Mother and daughter are sitting on the back steps. Daughter is crying while mom has her arm around her, gently rubbing her back. Thinking of what may possibly console her daughter, the mom stares out at the trees lining the backyard.

Mom leans into daughter, kisses her head, and says, “Boys suck.”

Daughter resolutely replies through her tears, “Yes, they do.”

A Mother-Daughter Moment is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of UPromise for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Upromise is celebrating its 10th Anniversary by giving away $20,000 to users who share a story that tells how a parent has supported a child’s dream!

As a parent, I have encouraged my children to dream and dream big. Education was always a focal point of those dreams, even if the money was not always there.

Upromise members have received more than $600 million in college savings through their rewards program, and it wants to celebrate all of the ways it has helped to fuel those sparks that made children into the people they are today and the adults they will become tomorrow.

My Story

My dream is for my children to pursue their passion by getting a good educational foundation to prepare them for the rest of their lives. By encouraging them to do well throughout their elementary school years, I have helped build a foundation for them to grow into productive and happy people.

Your Story

What is your dream for your child(ren)? Go to www.upromisetodream.com and share your story and you could be one of 10 lucky winners of $1,000. The story with the most votes on September 29th will win $10,000! Now that’s something to help launch your child’s dream.

Don’t forget to check out the dream wall official rules for more information.

Help UPromise Celebrate Its 10th Anniversary is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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At least that’s what I keep telling myself.

Maybe I’m just bracing myself for the inevitable pretty white jacket and rubber room.

When I was 3 or 4, or something along those lines, I wanted to be a doctor.

Me: Mommy, I want to be a doctor when I grow up because I want to help people.

Mom: Maybe you could be a nurse. Nurses help people.

Me: I don’t want to be a nurse. I want to be a doctor.

It became more specific when my dad said I was going to give him a heart attack one day because I liked to hide then jump out and scare him when he came home from work. But…

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…as we all know, I did not become a doctor.

Fear is a destructive emotion. It keeps you from going after the things you most want. It can be irrational and illogical. It can be used against you by those who think they are trying to save you from yourself.

Over-thinking is just another way for fear to creep in.

Another way to distract.

It keeps you from doing.

It just keeps you.

Keep It Simple (Stupid)

• Get rid of unnecessary stuff [99% is unnecessary stuff, btw]
• Don’t buy more unnecessary stuff
• Get out of debt [student loans, ugh!]
• Get small-ish travel trailer and live the vagabond life [once kids are done with school, that is]

The funny thing about growing older is you realize you always knew who you were,
you just didn’t accept it.

The white picket fence was never my dream; that belonged to someone else. Same with the big house, the possessions, the fancy degree, and the corner office with a view.  Traveling, that was my dream. Kids, simplicity, and laughter. Cause I’m a big geek like that.

Life: It is about the gift not the package it comes in.  ~Dennis P. Costea, Jr.

Planning For My Midlife Crisis is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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Happy Mother’s Day to all the first time, umpteenth time, no longer with us,
soon-to-be, and in-spirit moms world wide!

Happy Mother’s Day is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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Just when I got comfortable watching old reruns of Quincy and spending massive amounts with Dwayne and Ivy dog life changes and it’s time to get used to a new reality.

After more than 2 years of searching, applying, and waiting I was offered a job. I started the very next day. I’m excited and nervous, but know I can handle whatever comes my way.

I will still be around posing reviews and giveaways as well as my thoughts on life, what’s going on with me, and anything else that may come to pass. I have no intention of giving up on this little thing we call blogging, not today at least.

Life Everchanging… Back to Ye Olde Grindstone is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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At least we communicate, sort of.

Of course, what Ivy really wanted was a) a treat, b) to get up on the couch, or c) both a & b.

Family Life: Texting, It’s Coming From Inside the House is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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Companion

Friend

Protector

Ivy watches over us when we’re sick. Knows when we need a little extra attention. Protects us from the big bad squirrels. Reminds us that we all need a little play time.

Part Cat

She has 9 lives, you know.

Parvo Virus ✿ Hit by a car ✿ Ate raw pizza dough

Demanding

Spoiled

A Child

At night, after she has eaten she will pace and whine if she cannot get on the couch. For some odd reason she does not believe she should be banished to the floor. Rotten kid, uh, dog!

Family

Family Life: She’s More Than Just Our Dog is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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From the Garden…

A great way to save money on food is to grow your own, then can what you don’t or can’t eat. Then you have homegrown, preservative free foods for the rest of the year and until your garden is up and producing again.

An even better way to save money is to have family do this then share!

Dwayne brought home a baker’s dozen of assorted goodies on Friday after visiting his brother. We now have green beans, tomato sauce, and even some lovely venison (a great alternative to beef).

Thank you Dennis and Tina!

Mmm, Mmm Good: The Way to One’s Heart is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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I know as parents we are supposed to be proud of our children. I am, but…

A few years back I attended a seminar on how to deal with difficult people. {insert joke here} I don’t recall much about the seminar as it relates to techniques and such, but I do remember the story the speaker (who was from England and currently residing in Florida) told. She had received a call from her son about a big accomplishment in his life. I don’t recall the specifics. She congratulated him. When he asked if she was proud of him she replied, “Are you proud of yourself?”

The point was how we raise our children (and were possibly raised) to need constant reassurance when we could be teaching them to be self-reliant, and with that, more confident.

What does this have to do with Veteran’s Day and pancakes?

Nothing, but I do that sometimes. In my mind it makes perfect sense. See, I’m going to post a video of my kids in the Veteran’s Day parade from last Saturday. And as proud as I am of them, I tell them they should be proud of themselves. Amazing how one story several years ago made such an impression that I not only feel the need to share it with you, but I actually changed the way I speak to my kids when it comes to their accomplishments.

Stephen is on your right with the JROTC Color Guard holding a rifle. Amanda is with the band. She’s on clarinet and to your left (she’s the shortest one). And I do hope they are proud of their accomplishments and their choices.

As for the Veteran in my life, I made him some pancakes (from scratch).

He enjoyed these very much and so did I. Personally, I was astounded by how round and good they looked. Typically my pancakes are everywhere and oblong with little dots of pancake all over. These were neat and brown and oh so good. Topped with a little butter and/or syrup and you are good to go. And yes, I am proud of myself!

Are you doing anything special today to honor the veterans in your life?

Do tell.

Family Life: Honoring the Veteran in My Life… With Pancakes! is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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Last Friday was Senior Night

Senior Night is the last home football game of the season and all senior cheerleaders, football players, and band members are recognized. The cheerleaders and football players are recognized before the game and the band members right after their half time show.

The parents get out on the field and walk with their child. The parent gets a carnation dyed red and white (the school colors) and the kids get a stuffed eagle (the school mascot).

One is a Senior, Another a Freshman

Although last Friday was my final Senior Night, too, and there will be no more walking a child on the field as a rite of passage I still have one in high school. He’s decided that band is not his thing, but…

he’s still marching.

He’s in the Air Force JROTC program and advancing quickly.

Stephen probably has the fewest pictures here or anywhere; his choice not mine. Hopefully that is starting to change. I will be posting the video from today’s Veteran’s Day Parade later in the week. Exciting stuff, for sure!

Family Life: The Circle of High School Life is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

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