Wednesday, June 30, 2010

If You Were A Little Girl In The '70's


If You Were A Little Girl In The '70's...




It was a big event in your household each year when the "Wizard of Oz" would come on TV.


Your hairstyle was described as having "wings" or "feathers" and you kept it pretty with the comb you kept in your back pocket.


You completely wore out your “Grease” and “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack albums.


You used to tape record songs off the radio by holding your portable tape player up to the speaker.


Your satin baseball jacket was a prized possession.


You drowned yourself in Love's Baby Soft - which was the first "real" perfume you ever owned.

You had a pair of Doctor Scholl's sandals (the ones with the hard wood sole that you were constantly slipping off of and hurting your heel!)


You learned everything you needed to know about girl issues from Judy Blume books (“Are you there God, It's me, Margaret.”) and After School Specials.


You wore a Little House on the Prairie-inspired plaid, ruffle shirt with the high neck in at least one school picture.


At a birthday party the only person to receive gifts was the “Birthday Girl” (Goody Bags for all the guests? What’s up with that?!?)


Your favorite magazines were Tiger Beat and Dynamite.


You never thought to ask “How many calories are in a bag of Doritos?”

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Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Tuesday Tracking - Sweet Pea Buds


They grow so fast.  


Slide show next Tuesday.    This Sweet Pea patch is going to be full!

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Monday, June 28, 2010

It's What You Don't Know That Gets You

Now that my oldest is 12 years old this summer is very different than last summer.  A majority of the neighborhood children are this age, or older, so summer days - and mostly summer nights - are taking a different tone.  Mama doesn't like this tone!

It isn't that I don't understand.  I do.  I remember just wanting to "hang out".  Just being with your friends, talking about whatever, until someone's parent called them home, then we all understood that meant we should all go home.  (Side story:  There was one parent that would blow a whistle when she wanted her son to come home.  It always pissed me off.  I would say "You're not a dog!  Why don't they just call your name?"  I was a brat.  I totally get the whistle thing now. )

My mind races with naughty thoughts of what's going on with this group of kids I've known for years.  Even though I know where they are, I have no control over what their doing.  ACK!  Lack of control!!!

I talk to my daughter until she "can't take it anymore" - her words.  I have to step back and hope my words have made it to her head.  To be that lovely nagging voice, er - voice of reason, that stops her from doing... I don't know!  Bad stuff!

Was I really counting down the days until summer vacation?

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Friday, June 25, 2010

Virtual GNO - Summer Vacation Burn Out Already?



I'm at the end of our first full week of Summer vacation and I already feel burnt out. Julie, your Cruise Director, is out of ideas. Or, at least, low on energy. I think I'm expecting too much. A few days of going with the flow should be acceptable. What's the matter with me?!? *deep breath*

OK. Starting now I'm going to relax with the "Activity Schedule" and see what happens. How about a Virtual Girls Night Out to put me in the right frame of mind?

*The VGNO is a blog-hopping party that began in 2008 and, thanks to your support, has no intention of slowing down. Add you blog link below and join the party!

Time For Some Tunes!

*For the great group at VGNO!*



Crazy kids. (I would love to put my face under a soft serve spout!)

Time For A Giveaway!

A lovely product, made by mom/small business owner Rachel Ferrucci, Touch'd Moisture Myst.  Enter at my review site Ann Again... and again Reviews!

Time For A Cocktail!

We need to get ready for 4th of July!

Sparkler
Ingredients:
1 oz. 1800 Tequila
2 oz. Sparkling Wine
.5 oz.Raspberry Liquor
.5 oz. Soho Lychee Liquor
Directions:
Combine tequila, raspberry liquor and soho lychee liquor in the bottom of a champagne flute. Top with sparkling wine or champagne.

My, my. Lychee liquor. How interesting... I think I'll like it!


VGNO Spotlight Guest!

Again, a huge thank you for your support and kind words regarding the little blog-hopping party we have here. Robin at Cinnamon & Honey is full of wonderful ideas and I'm going to get on those right away! Well, as soon as I can figure out how to manage my computer time with my 2 girls who also want to be on the computer. This should make for an interesting summer!

Beginning July 9th, each week we'll have one guest in the VGNO Spotlight. We'll get to know them a little better and support their blog. Would you like to be in the spotlight? E-mail me at annharrison@comcast.net and let me know.


Time to get blog-hopping friends! Happy VGNO!



The Best Blog Pals!
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Thursday, June 24, 2010

I'm Not Fooling Anyone

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My youngest did a little sketch of me in the kitchen.


"Sometimes my mom needs to use a cookbook to cook."

She's right. I do need a cookbook.

Anyone have healthy, easy recipes to share?

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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Tuesday Tracking - Sweet Peas

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This week we track the growth of our Sweet Pea Patch. So much scent in these tiny blossoms.



I love them




I can't wait to see how they look next week!

If you would like to see more "Tuesday Tracking" check out my previous installment "Rosebud - A Slideshow".

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Monday, June 21, 2010

Do You Have Any Pictures?

While the gentlemen were watching a golf game, after their Father's Day meat extravaganza, my niece and I were in the other room happily avoiding the golf game. She asked if I had any scrapbooks, so I pointed to the rows and rows of memories on the shelf in the corner.

While going through the pages she happened to find the book that held her parents wedding pictures. They are now divorced so seeing those pictures were a happy surprise for her little heart. She said, “I want to wear my mom’s wedding dress!” Sweet.

After a while I decided to venture into the den of napping men and slyly change the channel. My skills must be rusty because they woke up. As we watched the clean clothed gentlemen hit a tiny ball very, very far I heard my niece and my daughter scream “Why are you naked?!?” What?

We hear giggling and my youngest daughter says “Um, mom? Why are you in a bathtub?” What?!? Oh!!! I go to the living room to see that they are now looking through our wedding album, our before – during - and after – wedding album.

Now yes, we were in the bathtub, but nothing was really showing, bubbles and perfectly placed bent knees are a shy girl’s best friend.

My husband and I completely forgot about those pictures. They weren’t photos that will scar any child, they’re just enough to make everyone’s cheeks red and make me quickly change the subject. Who wants Hot Fudge Sundaes?!

Today is my day to peruse the shelves of memories, and edit where necessary.

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Friday, June 18, 2010

Virtual Girls Night Out - I Need Your Input


I'm gonna be honest here, I am astounded at how many Friday Blog-Linky, Blog-Hoppy blogs have come about within the last couple of months. When I started the Virtual GNO in the summer of 2008 there wasn't anything else like it. Now, you have a plethora of blogs to choose from to leave your link and blog-hop your day/night away. My goal was to have blogger's "find each other", to help create new friendships, blog-pals, while having that "night out" experience, virtually. There's tons of incredibly popular link-ups now. Should I pull the curtain on the VGNO? Feedback please.

I'm forging ahead with the VGNO blog-hopping party tonight though! Add you link below and let's go!!!

Get To Know Me!

I want to add a feature to our party and get to know you a little better. Each week I'll spotlight a Virtual GNO guest & their blog, she'll be our VGNO... um... I don't know what the title should be...anyone? Suggestions please :-> Who wants to be in the spotlight? E-mail me at annharrison@comcast.net and we'll get you ready for your close-up. Whose first?!?

Time For Some Tunes!

Colby Caillat "Fallin' For You"


Perfect little summer song. (It's going to be stuck in my head all day!)


Time For A Cocktail!

Baileys Banana Karma
Ingredients:
2 oz. Baileys Original Irish Cream
.25 oz. Godiva Mocha Liqueur
.25 oz. Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka
1 splash milk/cream
1 banana
Preparation:
Blend all ingredients together and serve in a parfait glass. Garnish with grated chocolate for that extra special touch.

The extra leg lifts and squats are worth it. Yum!!!


OK friends, let me know if you feel the VGNO is worth saving. Would you like to be in the Virtual GNO "Spotlight"? What should we call our special guest of the week? I really need your feedback and participation, don't I? :->

Have fun blog-hopping!



VGNO Party People!

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Thursday, June 17, 2010

Windows Can Send Me This From Now On

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If it has to happen, at least be kind



It's the little things that can make life better

(*Thank you, dear sister, for sharing this with me)

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Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Hey! I'm Not Stressed Enough...

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How about I have a graduation party for my daughters and their friends!

It was quite the scene. Get a group of newly adorned 4th Graders...


and a group of newly crowned 7th graders...




throw in some pizza, chips and soda...



you get, as my oldest says, "A house full of wild animals".

--No picture. Use your imagination :->

Congratulations kids!!!

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Monday, June 14, 2010

I Wear Plain White T's

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Everyone around me seems to be branded. Comfortable showing who they support, what team they're on, where they shop. I've always felt uncomfortable showing any acknowledgement on my body.

Tattoos. You can imagine how I feel about getting a tattoo. I have difficulty deciding if my earrings are too bold.

But isn't that the point of wearing things? Representing?

Why is that so hard for me?

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Friday, June 11, 2010

Virtual Girls Night Out - I'm Insecure But I Could Take Ralph Macchio

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When I meet someone and find out that they're a hair stylist I immediately get self conscious. 'What do they think of my hair? Do they think the cut is all wrong for my face? Is my color (natural, of course ;-> ) they wrong shade?' This person could be talking about how to solve the oil purge in the Gulf and I'll be obsessing over my hair. I'm that shallow. Sounds like a I need a Virtual Girls Night Out to get some sense into me!

*Just what is a Virtual Girls Night Out? VGNO is a way to meet visit blogs & hang with blog pals on Friday nights with out the cost of hiring a babysitter. We've been hopping since 2008! Touch base with those you know, or meet someone new and begin a beautiful blog friendship - all in the comfort of your fuzzy bunny slippers. It's a blog-hopping Virtual Girls Night Out!*


Time For Some Funny!

Sweet, sincere Ralph Macchio. His most popular movie has been remade and he doesn't even get a cameo. Perhaps his sweetness is exactly why. Check out this video from Funny of Die (*caution: language)

"Wax On, F*ck Off with Ralph Macchio"


Seeing him try to raise his leg as high as he used to... love it!


Time For A Cocktail!

Hai Karate
Ingredients:
2 ounces gold Virgin Islands rum
1 ounce fresh lime juice
1 ounce fresh orange juice
1 ounce pineapple juice
1 teaspoon maple syrup
1 dash Angostura bitters
Procedure:
Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker, then fill with ice. Shake well for 10 seconds and pour, unstrained, into a tall glass, adding more ice to fill the glass, if needed. Garnish with a lime wedge and an orange slice speared to a cherry.

I could do some creative kicks after a few of these! :->


Time For Some Tunes!

I love soccer! Absolutely. In honor of the historic rematch between the US and England in this years World Cup (game tomorrow! 6/12/10) Weezer's come up with this "unofficial" theme song for the US team.

Weezer "Represent"



Time For A Giveaway!

There's a giveaway on my review site for a copy of the book "You're Not The Boss Of Me: Brat Proofing Your 4-to-12 Year Old Child". That's a tall order! But this book has wonderful guidance and techniques. Enter for a chance to win on my site Ann Again... and again Reviews.


Alright friends, let's get to blog-hopping! Add your blog link below and visit those that have left their link as well. Happy VGNO!
(And... my blog design will be changing soon. Nervous but excited too!)



Show You're Blog-Hopping Party People!
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Wednesday, June 9, 2010

I Never Thought Old Spice Would Make Me Laugh

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This commercial is nominated as one of the best of 2009.



Love it!

"I'm on a horse"

This was made in my groovy town of Portland, OR by local advertising agency Wieden + Kennedy.

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Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Tuesday Tracking - Rose Bud Slideshow

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A few Tuesday's ago I mentioned that something occured after I took a picture of the blossom I was tracking through pictures. The next day I went to check on the roses and that bloom wasn't there. Hmmm? The slideshow will give the answer...



Rob got busy with the clippers. It was for a great cause.

Ahh... if only we had smell-o-vision

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Monday, June 7, 2010

Every Parent's Worst Nightmare

Something terrifying has happened in our community.

On Friday, June 4th a 7 year-old boy went missing in Portland, OR. What makes this situation more horrific is where it happened, in his school.

Friday morning's schedule was different for this school. They were having a Science Fair before the school day started then a Talent Show in the afternoon. More people were in the building than usual. 7 year-old Kyron Horman was so proud and excited about his science project, that both he and his stepmom worked on, he made sure she came into the building to see their work.

Together they went to his classroom and dropped off his things. Together they headed to the space that was holding the Science Fair. His stepmother took a picture of Kyron standing next to his "Red-Eyed Tree Frog" and posted it on her Facebook page. "He told her, 'I'm going back to the classroom, Mom' and she waved at him and left", said the stepmom's mother to the newspaper.

The stepmother left the school and went about her day of running errands and doing household chores. At 3:30 she went to meet the school bus. The driver said Kyron wasn't on it. When she called the school she was told he was marked absent for the day. He didn't make it back to his classroom.

Within his trusted school halls something went horribly wrong.

It's Monday morning and the news is reporting that no one has seen, or heard, Kyron Horman since Friday morning. His biological mother lives in a city 272 miles away and came here when she heard of his disappearance.

Once I walk my daughters to the school doors and give them a hug and a kiss I've thought that all was well. They were on their way for another day of adventure and drama. There they will stay until I pick them up and hear about mean Mrs. So-and-So or the latest 'Tween drama. I've thought by my action of walking my daughters to the actual school building I was keeping them safe. I'm sure that's what we all think. Just like Kyron's stepmom thought on Friday, June 4th.

I'm praying so hard for this little boy and for his family.


* Update 6/9/10 - Still not one sign of this little boy)

*To learn more and for updates on the search for Kyron Horman go to oregonlive.com

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Friday, June 4, 2010

Virtual GNO Blog Hop - Music Freebie!

Oh, to chaperone 50 3rd graders on a downtown field trip in the rain. I've paid my dues playing the chaperone role, so I'm passing this one on to my husband.

(Have fun today Honey ;-> )

Let's revel in the fact that we don't have to herd the children and have a blog-hopping Virtual Girls Night Out!

*Just what is a Virtual Girls Night Out? Let's see... it's a way to hang with blog pals with out the cost of hiring a babysitter. We've been hopping since 2008! It's a way to touch base with those you know, or meet someone new and begin a beautiful blog friendship - all in the comfort of your fuzzy bunny slippers. It's a blog-hopping Virtual Girls Night Out!*


Time For Some Tunes!

Raining and OK "Shadows"


The band made this video completely on their own with help from a few friends. The video is made up of thousands of photos and took over 60 hours to shoot and edit. I like this catchy tune!


Time For A Cocktail!

Rain Forest
Ingredients:
1 oz Bacardi® Light Rum
1 oz Captain Morgan® Spiced Rum
1 oz Midori® Melon Liqueur
1 Splash Orange Juice
1 Splash Pineapple Juice
1 Splash Sweet And Sour Mix
Directions:
Mix all ingredients and pour over ice in a hurricane glass.Garnish with a cherry and an orange wheel.

There, see? A little fruit to make it all healthy. Enjoy! ;->


Time To Share - Part 1!

Once, while chaperoning (is that a word?), I accidentally tripped a kid. Was this particular child rude? Yes. Was this child disrespectful? Yes. Did this child have a history of bullying my child? Yes. Did I feel bad that I accidentally tripped them? Um... yes ;-> . (Don't disturb Mama Bear!)

What about you? Do you have a chaperone story to share? Do tell!

Time To Share - Part 2!

Raining and OK is sharing a free download of the song "Shadows" with Ann Again... and again friends! Here's the link for the free download: https://www.yousendit.com/download/YWhNck80YXlsMHcwTVE9PQ


Alright friends, let's get to hopping! Add your blog link below. Happy VGNO!
(And... I'm planning on changing my blog design soon. Nervous but excited too!)


The Best Blog Party People Play At The VGNO!
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Thursday, June 3, 2010

What Was I Thinking?

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I reached for the green top and thought, 'What was I thinking?'

I bought a shirt at Eddie Bauer years ago. It was a shade of green that I just love. I would wear it to take my girls to school, I would wear it when I went on errands and I would choose to wear it when the family hung out together on the weekends. It was my "go-to" shirt.

But one day I looked at it and thought 'What was I thinking?!'

It was shapeless. It wasn't long enough. It looked bad with my skin tone.

Why in the world had I chosen this shirt? How is it that I let days, months, years go by thinking that I looked good in this top?!

It now lays in the Goodwill pile.

I wonder who the next victim in my closet will be?

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Tuesday, June 1, 2010

It's Not Shreks Fault I'm Sleepy

The last time our family went to a movie theater was when "Bolt" was released. Yep, that was a while ago. I thought with the Memorial Day holiday happening, it would be nice to see something together, so I found a nearby theater and set up tickets to see the latest Shrek extravaganza.

When I bought the tickets I noticed a message about the theater adapted for DA. I didn't know what that meant, I just thought 'Wow. It really has been a long time since I've been to the movies. There must be some new sound system!" One thing I loved about going to the movies was the introduction of the dolby sound system. I always wanted them to turn it up! (Imagine me recreating the dolby sound... now! And yes, I am that old.)

The movie starts and it's another fine Shrek beginning. Once the story narration begins, words appear at the bottom of the screen. Hmmm...?

When dialogue is spoken, words are at the bottom of the screen. Hmmm...?

I begin to realize we are at a viewing which allows those that are hearing impaired to enjoy the movie. I thought it was cool but, after a while, I noticed that I was reading the words and not watching the movie. I did my best to tell my brain to 'Look up! Stop looking at the words!', but it didn't really work. And you know what happens when you're sitting in a cozy chair, the lights are low and your reading? You fall asleep.

I can't believe how hard it was for me to stay awake through a Shrek movie.

When it was over my girls wanted to know why there were words and we told them the purpose. There was a couple seated near us using Sign Language so that was an excellent way to show how wonderful this service was. But the next time I go to a movie I believe I'll opt for the No DA theater. No more expensive naps.

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Tuesday Tracking - ???

My camera was left at my sister's barbeque yesterday so I can't update my "Tuesday Tracking - Rose Bud" today. A slideshow is soon to come!

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