Field Trip To The Ape Caves

Last Friday my youngest was able to immerse herself in her class study of caves. 50 Third graders, and their chaperones, headed to The Ape Caves near Mt. St. Helens, WA. This cave is the longest continuous lava tube in the continental United States. The idea of going into a deep, dark cave sounded cool. But, let me tell ya', I was so-o-o-o glad when it was over.


Lily is not-so-patiently waiting to go into the Ape Caves. (She doesn't hide her boredom well)
We're in the dark, cold, (did I mention DARK?!?) cave. If your flashlight goes out - you're outta' luck. We're in a cave!
"The Meatball". A piece of lava lodged between two shelves of lava suspended high above our heads.
Rob and Lily did a count of 3 then turned off their flashlights so I could take their picture. (It's amazing how wide your eyes get when you're in the dark. :-> )


We've made it out!
Lily gets to be "Alice In Wonderland" and go down another hole. (Oh these lucky kids! ;-> )
End of Ape Caves field trip. (Thank God!)










It was an experience I'll never forget. It's something you don't get the chance to do everyday. The kids had a great time (and I was ready for a cocktail). Isn't exploring fun? ;->

Monday's Muse - Light

The changing of the season can feel so obvious. I truly mean 'feel'. My head seems to hurt more. My emotions are a bit more raw.

I'm sure it has a lot to do with my girls returning to school. My oldest is now in 6th grade and the 'tween years are all that they say they are, and more! (* deep breaths Ann * smile * deep breaths *). I've chosen to take on a volunteer position that is very new to me. This undertaking spends more time in my brain than I want it to. The sun is starting to fade and that makes me sad. I do have a happy place though. And thank goodness it's in my neighborhood. Orleans Candle Co.

Jonathan and Tanya Scott, owners of Orleans Candle Co. have blessed my life in so many ways, they have no idea. They arrived in my little part of the world due to the tragic events of Hurricane Katrina. (Please read their story here.) Jonathan and Tanya Scott's kind, welcoming spirit make their store one of the places I can go to help me get through, or get over, emotional days.

Candles, oils, soaps... these things make me happy. I've been burning a lot of candles lately. I feel power in their light.

So what's inspiring you lately? Please join Robin at Cinnamon and Honey and share in Monday's Muse.

Virtual GNO - I'm In A Cave!

There was a pretty exciting Field Trip today. Fifty 3rd graders, and their chaperones, went into Ape Caves in Washington State. This cave is the longest continuous lava tube in the United States. So cool! Time for me to recuperate with a little Virtual Girls Night Out!

Get Your BLOG Over Here And Join The Virtual GNO!

For those that are new to the party... to join the Virtual GNO blog-hopping fun, check out this VGNO post then sign the MckLinky guest book below with your name/blog link. Visit fellow bloggers that have signed in. The Virtual GNO has some of the best blogger's around. Go blog-hopping!

Time For Some Tunes!

Zee Avi "Bitter Heart"


Love this song!

Time For A Cocktail!

Cave In
Ingredients
1 oz Southern Comfort
1 oz Vodka
1 oz Amaretto
Cranberry Juice
1 splash Orange Juice

Directions
Pour the amaretto, Bacardi 151 and Southern Comfort into an old-fashioned glass 3/4 filled with ice cubes. Stir well. Add cranberry juice to taste, and stir again briefly. Add a splash of orange juice, and serve.

I didn't want to actually have a Cave In, but I am more than happy to DRINK a Cave-In.

Time For A Party Game!

"Would you rather...?"

Here's a bit of a Truth or Dare. Answer this question...

Would you rather be able to read your husband's (spouse's) mind? Or have them be able to read yours?

Ooohhhh... Let's see... I think, oh man. Well, I think I'll go for him reading mine.

What about you? And, do you have a "Would You Rather...?" question for the VGNO party? Let's hear it. Bring it on!

VGNO Heart-Shaped Rock Project

The rock has made it's first stop at Yaya's place. Go check her out! The "little gem" has many stops waiting for it until it returns to me with all it's travel tales to tell. Would you like to play a part? Check here for more info (scoll to the bottom of the post). Please e-mail me your mailing address and I will add you to our list of VGNO participants. annharrisonATcomcastDOTcom.

Now, my dear VGNO friends, I believe I'll go have a cocktail. Start mingling. Click the MckLinky button to join the Virtual GNO. Visit those that have signed-in. Go blog-hopping! Please invite your blog readers to join us here. I would LOVE to know them and visit their sites as well. 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) The more the merrier! I want everyone to connect. That's what it's all about.




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A Thousand Words Thursday - Success!

A successful day of crabbing on the Oregon Coast. Dinner was delicious!

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

I Want To Live In A Bubble

I have strong moments and I have weak moments.

Listening to the news doesn't help me, that's for sure.

Hearing about missing students, missing children. Almost always girls, young women. Gone. Their parents let them go play, go for a bike ride, walk to school, and then they're gone.

The evil that decides to "do away with" what some parent has put their entire life "into".

I think of all the days and nights that I have worked for the betterment of my children. To make them strong, smart, productive. Being a parent is serious business and my goal is to help shape my child into a positive force in the community. A benefit to the World. The very thought that evil could take that away when they see fit makes me ill.

I wish we could live in a bubble. I wish that evil didn't exist and we could just 'Be'. I wish.

I have strong moments and I have weak moments. This is a weak moment.

I Raced For The Cure

What a fantastic turn-out for the 2009 Koman Race for the Cure! 43,000 participants filled the streets of downtown Portland yesterday and it was incredible.

And, get this. While waiting for our walk time to start my daughter and I zipped and zagged through this sea of people to get some yogurt (Thank you Yoplait). Were almost at the booth when who do I see? One of my dearest friends! We found each other in this massive crowd! I kept thinking about her, hoping I would find her, and there she was. (Maybe next I'll concentrate on getting a million dollars ;-> )

I walked with my mother, my sister and my daughter. I walked in memory of, and in support of, many women. Let's take care of each other ladies! We are very important people.

Virtual GNO - Going Pink This Weekend

Hey! Hey!

I'm going to be really active this weekend and participate in the 5K walk for Race For The Cure . I haven't walked that far in a while, so I hope I don't konk out. I'm sure I won't. I'll be surrounded by thousands and thousands of people that are either survivors, or friends of survivors, or those that will never let a loved ones memory fade. There is such an incredible energy and it makes me hopeful everytime. Let's get geared up! Let's have a Virtual Girls Night Out!

Get Your BLOG Over Here And Join The Virtual GNO!

Join the Virtual GNO blog-hopping fun. Check out this VGNO post then sign the MckLinky guest book with your name/blog link below. Visit fellow bloggers that have signed in. The Virtual GNO has some of the best blogger's around. Go blog-hopping!

Time To Move!

P!NK "So What"



Of course I'm going to play a Pink song ;->

Time For A Cocktail!

*From The Pink Drink Book*

Rasmopolitan
Ingredients:
1 1/4 parts VOX Raspberry Vodka
1/2 parts Cointreau
1 part Cranberry Juice
Squeeze of fresh Lime Juice

Directions:
Mix in shaker half-filled with ice. Pour into a chilled martini glass.

I do believe this will be my drink for the entire weekend. YUMMY!!!


Time For A Game!

Finish this scenario:

"I knew it was too quiet in there. I thought I could leave my 3 yr. old daughter playing quietly in her room with her favorite little dolls, but no. She had to explore. She had to get into "something". When I opened the door I couldn't believe I found her smoothered in ______________ ".

This really happened to me. What do you think she got into?

(If you want to know what she was smoothered in, leave me a comment. I'll tell ya'!)


The VGNO Heart-Shaped Rock Project

The heart-shaped rock has made it safe and sound to Yaya's place. I can't wait to see her picture. It's next stop? Kat's house, that Sassy Irish Lassie.

Don't know what the VGNO Heart-Shaped Project is? Click here (scroll to the bottom of the post). Would you like to take part in the Heart-Shaped Rock Project? Please e-mail me your mailing address and I will add you to our list of VGNO participants.


OK dear VGNO friends, I believe I'll go exercise so I'm ready for the walk this Sunday. (Then come back and have some pink cocktails! :-> )

Start mingling. Have fun! Click the MckLinky button to join the Virtual GNO. Visit those that have signed-in. 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) The more the merrier! I want everyone to connect. That's what it's all about.




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Our Children Are "The Label Generation"

I'm sitting in a meeting. That's unusual for me now. I only know one person. My mind wanders. ('What should I make for dinner?' 'Oh. Nordstrom is just right there. It would be so nice to go shopping.' 'I could really go for some candy right now.') Thoughts keep going through my head when I realize that I hadn't been focusing 100% of the time on the current speaker. Which led to my next thought, 'I wonder what label they would give me?'

It seems that just about every child in my daughter's classroom has some label. There's the "Hyper Active", the "Sensory Stimulation Disorder", and the good ol' "Attention Deficit". Would I be labeled as slightly Autistic because it was hard for me to meet everyone's eyes when we did the introductions around the table?

Thank goodness I wasn't born in the "Label Generation".

Ye Olde Background Check

While filling out forms at the beginning of the school year, including a Background Check so I may be accepted as a chaperone for all the little kiddies, I get a little bit panicky. I shouldn't. I haven't done anything wrong. I've never been in serious trouble. But my mind starts to wander...

I think of those times years ago, when my irresponsible, immature behavior could have altered my path and pointed me in a negative direction. I wasn't a "Wild Child" but, there are times I realized I must have had an angel on my shoulder.

When I was young I knew some of the dumb things we were doing weren’t right, but I stayed with my group of friends and continued on. Thank God there wasn’t YouTube and Facebook then! I would hate to have any stupid actions recorded for the entire World to see… forever.

Ah... to be a kid again... No Thanks. My Guardian Angel's a bit tired.

Virtual GNO - Heart Shaped Rock Project

We're getting back into the swing of things now. Laying out clothes the night before, early mornings, and healthy breakfasts. There is the other side as well, the "I don't want to get up!" speech, the "I don't like oatmeal! Don't you remember?!" statements and the "Oh man! I left my homework at home!!" cry as we arrive at school. I know what I need... A Virtual Girls Night Out!

Get Your BLOG Over Here And Join The Virtual GNO!

Join the Virtual GNO blog-hopping fun! Check out this VGNO post then sign the MckLinky guest book with your name/blog link below. 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!

Parachute "She Is Love"


Who Wants To Play "VGNO - Heart-Shaped Rock Cafe"?


(If you don't know what I'm referring to click here for last weeks post.) I'll put my little Oregon Coast treasure in the mail today. But first, I'm thirsty.

Time For A Cocktail!

Daily Mail Cocktail
Ingredients
1 dash Amaretto
2 dashes Curacao
2 oz Scotch Whisky
2 tsp Lemon Juice
1/2 tsp Powdered Sugar

Directions
Stir all ingredients together in a lowball or old-fashioned glass, and serve. (How about on the rocks?! ;-> )

Let's Get This Rock Rollin'!



The first stop for the heart-shaped rock is over at Yaya's place. When she receives this little "gem" she will take a picture of herself, or someone (or place) special, with the rock in the picture and post it on her blog. She then will send the heart-shaped rock to the next VGNO guest (I'll let her know who :-> ). They will take a picture with it, and so on, and so on, and so on. As the photo gallery grows I will create a little "VGNO Heart-Shaped Rock Cafe" slideshow of all of us.

If you haven't signed up yet, here's what you do:

1.) Leave me a direct e-mail letting me know you would like to participate. Include your mailing address. annharrisonATcomcastDOTnet
2.) I will compile a list of those that would like to participate. (Top Secret! Addresses are just for the VGNO Heart-Shaped Rock project. They go no where else.)
3.) I'll send you an e-mail confirming your mailing address before I mail the gem.
4.) Let me know when you receive the VGNO Heart-Shaped rock. I will then give you the mailing address of the next participant.

If only I were delivering this heart-shaped rock in person! I wish. I'll be the last person to receive the rock, keeping it forever as a symbol of all the cool people I've meet through my blog.

Now, my dear VGNO friends, I believe I'll go have a cocktail. Start mingling. Have fun! Click the MckLinky button to join the Virtual GNO. Visit those that have signed-in. 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) The more the merrier! I want everyone to connect. That's what it's all about.

**Also, I've got a cool giveaway item on my other blog Ann Again... and again Reviews. Be sure and check it out! **

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

This bowl was intended for a sweet, little goldfish. Well, the cats joined our house first and they showed us they wanted the bowl.

"This Bowl Isn't Big Enough For The Both Of Us"



Maddy won...


I know that if we hadn't taken this bowl away from them Maddy & Phoebe would still try to fit into it. (The glass made me so-o-o-o nervous.)

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

***Hey! I have a giveaway going on over at Ann Again... and again Reviews. Check it out. And good luck!***

Voices In My Head

Snippets playing out in my brain:

*Spandex should be in every article of clothing. Every one.

*I heard the janitor at my girls school get mad, totally blow his top, at a parent this morning. At first we thought he was kidding, but nope. (Maybe someone hid his bong and it's made him cranky.)

*It's the 2nd day of school and I realize I've volunteered to help in 3 classrooms. Ummm... we'll see how that pans out.

Is This Day Really Here?

Ugh.

I'm not sure how I feel today.

Girls returned to school this morning.

Summer vacation is over. Sad. (I absolutely LOVE sleeping in.)

I know I should be doing something productive but, I just keep looking at my list of Things To Do and walk on by. It's like I've been preparing for this day, and now that it's happened... I feel kind of drained.

I wanted my girls to be active this summer. Check.
I wanted to have "Family Time". Check.
I wanted to take pictures to prove we had "Family Time". Check.

We did a tiny bit of Back-To-School shopping and layed out the outfits last night. Today they are being worn by nervous little girls who, I hope, will relax into their new routines and feel good. I've done all I can, it's up to them.


"At the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents and the best schools in the world, and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities," President Barack Obama to students 9/8/09.

Virtual GNO - Guess Where I Am?

Hey! My dear party going Virtual GNO pals. Guess what? I'm not here. And by that I mean 'I'm not where I usually am when I'm having my Virtual GNO with you all'. I am blissfully at the Oregon Coast. As a matter of a fact, I'm looking at the Pacific Ocean right now. (Glancing away from laptop... there it is... gorgeous water...Nice) Heck. Let's still do it! Let's have a Virtual Girls Night Out.

Get Your BLOG Over Here!

Join the Virtual GNO blog-hopping fun! Check out this VGNO post then sign the MckLinky guest book with your name/blog link below. 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 Something Completely Different

Hey friends I am on a laptop that is s-o-o s-l-o-o-o-w-w that it's painful. And with that I'm sure you can understand why this VGNO is going to be different, as in, no music this week and no party game. GEEZ! It's taken the system 5 minutes just to type this paragraph!!! And for this reason I need a lovely cocktail.

Time For A Cocktail!

A Day at the Beach

Ingredients:
5 oz Amaretto
5 oz Grenadine
4 oz Orange juice
1 oz Coconut Rum
Directions:
Mix together with crushed ice in a glass and garnish with mint leaves

Slow computer? What slow computer? This beverage makes me feel all warm and fuzzy :->

Who Wants To Play "VGNO Heart-Shaped Rock Cafe"?

While strolling on the beach I've found a heart-shaped rock. This rock has given me an idea. I want to send it to you! Once you receive the heart-shaped rock, take a picture of yourself, or someone (or place) special, with the rock in the picture and post it on your blog. You then will send the heart-shaped rock to the next VGNO guest. They take a picture with it, and so on, and so on, and so on. As the photo gallery grows I will create a little "VGNO Heart-Shaped Rock Cafe" slideshow of all of us.

Here's the plan:

1.) Leave me a direct e-mail letting me know you would like to participate. Include your mailing address. annharrisonATcomcastDOTnet
2.) I will compile a list of those that would like to participate. (Top Secret! Addresses are just for the VGNO Heart-Shaped Rock project. They go no where else.)
3.) I'll send you an e-mail confirming your mailing address before I mail the gem.
4.) Let me know when you receive the VGNO Heart-Shaped rock. I will then give you the mailing address of the next participant.

Just think of where my little Oregon Coast rock will go! The people it will visit! Oh, if only it were me, actually meeting you in person. *heavy sigh* (Guitar Guy wanted me to call it "Get Your Heart On", but I just couldn't bring myself to it ;->)


Now, my dear VGNO friends, I believe I'll go have a drink. You start mingling! Have fun! Click the MckLinky button to join the Virtual GNO. Visit those that have signed-in. 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) The more the merrier! I want everyone to connect. That's what it's all about.



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A Thousand Words Thursday - Maddy and Phoebe Get Cozy Part IV

While in our tiny NYC apartment our new kittens were always finding new places to get cozy. There was the shoe rack, the umbrella basket, my purse hanging on a peg. Now they were going for the tough street scene of the big city. Phoebe hanging out in a paper bag.



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

Time To Vent - Part ???

While hanging out at our house my daughter's friends loose tooth comes out. Good for her! We put it into a plastic zip-top bag and she puts it in her pocket. As the day goes on my daughter asks if her friend could have a sleep-over ('Again?!', I'm thinking. We should just get her her own bed. She's been with us so much she's like our 3rd daughter!)

After the familiar dancing, laughing, fits and fights the girls finally wind down and fall asleep. My husband and I thought it would be nice if we shared with this young girl what we have done for our children regarding The Tooth Fairy. We print out a certificate, add some fancy hand-writing of 'Congratulations', 'Good job', stuff like that, then fold it up nicely with a dollar bill and slip in under the pillow while we remove the plastic bag with the tooth in it. Sweet and simple.

As I was making the switch this young girl rustled. I quickly dropped to my knees and stayed quiet until I felt the coast was clear. Whew. Being on Tooth Fairy duty can be risky.

The next morning, after breakfast, my daughter and her friend asked me to come talk with them in the Living Room. My daughter pats the couch cushion beside her as a gesture of "Sit next to me Mom". After I sit down I ask 'What's up?'. My daughter says "I know you're the Tooth Fairy Mom". Wha'???

I look at her friend who has a huge smirk on her face. My daughter says "It's OK Mom. Really." I had to look away. I was just so sad. And pissed. I turned back to hear this friend say "I saw you. I was awake." *smirk*smirk*

My head was flooded with 'What do I say?' and 'How do I recover?' My daughter said, "Mom, really, think about it. A little fairy? Trying to carry a huge molar?" I know. I know. And I'm sure that my oldest has known for quiet some time. The thing that gets me, what makes me livid, is that her friend ratted me out.

My husband and I had a guest in our home and since she was going through a bit of a transition we thought we would extend a courtesy, share something fun that we do as a family, with this young girl. And what does she do? She shares what she knows with my daughter.

I had to walk away. I was just so sad. I knew I was being unreasonable, but I was so mad. I went to my husband and told him what happened. He was sad too. He said "Well, we had a good run."

We extended a gift, an innocent gesture, to hopefully make a little girl feel special. What we received was another little piece of innocense lost. And here I am, a melodramatic mother, crying about yet another fantasy her daughter has grown out of.