Yes, I Drive A Mini Van - So What?!?

And the reason people, mostly women, give the mini-van a bad time is why? I mean really? Is it because of the shape? Is that it? Or, is it because it's a vehicle that fits more than 4 people which makes it a perfect vehicle for parents? Further confirming that 'yes' you are a parent and 'yikes' you're not ready to deal with that fact.

I have driven a mini-van for, oh, about 5 years now and I honestly love it. I love that it has all the room I need, that my 2 children can sit 1 row from each other, and that, if need be, I can help a friend out with a little bit of moving. (Taking out the back row is great!)

Yes someone said something that prompted this rant. And yes, I let them know how I felt about this silly, on-going subject. But... I guess I still had a little more to say

T.T. - Lilac Part 3 & Vlog

It's the 3rd week of the "Tracking Tuesday - Lilac" project and the growth on this stem is taking too long for me. I want some buds! Time to move to another part of this Lilac bush.











These little blossoms will be delightful to follow. Can't wait to see (and smell them) next Tuesday.










*Let's see how Rob's Greenhouse is doing...



Follow the lovely growth as I track the spring time blossoms every Tuesday. It all began here.

Shock and Oh No

When I saw my dearest 12 yr. old daughter with her hair down, not in the pony-tail that she sports every day, I was thrilled. I had just arrived at her school for volunteer work and here she was, running towards me from the playground with her arms outstretched. She's not too self-conscious to hug me, I was thinking. What a sweetie. "Thank goodness you're here" she said, "I can't believe what I've done!"

Uh oh.

We found a quiet corner and she took many deep breaths. I didn’t have a good feeling about this, my mind was racing. I asked why her hair was down; she said it was so no one would recognize her. Ahhh… the old disguise trick.

Finally she said “I kicked a boy in the nuts.” I know my first reaction shouldn’t be a giggle, so I stifled it the best I could. ‘Why? Why would you do that?’ I said. “He was making fun of my friend! Oh, I’m going to be in so much trouble. Can we go home?” Nope.

I did my best to calm her down and to direct her toward a teacher so she could come clean with her revenge tactic and move on with the day.

While I was escorting community volunteers to our weekly children’s reading program we walked by the office, and who should be sitting outside the Principal’s office but my nut-kicking daughter. One volunteer asked “Isn’t that your daughter?” Um, well, yes.

It’s moments like these that make a mother proud. I can’t wait to see what she gets me for Mothers Day.

Virtual Girls Night Out - Unorganized

I'm so behind in my Easter plans. I can't believe how soon it is! I better get myself in gear and start organizing. But not before I hang out with my blog friends at our Virtual Girls Night Out!

* The VGNO is for those of us who couldn't get a baby-sitter but still need to break away from the cries and demands of our family, if only for a little bit. This is a blog-hopping party that's began in 2008. Check out this post, then add your blog name & link to Simply Linked below. Click on blog links that have joined our party. Visit new friends & go blog-hopping! Happy VGNO! *

Time For A Cocktail!

White Pear Martini
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. brewed white pear tea, cooled
- 1 oz. vodka
- 2 oz. pear nectar
Directions:
Combine in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a thin slice of pear.

Ah... delicious! Tastes like Spring to me. (That is, if Spring had a taste.)


Time For Some Tunes!

The beautiful and talented Robin from Cinnamon & Honey shared this and I just had to pass it along.

OK Go "This Too Shall Pass"


That video takes more than one viewing! So great.


Time For A Giveaway!

There is one week left in the CafePress giveaway. Due to advertizing obligations this giveaway is being held on my review site, Ann Again... and again Reviews. Please click here and enter for your chance to win a T-shirt of your choosing for you and one for your child!

*** The lucky winner of "From Beer to Maternity" by Maggie Lamond Simone from the VGNO - Starting Over party was Mayra at "My Life In High Heels". Congratulations Mayra! ***

*Now go add your blog link to Simply Linked below and join the Virtual Girls Night Out! Visit those that have signed in. The list will grow through out the weekend so come back and see who has joined our party. I hope you meet some wonderful bloggers! Have fun!



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I Get The Message - ATWT

While unpacking I walked into the bathroom to find Phoebe sitting in the sink. (I guess I didn't supply enough fresh water in the cats dish while we were away for a few days.)

Check out other pics participating in A Thousand Words Thursday at Jen's Musings of The Mom Jen.

Tracking Tuesday - Lilac Part 2

How is the lilac doing this week? ...



Follow this lovely bud as I track it's spring time bloom every Tuesday. Beginning here.

Well, This Is A First

*I remember when...


It was a much needed getaway for my husband and myself. We were lucky enough to go to our favorite location, Calistoga, CA. After we picked up our rental car from the Oakland Airport we put in our favorite music and headed down the highway, car-top down. The difference in weather from Portland, OR to Calistoga can make an Oregonian's spirit soar. Yes Virginia, there is blue sky.

The next day starts with a fantastic breakfast, followed by a drive to many wineries. The top is down on the convertable and I feel light as a feather. I know that my children are in good hands at home and, well, wine makes me happy!

We arrive for our appointment for afternoon massages feeling comfortable and relaxed. I didn't think anything could take me from this blissful feeling. That was until the desk clerk went over our reservation. It seems that we had been booked to have a "Couples Special". Um... OK... I look at Rob and he looks to the clerk to say that that wasn't what he signed up for. Well, it turns out that that IS what he signed up for, he just didn't understand their Zen-like lingo. Um... OK... Nothing else was available for a week. Well, on we go!

Our "Couples Special" turned out to be hosted by a boy. (Maybe I'm exaggerating. He couldn't have been over 22 years old, at this point in my life that's a "boy".) Our host walked with us through our couples mud baths, (followed by couples rinsing off from places you had no idea mud could even go)to couples eucalyptus steams, then to massages. And the whole time Hubby and I are naked, in case you didn't know.

I allowed myself to "go-with-the-Zen-flow", disrobe and get all muddy with my buddy while our skater-dude brought us spring water with lemon. Maybe it was the eucalyptus wafting through, or maybe it was Enya coming from the speakers but not having clothes on didn't bother me after a while. It was an experience like no other. I hope I haven't scared that poor skater-dude for life.

Virtual Girls Night Out - Spring! & A Giveaway

Almost...

It's almost here... officially.

Spring!!!

The first day of Spring officially begins on March 20th. I can't wait to break out of this winter funk. It hit me hard this year. Let's spread the joy and get going with our Virtual Girls Night Out!

*The VGNO is for those of us who couldn't get a baby-sitter but still need to break away from the cries and demands of our family, if only for a little bit. This is a blog-hopping party that's been happening since 2008. So check out this post, add your blog title and link to Simply Linked below and visit those that have done the same. Go blog-hopping! Happy VGNO! *


Time For A Cocktail!

Cilantro Martini
~Heaping handful fresh cilantro
~1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
~Juice from 1 lime
~1/2 oz simple syrup
~2 oz citrus vodka
~1/2 oz gin
Fill shaker with crushed ice, cilantro, lime juice, and simple syrup, and muddle well. Add vodka and gin. Shake well, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Whaddya' think? Sound 'Springy'? :->


Time For Some Tunes!

David Gray "Fugitive"


Oh man, I've been a fan since "White Ladder". So good.

Time For A Party Game!

With Spring approaching let's play "Feeling of Spring In One Word"

If your first name begins with the letter A - E describe Spring in one word beginning with the letter S. Since I'm Ann I will say "Sunny". (Please, oh please let it be sunny). Follow the chart to see which letter you will use.

A - D = S
E - H = P
I - L = R
M - P = I
Q - T = N
U - Z = G

Get out your Thesauruses! I can't wait to see what you come up with!!

Time For A Giveaway!

I am so excited to share with you a giveaway from a fun company CafePress. Due to advertizing obligations this giveaway is being held on my review site, Ann Again... and again Reviews. Please click here and enter for your change to win a T-shirt for you and one for your child!


*Now go add your blog link to Simply Linked below and join the Virtual Girls Night Out! Visit those that have signed in. The list will grow through out the weekend so come back and see who has joined our party. I hope you meet some wonderful bloggers! Have fun!




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Katie and Her Tree

Since Katie was around 5 she has had a special bond with the cherry tree in our back yard. She claimed it as her own, calling it "My cherry tree". Every year she climbs higher and higher. Yes, there was that one time when she was smaller and her fear got the best of her, she couldn't get down. Praise for the wonderful neighbors who gathered round and helped her! (And don't bring that up unless you want the cold, steely stare of a 12 year old!)

I was looking for her yesterday and she was no where in our house. I had a suspicion that she might be in "her" tree...




"And that's how you climb a tree!"

Tracking Tuesday - Lilac

As the official start of Spring approaches I can feel the winter blahs drifting away. My husband has been very busy with yard work. And I am starting to feel energized by all the birds singing and emerging blossoms.

Today I begin "Tracking Tuesday". The above photo is of a Lilac bud. Every Tuesday I will photograph this little bud until it becomes a full lilac blossom. (We have 3 colors of lilacs along our back fence and I have no idea what color this one is going to be!) Full "End of Blossom" slide-show at the end.

Is there anything you would like to keep track of? Please add your link below if you would like to take part in "Tracking Tuesday".

A Funny Thing Happened at AT&T

Upon entering the AT&T store I felt something was up. The one person working looked a little stressed while sitting at his desk.

He gave the usual “Hello. Let me know if I can help you” greeting and I told him that my phone wasn’t working. As we get into more detail about the problem the business phone rings. When he picks up the receiver that stressed look comes back. He does his best to get off the phone but it seems difficult for him to hang up. I was getting annoyed.

Once he hangs up he hands me my phone and says “There you go. It was the SIM card. It’s all fixed.” Yeah. Great. OK then, out the door I go when my cell rings and I can’t clearly hear the person on the other end. Thank goodness my oldest child had done something wrong so the school could call and tell me about it. (Yes, I’m sure this will be the only time I will say that.)

When I turned to the AT&T person to say that the phone wasn’t fixed his company phone rings again… he tries to get off the phone again… it’s difficult for him to hang up… again.

It’s at this point I realize this is a personal issue and it’s really stressing him out, and since I don’t have time for this I say ‘Why don’t you just hang up?’ He looked like he was grateful for the idea and hangs up. The phone rings again. Now is when this poor guy tells me his soon-to-be ex-wife is crazy and he apologizes. Oh, OK.

What I think is really odd is that we are in an AT&T store and their business phone doesn’t have Caller ID. So every time the phone rings he has to answer it, even though we both know it’s his ex. So here we go again, he answers, he tries to reason with her to stop calling his place of work and he hangs up. *ring*ring*.

Finally I say ‘Hand me the phone’. He’s so frazzled he doesn’t know what to do. He hands me the phone and when I say ‘Hello’ a woman starts screaming “F..k You! F..k You!”. Um… yikes. She then says “Who's this?” I say ‘I’m a customer who’s trying to get my phone fixed and you’re annoying me so stop calling!’ I get to hear her say those lovely swear words again then she screams “He had an affair! So F..k You!” my oh my.

He’s so embarrassed. I’m slightly amused. He says that she’s lying. I tell him I don’t care and to fix my phone while I keep her on the line. (Wow! Is this woman pissed! She’s blending cuss words together like I’ve never heard. Impressive.)

He hands me my phone and says it’s broken. I hand him his angry soon-to-be ex-wife.

Gee, what an afternoon. You never know what’s going to happen when you walk out the door or, when you enter another.

Virtual Girls Night Out - Starting Over & A Giveaway!

Hello.... Hellooo... can you see me through the Google haze? Were you able to trek through the "internets" and land at my little place of thoughts and silliness?

Yeah! I'm glad you're here!

Consider this my formal "Change Of Address" notice. My url is now www.annagainandagain.com, and I do hope that you will come back again and again. Now, on with our blog-hopping Virtual Girls Night Out!

*The VGNO is for those of us who couldn't get a baby-sitter but still need to break away from the cries and demands of our family, if only for a little bit. This is a blog-hopping party that's been happening since 2008. So check out this post, add your blog title and link to MckLinky below and visit those that have done the same. Go blog-hopping! Happy VGNO! *

Time For A Cocktail!

There Will Be Rum
Ingredients:
1 oz Malibu Rum
1 oz ruby red grapefruit juice
dash of grenadine syrup
chilled G.H. Mumm Champagne
strawberry slice for garnish
Preparation:
Shake the rum, grapefruit juice and grenadine in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Strain into a Champagne glass. Fill up with Champagne. Garnish with a strawberry slice on the rim.

Wow, that sounds like a lot of work. After one I think I'll stick to champagne with strawberries :->

Time For Some Music!

Weezer "I Want You To"


I want that girls dress. (And I want to have the body to wear that dress)


Time For A Giveaway!

****This one is closed. Please check site for more fun giveaways!****

Because I am so thrilled that my domain name change finally took (oh man... it was tough. If you are thinking of doing the same thing I'll help as much as I can. It shouldn't be that hard! --- That's what she said. Oh! Enough Ann) I'm offering a giveaway from my latest review, the book titled "From Beer To Maternity" by Maggie Lamond Simone. (See review here)


So funny! She's such a talented writer. Would you like a chance to win? Here's what you do...

* Become a follower of Ann Again... and again (1 Entry)
* Follow me on Twitter (1 Entry)
* Leave a link to Ann Again... and again in a blog post inviting your friends join us at the VGNO (2 Entries)

~~ Let me know if you've done these please :->

Winner will be chosen using Random.org on 3/25/10. *Open to US Residents only*

Now go add your blog link to MckLinky and join the Virtual Girls Night Out! Visit those that have signed in. The list will grow through out the weekend so come back and see who has joined our party. I hope you meet some wonderful bloggers! Have fun!




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Can You See Me?

I have something new... can you tell? Do I look any different? Could it be that my address is now the name of my blog? Hmmmm.....? :-> Yep! I've bought my domain name so now you can find me directly at www.annagainandagain.com.

(If anyone is considering the same move from a blogspot to a custom domain I'll help in any way I can because, let me tell ya', you'll need help. Yowzaa!)

Yes, I'm That Kind Of Mom

Yes.

Yes I am the kind of mom that forces her child to go to school after hitting her head on a pole.

I couldn't believe it. If only I had parked the car a few feet ahead this wouldn't have happened. But I didn't and it did.

While my Lily was turning to blow sweet kisses my way she turns and runs smack into a pole. Shit. (There I said it.)

After sitting in the car awhile we walked to the office and got her an ice pack. She didn't have a bump but she said it hurt. We stayed in a quiet corner for some time and read one of her library books. I said 'Let's gather ourselves and get to class'. That wasn't Lil's plan. She wanted to go home. And that wasn't my plan.

As we were walking in the hallway I felt parents giving me appalling looks. Maybe they were, maybe they weren't. I knew that she was OK. But my mind always goes to the darkest places when it comes to injuries and if we just pressed forward I knew she would be OK. (I've said that 2 times now, have I convinced myself?)

Well, there she is at school, probably doing just fine while I'm here fretting and stewing about the decision I've made. I think I'll call the school, just to check.

************UPDATE*****************

I did call the school around 11:00 and they checked on her, Lily said she was fine. She was in great spirits the rest of the day.

Virtual GNO - Wearing A Velour Jumpsuit To The Oscars

I have been feeling so-o-o off lately. I read that the earthquake in Chile tilted the world off it's axis. That must be it!! That or hormones. I always blame hormones. Time to cheer up by breaking out the St. John's Wort and having a Virtual Girls Night Out!

*New to the VGNO? Here's what you do at thethe Friday night blog-hopping party: Read this VGNO post, sign the MckLinky guest book below with your blog name/blog link then click on links of fellow bloggers and leave some comment love. A sweet message of "Happy VGNO!" is great. Go blog-hopping!*


Time For Some Tunes!

Jamie Cullum "Wheels"


"Tell you what I heard, the wheels are falling off the world".

He is one of my absolute favorites! Love him!!!



Let's see what St. John's Wort will taste good with...

Time For A Cocktail!

The Oscars are this weekend so let's pour some bubbly. Champagne all around!


Time For A Party Game!

With the Oscars happening this Sunday let's play "Glam It Up!"

Fill in the blanks using the chart prompts.

I was drinking champagne and getting ready for my big night at the Oscars. After putting on my (#1)__________ gown I noticed a huge stain on the front. I screamed at my assistant to find another dress immediately. In this town all she could find was a (#2)__________.

I took what I could get and made the best of it. And it turns out I rocked it! I was on everybody's Best Dressed list. It probably had nothing to do with the fact that my date was (#3)_____________.

#1 First letter of the city you live in:

A - E = Red Sequined
F - J = Silver Sheath
K - O = Lavender Chiffon
P - T = Black Strapless
U - Z = White Silk

#2 Month you were born:

Jan. - Mar. = Brown Velour Jumpsuit
Apr. - June = Purple MuuMuu
July - Sep. = Orange Housecoat
Oct. - Dec. = Yellow Swimsuit Cover-Up

#3 First letter of your first name:

A - E = George Clooney
F - J = Hugh Jackman
K - O = Robert Pattinson
P - T = Johnny Depp
U - Z = Ashton Kutcher

So, who's your date to the Oscars this year? I wonder how many of you will change the spelling of your name to get the guy you want ;-> .

Now, go have fun at our VGNO! Click the MckLinky button and add your blog link to join the Virtual GNO. Visit those that have left their blog link. Invite your blog readers to join us here. Post A LINK to the Virtual GNO on your blog. That's what the VGNO is all about. And if you hang out on Twitter, leave your address so I can follow you :->




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A Little Bit Of Light - ATWT

I need all the light I can find.

Something to lift my spirits.

I do believe Spring is on it's way...



Hearing the birds sing is so joyful.

(Did you spot Rob's new Greenhouse? We might actually have tomatoes this year, as long as Benny stays out like a good boy)





Join in Jen's A Thousand Words Thursday over at Cheaper Than Therapy.

Three Minute Legs

Just when I didn't think they could create a more ridiculous product than The Shake Weight here comes Three Minute Legs.



Oh. My. Goodness.

My Head Is Spinning

I need to stop.

How my oldest reacts to a situation, or creates hostility, starts my mind spinning toward thoughts of what can happen months, years down the road. 'If she doesn't think that she's wrong about causing her sister pain then she'll become the bully of her school'. 'Her moodiness could become serious depression.' 'She doesn't clean her room, she's going to be a horder!'

That last thought could just be me watching too much "Clean House".

I need to calm down. I need to focus on the current day. I keep saying this to myself but it's not working. I might be the one depressed.