Monday's Muse - Feeling "Beachy" Keen

If it's Monday then it's time to share with Robin of Cinnamon and Honey and her Monday's Muse. She wants you to share something that's currently meaningful... a song, a video, a poem, a book, a movie, a person... or anything that's gotten into your head and you can't get rid of. If it's important, she want to know all about it!

Guess where I am? :->



Sand between my toes, gorgeous sky, clean sea air. It feels so wonderful to breathe again.

Please visit Robin at Cinnamon and Honey and share your Monday's Muse

Virtual GNO - Back To School Countdown

I did it! I survived Back-To-School shoe shopping with my girls. (We return Sept. 8th) Geez! With my oldest I wonder if she would rather pull a "Nell" and just go live in the forest. She absolutely HATES shoe shopping. Me? I don't mind so much. And you know what else I don't mind? A Virtual Girls Night Out!

Get Your BLOG Over Here!

To join the Virtual GNO blog-hopping fun, check out this VGNO post then sign the MckLinky guest book with your name/blog link. Visit fellow bloggers that have signed in. (We've been hanging out with each other for over a year now! Isn't that something?) The Virtual GNO has some of the best blogger's around. Go blog-hopping!

Time For Some Tunes!

Simon Cowell said this guy had the "best audition ever". Well, ok. I know he's seen more auditions than I have. I will say, I like him! And this song fits for my dear blog friends :->

Danyl Johnson "With A Little Help From My Friends"

X Factor: S06E01 - Danyl Johnson Audition
by iMMOnline

What a cutie. And he's a teacher too! Yeah for Teachers!

Time For A Cocktail!

Teacher's Pet
Ingredients:
1 oz Scotch
1 oz coffee liqueur
milk or cream
Preparation:
Pour the Scotch and coffee liqueur in an old-fashioned glass filled with ice. Fill with milk or cream. Shake by placing a mixing tin over the glass and giving it one or two good shakes.

Hmmm... there is one particular Teacher at the school who always carries a coffee cup with them. Hmmmm? Could this beverage be in that cup? ;->

Time For A Party Game!

"The Mighty Four"

Four places I go over and over:
1. Fred Meyer
2. Target
3. Trader Joe's
4. (My van)

Four places I would rather be:
1. Calistoga, CA
2. Calistoga, CA
3. Calistoga, CA
4. Calistoga, CA (Oh... the wine tasting... the gorgeous hills... the wine tasting)

Four things I have for breakfast (not all at once):
1. Coffee (What's in the coffee cup Ann? Hmmmm? ;-> )
2. Cereal
3. Yogurt
4. Scrambled Eggs

Your turn! Please share your Mighty Four I can't wait to see your answers.

Now, my dear VGNO friends, go have fun! Click the MckLinky button to join the Virtual GNO. Visit those that have signed-in. It's a party so go mingle, go blog-hopping! That's what it's all about. Share this party with your blog friends, post A LINK to the Virtual GNO on your blog and have your readers join us. Send our party into the Twitter world. (#VGNO) Leave your Twitter ID in the comments section. The more the merrier! I want everyone to connect. That's what it's all about.


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*Be Kind To Your Fellow Blogger * No Cutting & Pasting*

A Thousand Words Thursday - Maddy & Phoebe Get Cozy Part III

While in our tiny NYC apartment our new kittens were always finding new places to get cozy. There was the shoe rack, and then there was the umbrella basket . Here's where I found Maddy when I was about to grab my bag to go to work.

I was so tempted to take her with me!

To visit others taking part in A Thousand Words Thursday visit Jen's Cheaper Than Therapy.

The Pool Can Be So Cruel

I've been trying to get myself into better shape. I don't want my girls to think that it's all about being "skinny", so I tell them 'I'm working to become stronger'. But losing weight is part of my goal, of course.

On our families recent trip (see Altitude Adjustment) I quickly noticed that we were in a different place. A place where cars use a LOT of gasoline, a place where having a Housekeeper is a given, a place where a monthly trip for a "touch-up" is probably not unheard of. (Not that I'm against any of these things - except the cars- it's just... it's not my norm.)

Nowhere did I feel more out of place than at the pool. I was seeing women with children, but I was finding it hard to believe that these woman carried anything other than a tennis racket or a Birkin Bag. Hmmm... "That's OK Ann', I kept telling myself 'You look just fine. You're stronger than you were 5 months ago. Keep going.'

While coyly glancing around trying to find a body shape that some what resembled mine, I finally found her. Over by the wading pool, splashing with her children with her back to me, there she was in a dark blue swimsuit. Ah, a REAL woman's shape. A booty, some thighs. Yeah! We could start our own little club!

I started to feel a bit at ease after noticing my "Body Buddy". I removed my swimsuit cover-up and lounged on a chaise, basking in the sun. While slathering on the SPF 80 that's when my new best friend dashed my spirit. She turned profile to reveal she was pregnant. At least 7 months.

Oh well, I'm stronger than I was 5 months ago, I'm stronger than I was 5 months ago... have I convinced myself yet?

Monday's Muse: Ready For Laughs

If it's Monday then it's time to share with Robin of Cinnamon and Honey and her Monday Muse. She wants you to share something that's currently meaningful... a song, a video, a poem, a book, a movie, a person... or anything that's gotten into your head and you can't get rid of. If it's important, she want to know all about it!

Next week my husband, girls and I will join my mom and sister at the glorious Oregon coast. We stay in a very tall house that we have dubbed "Our castle on a cloud". (It's tall so the top floor has a view of the ocean. Pictures to come!)

When we gather together there's always laughs...


I can't wait for our trip.

Virtual GNO - Vacation & Ankle Cream!

I know that some families have already started the school year but we're just getting started on our family summer vacation. (School starts Sept. 8th). I do love having time with my family but, honestly, I'm ready for a "vacation" from our family vacation. Virtual Girls Night Out anyone?! :->

Get Your BLOG Over Here!

To join the Virtual GNO blog-hopping fun, check out this VGNO post then sign the MckLinky guest book with your name/blog link. Visit fellow bloggers that have signed in. (We've been hanging out with each other for over a year now! Isn't that something?) The Virtual GNO has some of the best blogger's around. Go blog-hopping!

Time To Dance!

Go-Go's "Vacation"

The Go-gos Vacation
by Celtiemama

Oh man! I loved The Go-Go's. I wanted to be the drummer (I can't drum, oh well).

Time For A Cocktail!

Vacation

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz. Light Rum
1/3 oz. Sweet & Sour Mix
Fill with 7-UP
Splash of Rose's Lime Juice
Splash of Cherry Juice
Splash of Pineapple Juice

Directions:
Pour ingredients into a shaker and pour over ice.

I could go for a couple of those right now! (Yup. I said 'a couple')

Time To Share!

On our vacation at Black Butte Ranch we did some horse back riding...



And we must have S'mores



There are more pics that I'll share later. So, what about you? Do you have pictures from summer vacation? Please share them at the VGNO.


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.

Now, my dearest VGNO friends, go have fun! Click the MckLinky button to join the Virtual GNO. Visit those that have signed-in. It's a party so go mingle. Go blog-hopping! That's what it's all about. Share this party with your blog friends, post A LINK to the Virtual GNO on your blog and have your readers join us. Send our party into the Twitter world. (#VGNO) Leave your Twitter ID in the comments section. The more the merrier! I want everyone to connect. That's what it's all about.




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*Be Kind To Your Fellow Blogger * No Cutting & Pasting*

Altitude Adjustment

I have entered the land of the Rover and the Hummer. The zone of the Escalade and Acadia. My family and I are at Black Butte Ranch in Central Oregon and it's a whole other world than ours. The women are fit and the children are well behaved. We stick out like a sore thumb.

Our weathered minivan makes a left on Ponderosa Lane and curves down Partridge Foot Ave. with our dashboard Buddha to light the way. I have the Buddha as a marker because, you see, where we come from, the minivan is the common car, not a "price-of-a-home-on-wheels". But here, there is no mistaking our van in this parking lot.

I can't wait to see what this trip has in store. My girls have spent too many days together and it's showing. Maybe they will learn by osmosis how to get along in public, like all of these seemingly well mannered children at this resort. Um... I doubt it. When is the first day of school again?

Monday's Muse

The dear, dear, fantastic Robin at Cinnamon and Honey has a new meme "Monday's Muse". She wants us to share something that's currently meaningful to us... a song, a video, a poem, a book.

Rob and I saw Colin Hay (a.k.a. Men At Work, 80's fame) last week and he was terrific. Here's one of our favorite songs from Colin Hay.

Colin Hay "Waiting For My Real Life To Begin"



This song brings me to tears. I'm sure my age plays a part in my reaction. I still have a dreamy side to me, the things that I still want to do, but I haven't done them. For what ever reason... time constraints, where I'm at in this stage of my life, fear. Most likely it's fear. Geez I hate it! Caroline from The Zen In You shared with me this explanation: "F.E.A.R. False Evidence Appearing Real". Oh yeah baby, that speaks to me.

Time to move on from fear. Time for strength.

Please visit Robin at Cinnamon and Honey and share your Monday Muse.

Virtual GNO - Dear Diary

I don't know what's going on with me lately but I've been reminiscing. Maybe it's the Back-to-School season, maybe my Gingko Biloba is finally kicking in and my memory is improving, I don't know. What I do know is that I'm in the mood for a Virtual Girls Night Out!

Get Your BLOG Over Here!

To join the Virtual GNO blog-hopping fun, check out this VGNO post then sign the MckLinky guest book with your name/blog link. Visit fellow bloggers that have signed in. (We've been hanging out with each other for over a year now! Isn't that something?) It's a party so at a party you mingle, right? The Virtual GNO has some of the best blogger's around. Go blog-hopping! I want everyone to connect. That's what it's all about.

Time To Jump!

R.E.M. "Radio Free Europe"


Soundtrack of my life. Ah... good times


Time For A Cocktail!

My first legal drink was a Tequila Sunrise. I thought I was so fancy!

Tequila Sunrise
Ingredients:
2 ounces gold tequila
4 ounces fresh orange juice
3/4 ounce grenadine
Directions:
Place ice in glass so it is half full. Add tequila followed by the fresh orange juice. Put a spoon into the glass. Add the grenadine quickly, allowing it run down the back side of the spoon so it sinks to the bottom of the liquid.
Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.

I remember Madonna ordering this in Desperately Seeking Susan and I knew that would be what I ordered on my birthday. I was a sucker for Madonna ;->

Time For A Party Game!

"Dear Diary"

To play "Dear Diary" fill-in the blanks using the chart below. Now, this game will hint at your age. Get ready!

Dear Diary,

My best friend (a)______ and I went shopping for (b)______. We wanted to show them off when we went to hang out at the (c)______. You won't BELIEVE who we saw at the mall. (d)______! We screamed so loud they had to call Security. It was the best day ever!

Now, fill-in the blanks with the time-table of the year you entered High School.

Entered High School:
1975-1979 (a) Donna
1980-1983 (a) Tiffany
1984-1988 (a) Claire
1989-1993 (a) Jennifer
1994-1996 (a) Alanis

Entered High School:
1975-1979 (b) Bell Bottoms
1980-1983 (b) Argyle Sweater
1984-1988 (b) Neon Leggings
1989-1993 (b) Black Rubber Bracelets
1994-1996 (b) $200 Ripped Jeans

Entered High School:
1975-1979 (c) Roller Rink
1980-1983 (c) Arcade
1984-1988 (c) Food Court
1989-1993 (c) Multi-Plex
1994-1996 (c) Skate Park

Entered High School:
1975-1979 (d) John Travolta
1980-1983 (d) Mel Gibson
1984-1988 (d) Tom Cruise
1989-1993 (d) Brad Pitt
1994-1996 (d) Keanu Reeves

*Me*
Dear Diary,
My best friend Tiffany and I went shopping for Argyle sweaters...
My age? Now you know ;->


Alright now my dearest VGNO friends, go have fun! Click the MckLinky button to join the Virtual GNO. Visit those that have signed-in. It's a party so go mingle. Go blog-hopping! That's what it's all about. Share this party with your blog friends, post A LINK to the Virtual GNO on your blog and have your readers join us. Send our party into the Twitter world. (#VGNO) Leave your Twitter ID in the comments section. The more the merrier! I want everyone to connect. That's what it's all about.



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*Be Kind To Your Fellow Blogger * No Cutting & Pasting*

The One About The Toddler Swing

Driving past a park yesterday my oldest said "Ugh. Don't remind me." 'What?' I said. 'What do you mean?' "That PARK!" She growled. Wha'??? OOooohhhh. THAT park. I remember...

While returning home one late afternoon a 7 year old Katie looked out the window of our car and saw a very inviting park. "Please Mom! Ple-e-e-ase can we go to the park?" It seemed like a fine idea to me so I made a right and parked the car.

It didn't take long for Katie to get herself into a situation. You see Katie has always been tall for her age and she isn't always cool with it, especially not at 7 years old. So while I was playing with my little 4 year old Lily, Katie was trying to fit herself into a toddler swing. A small, rubber-bucket-with-leg-holes-too-little-for-a-7-year-old toddler swing.



I hear "Mom! Help! I can't get my legs out!!!" I turn to see my girl trying desperately to lift herself from the rubber diaper. When I get a closer look I see that her little legs are in those sockets good and tight. I try to lift her but it doesn't work. She's in pain and I'm trying not to panic.

For some reason, I don't know why, I called my husband at work. As if he had some magic potion to fix this. I think I just wanted him to be a part of this crazy situation too so he got in his car and arrived at the park with a screwdriver. (Male thought process: "A tool. Something is stuck, I must bring a tool!" I don't know.)

Rob can't get her out of the swing either. He concludes her light weight cotton pants are putting pressure on the situation so he has Katie tuck them up as high as she can on her leg. Now we really see her legs and how they are swelling. Time to call 911.

When the first fire truck (and I mean first truck) arrives they stifle their laughter at the sweet little girl who appears to be wearing a large rubber diaper while being suspended by heavy metal chains. While doing our best to keep Katie calm and her mind on all of her favorite things, we notice her little sister has discovered a new game; rolling around in a pile of dry leaves then picking every last bit of debris from her fleece coat. Hours of fun for this little girl!

The first fire truck doesn't have the right tools and neither does the second fire truck. When the 3rd fire truck arrives the local college track team joins the party and gets into a stretching session at the park. Oh good! An audience!

Katie was cut down from the swing and carried to a bench. She seemed to resign herself to her situation and folded her arms leisurely behind her head. While a team of Fire Fighters stratched their heads and tried to come up with a plan my Katie was trying to find shapes in clouds and my Lily was on her 8th round of rolling in the leaves. This was not my best day as a Mom.

With snips of a bolt cutter, and lots of salve applied to her legs, the swing finally released it's grip. The Captain in charge handed us the mangled rubber swing and said "Do you want to keep this?" For some strange reason we did. We needed physical proof of what brought 3 teams of Fire Fighters to their knees and 1 family a story that will go down in our history.

Mommy's Time Out

I thought I could do it. I thought I could take all the children of the neighborhood, and their friends too, and give them a fun, safe place to be this summer. It turns out that takes more inner strength than I possess. At least day-after-day.

I was able to get away for 2 whole nights last weekend. I had play-dates/sleep-overs arranged for both our girls, and our dog too. While away I received calls about behavior, along with "what should I do?" queries. Hmmm... I wasn't feeling so "away" anymore.

When I returned home I found my home filled with not only my husband and our girls, but 3 neighbor kids and a niece that needed a home for 3 nights. Hmmm...

One by one they greeted me with a hug. In my heart I knew this was a wonderful greeting but, in my head, I was screaming "Get OUT!!!" I put on a plastic smile and headed to my bedroom. Mommy needs a time out.

I couldn't believe how I felt. I was mad at myself. How could I be upset with the fact that kids wanted to be at my house? I should feel happy that they like to hang out here. But I wasn't happy. I started to cry. And I couldn't stop. I had the fleeting thought of 'This must be what a nervous breakdown feels like'.

I stayed in my room for the longest time. I organized my closet and put away clothes that had been in a pile for a month. I went through my drawers and discarded old t's that I knew I would never wear again. I dusted the dresser and tossed old perfume that had lost it's sweetness and smelled like vinegar. Not sexy, unless you're an Easter egg.

It was a good Mommy's Time Out. Very necessary. I'm more aware of my limits now. I am saying "No" more often. I feel a bit sad but, my sad feeling doesn't stay long. I want all the kids to have fun and be safe. I now know that I need to save me first.

Virtual GNO - Thank You John Hughes

This week has flown by. I was actually able to be away for 2 nights but trying to coordinate child-care and dog care kind of took the fun out of it. Too much stress! You know what I'm in the mood for? A Virtual Girls Night Out!

New to the Virtual GNO? Welcome! This party has some of the best bloggers around! The original Virtual Girls Night Out is a blog-hopping party that I started last summer. I turned to my blog friends when I couldn't find a sitter that would allow me to actually get out of the house. Instead I'm "virtually out" with all of you!

Get Your BLOG Over Here!

To join the blog-hopping fun, check out this VGNO post then sign the MckLinky guest book with your name/blog link. Visit fellow bloggers that have signed in. It's a party so at a party you mingle, right? Go blog-hopping! I want everyone to connect. That's what it's all about.

Well, I have to say I am so sad, so bummed, that John Hughes passed away yesterday. Only 59! Damn! His stories, his words, they are a part of my history, my life story. I use phrases from his movies a lot. (I've gotten better at just saying them in my head. I don't want to annoy ;-> ) This Virtual GNO is for you John. R.I.P.

Simple Minds "Don't You Forget About Me"


How can you not sing-a-long to this song? When it plays in the car my dashboard is my keyboard. (I know I'm not alone on this, right?)

Time For A Cocktail!

Pretty In Pink
Ingredients:
1/2 oz Vodka
1 oz Captain Morgan® Parrot Bay pineapple rum
1 oz DeKuyper® Island Blue Pucker schnapps
1 oz DeKuyper® Peachtree schnapps
1/2 oz Rose's® grenadine syrup
1/2 oz Rose's® sweet and sour mix
Directions:
Shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice then strain into glass.

Yowzaa! Just one of these beverages, if you please. Oh, maybe two. If I have three I'll be Pretty In Green, if you know what I mean.

Time For A Winner!

Our lovely friend Sue from Stay At Home Mom is the lucky winner of the GoPicnic giveaway! Let's go congratulate our dear blog friend.

Time For A Giveaway!

Some where in the house a radio is on, or a CD is playing. I have to have music playing. (It's been the "Pretty In Pink" Soundtrack today.) Sure I love to hear birds singing and leaves rustling in the wind, but they sound even better with some tunes to go with them ;->.

There's an internet radio service called Slacker Radio. They have a free service which I completely enjoy. Slacker.com is offering their Radio Plus service FREE for 3 months for 3 lucky winners at the VGNO 8/7. Check 'em out.

To Enter The Slacker.com Giveaway:
* Leave a comment saying you want to be entered. = 1 Entry
* Announce the VGNO Slacker.com giveaway on Twitter. = 1 Entry

Winner will be announced on 8/14. US Residents Only. Good Luck!

Time For A Question

If you are the age group who grew up with John Hughes movies, did you have a favorite? If so, why? Do you still quote John Hughes movies? Give me a quote!


Alright now my dearest VGNO friends, go have fun! Click the MckLinky button to join the Virtual GNO. Visit those that have signed-in. It's a party so go mingle. Go blog-hopping! That's what it's all about. Share this party with your blog friends, post A LINK to the Virtual GNO on your blog and have them join us. Send our party into the Twitter world. (#VGNO) Leave your Twitter ID in the comments section. The more the merrier! I want everyone to connect. That's what it's all about.



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*Be Kind To Your Fellow Blogger * No Cutting & Pasting*

A Thousand Words Thursday - Getting Cozy

****************************************************************

When returning home from work we never knew where we would find our little kitties Maddy and Phoebe.

In part 2 of my series "Maddy and Phoebe Get Cozy" I found a sleeping kitty in the umbrella basket. (See part one click here.)

To visit others taking part in A Thousand Words Thursday visit Jen's Cheaper Than Therapy.

Valium Flavored Punch

Do you think I'll lose points if I start serving this punch to the kiddies? ;-> (See previous post)

Hopefully when you're reading this I'm not rocking in the corner and mumbling to the voices in my head.

*Thanks Audra for sending me this card :->

I'm Losin' It

We interrupt this life to have a bit of a nervous breakdown.

Too many kids. NO respect. Weeks on end, it's getting to me.

Dropping off, not asking if it's OK.

Out of town for 2 days and receive calls about my children. Can't someone else 'take care', like I have 'taken care' for them?!?

Returning from a trip to find someone is staying for days. Again, not asking if it's OK.

Filthy house.

I'm losin' it.