VGNO - Freebie & Giveaway

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The first thing I heard this morning was my daughter whispering in my ear "Mom, the toilet's clogged".

Good morning to you too Honey!

The day has GOT to get better. Let's get to the party and blog hop at the Virtual Girls Night Out!

* The VGNO is for those who need to break away from the demands of our families, if only for a little bit. The VGNO started partying in 2008. To play just check out this post then add your blog name & link to Simply Linked below. Click on blog links that have joined our party - it's a blog-hop! Happy VGNO! *


Time For A Cocktail!

Healthy Mama

Ingredients
1 Part Vodka
1 ½ Parts Watermelon HINT
1 Watermelon Slice
Directions
Blend it nicely and enjoy.

OR... Make a big batch and pour it into a watermelon. What ever floats your boat!


Time For Some Tunes!

Stephanie Schneiderman "Touchdown"

*Local girl does good. Enjoy*



Check her out: Stephanie Schneiderman


Time For A Freebie!

Thanks to our wonderful blog pal Tasha at "Catch The Drift" with Mama Snow we are in the know about this freebie. Free 10 page 5x7 Photo FlipBook at Snapfish.com (Shipping up to $2.11). Code: ALLYOUMOM. Expires: 5/23/10

* This offer is only good for the first 10,000 people so hurry!


Time For A Giveaway!

The Episencial giveaway is up for one more week. Only 1 entry so far!!!

Recently I was able to try, or better yet my daughter tried, a wonderful skin product that's all natural with lots of organics and fruit extracts. It's perfect for her sensitive skin and actually gets her into the tub. (It's a miracle.) If you would like a chance to win please visit my review site Ann Again... and again Reviews.

*OK, I'm starting to feel better already. Time to visit my blog friends at this VGNO. Add your blog link with Simply Linked and have fun hopping around. And... if you don't have time to blog-hop tonight, that's cool. Add your link anyway & I bet you'll be able to visit friends tomorrow... or the next day... or the next day. Happy VGNO! *



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ATWT - Cat's Clear Message

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This hasn't happened once, or twice.

More often than not I will go to the area where the cat's food dish is and find this...




Yes. I get it. You're jonesin' for more treats. Sheesh!


Check out more pics at Jen's A Thousand Words Thursday over at Musings of the Mom Jen.

Tuesday Tracking - Iris Bed

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Now that the lilacs have completed their bloom time to track the blossoms of our iris patch.


They smell like root beer!



The last flower we kept our eye on was a lilac. (See here.) Now I'll be tracking the irises with pictures every Tuesday. Then, when the blooms are full, I'll create a slide show of their beautiful growth.

A Little VooDoo In Our Day

There's a wild and wacky donut shop in Portland called VooDoo Donut. They create donuts that are rolled in Capt'n Crunch and donuts sprinkled with Kool-Aid. They have your classic maple bar only theirs is topped with a slice of bacon. (Think about it, it's a great combo.) They once concocted a donut that had a NyQuil center, however they discovered the FDA didn't really approve of that confection.

On a sunny Saturday, while hanging out downtown, we asked our girls if they wanted to get a treat and they opted for VooDoo. On ward!

When we pulled in the parking lot we noticed it was a bit more crowded than usual. At the door we are told a wedding was about to begin, however we could come in and observe. Sure, why not. Well,... this crowd was a bit different than what our daughters are used to and the look on their faces was worth all the calories of all the donuts in the land. We were "guests" at a Goth Wedding.




Not only does VooDoo make great donuts, the co-owner is an ordained Minister and will preside over your wedding ceremony. The event was held with honor and humor. It was an amazing thing to watch. Yes, there was more black lipstick and leather worn here than at your "normal" wedding. However, the attire didn't hide the love that this couple had for each other or the support and deep affection their friends had for this new union.

At first we weren't sure if we should have our girls be involved with this party. (Is it going to freak them out?!) But I'm so glad we did. It takes all kinds of people to make this World work. I'm glad we were welcomed in despite our, by comparison, bland appearance. I'm glad none of us judged with our eyes but with our spirit.

Virtual Girls Night Out - Mind Over Matter & A Giveaway

I like a good joke. Love to laugh. But the way my stomach has been feeling recently isn't funny. Let's just say... I'm praying it's a touch of the flu. I'm sure it is. Yep, almost positive. (I don't think I've ever prayed for a touch of the flu before!!!) I need to get my mind on other things, like what's going on in my blog friends worlds. Time for a Virtual Girls Night Out!

* The VGNO is for those 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. The VGNO has been hopping since 2008! Amazing! Check out this post, then add your blog name & link to Simply Linked below. Click on blog links that have joined our party. Visit friends & go blog-hopping! And... if you don't have time to blog-hop tonight, that's cool. Add your link anyway & I bet you'll be able to visit friends tomorrow... or the next day... or the next day. Happy VGNO! *

Time For A Cocktail!

Fuzzy Navel

(stomach - navel... oh the lengths I go to stay on a thread!)

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz peach schnapps
orange juice to fill
Preparation:
Pour the peach schnapps into an highball glass filled with ice cubes. Top with orange juice. Stir well.


Time For Some Tunes!

Dave Matthews Band "You and Me"


I will love this song forever. Great video. Wish I could have been in that room.


Time For A Giveaway!

Recently I was able to try, or better yet my daughter tried, a wonderful skin product that's all natural with lots of organics and fruit extracts. It's perfect for her sensitive skin and actually gets her into the tub. (It's a miracle.) If you would like a chance to win please visit my review site Ann Again... and again Reviews.


*OK, I'm starting to feel better already. Time to visit my blog friends at this VGNO. Add your blog link with Simply Linked and have fun hopping around!



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ATWT - My Cat Goes Green

Recharging.

My cat is solar powered.


Check out more pics at Jen's A Thousand Words Thursday over at Musings of the Mom Jen.

Tracking Tuesday - Lilac Finale

My month of tracking the bloom of one lilac is at it's natural end. Here is the video of this beautiful blossom

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Let's have one more look at the lilac's!



If only our computers had scent monitors. Ahhhhh... it's delicious


A new Tracking Tuesday begins next week. What could it be????

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"U" Make Me Laugh

When feminine product commercials come on I usually tune out. I've had my fill of being shown that I should be wearing gauzy gowns and strolling through a flower filled meadow.

I remember my teen years, watching T.V. with a boyfriend and a tampon commercial would flash on the screen. I would try to act like I wasn't embarrassed, it is a part of life after all, but honestly I was mortified. I just don't want to think about. Especially when I'm with a guy!

Well, years have past and I'm no longer embarrassed. Just annoyed. But let me tell ya', the latest ad campaign by Kotex for the "U" line has me laughing. Have you seen one yet?



And you won't believe what Kotex can get away with for their commercials in Australia!



Gee... no subtlety there ;->

Virtual Girls Night Out & UBP '10 Blow Out!

I woke to the BIGGEST black spider hanging out on the wall of my living room. It was HUGE I tell ya'! And you know what? I took care of it. No screaming, no waving of arms, no telling my husband 'Eek! You take care of it!' It was just me, my trusty Dyson and the leggy nemesis. (It was so flippin' huge I didn't have a jar big enough to fit over it! Good Lord.) But it's gone now to that big-spider Heaven, where ever that is. So you know what I'm in the mood for? A Virtual Girls Night Out and some ultimate partying with 5 Minutes For Mom!

* The VGNO is for those 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. The VGNO has been hopping since 2008! Amazing! Check out this post, then add your blog name & link to Simply Linked below. Click on blog links that have joined our party. Visit friends & go blog-hopping! And... if you don't have time to blog-hop tonight, that's cool. Add your link any way & I bet you'll be able to visit friends tomorrow... or the next day... or the next day. Happy VGNO! *


Time For A Cocktail!

"Sexy Woman"
Ingredients
1/2 passion fruit juice
1/4 cup Absolut peppar vodka
1/8 roses lime juice
cilantro leaves for garnish

Directions
Mix the 1st 3 inredients in a cocktail shaker. Pour into martini glass & garnish with 1 cilantro leaf.

After getting rid of that spider I will gladly have this cocktail - make it a double!



Time For Some Tunes!

(couldn't find a proper video. but I need this song!)
NeedToBreathe "More Time"


I'm so excited! I just found out that I get to review their show in May. I'm really looking forward to it!



Time To Meet More Bloggers!



The Virtual GNO has been blog-hopping every Friday night since 2008 (That even surprises me!) It's always fun to find as many blog pals as possible and create new friendships. That is why, once again, after you've added your link to our weekly Virtual GNO blog-hopping party, why don't you go to 5 Minutes for Mom and join in the annual "Ultimate Blog Party 2010". It's HUGE and they have amazing prizes. I will gladly accept the Goodie Basket For Mom. Or any of the gift cards. Heck! The prizes are great. Winning any of them would be a treat! Go check it out.


OK, my dear blog pals. I hope you don't run into big, hairy spiders today and that you meet a lot of great bloggers at our Virtual Girls Night Out and at 5 Minutes for Moms Ultimate Blog Party '10. Have fun!!!




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ATWT - It Wasn't Me

Blender vs. Wooden Spoon.

No surprise who won.

That was one fiber filled smoothie, let me tell ya'!



Take part in Jen's A Thousand Words Thursday over at Musings of the Mom Jen.

Tracking Tuesday Pt. 5 & Greenhouse Vlog

It's blooming!!! (See last week's pic here)




The rain comes off and on but the blooms on this Lilac bush make me hopeful for sunny days.




More growth in the Greenhouse...

I Love My Chiropractor

My body is messed up.

I think it started when I was in a car accident when I was about 12 yrs. old. That began my neck problems. Then, the night of my Senior Prom I was involved in another accident. (My date rear-ended friends while driving his mother's brand new BMW on the way to the dance. Good Lord. It was like a John Hughes movie.)

The older I get the harder I have to work to make my core strong. Having children taxed my body in ways it wasn't prepared for. A few years ago my back went out and I was immobile. I was so depressed! Here I was, in my late 30's and I felt like my body was 130. I could not move. Then... then I found my current Chiropractor. *Cue the angels singing*

I have gone to Chiropractor's since I was 12 and I have experienced many different techniques. There was one that had, now this is my interpertation, a plastic cone with a roller ball on one end that he would move over your body while rolling the ball. He said that this was picking up the areas of tension in the body so he knew where the source(s) of pain were. Are you kidding me?!? There was more silliness. I wasn't happy.

Then the glorious Dr. Dan came along. He really won me over when he told me "I don't want to see you". Meaning, I want to fix you, and send you on your way. Not the "Come and see me 3 times a week for 6 months" routine.

The last time I visited his office was June of 2008. (I can't believe that! Good for me.) When I showed up this morning he knew which side was out and what I was feeling before I said anything. *sigh* I love this guy.

I'm hurting from my adjustment right now, but I know I'll feel better very soon. A little Ibuprofen with a whiskey chaser works every time. kidding! well, kind of ;->

Virtual Girls Night Out - Ultimate Partying with 5 Minutes For Mom

The girls have ANOTHER day off of school so our household is full of kids. (I'm happy that they want to play here, and yet I wish someone else's home could be "The" place sometimes. I do feel lucky though :-> ) I need some adult conversation! Time for a Virtual Girls Night Out and some ultimate partying with 5 Minutes For Mom!

* The VGNO is for those 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. The VGNO has been hopping since 2008! Amazing! Check out this post, then add your blog name & link to Simply Linked below. Click on blog links that have joined our party. Visit friends & go blog-hopping! And... if you don't have time to blog-hop tonight, that's cool. Add your link any way & I bet you'll be able to visit friends tomorrow... or the next day... or the next day. Happy VGNO! *


Time For A Cocktail!

Spring Cocktail
Ingredients:
2 oz Dry Gin
1 oz Green Chartreuse
1/2 oz Fresh Lemon juice
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker / stirrer and pour into an unusually shaped glass. Add Crushed Ice. Cheers!

Did you know that Chartreuse is made with 130 herbal extracts? Sounds fantastic!


Time For Some Tunes!

One eskimO "Kandi"


I'm hooked! This video is part of a series and I've messed you up with the order of the story. It's just that I'm really into this song right now ;-> (I'll probably show the other video next week.)


Time To Meet More Great Bloggers!



The Virtual Girls Night Out has been blog-hopping every Friday night since 2008 (I can't believe it. Can you?) It's always fun to find as many blog pals as possible and create new friendships. That is why, after you've added your link to our weekly Virtual Girls Night Out blog-hopping party, why don't you go to 5 Minutes for Mom and join in the annual "Ultimate Blog Party 2010". It's just massive and they have amazing prizes. I will gladly accept the Goodie Basket For Mom. Or any of the gift cards. Heck! The prizes are great. Winning any of them would be a treat! Go check it out.


Busy, busy, busy. Now 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! It's all about support. Have fun!




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Take What You Can Get

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It seems Phoebe (or maybe it's Maddy) will go to great lengths to find solitude.

Tracking Tuesday - Lilac Pt. 4 & Greenhouse Vlog

This little bud is coming right along. (See it's progress from last week here.) Some on other branches are already blooming. Maybe this one with catch up next week!






And how is the green house fairing after yesterdays wind storm?

Out Of It

I was doing so well.

I was exercising about 4 times a week. Even when I didn't feel so great, I still pushed myself. But lately, I've lost my drive.

I know it started during Spring Break 2 weeks ago. A lot of driving. Just being somewhere different messed up my routine.

I need to get back into the groove. Maybe looking at myself in a bathing suit will do it!

Virtual Girls Night Out - Hopping

Waking up to pouring rain shouldn't be unusual to me, I do live in the Pacific Northwest after all. It's just that yesterday was sunny, and the sun felt so good and so hopeful and this rain... this rain that seems to be pelting so-o-o-o many in the United States (my heart goes out to you East Coasters) is a big flippin' drag!!! Enough already!!!

Whew...

OK. I am in need of an intense, completely absorbing (see the bottom of this post and you'll see why) blog-hopping good ol' Virtual Girls Night Out! Let's get going.

* The VGNO is for those 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. The VGNO blog-hopping party 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! And... if you don't have time to blog-hop tonight, that's cool. Add your link any way & I bet you'll be able to visit friends tomorrow... or the next day... or the next day. Happy VGNO! *

Time For A Cocktail!

Easter Bunny
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz dark crème de cacao
1/2 oz vodka
1 tsp chocolate syrup
1 tsp cherry brandy
Preparation:
Pour the crème de cacao and vodka into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well.
Strain into an old-fashioned glass with ice cubes. Float chocolate syrup and cherry brandy on top.

I'm ready to fill my basket with some of these!!! (Nap time wouldn't be far away)


Time For Some Tunes!

Oren Lavie "Her Morning Elegance"


I've played this at the VGNO before. But it's so worth showing/hearing again.


Time For A Freebie!

The rain will stop eventually... right? When it does, how about planting a garden that will attract some beautiful butterflies. You can receive free butterfly garden seeds from Live Monarch Seeds. All you need to do is send a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

Live Monarch Seeds
3003-C8 Yamato Road, #1015
Boca Raton, Florida 33434



OK. My 11 yr. old niece is staying with us for a few days for her Spring Break. (My daughters had theirs 2 weeks ago.) This is all just kinda crazy, um... that's all I'm going to say - for now. E-mail me for more details! ;-> I will be distracting myself with happiness by blog-hopping like a good little blogging friend should!

*Now 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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My Little Tree Hugger

Our neighbors were ready to take down a walnut tree in their backyard. Rob offered to help in exchange for the wood. Katie went to help stack the wood but just couldn't take the fact that a healthy tree was coming down. (I was right there with her.)

This picture is after one of Katie's let-it-all-out good cries -- and right before another one.

***Side note: Our neighbors planted 2 trees in it's place. (The walnut tree attracted squirrels and the neighbors just couldn't tolerate all the squirrels.)***