Have To Stay Positive

On a late morning this past October my father called to say that his wife had just died.  Abrupt.  To the point.  "Jan's gone." 

After the shock had worn off slightly we found out that she was in the hospital for a scheduled operation to have a stent put in.  Not long after she was wheeled into the operating room my dad was notified that she was gone.  She was 58 years old.

The shock of her passing has affected him intensely.  She did everything for him.  My dad lives 3 hours from us which makes a "quick check-in visit" difficult, however my sister and I have been traveling from Portland to Seattle to do what we can to help him settle.  These visits have been the most time we've spent together in years. 

Around the beginning of December my dad wasn't feeling so well.  He felt tired, but couldn't sleep.  He was losing weight.  He was anxious.  His heart... he knew something was wrong.  After checking himself into the hospital  and weeks of tests and doctors visits he has a diagnoses... he needs to have a stent put in.  The same procedure that his wife was to undergo less than 3 months ago is the procedure that he will be having this Monday. 

What a way to end the year.

I have to stay positive.  I have a tendency to shut down.  I feel so much that I can't take it and in my circuit overload I shut down.  I can look like I don't care but I do... I do.

I just needed to write this... to send it out into the blogosphere.  I just needed to

Jingle Bell Withdrawal

Some years I'm ready to take down the decorations and pack away the Christmas season.  However this year I'm not as eager. 

For the past 30 days it seems I've listened to nothing but Christmas music and was constantly thinking about all the Christmas cookies I wanted to make.  If the T.V. was on I wanted it to have either holiday movies or themed cartoons.  I still haven't seen enough of  "White Christmas".  And I'm sure the waist band on my pants can handle a few more pastries.

I'm not ready to let the lights, the "light-ness",  the hope - leave.  I just don't want Christmas to be over. 

But, if you see me sporting a bangly, jangly Christmas sweater tackle me and shake me to my senses.  Being sad that the season is over is one thing, losing my fashion sense is another.

We With A Tree

No.  It's not our tree.  And no, we're not in matching outfits.  However we are together and there's a Christmas Tree behind us.  Merry "12 Days of Christmas"!

(This was taken at a family member's beautiful home.  We had been in the car for 3 hours so please excuse the wrinkles ;-> )

So, the 12 Days of Christmas have begun.  Do you have anything special planned?  Partridge's in a pear tree?  Anything like that?

You Love Singing Animals, Right?

I just couldn't resist.  (I bet you watch it more than once ;-> )

"Jingle Bells" is totally worth it too.  Merry Christmas!

Who Put Me In Charge?

I can't believe I'm in charge.

There are some mornings, especially on school holiday's, that a feeling comes over me when my husband leaves for work.  I'm a grown woman, I'm married, have 2 children and a mortgage and yet, once Rob leaves and it's me and the girls I have a tiny feeling of panic and think 'Oh my gosh.  I'm in charge.'

Now it's not that when Rob is here we bow down and answer to his every whim and I relinquish my responsibilities.  What I mean is, I'm the "Cruise Director" if you will.  I'm the one to set the schedule, make the appointments, take care of all the emergencies that arise, cook and clean - you know, be a Grown-Up.  And I'm fine with that.  It's just that some mornings I get a panic attack and take an audible *gulp*.  

I think I need a "play-date" at a spa :->

You?

Lovin' Will "Robert Goulet" Ferrell

I wish. 

I wish I wish I WISH I could have been a lounge singer in the Rat Pack hay-day of Vegas. I absolutely love the honest-to-goodness lounge singers.  Dean Martin, Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Robert Goulet, Wayne Newton - oh wait, him not so much...his voice is a little to high for me.  Let's see Bobby Darin...  good stuff.

Time for some fun with Mr. Goulet (a.k.a. Will Ferrell)



Time To Vent!

And a "What Would You Do?"

Preparations were underway for my daughter's 13th birthday party;  I booked the place, ordered the cake and made invitations.  Things are scaled back this year in that she could invite 5 friends instead of the normal pack of 10.  I understand that made it tough for her but that's just the way things are.  So on each invitation I put the name of the invited guest.  I felt labeling them would help her when handing them out so if a friend did a little "Hey, what about me?" Katie could blame her "Mean Mom" by saying, "Mom will only let me invite so many" blah, blah, blah.

I did receive a phone call from one parent whose child had told her about the party and the parent wanted to confirm since she didn't see an invitation.  I felt badly explaining that things needed to be scaled back this year, but the parent sounded like they understood and the conversation went well.

One of the invited guests is a quiet girl and classmate of Katie's.  This quiet girl has a brother one year older.  I knew this invite was going to be a problem because Katie does play with him rarely but he's not my favorite and Katie didn't want to invite him.  I made sure to put one name on that invite so there would be no confusion. 

So here we are, the day before the party and I hadn't heard from the quiet girls parents, so I called to confirm that their daughter would be attending.  The father sounded odd and said "Uh, yeah, she'll be there."  Lovely.  Another enthusiastic participant.  Later that night, around 9:00 pm, I get a call from the mom that doesn't start with a "Hi.  How are you?" or a little "Do you have time to talk?".  Nope.  I am addressed with "My husband was confused earlier because our son told us that Katie invited him to the party too." 

Um...

I told her I didn't know anything about that and that we were doing the best we could however the party is very limited this year.  She replied "So you want me to tell him he can't go?"  I apologized again (like an idiot, I was so flustered) and then said, 'If it's easier for your daughter not to attend that's fine.'  I was so-o-o-o done.  She laughed and said that that wouldn't make things easier.  Gee, really?  It would for me!

Again she said "Our son was really looking forward to going."  I told her "Look.  What I know is that we have room for 5 guests.  I made invitations for 5 guests.  I wrote your daughters name on the invite, I saw my daughter put it in your mailbox and I hadn't heard from you until now.  If this party is an inconvenience to you I'm sorry, you can just have your child not attend."   She said, "I'll have her there tomorrow."  I had the highly intelligent come back, 'Whatever' and hung-up.

What I don't get is the fact that they didn't call me to confirm about this supposed verbal invite.  Wouldn't you call the host and say "Hey, just wanted to check..." Doesn't that make sense?  Wouldn't you just get your "parent radar" buzzing, especially since this charming young man of yours has a crazy history of habitually lying and causing physical pain to those around him?  Wouldn't there be any doubt that he was truly invited?  No, no of course not.  It's easier for me to be the one that sucks then for you to step up and call your son out.  I see. 

UGH!!!

Have you ever had this situation?

Virtual Girls Night Out - The Day Is Here!

Alright friends the day is here... I am the mother of a TEENAGER!!!

My oldest has turned 13 today and I've already heard a "Whatever" and a "So what?".  Ah... please dear Lord and all the Gods and Goddess that surround us, please help me (and her father) keep our sense of humor and patience.  I'm sure we'll be OK.

That Being Said (see this post to know why I'm laughing at myself) I do believe it's time for a Virtual Girls Night Out!

*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 below and have fun! Happy VGNO!*



Time For Some Tunes!
Obediah Parker "Hey Ya"

This just takes my breath away.  Love, love, LOVE it!  (Thank you Robin at Cinnamon and Honey for your fantastic musical taste and all around wonderful spirit :-> )

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Time For A Cocktail!

Birthday Cake

Ingredients:

2 oz Cranberry juice

4 oz Pineapple Juice
1 oz vanilla vodka Vodka
Directions:
mix vanilla vodka, with pineapple juice and cranberry juice in a blender with ice, mix and serve.

I leave the chocolate cake and fudge frosting to my daughter and her friends.  THIS I will have :->

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Time For A Question

When I was 13 "Grease" the movie was big. Big I tell ya'!  And I absolutely loved it.  I wanted to take my friends to the movie for my birthday (remember when movies were like, $2.50?  It's true, they were.)  So here I am all excited about seeing this movie and my mom had to have a talk with me because she was really concerned about the message the main female characters were supporting.  She was unhappy with Sandy changing her style to fit in and I said "Oh mom, that's ok.  I like Rizzo".  That made things even worse! 

We cleared it up.  The reason I like Rizzo is because she was so self-assured, so tough.  Something I definitely wasn't.  Ah... to be 13 again... no thank you!  Do you have a story to share of your 13th birthday party?  Please share!

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Time For A Giveaway!

Just a reminder that there are some fun giveaways happening at Ann Again... and again Reviews.  One big ticket item right now is a Tassimo Personal Brewing System (retails $129).  Come take a chance on a giveaway :-> 


Alright blog pals get cozy, make yourself a delightful beverage and have fun at our blog-hopping Virtual GNO!

There I've Said It

So I'm watching a product review on a blog site.  I have to say I kept watching more for the sheer absurdity of the vlog then for the interest in the product.  Yep.  I'm a mean person... sometimes.

This product required that the user/vlogger get water from their kitchen sink.  Their sink was full of dirty dishes.  Come on!  Are you telling me that no pre-planning went into this product review video blog?  You couldn't take a few minutes to either clean the dishes, or just move them to the counter before filming?

Then the featured item was being used.  The vlogger apologized for the product being dirty and tried to rub off the mess.  Really? 

All the while this is going on you can hear little ones upset (the screaming, the arguing) in the background.  This is where I'm sure most of you will say "Geez, Ann.  You should know it's tough to find a minute of quiet time in the house.  What's the matter with you?"  Well, #1) I have the flu and I'm very grouchy about that and #2) We, the viewer, are being asked to pay attention to how wonderful this person thinks this product is while we're hearing whining from young children.  As far as product pitching goes, I'm done.  Turn the channel, what else have we got.

I've done video blogs.  I know what it's like when things are going well then the phone rings, or a child runs up needing your help, or the dog walks by knocking over the camera.  I get it.  I get that the house isn't spotless, and that we're moms, not professional commercial actors/directors.  But is it too much to ask that things get tidied up a bit, at least for what shows on camera?  I have enough dirty things of my own, I really don't want to look at yours too.

And as far as the kids go... I don't know... bribery?  Ice Cream?  I don't know.  Unless it's a precursor to you doing a product review of Calgon "Take Me Away" I just don't think it's a good idea.

There I've said it.

Bad Timing

I had to go and do it... in the midst of the holiday/birthday season in the Harrison household I had to go and get the flu.  I feel like a horrible mother.  I feel even worse if I get the rest of the family sick, which they aren't and they haven't been so far, thank goodness.

I'm going to do my best not to think about all the things that I should be doing (my oldest turns 13 on Saturday) and try to relax.  Yeah, right.

Ugh

That Being Said

Phrases are a large part of popular culture.  I've had my fill of  "Think Outside The Box" and "TMI".  Now I'm realizing another phrase becoming common place and I can't figure out why?

In the past 2 weeks I've noticed  people explain a situation then utter, "That being said..."  and continue on with either their decision or conclusion. 

Why are they reminding us that they've said something?

Why do they think we wouldn't understand that their decision came from the facts they had just given us? 

It seems to be wasted words, an unnecessary, enjoying-the-sound-of-their-own-voice, statement.

That Being Said... do you have any phrases that you would like to have put out to pasture?  ;->

Virtual Girls Night Out - Ready To Jump? & A Giveaway!

I'm spending the day with 16 little 10 year old girls while they jump and dance their little hearts out at an indoor play park called Pump It Up.  (*help!*)  It's birthday party day!  Tonight I will definitely want to settle in with a cozy glass(es) of wine and hang with my blog pals.  Let's get started with a Virtual Girls Night Out!

*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 below and have fun! Happy VGNO!*


Time For Some Tunes!

Keane "My Shadow"

Fan made video.  So sweet.  I just love Keane.

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Time For A Cocktail!

Jumping Bean

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz 1800® Tequila
1/2 oz sambuca
3 coffee beans
Directions:
Pour tequila and sambuca into a mixing glass half-filled with ice cubes. Stir well, and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with coffee beans, and serve.

After a couple of these I might be ready to join those girls in the jumping palace! ;->

*Join The Virtual GNO Add Your Blog Link Below*

Time For Some Fun!

I don't belong to Facebook but after reading about some of these Facebook groups I just might join!

* "No, I Don't Care if I Die at 12 a.m., I Refuse to Pass on Your Chain Letter"
* "Friends Don't Let Friends Wear Crocs"
* "I Don't Care If The Spider Isn't Hurting Anyone, I Want It Dead!"
* "An Arbitrary Number of People Demanding That Some Sort of Action Be Taken"

Do you belong to any fun groups on Facebook?  Share!

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Time For A Giveaway!

I have some fun giveaways happening at my review site Ann Again... and again Reviews.  My latest offering is a personal brewing system from Tassimo.  A retail value of $129.99.  Please visit Ann Again... and again Reviews and try for a chance to win!


Alright blog pals get cozy, make yourself a delightful beverage and have fun at our blog-hopping Virtual GNO!

Bracing Myself

The time is almost here.  I am 9 days away from being a mother of a Teenager. 

I'm not afraid.  I can do this.  (You're making a care package for me, right?  Wine please... red, white... I don't care.)

The only thing that gets me about this is how quickly it arrived.  And how quickly she thinks this means she's "grown-up".  Oh Honey... you are far from it, let that be known from now until you are, well... let's see?  When are we really "'grown up"?

In my mind I'm 26. (I'm far from that now.)  I liked 26 a lot.  I felt very comfortable with myself,  I trusted my heart and mind and married a wonderful person.  I was also living very far from family, which was sad, and yet I was on an exciting adventure living on the East Coast so there was no time to wallow, I had to go - go - go.  I was ready to be brave and see what I could do.   It was a blast!  So let me say you are grown-up at 26.  At least that's how many years it took for me to make it there - to that elusive world of "Grown-Up".

We get so few years to be young, to lack big time responsibility and consequences.  Why are some so quick to leave that safety bubble?  Sl-o-o-o-o-w Do-o-o-own.

Tomorrow she will update me that it is 8 days until she's 13 years old.  (How's my care package coming along? ;-> )

The Harrison's Find A Christmas Tree

We had such a terrific time at Christmas Mountain Choose 'N Cut in Scappoose.  (Yes Virginia, there really is a city called 'Scappoose'.)

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The decorations are almost complete.  That's for the next slideshow :->

Virtual Girls Night Out - Shine

I'm a bit surprised by my organization.  I actually have the house decorated for the holiday and today we picked out a tree.  This is a first! How are you doing with your seasonal plans?  I'm going to kick back and relax tonight and blog hop at the Virtual Girls Night Out!

*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 below and have fun! Happy VGNO!*



Time For A Tune!
David Crowder Band "SMS Shine"


Story behind the video from The David Crowder Band Blog

*Join The Virtual GNO Add Your Blog Link Below*

Time For A Cocktail!

Candy Cane
Ingredients:
•3/4 oz. Creme de Cacao, white
•3/4 oz. Schnapps, peppermint
•Top with 7-up
•Fill with Cream
•1/4 oz. Grenadine
•1 small candy cane Candy
Mixing Instructions:
Fill a highball glass with ice and add liquers and grenadine. Stir, then fill with cream. Top with 7-up and garnish with a candy cane.

This sounds like the perfect drink to accompany decorating a tree!  Delicious!

*Join The Virtual GNO Add Your Blog Link Below*

 
Time For A Giveaway!
 
I have a lovely giveaway happening at Ann Again... and again Reviews, the latest cd from Windham Hill, "Winter's Songs - A Windham Hill Christmas".  If you would like to take a chance on winning this cd please visit Ann Again... and again Reviews.


Alright blog pals get cozy, make yourself a delightful beverage and have fun at our blog-hopping Virtual GNO!

Just Say No... To Nutmeg???

I heard on the news last night that parents need to be on watch for the latest "drug" craze for teens... Nutmeg.  They are telling us that Nutmeg is being rolled and smoked, or put into a pipe and smoked, just like marijuana and that it gives the smoker similar effects of that wacky-tobacky.  Nutmeg???

I can see it now, if Nutmeg can get you where you'd rather be than cinnamon must not be far behind.  We'll start barricading our spice racks for the sake of our precious children.  Coffee houses far and wide will have to put their condiment island on lock down.  All of the cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg shakers will be chained to the table and highly monitored with cameras and scales.

Possible future phone conversation:

Mom: "Timmy.  Where are you?"
Timmy: "I'm at Johnny's house"
Mom:  "No you're not.  I went to Johnny's and no one was home"
Timmy: "Well, we went to the park to hang out too"
Mom:  "No you didn't.  I went by the park also... you weren't there.  Tell me the truth.  Where are you?"
Timmy: "Um, well..."
Mom:  "Timmy??"
Timmy:  "Um...  we're at Starbucks"
Mom:  "No Timmy Nooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!"

And... uh oh... Holiday baking is upon us. Could powdered sugar be far behind?!?