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Showing posts from June, 2009

Dear Trevor From Brain Rush, Thank You

As we move along through the heavy transition our friends are experiencing, we are doing what we can to make some things a little lighter. Luckily the sun is shining. That feels good. There are LOTS of Otter Pops in the freezer (always a hit.) And silly cartoons distract from reality. One new show on Cartoon Network caught my attention and I just had to share this with you. (We could all use a laugh, right?) Cartoon Network has a game show called Brain Rush . This show takes unsuspecting guests at Knotts Berry Farm and asks them if they would like to answer trivia questions while riding the crazy, wild, outrageous rides. Now, the participants are already going on the ride so they aren't being tricked. They earn money for every correct answer and, have the potential to make $5000. For that amount of money damn my dizzyness! Let's do it! The following clip is Trevor. He voluntarily went on the first ride, did well enough on that round, and has moved on to the next ro

Slap On That Phony Smile

Today is a beautiful day. The sun is shining, the temperature is perfect and I can hear a lawnmower doing it's job somewhere in the neighborhood. I'm doing all I can to keep a smile on my face but, something life changing is happening today and I can't stop thinking about it. My oldest daughter has the sweetest best friend. She has spent as much time as possible at our house this past school year. Her Father would call me saying "Hi Ann, I'm looking for a girl who looks alot like my daughter. Have you seen her?" Our house seems to be a magnet for her big brother also. Dinner time is never dull, and now, with school being out, let's throw lunch time in the mix too. (I might need to start my own "Food Drive" soon ;-> ) These children, these young children, have no idea that today, right now, their father is having an incredibly serious procedure done to save his life. Their mother called me a few days ago to tell me what was happening

Virtual GNO - Anniversary and a Large Storm

Geez! I don't know about you but I am so glad this week is over. Or, at least, I am so glad Friday is here. Number 1, because this week has felt very funky. Yesterday was such a weird combination of 'Really??? ' and 'Wow!!! ' And, Number 2, because today is my 16th wedding Anniversary. (Love you Guitar Guy !) I need a release! I need a party! I need a Virtual Girls Night Out !!! First virtual party? Welcome ! The original Virtual GNO is a blog-hopping party that began in the summer of 2008. I couldn't get a sitter and was in desperate need for time away from my children and some adult conversation. I decided to do the next best thing and turned to my blog friends. At least I can "get out" in my imagination. Get Your BLOG Over Here! To join the blog-hopping fun, check out my VGNO post then sign the Mr. Linky guest book with your name/blog link. Visit fellow bloggers that have signed in. It's a party so at a party you mingle, right? Go blog-

And Guess What Else Happened?!

I was a very lucky winner! Kandace of Kandio-O Designs shared one of her beautiful creations with me! Her beautiful jewelry makes me happy. Go visit Kandace at Kandio-O Designs ! ******************* You see that tree there in our back yard? The one on the right that's tilting? Well last night it fell *CRACK! BOOM!* down it went. Poor thing. ********* We just found out that HGTV will be filming an episode of "House Hunters" using the rental next door. We better go mow our dandelion garden if we want to look all purdy ! ********* If I try something I like I'm going to tell you all about it. I've reviewed Skin Free products on my site Ann Again... and again Reviews . Don't forget to enter the Skin Free $30 Gift Certificate giveaway ! It's going until 6/25.

One In A Million

Being unique has its virtues. I find it particularly wonderful in people and in cars. If only our family van had that virtue. I’ve seen so many vans like ours I wonder if the company ran out of ideas, hit the “repeat” button and called it a day. After a shopping trip with my girls, we ran through a surprise rain storm to get into our car. When we reached the car I put the key into the lock, but nothing happened. I tried to put the key into the other door, but it wouldn’t budge either. My girls were yelling “Mom, hurry up! We’re getting soaked!” I was also getting drenched and very frustrated. I gathered my girls and headed back to the store. While we stood there dripping, my mind was flooding with solutions to fix my car. I mean, there must be something wrong with the car, right? I thought, ‘Call for a tow truck. Call my mother to pick us up. Call a locksmith.' I told my girls to wait at the store entrance while I went into the rain storm to try this again. When I

Virtual GNO - Summer Vaca & A Giveaway!

The best part of summer vacation is sleeping in. Oh yeah baby, now we're talkin'! I can't tell you the joy it gives me to know that I don't need to be "up-and-at-'em" every morning. There is definitely a difference between just having to get yourself together to go to work and getting children up and ready for the day. We can relax with the morning challenge for a few months now. Ya-hoo! Hey! I know, let's celebrate with a Virtual Girls Night Out ! New guest? Welcome! The original Virtual GNO is a blog-hopping party that began in the summer of 2008. I couldn't get a sitter and was in desperate need for time away from my children and some adult conversation. I decided to do the next best thing and turned to my blog friends. At least I can "get out" in my imagination. To join the blog-hopping fun, check out my VGNO post then sign the Mr. Linky guest book with your name and blog link. Visit fellow bloggers that have signed in. It'

Don't Answer That!

Telephone etiquette is important. I believe in a full “Hello” when someone answers the phone. None of this “Yea” or “Hull-a” I hear from kids when they answer their cell phones. Speak up! Someone has chosen to talk to you! Show some pride. When I call friends their children sometimes answer the phone. ‘Hello? Hello? Is someone there?’ “yes” (barely audible) ‘Could you get your mom for me?’ “wha’?” It seems as if they’ve never spoken to a human. ‘Could you please get…’ Ah, well. I’m sure you’ve all been there. And that’s why it’s important to me that my girls know how to answer the phone properly. I thought that I had done my job. That is, until recently. We have certain times and places when we do not answer the phone. Dinner time is one. Homework time is another. And, I thought, it was understood that the one place we would all agree on would be the bathroom. I guess my daughters don’t feel the same way. *ring*ring* footsteps-footsteps (voice heard outside the

You Have A Little Something Right … There!

I was getting ready in a hurry. My girls had some place to be and I didn’t want them to be late because of me. Usually they are the ones dawdling, however this morning I decided to be good to myself and exercise. (Yay me!) So I jump out of the shower and do all of the primping I normally do, only 10 times as fast. Rub on all of the lotions and potions that I’ve researched to make me look younger, brush my hair with the fancy hair brush that will help my hair shine and bounce, put on the self tanner so I don’t look like an Albino. (Not that there’s anything wrong with Albino’s. I’m just saying for me, I go with the faux glow, thank you.) I drive my youngest to her friend’s house. I go inside to get things organized with the mom and snuggle with her new baby, (she’s just a doll!). Next I take my oldest over to her friend’s house and chat with that mother. She just bought a package of Space Bags and loves them. ‘I need to get some of those’ I’m thinking as I head to the store.

Virtual GNO - I'm Sassy Sue!

It's here. It's really here. Summer vacation. The last day of school was Wednesday and my girls are already bored. GEEZ! I've compiled a list of things to do. I've bought snacks and offered to put up a tent in the backyard, just something out of the ordinary to get the summer fun going. But what do I hear? "I'm bored". Ugh. Transitions aren't easy. I think I'll runaway to the tent! You know what I need? A Virtual Girls Night Out ! New to the party? Welcome! The original Virtual GNO is a blog-hopping party that began in the summer of 2008 when I couldn't get a sitter and was in desperate need for time away from my children and some adult conversation. I did the next best thing and turned to my blog friends. At least I can "get out" in my imagination. To join the blog-hopping fun, check out my VGNO post then sign the Mr. Linky guest book with your name and blog link. Visit fellow bloggers that have signed in. It's a

She's Right!

While I was standing in the kitchen my youngest was drawing. When she left the table and went outside to play this is what I found. "Sometimes my mom needs to use a cookbook to cook" There I am, standing in the kitchen with a tier of produce beside me, smiling while I look at a cookbook. Lily has definitely captured a wishful expression. (I need to smile while in the kitchen more often.)

Apology To My Dog

Oh, Benny. I am so sorry. Ever since the Wii has entered our house you have been missing out on quality time with your family. Instead of the kids rushing home to play with their favorite pooch, they bound in the door and ask if they can “go bowling”. And when your favorite guy comes home you don’t get the quality time you’re used to. Tiger Woods Wii Golf seems to have taken your place. I thought that I could make-up for their recent lack of interest. Our walks would be longer. You’re treats would be home-made. But, you see my dear, sweet, hairy friend, I have found Wii Fit. And, now I realize, you are a Wii Widow. I’m sure you are not alone. There must be more pets out there that are going through the same experience. Perhaps I can find a support group for you? You’re meetings could be at the dog park while you sniff each other and moan about your people jumping up and down all the time and swatting at the T.V. You can mention how you don’t understand why your people

Bret Michaels - Man Down

So I'm watching The Tony's last night and the opening number was great. There was singing, there was dancing and there was some bodily harm. Hollywood has nothing on live theater. There is a musical called " Rock of Ages " playing at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre which stars Constantine Maroulis . Remember him from American Idol? (He was even up for a Tony?! Can you believe that?) This musical is based on hair bands of the '80's. The music of Poison is featured in this musical, so Poison was there singing "Ain't Nothin' But A Good Time". Let's see what happens when Bret Michaels doesn't pay attention to the fact that the show must move along and it can't wait for him to soak up all the love that he thinks is just for him. And down he goes! His hat just laid there. No one even kicked it to the side. Bret, in the theater when it's your cue to exit the stage, you really do need to exit the stage. Stockard Channing waits

Virtual GNO - Smelling The Roses & A Giveaway!

Planning for summer time fun can be kind of stressful. That makes no sense! I look through the Parks and Recreation catalogs for fun daycamps. I ask teacher's if they know of fun classes. The thing is, there is plenty to do, it's just that everything is so dang expensive! One teacher gave me a list of classes that she said would be perfect for my oldest but the rate is so far out of our reach. And with 2 kids all the summer time "fun" is double the price! OW! My aching checking account. You know what I need? A free Virtual Girls Night Out ! New to the party? Welcome! The original Virtual GNO is a blog-hopping party that began in the summer of 2008 when I couldn't get a sitter and was in desperate need for time away from my children. I did the next best thing and turned to my blog friends. Friday nights have been a blast ever since. To join the blog-hopping fun, check out my VGNO post then, due to Mr. Linky having issues (no problem, we can still do thi

Some Days

Some days are just hard. My oldest was diagnosed in the Asperger's spectrum when she was 5 years old. I wasn't surprised. I knew that there was a disconnect somewhere but what ever I read about Autism was a step too far from what I was experiencing with her. Everyday is a lesson. Everyday we try to remember the tools that we've been given to guide her toward good choices. Her first reaction to things always seems to be 'anger'. That emotion is so far removed from the rest of us in this house that it can make some days incredibly, incredibly hard. It's a roller-coaster. Thank goodness my youngest was born with an easy going disposition. (I think this angers her big sister even more!) There are some great days. Some really great days. Those days give me hope because then I know I'm seeing the real Katie. And she feels it too. And she wants to feel good. Our job is to remember how we got to this "feel good" place and do these things over

Tuesday Tunes - Diane Birch

Get your cool, jazzy shades on and enjoy. Diane Birch - " Nothing But A Miracle " * Read full review here at Ann Again... and again Reviews *

Minute Maid Commercial

I have to admit, the first time I saw this commercial I didn't catch on. But now I laugh every time. Did you notice the size of that bottle he's drinking from? Just how much do you have to ingest before the "boost" helps your brain I wonder? Some days I believe I would need a couple of jugs. Unfortunately, I can relate all-to-well to the "What did I just say?" in this situation. Ugh!