Time To Highlight Others

'
I'm highlighting blogs/blog posts written by others this week.  Please visit Chantel at Life Unexpectedly. 

Her latest post "The Heart" will get you.  It will get you I tell ya'!!!

(Tell her Ann sent you :-> )

Virtual Girls Night Out - Blog Hop!

Today is actually pretty, darn busy so... I'm going to get the blog-hopping party started then come back and hop around and visit tonight!

*The VGNO Blog-Hop began in the summer of 2008. Connecting, supporting, encouraging - those words describe the VGNO Guest. And hopefully we gain more exposure for your blog - that's the intent of the VGNO. So get on your bunny slippers, make yourself a cocktail add your blog link and have fun! Join the Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project (details below). Happy VGNO!*

Time For Some Tunes!

Elsinore "Chemicals"


(Thanks so much to Kat that "Sassy Irish Lassie" for the musical heads-up! )


Time For A Cocktail!

Black and White Martini
Ingredients:
3 oz Stoli® Vanil vodka
1 oz creme de cacao
Directions:
Pour the Stoli vanilla vodka and creme de cacao into a cocktail shaker half-filled with cracked ice. Shake well, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.


Update on The Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project!

We have 21 participants so far!  How cool.  And... the rock has made it's first stop in Paraguay! 
(If you don't know what the heck I'm talking about click: here)  Join in the fun, won't you? :->

Hey blog pals, add your link and get hoppin'!  Happy VGNO!!!





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Found On The Sidewalk Friday - Could It Be???

I let my imagination get the best of me with this week's Found On The Sidewalk Friday.

What's that ahead of me?  Is it money?  A shiny special ticket to a magical land of candy?

So exciting!

Ugh.  Nope. 

It's the top wrapper to a yogurt container.  Well, it is my favorite yogurt.

Walking is good! Have you found anything interesting on, or by, your sidewalks? If so, share on Found On The Sidewalk Friday.

What Would You Do?

Let's say your child goes to a friends house for a sleep-over. 

And,  returns home with over $200 worth of new clothes purchased by the friends parents.

What would you do?

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

A young girl is invited for a sleep-over.  The mother drives her daughter to the house, walks her to the door, speaks with the parents hosting the sleep-over, hugs her daughter and then drives away.

The next afternoon the daughter is driven home by the parents who hosted the sleep-over.  The daughter walks into her house, hugs her mom, then shows her a large shopping bag full of new clothes, over $200 worth, that were purchased just for her.

The parents of the children are not friends.  They don't know each other very well.  Their children are friends and this was their first sleep-over together.

If you were the parent of the daughter who brought home the clothes, how would you react?  What would you do?

This parent took the bag of new clothes back to the hosts' home and said "Thanks, but I can't accept."  The hosts/clothes purchasers said, "Why not?  Our daughter told us that things were tight for you so we thought we'd help by buying back-to-school clothes for your daughter."

I ask again, how would you react?  What would you do?

It's Not You, It's Me

I have this dentist you see.  This wonderful, caring, handsome dentist who has done nothing wrong with my care, it's just that I have to discontinue seeing him.   *sniff*

He's so far away!!!

Our family dentist is terrific. It was discovered that I needed serious work done and I have tremendous difficulty getting numb.  I wanted to be out,  O-U-T, while the drilling and mining was happening so our terrific family dentist recommended this dentist pal of his.  I went.  It was good.  It was very good.  (I just love those little pills and the nitrous - Ann was definitely in her happy place! )

I've been back to this dentist for check-ups because I didn't have the nerve to say 'I really used you for the intense work.  Now I feel it's time for me to return to my family - dentist that is.'

It's time.  I've seen 2 dentist offices very close to my neighborhood that now offer "Sedation Dentistry".  Now we're talkin'!  My scheduled appointment with "far away" dentist is soon so now is the time for me to get some ba ... um, back bone and let him know it's not him, it's me - and my poor gas mileage.

Virtual Girls Night Out - Ah, Camp

My 12 year old is back from camp.  A whole week of her little sister being bored without her big sister to annoy, is now back in full swing of "Leave-me-alone's" and "Mo-o-o-om!!!"  Ah... I think I need a Virtual Girls Night Out!

*The VGNO Blog-Hop began in the summer of 2008. Connecting, supporting, encouraging - those words describe the VGNO Guest. And hopefully we gain more exposure for your blog - that's the intent of the VGNO. So get on your bunny slippers, make yourself a cocktail add your blog link and have fun! Join the Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project (details below). Happy VGNO!*

Time For Some Tunes!

(ah camp... one of my favorite movies starts at camp... the lake, the dance, the honey - the feathers - the string! ... when these crazy kids discover they're sisters (I guess being Twins wasn't enough) one of the best songs EVER is performed ;-> )

Hayley Mills (& Hayley Mills) "Let's Get Together" - The Parent Trap

I think the remake was good too.  (Dennis Quaid?  You Bet!!!)

Time For A Cocktail!

Camp Grenada

Ingredients
3 oz (chilled) 7 Up
2 oz Grapefruit Juice
1 oz Pineapple Juice
1 1/2 oz Campari Bitters
1/2 oz Grenadine
Directions
Shake and strain into an ice-filled collins glass. Add the 7-up, garnish with fruit, and serve.


Time For A Party Game!

"7 Weird Facts"

Let's get to know each other a little better and share 7 Weird Facts about ourselves.

Me?  Let's see...

1. I love the show "Will & Grace". I could watch the show every day. LOVE IT!!!

2. I love white food. If I'm at a buffet my plate will come back looking a quilt of white. I don't know why? I just love food that happens to be white.

3. I HATE those little wooden spoons that come with those little cups of ice cream! Hate the feeling on my teeth!

4. I HATE the smell of manilla envelopes! I almost feel like I can't breathe! Hate It!!!

5. Whew... calming down... The older I get I lose interest in chocolate.

6. I don't like the feeling of a dirty floor, especially while I'm in bare feet. It's almost like I can't put my feet completely on the floor.  (I'm sure if I were young I would be labeled with some disorder.  Whatever)

7. I have a horrible memory. I drives everyone I know crazy.  (Or does it? I can't remember ;-> )


Time For The Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project!

Update on our participants:  We now have 19 bloggers participating in the T.H.S.R.P.  The latest is in Dublin!  As soon as we get pictures from Brenda I'll be sure and share.  (If you don't know what the heck I'm talking about click:  here )

Hey blog pals, I can't wait to see what "weird" things you share.  "Weird" is subjective though, isn't it?  Happy VGNO!!!

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Mellow Out, Would Ya'?

I didn't mean to sound like that.

Really.

Even though I heard that snarky, rude tone in my head I didn't mean to actually let anyone else hear it.

While I was standing in a long check-out line with my 9 yr. old I was getting irritated with the group of guys standing before me.  Assuming, from their cart full of ice and Pabst Blue Ribbon, they were on their way to a party and you would think they would want to purchase and get going.  'Move along little Buckaroos' I said to myself  'my blood sugar level is dropping and I need to get home and make some lunch!'  But they were in no hurry.

The person in front of them put their items on the belt and stepped forward, but did they?  Nope.  They seemed to be entranced with their conversation about music, or art, or something that had nothing to do with the fact that I was starving.  I tried to calm myself down by taking deep breaths.  It's no big deal - right?  It's gonna happen, I mean, I'm going to get my items and be on my way, but at this rate I may faint first.

As the empty gap between the Dudes and the conveyor belt became wider I started to question if they were even in line at all.  Maybe I misunderstood their symbol of items in a cart and what they were really doing was a performance art piece titled "Assuming; You Know What That Makes"  (If you don't, I'll tell ya').

My nastiness came out when someone else came upon us and started to fill the empty space with their cart.  I verbally slapped the dudes with, 'Are you in line?!  I mean... you're not moving.'  Oh my gosh.  My tone.  It didn't even sound like me.  The growl that came out of my voice was so bitchy I couldn't believe it.  My 9 yr. old couldn't believe it!  She looked at me with her own little "What the hell Mom?" expression.  I thought I was going to laugh hysterically from sheer shock.

Of course the delightful gentlemen responded in a mellow dude-like way, gave me a "whatever man" glance, updated their Facebook status to "Pissed" and moved their ice and PBR onto the belt.  I was so embarrassed.  When did I become the angry old lady?

Even while purchasing my food I kept thinking that I should apologize, tell them it was my low blood sugar talking, but I was stunned and said nothing.

I did apologize to my daughter though.  I had to let her know that what I did wasn't the best way to handle the situation.  A swift kick would have been more to the point.

Kidding.  I kid.

Tuesday Tracking - Goldband Lilies

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The blossoms happened so quickly.   And I can't get over their size!  I wish they were here year round.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

 

Traveling Heart Shaped Rock Project - Join Us!

Would you like to participate in a photo project that has a little heart-shaped rock hopping around the globe one blog at a time?  Would you like to have your blog highlighted?  Then you need to take part in the Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project! 

While on the Oregon Coast I found this little "gem" and decided I didn't want its journey to end.  'Why not' I thought 'share this symbol with my blog pals?'  So, here we are!

How can you, you lovely blogging person, take part in the Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project you ask? Here's what you do:

*E-mail your name & address to annharrison@comcast.net. I will add your destination to the list.  Once you receive the little heart-shaped gem...

*Take a picture of it with something that represents you; it could be an object, a place, whatever you like.
 
*Then... post the picture on your blog; let your readers know you are participating in The Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project.
 
*Let me know when you receive our little gem; I'll send you the name & address of the next blogger to mail the rock to.

I know that some bloggers plan on sending the "gem" on it's way along with a little trinket/souvenir for the next blogger. I love it! Do what feels right, just have fun. And, don't forget, take pics and post 'em.

I'll be sharing your pics on my blog as well, you will be the T.H.S.R.P. Spotlight Blogger.  At the end of its journey I'll create a slideshow of our pics reminiscing about its travels (and wishing it had been me :-> ).

What a fun way to have your blog highlighted.  I hope you take part in the Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project!

(*Send questions or comments to annharrisonATcomcastDOTnet )




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Virtual Girls Night Out - It's Hot and We're Swearing

The heat wave has come upon the Pacific Northwest.  95 degrees is the deal today.  On our agenda we are to attend a wedding (which is being held outdoors) then a Beavers Baseball game (yep, the Portland, OR team is really called The Beavers).   What a perfect intro to kick off this weeks VGNO! ;->

*The VGNO Blog-Hop began in the summer of 2008.  Connecting, supporting, encouraging - those words describe the VGNO Guest. And hopefully we gain more exposure for your blog - that's the intent of the VGNO. So get on your bunny slippers, make yourself a cocktail add your blog link and have fun! Join the Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project (details below).  Happy VGNO!*

Time For Some Tunes!

Mumford and Sons "Little Lion Man"

(*Disclosure - Bit of the "f" word thrown in)


This band is terrific!  Hope the splash of language didn't offend.

Time For A Cocktail!

Summer Fruit Punch
Ingredients
2 cup(s) diced stone fruit (apricots, plums, peaches, nectarines)
2 cup(s) apricot juice
2 cup(s) sparkling wine
1 cup(s) seltzer
Directions
Combine diced fruit, apricot juice, sparkling wine, and seltzer. Divide among 4 ice-filled glasses.

A perfect beverage on a hot day.  And it uses, what is called, "stone fruits".  What a perfect segueway ...

Time For The Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project!

Has the rock made it to you yet Brenda "The ChacoGirl" all the way in Paraguay?  How exciting!  When it reaches Brenda it's on it's way to Carolee "Come On Home" in Pennellville, NY.  Then we have Mary, and Martha and Wendy... who's next???

How can you, you lovely blogging person, take part in the Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project you ask? Here's what you do:

*E-mail your name & address to annharrison@comcast.net. The rock will be mailed to you from it's last glamorous visit with a blogger. Once you receive our little heart-shaped gem...

take a picture of it with something that represents you; it could be an object, a place, whatever you like. Then... post the picture on your blog; let your readers know you are participating in The Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project. Let me know when you receive our little gem; I'll send you the name & address of the next blogger to mail the little gem to.

On and on it goes! I'll be sharing T.H.S.R.P. pics on my blog as well. At the end of it's journey I'll create a slideshow of your pics.

Hey blog pals, stay cool!  Happy VGNO!!!





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Found On The Sidewalk Friday - Poetry

I've heard that these are popping up around our city...

Inside the Poetry Box attached to the post you will find contributions from the owner of the home.  I love this idea!  Today the box was empty.  And that's OK, that means that people are taking these words and ideas and carrying them to share with others. 

Walking is good!  Have you found anything interesting on, or by, your sidewalks? If so, share on Found On The Sidewalk Friday.

I'm Ruining My Kids Childhood

Disneyland. 

That forever looming destination. 

The place that my girls (ages 12 & 9) feel that they are the only ones, the ONLY ONES that haven't been.  

I guess I should have made an effort to put Disneyland on my radar.  Rob and I have had every intention of taking the girls.  We've talked about it, thought about it, but never planned it.  Katie is 12, Lily is 9.  The days fly by.  Debt piles high.

I felt this would be the year we would make it - but then a car decided to be a little shit and there went the funds.

I look at the girls list of "Things To Do This Summer" and the title Disneyland blares at me.  Something I can't offer. 

I wish I didn't feel so guilty... but I do.

Tuesday Tracking - Lilies

`

The Goldband Lilies are beginning to bloom

             

I can't believe the size of these buds

The smell is incredible

The blossoms are so quick, the slideshow should be beautiful for the next Tuesday Tracking  :->

Happy 8 - 9 - 10

We've had two sequential patterns today...

 5:06:07 - 08/09/10.

That won't happen again until the year 2110.

Love cool trivia

(Thanks Robin!  ;-> )

Virtual GNO - I'm In A NYC BlogHer '10 State Of Mind

Since BlogHer's conference is being held in NYC this year and I'm not there *sniff* I'm dedicating this weeks VGNO Blog Hop to New York.  Rob and I lived there years ago.  (When it was time to start a family my husband made a deal with my mom that we would move home to Portland, OR. What a guy!)  It's been 13 years since we've lived there but we've gone back for visits. 

Here we are at the South Street Seaport

Let's get going with the VGNO blog-hop!  Add your link at the bottom of this post to play along.

*The VGNO blog-hop is for those who want to party "virtually" with other bloggers. More exposure for your blog is the point of VGNO. Connecting, supporting, encouraging - those words describe the VGNO Guest. So get on your bunny slippers, make yourself a cocktail add your blog link and have fun! Happy VGNO!*

Time For Some Tunes!

Jay-Z & Alicia Keys "Empire State Of Mind"


Let's hear it for New York!   They even have a street named after me :-> 

In the Financial District - close to City Hall

Time For A Cocktail!

New York Cocktail

Ingredients:

2 oz blended whiskey

1 oz lemon juice
1 tsp superfine sugar
1/2 tsp grenadine
lemon twist for garnish
Preparation:
Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.  Shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with the lemon twist.


Hey you BlogHer10 attendees!  If you get a chance to walk around the city, make it over to 49th & 9th would you?  And take a picture of The Amish Market for me, please?  It was a small store when we moved and it seems to grow and grow with each year.  (I want to see how big the Olive Bar is now... yum!)

Time For The Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project!

The blog-hopping isn't just for people, it's for our little heart-shaped rock too!  The rock is on it's way to Brenda "The ChacoGirl" in Paraguay right now.  So cool!

How can you, you lovely blogging person, take part in the Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project you ask? Here's what you do:

*Send your name & address to annharrisonATcomcastDOTnet.  The rock will be mailed to you from it's last visit with a blogger.  Once you receive our little heart-shaped gem...
take a picture of it with something that represents you; it could be an object, a place, whatever you like. Then... post the picture on your blog;  let your readers know you are participating in The Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project.  Let me know when you receive our little gem; I'll send you the name & address of the next blogger to mail the little gem to.

On and on it goes!  I'll be sharing your T.H.S.R.P. pics on my blog as well. At the end of it's journey I'll create a slideshow of your pics.

I can't wait to see your photos!!!




OK friends, off we go to show our support and blog-hop! Add your blog link and visit those that have left their links. Go mingle! Happy VGNO!



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Found On The Sidewalk Friday

I live in Portland, OR.  Yes, my neighborhood has houses with yards and yes, chickens are very popular with the "Eco-conscious/Grow-your-own crowd" (We might have some someday ;-> ) but you never know when people will tire of feathers and clucking and move on to the next big thing.   (I was going to say "baa-a--a thing, but I didn't.  Or, well, yes... I guess I did.)

Can't wait to see what Rob or I find for next weeks Found On The Sidewalk Friday. 

Have you found anything interesting?  If so, go ahead and copy my Found On The Sidewalk Friday button and share with your readers.

Get Over Yourself

I was given the opportunity to do something yesterday, something that is out-of-the-ordinary, but I passed.  I let my nerves take over and I just couldn't push through the shortness of breath and the flop sweat. 

How old am I?!?  What is my problem???

I was asked to be in an info-mercial.  They would have wardrobe, make-up the whole bit, but... I just panicked.  'Um... no thank you', was my reply.

I'm sure I could have rocked those khaki pants and that sweater set.  Perhaps I could have worn pearls.   Hair spray would be a must, this summer weather is making my hair frizz something crazy.

But I won't worry about it any more.  When I see the info-mercial during a late-night of drinking wine and lounging in my sweats I will toast the brave woman who took my place. 

I hope I get over myself someday.

Along For The Ride To Redmond

My sister and I spent the weekend with my mother, and her memories, at her 59th high school reunion. 

We traveled in the modern version of a covered wagon (Buick La Sabre) - from the land of green grass and Starbucks, to Redmond, OR, the land of sunshine, cowboys and, well Starbucks is there too.

To see my mom with her high school buddies is quite an experience.   The best part is hearing the stories.  To see people who are struggling with bodies not working the way they would like, and minds behaving the same way, to see that sparkle in their eyes when they talk of runaway rafts, rodeos, and late nights just being young and outrageous.  It's fantastic.

Next year will be the big 60th reunion.  (My sister is already planning the party).  I can't wait to hear more stories.  I'll be sure to bring my sunscreen... and cowboy hat.