aches? A Virtual Girls Night Out!

For those that are new to our party, the original Virtual Girls Night Out (boys welcome too) is a blog-hopping party. The party starts here! You sign the Mr. Linky guestbook below then visit fellow bloggers that have signed in as well. So go put on something cozy and settle in for the party. Add your blog link to Mr. Linky below and join in the blog-hopping fun!

I confess I have been watching American Idol. Sometimes it's fun, and other times it's excruciating. This week was Disco Week. Hmmm... well, it did remind me of how much I LOVE Donna Summer.

Time To Boogie!

Donna Summer "Last Dance"

Here's something that kind of trips me out. I used to listen to the "Bad Girls" album when I was 11 years old. Here we have songs about being a prostitute, and ladies looking for some "Hot Stuff" and I'm dancing around singing into my hairbrush without one bit of concern. Oh, what my mother must have been going through! I believe I need a drink.

Time For A Cocktail!

Last Dance
Ingredients:
3 tbsp Tequila
2 tbsp Creme de Cacao
3 tbsp Cream
Splash of Grenadine
Dash of Cinnamon
Directions:
Combine first 4 ingredients in a shaker with ice. Strain into a glass & sprinkle with cinnamon to serve.

Oh my! Tequila... that stuff can te-kill-ya. I better pace myself.

Time For A Party Game!

"Disco Paragraph" - Fill In The Blanks

After a long week working as an assistant trainer at the Jane Fonda Exercise Studio I was ready for a night out. I went to my closet, put on my ________ and headed out the door. I stopped to pick-up my friend ________ and we headed to Studio 54. This place was packed! I had just about sweated my ________ off when they turned on the lights and told us it was time to boogie home. Another great night. Can you dig it? :->

*Fill in the blanks by following the charts. If the First Letter of your FIRST name begins with an 'A' then fill in with "Polyester Suit", etc.

First blank/First Letter of your FIRST name:
A - E = Polyester Suit
F - J = Hot Pants
K - P = Platform Shoes
Q - U = Roller Skates
V - Z = Tube Top

Second blank, go by the First Letter of your LAST name. A - E will be Bob Mackie.

Second blank/First Letter of your LAST name:
A - E = Bob Mackie
F - J = Deney Terrio
K - P = Jimmy J.J. Walker
Q - U = K.C. & The Sunshine Band
V - Z = Liza Minnelli

Third blank, go by the First Letter of your FIRST name.

Third blank/First Letter of your FIRST name:
A - E = Glitter
F - J = Lipgloss
K - P = Blue Eye Shadow
Q - U = QT Tanning Lotion
V - Z = Sequined Headband

Have fun!! I can't wait to see what you get to wear to Studio 54.


OK now, go have fun! Sign Mr. Linky's guestbook below to join the Virtual GNO. Visit those that sign-in. Go blog-hopping! That's what it's all about. We want to meet your blog friends so post A LINK to our party on your blog and have them join us. Send our party into Twitter world. The more the merrier! That's what it's all about.






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AND:
***** Could you visit the site Beautiful! Fabulous! for me? If you haven't visited this gem of a site, you're in for a treat. Some of your favorite people are there, along with terrific information. We would LOVE your support! When you join please send me a message. I look forward to seeing you there :->

*** Please be kind to your fellow blogger. No cutting & pasting please ***

I'm Toast!

I just found a very cool, very fun website "Go With The Grain".

Considering that demand at food banks is up 30 percent, with one in eight Americans struggling with hunger, Grain Foods Foundation teamed up with Feeding America to create the Bread Art Project.

Please visit this website and create a piece of digital bread art. For each piece created, the Grain Foods Foundation will donate $1 to Feeding America – that $1 equals seven meals, 10 pounds of food, or four bags of groceries for those in need.

It's so fun! More than 15,000 slices have been created so far but they need your help to reach their goal of 50,000 slices. I believe I'll head back and make another slice! Let me know if you get digitally creative with virtual toast :->

www.gowiththegrain.org. Thanks Kate!

Buds Are Blooming

As I follow my budding garden this season it makes me hopeful of better days. It's been one week since the last images. It's amazing what a little sun can do! (I can't wait for the iris to bloom! It smells like root beer :-> )

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

(* If you would like to see Part 1 click here * )

Hey Mr. DJ

You know how you come to count on things? When I turn the key in the ignition I expect the car to start. When I turn on a light switch I expect the light to shine. And when I turn on my favorite radio station, at a certain time of the day, I expect to hear my "friend" as I've been hearing him for the last 20 years. Well, Friday, April 17th, my friend succumbed to cancer.

When I first heard the news I was stunned. I knew that he was ill, everyone in the Portland area who loves KINK (that's truly it's call letters) knew that "our" DJ was ill. But I never thought I would lose my buddy. My guy that helped me get ready for school and who now helped me get my girls to school. My friend who tells me about all of the cool things going on in our favorite city, the cool guy that sounds interested and enthusiastic about life in general. I still need him. He can't go.

When I think of what he has helped me appreciate I am forever grateful. Music is an incredibly important part of my life and he is one of the people I have to thank. I have had years of encouraging words and great tunes to help me start my day and I can't think of a better way to begin. God Speed Les Sarnoff. You will be missed.

(If you would like to hear this station please click on the highlighted words.)

Virtual GNO - I'm Bubbles Ivanabee-Queen!

Woot! Woot!

How is everyone doing?

I've been having a good time working at my daughter's school Library this week. The catalog system is being converted on-line and it's a big undertaking. And you know what surprises me most? After handling almost all of the books in that room my hands would get filthy. Just filthy!!! A professional Librarian guiding the project told us to beware of possible infections of mold in our lungs from the books. What?!?! I need to get my mind off of that. You know what I need? A Virtual Girls Night Out!

For those that are new to our party, a Virtual Girls Night Out (boys welcome too) is a blog-hopping party. The party starts here! You sign the Mr. Linky guestbook then visit fellow bloggers that have signed in as well. So go put on something cozy and settle-in for the party. Please add your blog link to Mr. Linky below and join in the blog-hopping fun.

Time For Some Tunes!

Ari Hest "So Slow"


Oh! Will she turn around? Or will she keep walking? Will he run after her? I love this guy Ari Hest. And get this, at a show that was for 21 & over he went out to the parking lot and played for the kids that couldn't get in. How great is he? :->

Time For A Cocktail!

After hanging out in the Library this recipe sounds interesting.

Darien Librarian
Ingredients:
2 oz whiskey
2 oz cola
2 oz ginger ale
Directions:
Build over ice in a highball glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

After a couple of these I could care less about the Dewey Decimal system. Shhhh!

Time For A Party Game!

Since I have been surrounded by books, words and names are swirling in my head. I could even see myself as a Librarian. But one with a bit of a wild side. Let's see what my alter ego name would be.

Librarian Alter Ego

If your first name begins with letters A - E, your first name would be: Bubbles. Follow the chart to see what your Librarian's Alter Ego name is.
First Name=
A - E: Bubbles
F - J: Cookie
K - O: Pepper
P - T: Honey
U - Z: Pebbles

Last Name=
A - E: Featherbottom
F - J: Ivanabee-Queen
K - O: Rhea-Listik
P - T: Anitacocktail
U - Z: Mona-Lott

I'm Bubbles Ivanabee-Queen! OK now, let's see your Librarian's Alter Ego.

Time For Sharing!

Did you know that Campbell's wants to help you grow your own soup? They do. Go visit helpgrowyoursoup.com to find out how to receive a free packet of tomato seeds and to find out more about their drive to donate 22.5 million seeds to FFA chapters across America. So cool!

OK now, go have fun! Sign Mr. Linky's guestbook below to join the Virtual GNO. Visit those that sign-in. Go blog-hopping! That's what it's all about. I would love to meet your blog friends so post A LINK to our party on your blog and have them join us. Send our party into Twitter world. The more the merrier! That's what it's all about. (That, and the Hokey Pokey :-> )






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AND:
***** Check this out... Could you visit the site Beautiful! Fabulous! for me? And, while you're there, consider joining this fun group. If you haven't visited this gem of a site, you're in for a treat. Some of your favorite people are there, along with terrific information. We would LOVE your support! When you join please send me a message. I look forward to seeing you there :->


*** Please be kind to your fellow blogger. No cutting & pasting please ***

I'd Rather Act My Shoe Size

I wake in the morning with a smile on my face. I stretch slowly and effortlessly, ready for a new day. Gracefully I put on my lovely, flowing chiffon robe and open the drapes to a beautiful sunrise.

That is my dream.

Instead, I turn off the clock radio only to find that I have a crick in my neck and a hitch in my git-a-long. Ow! My aching back! It's not the mattress, it's my body. Why, oh why, is my body acting it's age? I'd rather it acted it's shoe size.

While watching my children and their classmates at recess I realized that my body is misbehaving. I remember feeling good. I remember being fearless. I used to love being on a swing and jumping off, trying again and again to land farther than I had before. Now I'd be lucky if my hips even fit into a swing. I remember the game you would play with the sidewalk "Step on a crack and break your mother's back". Then it was only a game, now it feels oh-so-real.

I'm doing my exercises, I'm eating right. But things still hurt, dang it. People have told me "When you hit *grumble-mumble* age your body lets you know it". Well I don't want to know it! I want to live in blissful oblivion like my children. Oh, sweet youth.

Why is my body doing this to me? Why can't I climb my favorite cherry tree? Well, it's time to grab my heating pad. I think I'll look into buying stock in Aleve.

Is It Wrong? Part 6

Time for another installment of "Is It Wrong?"


Is It Wrong to tell your child's teacher that you never received the permission slip when it's really been crumbled in your purse for a week?

Is It Wrong to not want to shower because you love the sample of perfume you tried at Macy's yesterday and you don't want the scent to go away?

Is It Wrong to tell your child 'the dog must have eaten it' when asked where half of their Easter candy went?

Not that I've done anything of these things. Just wondering ;->

Bud Watch - It's The Little Things

I hope that everyone had a splendid holiday weekend.

I'm doing my head, and my heart, a favor and turning away from the news and focusing on what's going on in my own backyard. Literally. I've put myself on Bud Watch.

Thus officially begins "Bud Watch Spring 2009".

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

It's the little things :->

Virtual GNO - Easter Edition

Hey, Hey Friends! How's it going so far? It's a day off from school for my girls (again!)so I'm a bit scattered. The "Easter Bunny" hasn't finished "his" errands so we'll see what can get done. Man! I just hate being unorganized. I know what would make me feel better... A Virtual Girls Night Out! (A real one would be best :-> )

For those that are new to our party, a Virtual Girls Night Out (boys welcome too) is a blog-hopping party. A way to meet others while in our fluffy bunny slippers (Boys, I'm not judging ;->). The party starts here! You sign the Mr. Linky guestbook then visit fellow bloggers that have signed in as well. Please add your blog link to Mr. Linky below and join in the blog-hopping fun!

I need some feel good music to get me going today.

Time To Groove!

Luce "Good Day"


Love, love, love them!!!

I feel the need for a light refreshment...

Time For A Cocktail!

Spring Fever:
Ingredients:
1 oz. Tangerine Juice
1 oz. Bacardi Light Rum
1 oz. Smirnoff® vodka
12 oz.Sprite®

Directions:
Blend all the ingredients in a shaker and serve.

Who knows how my Easter eggs will turn out after a few of these?! ;->

OK, I'm impatiently waiting for the UPS truck to show up at my door with shoes I ordered from Zappos.com. It's the first time I've done this and maybe I've cut this too close. These shoes are for Sunday and it looks like I might be going to church barefoot! Maybe not barefoot, but in my casual flip-flops. Not what I was planning but, oh well. I'm so behind on my what needs to be done. *breathe Ann, breathe*

At least I will be able to have my mom's famous Hot Cross Buns (by way of Helen Bernhard Bakery ;-> ) That is a must-have-item for me on Easter. Do you have something that you just have to have on Easter?

Time For A Question!

What Easter candy do you just have to have?

For me it's a coconut filled chocolate egg from See's Candy. I also go for those malt ball Robin's eggs. Yeah baby! Anyone else a coconut lover?

And, speaking of "Robin", our lucky winner from last week's VGNO giveaway was Robin of Cinnamon & Honey. And... Wednesday the 8th just happened to be her birthday! Please wish our Virtual GNO friend a 'Happy Birthday'. And some 'Congratulations' for winning beautiful earrings of her choice from our talented and generous giveaway sponsor Rebecca of Jewelry and Gifts by Rebecca.

Now go have fun! Sign Mr. Linky's guestbook below to join the Virtual GNO. Visit those that sign-in. Go blog-hopping! That's what it's all about. I would love to meet your blog friends so post A LINK to our party on your blog and have them join us. Send our party into Twitter world. The more the merrier! That's what it's all about. (That, and the Hokey Pokey :-> )






<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 />

AND:
***** Here's something I want you to try... Will you check-out the site Beautiful! Fabulous! for me? And, while you're there, will you join this fun group? If you haven't visited this gem of a site, you're in for a treat. Some of your favorite people are there, along with terrific information. We would LOVE your support! When you join please send me a message. I can't wait to see you there :->

*** Please be kind to your fellow blogger. No cutting & pasting please ***

Cooking? I'm Working On It!

I've just started and I'm already behind. I'm in charge of the vegetable portion of our co-operative dinner party and my choice to contribute something creative has put my culinary skills to the test. This isn’t hard because I really don’t have many culinary skills.

I was lucky enough to find a spouse who loves to cook. Oh my goodness, it's just so wonderful! We can be at a restaurant and if the dish is worthy he will decipher the ingredients so he can re-create it in our own kitchen. Lucky me!

I, on the other hand, am very good with a take-out menu. I even go so far as to ask the servers if they will combine a bit of column A with a smidgen of column B. Perhaps they can throw in some of Column's C and D? Meg Ryan's character from "When Harry Met Sally" has nothing on me.

So here I stand, trying to prepare a dish that should be fairly simple, considering their instructions. However it seems to be taking me twice as long to do half as much. Did I miss out on the cooking gene?

I will continue on this path of gastronomic pleasure. I know I can do this. I mean, it can't really be this hard to make mashed potatoes, can it?

ALSO:
We have a winner for our Virtual GNO 4/3/09 party. Robin from Cinnamon & Honey is the lucky winner of a beautiful pair of earrings, her color & style choice, from Jewelry and Gifts by Rebecca. How terrific is Rebecca for offering personal choice with her jewelry creations?!! :-> Congratulations Robin!!!

The winner was chosen using Random.org. And get this, Wednesday was Robin's Birthday! Can you believe it?! Thank you Rebecca for sponsoring this giveaway.

AND:
***** Here's something I want to you to try... Will you check-out the site Beautiful! Fabulous! for me? And, while you're there, will you join this fun group? If you haven't visited this gem of a site, you're in for a treat. Some of your favorite people are there, along with terrific information. We would LOVE your support! When you join please send me a message! I can't wait to see you there!

I Propose A Ban

There are some things that look good when they are the right proportion.

Puppies are cute. Tiny tea sets with matching Tea pots are cute. Girls in party dresses and boys in little gentlemen suits are just adorable. Certain items, however, shouldn't go beyond certain sizes.

I'm making a motion to outlaw sizes 10 and over for Thongs. That's right, I said thongs over size 10 should NOT be made available to those of us that require such dimensions.

While putting clothes away I took an honest look at the things in my drawer and I honestly shuttered. What in the hell was I thinking? If I need to avoid panty lines then I need to make the investment in some Spanx. Did I really think I was doing myself, or my husband, a favor by wearing this satin butt floss?

I thought I was old enough to know better. One look in my underthings drawer clearly shows that I do not. God help me on my next shopping trip.

***** Here's something I want to you to try... Will you check-out the site Beautiful! Fabulous! for me? And, while you're there, will you join this fun group? If you haven't visited this gem of a site, you're in for a treat. Some of your favorite people are there, along with terrific information. We would LOVE your support! When you join please send me a message! I can't wait to see you there!

We Interrupt This Blog Due To Good Weather

Hallelujah! The sun is out, for 2 whole days in a row!

Please do not assume that I have nothing to share. I have plenty of stories to tell and many conversations going on in my head. It's just that the sun is out and the Pacific Northwest might reach 75 degrees. That's big!!!

I'm going to go roll around in the grass and then go plant something pretty, or tasty, then continue with my story telling.

Vitamin D here I come! :->

Virtual GNO - Positive Reinforcement Time

Yes! Another Friday is here :->

Yesterday I helped at school for Picture Day. Our school holds grades K-8, so you can imagine the attitude differences that wafted through the room filled with cameras. The precious Kindergartner's unsure of what was happening, the adorable 3rd graders making silly faces, and the self-conscious "Upper Classmen".

I spent my time running from class to class, making sure everyone used those funky plastic combs, and giving as much positive reinforcement as I could. The older boys wanted their hair to cover their precious faces and the girls were too self-aware to just relax and smile. I was sucked back to that age and I remember those feelings all too well. I just wanted to hug them all and say "You're wonderful! You're terrific! Stop worrying!" Instead I smiled as much as I could and told them they were beautiful. They are.

You know what we all need? A bit of positive reinforcement and a Virtual Girls Night Out!

For those that are new to our party, a Virtual Girls Night Out (boys welcome too)is a social, blog-hopping party. A way to meet others while in our fluffy slippers (Boys, I'm not judging ;->). The party starts here! You sign the Mr. Linky guestbook then visit fellow bloggers that have signed in as well. Please add your blog link to Mr. Linky below and join in the blog-hopping fun!

I Feel Like Singing!

This song was running through my head while I was looking at these young faces. I wish I could make them all feel safe & special.

10,000 Maniacs "These Are The Days"

Watch more Our Time in Eden videos on AOL Video

I don't think I could wear the color that Natalie Merchant is wearing in that video. Just give me 10 minutes and there would definitely be some kind of smudge or food or SOMETHING on it somewhere. Here's a question... do you wear white pants and/or a white skirt? If so, how do you stay clean? I'd be a nervous wreck.

Time For A Cocktail!

White Capris
Ingredients:
0.75 oz Banana Liqueur
0.75 oz Cream
0.75 oz White Creme de Cacao

Directions:
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.

Goodness Gracious!!! I'm going to have to do double-time on my Wii Fit after this caloric concoction! That's OK, it's worth it ;->

Time For Some Fun!

Watching those girls yesterday, with their Hollister jackets, and skinny jeans reminded me of certain clothes that I just HAD to HAVE. If I had a satin baseball jacket and San Francisco Jeans I would be IT. The clouds would part and I would be a popular girl. (Yuck.) So, tell me, what clothes did you just have to have when you were 12? 13? Be honest! Don't worry, I have no room to judge anyone ;-> I can't wait to see!

We Have A Giveaway!

One of our lovely and talented Virtual GNO guests is sponsoring this weeks giveaway. Rebecca Neiderer of Jewelry and Gifts by Rebecca is sharing her beautiful handcrafted work with us. One fortunate VGNO guest will win a pair of earrings made by Rebecca. And here's the thing, the winner can choose their preferred style & color. Rebecca will work with you to create the earrings you want. She say's "Anything goes". (And that goes for any order too. How wonderful!)

To participate in the Jewelry and Gifts by Rebecca giveaway here's what you do:

*Please visit Jewelry and Gifts by Rebecca and choose a style and color you like. Return to the Virtual GNO, week of 4/3, and leave a comment about your favorite style/color. (One Entry)
~~Additional Entry:
*Twitter about the Virtual GNO. Provide your Tweet link (One entry)

That's it! The winner will be notified on Thursday, April 9th. Good luck! :->

Now go have fun! Sign Mr. Linky's guestbook below to join the Virtual GNO. Visit those that sign-in. Go blog-hopping! That's what it's all about. I would love to meet your blog friends so post A LINK to our party on your blog and hopefully they will join us. Send our party into Twitter world. The more the merrier! :->






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********* Please be kind to your fellow blogger *******

To Those That Drive On The Busy Street Where I Live

To all who drive on the street where I live,

First let me say 'Hello'. How are you today? I have a feeling that you are in a rush. Perhaps you are frustrated that you woke up late? Or, upset that your favorite pair of pants were in the wash, which sent you running around your room looking for something else to wear, which in-turn made you a tad behind?

Whatever reason has created your fast driving, quite honestly, I DON'T CARE! There is a legal speed limit on our street so STICK TO IT! This is NOT a street for your personal use, it is a neighborhood. People live here, young children live here. I swear, some days I want to sit on my porch with a bucket of rocks and throw them at you. I really do! But, I know that no matter how recklessly you're driving, no matter how many cars you pass on a 2 lane street, I will be the one to get in trouble. Me and my bucket of rocks.

So, when I slow down and put on my turn signal 2 blocks before I pull into my driveway, don't you DARE honk at me! I gave you plenty of warning that I was turning. I live here. BACK OFF!

All right, now that I have that cleared up, you may use the street.

Thank you and have a pleasant afternoon.

Sincerely,

The Neighbor and Her Bucket of Rocks