I had a date last night.

That’s two weeks in a row, on a Saturday night, too. Last week Dwayne and I planned to go to the movies and have dinner. Since he’s been working 6 days a week we only made it to dinner last week. If you have a Smokey Bones near you, go. They are amazing.

Last night dinner was a bit more simple. After watching Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution I am officially off most fast food.  We didn’t have time for all to wait for a seat at a restaurant yet I wanted something semi-healthy. We had Subway.

Subway for me is pretty darned healthy, too. I had a footlong [actually ate the whole thing, usually I only eat half] turkey, no cheese, toasted on 9-grain honey oat with lettuce, tomato, green pepper, onion, spinach, and a dash of oregano. I added a bag of Harvest Cheddar Sun Chips [still unopened] and a Sweet Tea [my vice]. Next time I may actually forgo the turkey since I’m only in it for the veggies.

Mmm, veggies.

Okay, enough of my dinner.

On to the the movie.

I wanted to see Cop Out, but it was no longer showing at the theater. I had free tickets for a specific theater [I pride myself on being a cheap date]. Since Dwayne paid for dinner I paid for the movie snacks [almost as much as dinner - ouch!] We decided on Green Zone.

I wouldn’t say ‘go out and see this now’. It was interesting and at times dizzying. Mostly, though, it was frustrating. How is it I, an American, go to a movie, made by and starring Americans, about a war and root for, uh, I was rooting for the non-American! I knew he would die. I even knew who would kill him. Oh, and I knew so much more because this is [loosely?] based on truth.

Okay, maybe it’s not even loosely. Maybe it’s real close. I don’t know.

I do know that it made me embarrassed. Yeah, embarrassed to be an American. And I love America. I love what our Forefathers wanted. I love my freedom.

And yet I cannot say The Pledge of Allegiance

Just writing that – allegiance – what does that mean anyway?

If you like war movies, then rent this. Otherwise, skip it.

Dinner and a Movie: Green Zone is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

I got to pet an ass [insert joke here].

I really want one! I have for a while now. I just need to convince Dwayne and maybe make some money for the additional fencing needs. Oh, and maybe we’ll raise some goats, too. Goat cheese anybody?

Next was the trip through Pigeon Forge in which we learned we lost nothing there. I’m not really sure what the big draw is. As far as our desire to go to Dollywood (just for a change of pace), it will never happen.

Note to Pigeon Forge and Sevierville tourism officials: give estimate of mileage to I-40 because it’s not nice to meander traffic for miles [i.e. 2 hours] in the hopes we will stop at one of your tourist traps along the way. Not cool.

Then we were stalked by some woman in a white car. Fun stuff. We I think she felt we would get the ticket rather than her if the cops caught us speeding. And a woman in a black car attempted to stalk us after we cut in front of her. It was her fault for driving too slow in the fast lane. We lost her pretty quickly. Guess she couldn’t keep up.

Oh, and there was the Beverly Hillbillies wannabes.

Although we were almost an hour late, we were able to pick up Ivy from the kennel at the vet’s and bring her home Sunday. She was a very happy puppy and behaved during the drive home. I think she was just happy to claim her spot on the king sized bed. Yeah, she’s a tad bit spoiled.

What great things have you been doing lately?

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

This is for…

all of us who ever went to, wanted to, or read about summer camp. For every child and adult. For everyone who loves kids, the outdoors, and innocence. Well, this is for all of you. Enjoy!

Now that’s what it’s all about!

I think.

Video Monday: Summer Camp Food is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

Alright, this post was supposed to be about Amanda and her funnyisms (yeah, I made up that word. ya wanna make something of it?) {insert goofy smiley here} not things-that-gross-me-out-to-the-point-of-not-wanting-to-eat dieting.

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So, in all laziness I decide to search for an image of a can of Chef Boyardee raviolis with the ‘full serving a vegetables’ label instead of just taking a picture of one of the cans in my cupboard. I never found the image I was looking for, but I did find some old posts about a rat supposedly found in a can of raviolis.

For some odd reason Google added the words ‘rat in’ to the beginning of my search. Weird.

This is a bit traumatic for me. See, I have a sensitive stomach. Maybe it’s I have a sensitive gag reflex that goes all the way down to the pit of my stomach. Either way, I now have another addition to my ‘I will probably never ever eat this again’ list. Yippee {sarcasm, people, sarcasm}

Oh, and I did NOT watch the video, so proceed at your own peril. Very dramatic, aren’t I? {insert stupid grin here}

And what was my original post about?

While shopping at Kroger on Saturday I told Amanda she could get some raviolis if she so desired. With a big grin she says, “Really?”

She walks over and starts grabbing the cans and turns to me and says, “What?!” as she points to the label stating there is a full serving of vegetables in every can. I laugh and tell her that’s the new marketing strategy and nothing has changed. She looks relieved and puts the cans in the cart.

I can’t help but be amused by my 17 year old daughter and her complete aversion to anything vegetable.

Image courtesy of Brian Zaikowski & B.Z. Toons

New Dieting Tactic: The Gross Out is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

So, tonight, after spending several hours scouring all types of antique, vintage, and just plain old kitchen gadgets, I am still at a complete loss.

We brainstormed at dinner tonight and these are our thoughts:

1. vegetable picker upper (for those pesky small veggies like peas and corn)
2. spaghetti twirler
3. meatball fork
4. mustache curler {shrug}
5. pie thingy (put in center of pie to mark where to slice)
6. some sort of veggie or fruit corer

Do you know what this is/does?

It’s about 3 inches long with a handle like a screwdriver and what appears to be four blunt forks on the end. It appears to be a spinning/digging type of tool. There are no other markings.

Unusual Kitchen Gadget – Any Thoughts? is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

Sometimes things just happen. Ideas are formed (thought bubbles and all). Today, born of frustration over more bad service, I present you this new whenever meme – Life’s too short.

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Life is way too short for me to hand over my money to a company who takes no pride in how they are represented. They obviously believe they are too big to have to care about their customers. Well, now they no longer have to worry about me. I am no longer a Walmart customer.

I’m done!

Who cares if my favorite Perdue whole chickens are not available anywhere else. Eh, I can just make due with those other brands found at Kroger or Food Lion. So what if I have to remember to pull the neck, heart, and liver out first.

And if I have to pay a little more for hardware, automotive supplies, storage containers, etc. No matter.

Oh, and that extra 25 minute drive to Target or Kmart will be well worth it I’m sure. After all, they give me an incentive to shop there. There is price matching, reusable bag credit, special gift card deals, Catalina offers, and never a hassle when I try to use an internet printable coupon.

And my favorite Vlassic Zesty Dill pickles that are not available anywhere else in the immediate vicinity? I guess I will just have to do without and just buy regular, non-zesty dill pickles from now on. {sigh}

I’ll take Walmart for $200, Alex.

Answer: Name something Walmart does not teach its employees.

Question: What is customer service?

The greeters at the main doors almost always say hello and have a nice day. That is their job, right? Nothing too hard there. And I always try to make eye contact and acknowledge them. Nothing wrong with a little common courtesy. Now, the greeters at the garden center are about 50/50 on doing their job.

Let us review that again.

They only greet or say have a nice day about 50% of the time. So, they only do their job 1/2 of the time. ???

Anyway…

See, today I paid for my items in the garden center. Only half of the checkout lanes were open in the store.  The lines were a bit too long for my few items and the express lanes were at the opposite doors to where I parked. The garden center was empty. Empty.

There was one older lady sweeping the floor by the checkout and another standing by the door ready to greet (or not). I put my items on the counter and waited patiently. The cashier looked at me, walked over to get her dustpan, walked back to finish her sweeping, put the broom and dustpan aside, THEN walked over to the register.

It gets better.

She started ringing up my items. Sure, sounds fine, but something is missing. She never spoke. It wasn’t until Amanda let the her know we had brought our own bag to use did she say anything. It was a flustered ‘okay’. I swiped my card, signed my name, and as she handed me my receipt she barely looked up and then she squeaked out a small ‘have a good day’.

Ah, and then there is the lady by the door.  Remember her, the greeter. She looked at me with this bothersome face and turned away. That’s it.

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I am so tried of walking into a store where 99% of the employees ignore you, damn near mow you down when you’re walking down the aisle, act inconvenienced, and are otherwise unhappy to just be there.

Besides, I’m a big girl now. I know how to use the internet and purchase items online. I know how to drive to other stores, stores that show me I’m appreciated.

I am no longer drinking that Kool-aid.

Life’s too short!

What about you?

Ever have one of those moments where you just think, ‘Life’s too short for this’? Let it out and let’s enjoy the time we have to the fullest!

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UPDATE 7/19/10: I spotted this in my Facebook updates today. Just another reason to {sarcastic humor} love Walmart.

A KCL Rant: Walmart’s “Coupon Specialist” Registers

Pay for Poor Service? I Don’t Think So! is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

Analyzing, over-analyzing, pondering, wondering, oh, and thinking some more.

Comparisons. Pity. Comparative pity, maybe a little.

Is it right? Am I being selfish? What about others?

Walk a mile in another person’s shoes and you might find out your bad experiences are not so bad.

Then there are feelings. Valued, valid. Mushy, gushy, messy feelings. How do I act? What if I upset someone else?

If I cry, then others will think ‘poor, Annie’ (others being family and yes, they still call me Annie). And they may start to cry. I don’t want that. But, then I hold it all inside. It has to come out some time. Privately I suppose. And then there was the talk.

How my daughter helped me mourn the loss of my mom.

I haven’t posted here in a while. Sure, there have been a few posts related to a giveaway I am having, but those were written and scheduled and then I was gone. And then I came back and everything I had to say seemed so insignificant. Rather self-indulgent and meaningless, unimportant. Until now.

For those who come by with some regularity you are aware I lost (well, I know where she is) my mom on June 3rd. What you may not know is I cried when I told my kids and not much more since. In fact, while my daughters and I were holding each other and crying I stopped and turned away from the role of daughter mourning and to the roll of mother comforting.

Maybe it’s time to quiet those way too self aware voices and feel. Just this once.

I hadn’t seen Megan in two weeks. She had landed a great summer job and it was starting just when we left for Florida. She was disappointed in not being able to go to her grandmother’s memorial. And yet she was very happy to see me again. We sat in the kitchen and talked for a bit on Saturday morning.

I was telling Megan how I missed my mom, but it felt wrong to talk about it. It felt wrong to cry about it. After all, she was only 10 when she lost her dad. How could I be so selfish? Then the sweetest thing a daughter could ever do for her mother happened. Full of tears Megan told me it was okay. No matter how old you are, it’s okay.

All the times I comforted her with empty, but thoughtful words. All the times I held her and told her it would be okay. All the times I was there for her. It’s amazing how our children grow up. Now she is telling me it will be okay. It’s okay to feel sadness. It’s okay to smile and even laugh. It’s okay to go on living after someone you love dies. And it’s okay to cry.

How My Daughter Brought Me to Tears, In a Good Way is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

Ever learn something and it just stays with you? Not really school stuff. More like life stuff. One of those life lessons for me is about birds.

Way back some twenty odd years ago I had a mean cockatiel named Oscar. Yes, we named him after:

Anyway, Oscar got caught on a metal clip in his cage which tore a hole under his beak. I was newly married. My (then) husband removed the clip and I took Oscar to the vet. Yeah, it would have been cheaper to buy a new bird, but in my heart I had to help Oscar. The vet did his thing and put one of those cones around Oscar’s head. I was to give him drops, but there was no guarantee he would survive.

I took Oscar home and nursed him best I could. I placed a sheet over his cage to keep him warm. And I waited. Honestly, even the vet was surprised he survived. A few months later, and completely unexpectedly, Oscar died.

That’s one tough old bird!

There’s a good reason for that saying. It’s true. When birds get sick or hurt they don’t show it. Predators go after the weak. Birds don’t show their weakness. That is, until they are near death.

In the news

I’ve been hearing a lot about how women tend to ignore their health. You know you hear it, too. ‘I can’t get sick. The kids have this activity and that. And dinner has to be made,’ and so on and so forth. Women are the caregivers. We’re not allowed to get sick.

But we do.

We ignore the signs. Shake it off. Take an aspirin. Take a nap. We’re tough birds. And you don’t know we’re sick until we’re really sick. I know because I’m guilty of this, too.

As it had shined across him all his life, so understanding lighted that moment for Jonathan Seagull. They were right. He could fly higher, and it was time to go home.

-Richard Bach, Jonathan Livingston Seagull a story

My mom died last night. Last year she was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. She put on a brave face during her year long battle. There was always hope. And yet, I knew. I think she did, too. She was admitted to the hospital Monday night. Tuesday seemed hopeful. Wednesday not so much. Bone Cancer was discovered. Breathing was difficult. Thursday was worse. Blood clots in the lungs were causing the breathing difficulties. DNR was discussed.

I’m sure in those final moments she was ready. My step-dad said she told him it was the end. And then she closed her eyes. He said it was very peaceful.

Image Credit

All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on. is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

I admit it. I do not like her.

I am one of the many people who don’t think much of  Sarah Palin. And now she has given me more reason to think even less of her. I have to wonder how she ever got elected to any office.

I was watching the Today Show this morning when I caught a segment about Sarah Palin and Joe McGinniss. See, Mr. McGinniss is renting a house next door to the Palin’s. He can probably hear when they fart, the houses are that close. And Mr. McGinniss is working on his next book. Yep, it’s about Sarah Palin.

He is gathering information through interviews and observation. No, this does not mean he’s watching their every move. But, as Ms. Palin should know (since she has {cough} written a book herself) is that research is needed. This would mean getting to know the surroundings, the places, people, lifestyle of your subject. Not sitting with binoculars spying, but casual observation.

Who hasn’t watched their neighbor? Be honest.

Before moving to Virginia, Dwayne and I would sit on his front screened-in porch and watch the neighbors. One would walk her dog every day at the same time. One house had so many people come and go we would come up with stories of what might be going on there. Then there was the time the SWAT team staked out a house. Yeah, and he thought my neighborhood was bad.

Since moving to Virginia our neighbors have watched us as we moved in, put in insulation, repainted our metal roof, built a garage/workshop, planted a garden, fought. It happens. Once you walk outside your front (or back) door you are fair game to anyone observing their surroundings.

If Jerry Springer were still on, Sarah Palin would be a regular guest.

Ms. Palin’s threats of violence are completely uncalled for and borderline ridiculous. Joe McGinniss is writing a book. Doing research. He’s not spying on her. What is he going to see? The Palin’s watch American’s Next Top Model. Oooo. (I don’t know if they really watch America’s Next Top Model and I don’t really care.)

Point is, she immediately became defensive. They built a fence. She rattled off threats. She talked at Mr. McGinniss through the media. Makes me think she just likes the attention and the protecting her family routine is just that, a routine. When the wolf truly shows up will anyone believe her?

What is missing here?

If you have a problem – speak – to – the – source. Why didn’t she just say, ‘Hey, Mr. McGinniss. I’m a bit uncomfortable about your presence here and would like to know what your intentions are’?

Oh, I know. She’s a public figure and he might twist her words around. Well, then go to a neutral spot with maybe a camera or other recording device taping the conversation. Lay down some ground rules. Basically, grow up and stop acting like you’re five.

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Do We Ever Grow Up? is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

Bands silver and gold
Our symbol of commitment
Simple wedding rings

- Anne Bender ©2010

Why do we have to be so cheap frugal?

No, we are just plain cheap!

Okay, maybe if I had a job price would not be such an issue. Maybe it would. I mean, it’s just a ring, right? But it’s a ring we’re going to wear every day for the rest of our lives. I never wanted an engagement ring. In fact, the engagement ring was another huge factor in why I stalled on the marrying thing. That is a story for another day. But I want the wedding band to be what I want, not just something I buy because it’s the practical thing to do.

It’s not like we’re going to have some elaborate wedding anyway. I have my dress (bought it at Goodwill more than 10 years ago because I thought it was pretty). Dwayne has his suit. We’re only inviting immediate family. The plan is to have the ceremony at my parent’s house in North Florida. I’m thinking barbecue or something along those lines for food. We’ll order a simple cake from Publix (whipped cream, of course). So, why are we cheaping out on the one thing we will have for years to come?

Why you should always [ALWAYS] get a 6″ sandwich at Subway

…unless you want to participate in the one meal a day diet.

We left the house about 11:30 yesterday morning to go in search of the rings (see above). I was a little peckish, but could wait to eat. I said I would buy us lunch and there was a Subway near where we would be anyway. Subway is the only fast food I will bother to stomach (and french fries). Well, as of yesterday it was. All of that is about to change.

After several stops and many disappointments we stopped for lunch at about 1:30 pm. For those who do not know, I am a picky eater. I don’t eat condiments like ketchup, mustard or mayonnaise. Food is pretty simple for me. I ordered my usual Turkey on 9-grain honey oat, no cheese, toasted, but as a footlong. I also noticed a knife laying on the prep area and no other knives. This particular knife had mustard and possibly mayonnaise on it. Nevertheless, it was dirty. I searched for the usual knives in water, but found none. The very friendly girl continued making my sandwich. Lettuce, tomato, onion, green pepper and a little oregano for good measure. I was so hungry.

And then it happened. She reached for the dirty knife. I started to say “No,” but it was too late. My stomach turned. Dwayne heard me curse under my breath and asked if I didn’t want it cut. I told him about the knife. She wrapped my sandwich and continued on to his. Then, get this, she washed off the knife prior to cutting his sandwich in half. {sigh} I paid, grabbed my bag of Baked Lays [Parmesan and Tuscan herb] and my cup. Dwayne grabbed the sandwiches, his chips and his cup. When we sat down he ate his very messy sandwich and I picked at my chips. He offered me his pocket knife so I could cut the offending ends off, but it was too late. I had lost my appetite.

Good thing I know how to cook.

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Ring Shopping & the One Meal a Day Diet is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010