Talk To The Hand

Nope.  These aren't my kids.  I just had to share.  

Reminds me of some conversations I've had.

E=MC Grunt

(Back from Spring Break "Family Car Trip" 2011.  All I can say is 'whew'.)


Yesterday, while on a little shopping trip to pick- up glitter glue and paper, I took a side trip to the chip aisle for a little something crunchy.  I over heard my daughter's young friend comment about Frankenstein on the bag of popcorn.  Frankenstein?  I looked at the bag and said, 'No.  That's not Frankenstein.  That's Einstein.'

"Oh", she said. 

I fear for our future.

Not Truly Blogging

I'm completely editing myself and not writing what I'm really thinking or feeling. 

Too much.

Too many thoughts and situations.  Too much.

Spring is officially here.  That's a happiness.  I'll hang on to that.

Spring Break - Really?

Soggiest Spring Break on the Oregon Coast

*sniff*

Shut Up and Be Inspired

How am I to help guide my Teen through her "Peer drama", "I don't want to grow-up", "Leave me alone can't you see I'm not a baby any more?" filled life, when I absolutely hated being that age myself?!

I was a chaperon for my daughter's 7th grade field trip to see the Alvin Ailey dancers at a stunningly gorgeous venue, the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (for those of us old enough to remember it will always be known as The Paramount.) 

This was a city wide event for schools so we really needed to represent our neighborhood.  Silly me thinking that the kids would make an attempt to dress up ever so slightly with maybe a shirt that wasn't so tight, or so low, or jeans that weren't so torn.  Oh well, on with the show.

There is a drawback (no pun intended) while living in a "City of "Bridges", our bus was caught on a bridge on-ramp for a half-an-hour.  I am already not a huge fan of this troop and this really put my patience to the test.  (*closing eyes*... I'm in a pretty meadow... and in that meadow are fragrant flowers... and nestled in those flowers is a fully stocked bar... I'm in a pretty meadow...)

We made it to the venue with minutes to spare and I was the lucky chaperon who was given the honor of guiding the children that the teacher was having "difficulty" with.  *heavy sigh*  I've been hanging out in class with most of these kids since Kindergarten and it's hard for me to hear the more grown versions call their teacher a Bitch.   There's a part of me that wants to talk with them about their situation, guide them to a healthier way of dealing with their emotions and another part of me that wants to see how they'd react to a large bar of soap in their mouth.  (I love daydreaming.)

In the end, the Alvin Ailey dancers were transforming.  They were powerful, evoking emotion that I didn't think I had for a modern dance performance.  Just beautiful.  I hope the kids got it.  What ever "it" is. 

I hope they were inspired.

Hope

Thank You Young Man

I want to thank the young man who took me at my word that my daughter really did put $10 into the token machine yet didn't receive her token card thus creating a panic.  Thank you.

I want to thank the same young man who, 20 minutes later, explained to me how the ticket system worked and that my daughter has received her points, even though she thought the machine was broken and lost her points thus creating a panic and public meltdown.  Thank you.

And again, I want to thank the same young man who, 25 minutes later, tracked down my daughters lost point card in the computer system after we had retraced her steps, and looked in the garbage bin she had used to accidently throw away her $5.00 bowl (a whopping whole scoop!) of ice cream because she thought it was a table top, thus creating a panic and public meltdown.  Thank you.

I'm sure he was happy to see us leave.

Signs Of Hope

While walking under the St. John's Bridge with my big, brown dog Benny I was drawn to getting as close to the river as we could.  Benny didn't mind, he loves any opportunity to jump into any size of water - tiny puddle, to expansive ocean (but he hates the rain, go figure).

While walking along a tiny span of beach I noticed the word "World" written in the sand.  Then I looked behind me and saw the words in front of it,  "Love The". 

Love The World.

It is so nice to find hope in places you don't expect.

Craigslist Etiquette Vent

I've sold a few things on Craigslist and for the most part it's a fine experience.  But ... I have to vent on those that don't quite get it. 

The most delightful transactions are where you post what you have for sale, someone responds with an e-mail asking "Is this still available?  Please call me."  You call them, tell them 'yes' and they say "Great.  What's your address?"  They arrive when they say they will, pay you the cash payment you specified, you exchange goods and off they go.  All is right in the Craigslist World.  But then there are those that Just - Don't - Get - It.

Exhibit A.)

Within my sales post of a $10 item I clearly state what part of the city I live in.  I receive an e-mail stating "I'm interested.  Please call."  When I call I'm asked where I live, I tell them, they say they don't have a car and would like me to drive to their house and deliver the $10 item.  They live 15 miles away.   Um, no.  I tell them I'm not up for that and I'm sorry that it won't work out.  *click*  However, they keep e-mailing me asking if I've changed my mind.  Um, no.

Exhibit B.)

Within my post I include my asking price.  When I receive an e-mail stating "I'm interested.  Please call."  I call right away.  When I give my location the possible purchaser asks if I will take $10 off my asking price because you see, she drives a big SUV and with the cost of gas and all, gee whiz, well I understand, right?  Yeah.  Yeah I understand.  That's why I've priced my brand new/never used item at $40 less then what a retailer is asking!!

When I post something on Craigslist I think of this as an honest transaction, kind of like a legitimate store.  You wouldn't call a department store and ask a Sales Associate to drive the product to you, would you??  Or, you wouldn't go to a Sales Clerk and say "Well, I did drive a long way to get here in my huge gas guzzling car, so I think you should take that into consideration and remove the cost of gas from my total."  You just wouldn't do that!  (Although, I totally get it.)

I understand the art of haggling.  I understand trying to get the best deal.  But when I have researched a product, have seen what a retailer is asking and then lower my price by almost half, I get very insulted when I'm asked to take even more of a cut.  I don't think it's fun, it pisses me off.

And that is my Craigslist Etiquette Vent of the day.  Good day to you.

No Cats On The Bed!

My cat decided to scratch herself at 4:00 am.

How do I know that?  She was at the foot of my bed.

And not only was she scratching herself she was kicking the foot board with so much power I thought someone had broken into our home and was hitting our bed with a hammer.  (Hitting our bed with a hammer?!?  I don't know.  It's 4 am... that was my first thought.)

Cats.  Ugh.

Virtual Girls Night Out - Blog Hop & Giveaways!

The hope of Spring coming soon is looking good.  No rain today and temperatures are up a tiny bit.  Yes!  Let's be hopeful together and get started on our blog party, The Original Virtual Girls Night Out!

*The VGNO blog-hop is for those who want to party "virtually" with other bloggers. Add your blog link to the link-up below, get on your fuzzy slippers, make yourself a cocktail, visit those that have left their blog link and have fun! Happy VGNO!*

Time For Some Tunes!

Donovan Frankenreiter "Glow"

Time For A Cocktail!

Green Hope
Ingredients:
3oz. Vodka
1/2 oz. Bols® Green Curacao liqueur
1/2 oz. Bols® creme de bananes
1/2 oz. grapefruit juice
1 1/2 oz. lemon juice
Directions:
Shake ingredients with ice, and garnish with red cherries.

Time For A Giveaway!

I have a couple of fun giveaways on my review site Ann Again... and again Reviews.  One is for the cutest darn baby food maker/food processor you ever did see, The Original Baby Bullet.  And the other is for a 6-PK of Twist flavored water from Talking Rain.  (It's yummy, really!)  If you would like to enter either, or both, of these giveaways please visit Ann Again... and again Reviews.

Thanks for hanging out at the Virtual GNO! 

Charlie Sheen's Cats Are Very Intense

So this is where Charlie Sheen gets his quotes!

Sometimes I think I can read my cats thoughts, but with mine it's all about treats.  These cats are deep!

I wish my cats were as wise.

Charlie, you're one lucky guy.  I wonder what your dog is up to?


(*from:  "Cats Quote Charlie Sheen" )

If Dr. Seuss Wrote The Bible

Ah, Kids In The Hall.  I miss them.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!!  ;->