It’s been a wonderful week of blog hopping, friendship making, and site seeing. And like all good things this party must come to an end. Good thing those fantastic twins Janice and Susan over at 5 Minutes for Mom will be keeping all of those great linkies up so we can go back all year long and check out the 2300+ sites listed.

2300+ sites – WOW!

I didn’t keep count of all the sites I stopped by and visited, but it wasn’t nearly enough. I do plan to go back and check out more as time allows. I did find a few that I know I will be visiting again and again. Here are three of them.

1. Me:Daily
2. Divorced Before 30
3. Writing to Distraction

There are so many more great sites to see, but these three really spoke to me in very different ways. I am a multifaceted individual, ya know.

Why not stop by the UBP After Party, grab a drink, and wind down the ultimate of the Ultimate Blog Party-goers. I’ll be looking forward to seeing you there!

If you like my writing why not subscribe and never miss an update. Let’s be friends. Connect with me on Facebook and Twitter, too.

UBP After Party – It's Not Over Til It's Over is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

I think. No, I think a LOT! All the time, every day, thoughts running through my head. Trying to decipher all that is happening. Why things happened in the first place.

What if I did this instead?

Then there are the things that are going to happen. Blog post ideas, what exercise video will I attempt today, what the hell is for dinner?!? Thinking, thinking, thinking. It can be quite demanding, but it is most definitely tiresome.

I am sooo tired.

death, dying, finite!

This is what I am thinking about these days. Over and over in my mind I am constantly thinking about the lives we live and then it’s just over. I guess I should preface this with I am NOT depressed.

I am sad. I am reminiscent. I fully understand if you decide to skip this post.

I posted a bunch of old photos on my Facebook page yesterday. My cousins were loving this. Even one I hadn’t seen online in awhile made an appearance.

the grandparents

Nan & Pop. The first one was taken in 1940; they are in their early 20’s. The second is my grandmother; there was no date, but we think this was her confirmation picture.

My grandparents lived long, fulfilling lives. They raised 5 daughters, had 12 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. Both lived to see their early 80’s. And theirs is a great love story, too.

the parents

Here is a picture taken December 30, 1949. My mom is just over 1 1/2 years old. She’s the one on the right. Isn’t she adorable?

Last year my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is almost impossible to detect until it is too late. She underwent surgery and had a cyst the size of a football removed from her abdomen. After a year of chemotherapy we thought things were getting better. There was one stubborn spot, but everything else looked good.

Two weeks ago my mom was told the cancer is spreading. It is in her lungs and liver. She expects to hear it is also in her stomach. She has trouble breathing and is short on strength. My mom will be 62 tomorrow. We are praying for a miracle.

And I came across this picture of my mother-in-law taken in early August 1991. That’s Megan in her arms.

Now, here was a woman who could take a radiator out of a car, fix it, then put it back together again. She once dumpster dived for tickets so Megan could get a Power Ranger toy from the neighboring Fun Zone. Megan was thrilled! I had hoped she would one day teach the kids German [she was from Austria, ya know]. Megan vaguely remembers, Amanda nothing, Stephen was yet to be born. Kathy was diagnosed with Colon cancer and died the day after Thanksgiving, 1994. She was 47 years old.

the friends

And the things that impact us the most are the things we struggle to comprehend.

I was contacted last night via Facebook. The sister of a good friend of mine from grade school. She found me and remembered how close I once was to her sister. I accepted her friendship and replied that I had last heard from Janice over a year ago, via Classmates.com. I had replied, yet never heard back. I hope they were both doing well.

«««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««

Janice and I met when we were in 7th grade; we were 12 years old. We rode the bus together. She was a dancer [ballet, tap, jazz]. I had often thought of her as Megan had taken up those very same things. We drifted apart sometime after our senior year of high school. Then, in 1991, we found each other. She had gotten married in October 1990; me the following March. We were both expecting our first child. I was three weeks early. She was three weeks late. Her daughter was born the day after her birthday.

We kept in touch and spent time together. I even babysat for her once or twice. Then I got pregnant again. The last time I saw Janice was the day I was released from the hospital with Amanda in 1993. I sent birthday and Christmas cards for a year. I had my thoughts as to why she stopped talking to me. I didn’t think I had done anything, but it was something else. I understood, sort of.

Then, one day she sent me note online. She included her phone number. I entered it into my cellphone thinking I would one day summon up the courage to call. I never did.

«««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««

Last night, as I really looked at the words her sister wrote I grew curious. “I was going through the north shore website and found your name. You and Janice were great friends.” Yeah, we were, but it was what was not said that made me wonder if something was wrong. I immediately did a search.

JANICE MARIE BIDDINGER ROBINSON

Janice Marie Biddinger Robinson, age 38, died suddenly Wednesday, October 14, 2009. She was born in West Palm Beach, FL on August 30, 1971.

And I cried…

no words of comfort

I had a restless sleep last night. I heard Dwayne fumbling about at 5:30 this morning and waited. I sat up and he smile a good morning my way. I told him the shortened version of what I had learned. He looked at me and knowing I was looking for answers he could never give just said, “Not everyone is guaranteed a long life, Anne. These things happen.”

life

It goes by so quickly. Tomorrow I’ll get to it. Tomorrow will be a good day. Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow. What if tomorrow never comes?

Take time today to watch the water run over the rocks, to listen to the sounds of nature. Take time today to live your life. Today you have. There are no promises of tomorrow.

{the little creek that runs through our yard}

If you like my writing why not subscribe and never miss an update. Let’s be friends. Connect with me on Facebook and Twitter, too.

There Are No Guarantees of Tomorrow, Make Today Count is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

The fun twin moms, Janice and Susan, behind 5 Minutes for Mom are at it again. It’s that time of year for a ❀Blog Party❀! This is my first time, so I guess that makes me a party virgin [is that family friendly?].

All about me…

For those just stopping by, I’m Anne. I’m a 38 recent college grad, currently unemployed number cruncher, urban turned country farm girl, and mom to 3 wonderfully, crazy, insanely smart, funny, witty, and loving teenagers. I have an affinity with numbers and find it annoying to be so good at something I find to be so painstakingly boring. One day I hope to become a published writer [in actual print media].

Here on my bloggy home I share a little bit of everything. You’ll find posts on my kids and images of our chickens. Looking for a recipe? I have a few intermittently scattered about with more to come. Want to know what fitness videos work? Well, I’ve tried P90X and Core Fusion, as well as, Shaun T’s Hip Hop Abs and a few more. Now to motivate myself to workout more often! I also share my thoughts on things as I look to inspire a little thought from my readers. And every once in awhile I hold a giveaway. In fact, look for a few in the upcoming weeks.

And there are prizes!

I would love to win:

1. USC17 $200 Apple gift certificate from CmomGo
2. US41 a copy of Peter Walsh’s best selling DVD and Book: It’s All Too Much from Lisa Reviews
3. US39 Be My Guest certificate [$250 value] for a 2 night stay for a family of four at any Hilton Garden Inn from Hilton Garden Inn.

If not one of my top 3, then any of these would be very sweet indeed: US15, US18, US73, US74, US76, US79, US86, US87, US88, US91, US98, US100, USC3, USC8, USC13, USC15, USC60, USC63, INTL1, etc, etc, etc.

Whew! That’s a lot, but that’s only a small portion of the actual prizes available. These are some really generous bloggers! So, what are you waiting for… time to join in on the party and start mingling. See you around the blogosphere!

Ultimate Blog Party 2010 = Ultimate Fun! is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

Talk about your duh moment. Okay, not really. It’s not like I planned any of my kids. I meant to, really I did. But the best laid plans… uh, no pun intended.

Anyway, I now have 3 teenagers. Honestly, I’m not sure if the boy will be harder or easier than the girls. I don’t want to be one of those moms who feels no girl is good enough for her son. Just like I’ve worked hard at making sure Stephen is not a mama’s boy. Stephen is 13, so his girlfriend problems days have yet to start. Not that he hasn’t tried. Nothing real and long lasting just yet.

Today it’s about the girls

I like the girls’ friends. I have no problem with their boyfriends. They are kids and they have issues. And I like to say neutral when it comes to their issues.

Sure, I’m supportive of my children. But knowing kids, well, people are likely to change their minds often I try not make judgments of their friends. It’s not my place. Is it?

Megan went off to college this fall. With that change in her life she also allowed herself to be free of any boyfriend ties. This was all well and good [and expected] for all except the boyfriend.

Lashing out in response to real heartbreak

I know the heartache. I’ve been there.

I know the lashing out. I’ve been there.

I know there is light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve been there.

I must say, I am glad I grew up. Emotional rollercoasters suck!

And things worked themselves out and all was okay with the now ex-boyfriend. Or was it?

Round two

Megan has been home for almost a month now. She has hung out with many of her local friends [boys and girls]. She talks to her college friends [boys and girls]. Ex-boyfriend comes around as he is her ‘friend’ now. Nothing new to me. My best friend was their father, after we were divorced.

Yet, something went wrong and communications got a little skewed. Now he’s emotionally and stalkerish and bashing and cursing and demanding.

She can handler herself. She blocks him online. Ignores him when he calls or texts. No problem. It will pass, right? Then I get texts. And I get emails. And I ask to be left out of it and to remain neutral. But the other mom is not neutral [as I'm led to believe].

And then I lost it

Instead of ignoring and not responding, I replied.

I lashed out.

I got emotional.

I was pissed!

Really. I’m fairly easy going, too. I asked to be left out of it. I don’t want to be involved.

Am I really supposed to get ‘all up in’ my daughter’s business every time there is trouble in friend land? I don’t think so, but maybe I’m the only one.

Regardless, I feel bad for responding and lashing out. And I had to say that, publicly.

Thanks for listening.

Parenting ~ How Involved Do You Get In Your Teenager's Life? is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

When I was younger I would have to walk 20 miles to school, uphill, in the snow, both ways

Let’s see, I was 15 years old, yeah, I am going waaaaayyyyyy back. Some 23 years to be exact. Holy Crap! That is a long time ago! But, I digress. I am not a morning person. My mom would come in and very nicely try to wake me up for school. I would begrudgingly get out of bed and shuffle into the bathroom. Not too far of a walk for me as it was just across the hall from my bedroom. Every morning I would brace my behind for the shocking reality that awaited it. {brr}

Somehow I would manage to get ready for school and rush out the door to the bus stop. There I would grouse about my morning and how I wished I had a cushioned toilet seat so my butt would not be so cold in the morning.

Cold Butt, Warm Heart

As is wont to happen, the holidays came around. My friend Laura came over to give me a Christmas present. And I must say I do not recall what I gave her, ever. I am horrible, I know. But I will never forget what she gave me. She was almost giddy with excitement as I picked up the somewhat square package. It felt heavy and she told me it was something I really wanted. I did not have a clue. Seriously, I forget almost everything soon after thinking or saying it. That can’t be a good thing.

Someone was at the ready with a camera, because I know there is a picture around somewhere. I will have to look around, but I feel it may be packed away. I carefully unwrapped the package. I must stop here and explain something. I am a horrible gift receiver. I love to give, but always feel awkward when I receive a gift. I never know how to react and show proper appreciation. I always smile and say thank you, but I am not one of those overly emotional gift receivers. Well, except for this one time.

I opened the package and laughed so hard. I did not know I could smile so big! To this day I think back on this and smile. It was the best gift I ever received ~ my very own cushioned toilet seat! I took it out of its packaging and made quick work of getting it in place. Boy, I sure wish I had one of those now. I still don’t like a cold butt first thing in the morning.

Twitter Moms & Target

This post answers the question: What was the most surprising gift you’ve ever received? Now it’s your turn. Was it funny or silly? Maybe it was sweet and sappy. It could be sad and soul-wrenching, too. Share your most surprising gift and you could win a Target $100 gift card. The sweepstakes ends December 27, 2009, so you have plenty of time to get your post up. Then be sure to come back and leave a link below so I can read all about it.

Butts image courtesy of Cody Pomeroy

Answer: Because I Don't Like A Cold Butt First Thing In The Morning #TargetGiftGiving is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

While the kids played frisbee and catch, DH and I peeled potatoes outside on the back stoop.  And now the kids are at a local park while we finish dinner preparations.  I was beginning to feel a little sad about missing another holiday dinner with my family in Florida and now I get to enjoy it with my family and the kids’ friends instead.  Not too bad a trade, I think.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter!

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

Fact, I graduated high school twenty years ago this year. I cannot believe it either. I do not feel like twenty years has passed since I graced the halls of my alma mater. Wow, twenty years, seems like yesterday. Fact, my oldest child, my wonderful 17 year old daughter will graduate this year. Yes, twenty years after her mother. I think it is starting to sink in with her and she is getting excited about the future, and nervous. As she fills out college applications she cannot help but wonder where the money will come from to fund this continuation of her education. I do not worry too much since she wants to be a teacher. Many school districts pay you to go to school, or at least offer to pay your loans if you work for them once you graduate. Not a bad deal. But I have gone off topic.

About two weeks ago, right before Christmas, an old friend found me on Facebook. This is not any old friend either. She was my best friend for many years. We knew each other since we were freshmen in high school, but did not get that close until senior year. We stayed in touch, off and on, for about ten years after high school, then nothing until two weeks ago. Part of me was happy to hear from her. I had looked her up online many times throughout the years and wondered how she was. Another part of me wants to bury the friendship and not go back. It seems she has kept in touch with my mom through annual Christmas cards. All these years and she never asked for my address. Yes, I did send her cards for about two or three years after I moved away. I never heard from her. Now she is ready to speak to me again and I am not sure I want that. One day at a time I suppose, one day at a time.

I have my health, my family, and my dog.  Oh, and I have a renewed outlook on life.  Why go backwards when the future is upon us?  Why care about ghosts of Christmas past when there are spirits of future endeavors approaching?  Why worry when I can be thoughtful instead?  2009 is the year for change, according to our new President-elect and I am ready for that.

Happy New Year!

New Year Old Friends is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010