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

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

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

In reading and hearing about Bret Michaels in the news, I’ve started thinking about my first introduction to him all those years ago. Ya know, when MTV still played music videos and had VJ’s. And just like Alternative Rock is my musical preference today, those hair bands of the 80’s were a favorite of mine back in the day.

So, in honor of Bret Michaels and spurred by some dancing and singing in my living room, to which Amanda joined in with the flipping of the hair, here is my second favorite Poison Song [You can here my favorite here - Something to Believe In].

Don’t they look like they were just having the time of their lives!

Get Well Soon, Bret!

1987, You & Me Had Such Good Times is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

My readers are making positive changes for the environment.

This past week I asked the question, “What is the best thing you’ve done for the environment this year?” And I was not disappointed in the answers. Honestly, I was more than impressed by a few of the responses. I mean, I used cloth diapers for awhile, too, but I NEVER dreamed of using cloth wipes. I guess it is no worse than cleaning the diapers. And to all of you who participate in neighborhood or city clean-ups, BRAVO!

Here are 18 ways my readers are making a difference:

1. We switched to energy efficient bulbs as of 2010.
2. I am offsetting my carbon impact through carbonfund.org.
3. We have started recycling!
4. I have really been working on a lot: 
I am making gift bags with material instead of wrapping paper.
 I am hanging my clothing. (most of the time)
 I use cloth napkins.
 I am using a windup clock (nothing is left plugged in…) I am working on it in many ways. [Annonandon]
5. best thing i’ve done for the environment is to compost our kitchen waste. [kl jasus]
6. I’m going all green in the yard and garden this year. No chemicals! I have a rain barrel and a composter. I’m set! [Cori Westphal]
7. We have switched to CLFs and we use reusable tote bags for all our shopping.
8. I have started to use reusable containers instead of plastic bags. [FrugalScienceGal]
9. At work, I save all throw-away printer paper so the back side can be used. I usually bring it home, print and recycle.
10. I know that I could and should do more, but the one thing I always do is save up my magazines, catalogs, newspapers and even junk mail in a canvas tote. When the tote gets full, I walk up to my son’s school and empty the tote into the paper recycling bin. It helps the environment and gives a little extra $ to my buddy’s school! [Julie Smith]
11. the best thing i have done isssss switch to cloth diapers!!!!! wasnt easy at first…but now i will never go back…next step is cloth wipes!!!
12. the best thing I have done for the environment is using reusuable shopping bags!! I know I can do more, though!! [burlap+blue]
13. I started a compost pile.
14. We quit buying bottled water. We recycle all our newspapers and magazines
15. Not using chemicals in our gardens or lawn.
16. I ride bike to campus every day instead of driving.
17. So far this year in addition to our usual recycling and repurposing efforts, the boys and I have been on a mission to clean up our neighborhood. Literally. Armed with a trash bin, a grabber, and a rake, the boys set out to pick up all the trash on our street. It’s an ongoing mission and they’ve done a really thorough job of it twice now. So proud of my little guys [Loretta]
18. The best thing I’ve done for the environment this year was spending a day doing clean up on park land adjacent to a highway with a diversity group on MLK’s birthday weekend. [Lynette Mattke]

My Aha Moment

When I was a little girl my mom would have me hang laundry on the washline; I hated it! When I was in my early 20’s and had no dryer and had to hang my clothes on the washline I hated it! And when I first moved to Virginia and we decided it would be more economical to hang our laundry on the washline, well, yes, I hated it!

What changed?

One day back in 2007 while surfing the internet I came across an article that told of a wondrous thing. Imagine a way to dry your laundry for free. Well, I’m all for free. I clicked. What I saw was a picture of a washline. Free wind and sun to dry my clothes. And the light bulb went off. {duh!} I no longer hate it. In fact, I choose to do this by myself, barefoot, with music playing and my thoughts keeping me company. Something about saving my family money, utilizing Mother Nature’s free resources, and doing something good for the environment makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Want to start making environmentally conscious changes but feel a bit overwhelmed?

Change is something that continually happens, whether we want it to or not. Choosing when to change how we do things can make it less daunting.

First, make a commitment to change.

Second, pick something simple and start there. Don’t want to spend the money on reusable bags, then be sure to return those plastic bags to the store for recycling.

Third, keep at it until your change become habit. No need in adding too much to your plate only to decide it’s too much. Every little bit helps.

Once you make one change it becomes easier and easier to make others. For more ideas, here are ten small changes to improve the environment that everyone can do, in their own time that is.

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Readers’ Voice: How You’re Making Positive Changes for the Environment is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

10 Little Things that Lead to a Happier, Healthier Me

1. I get a little exercise every day. Whether it’s a planned workout of 10-30 minutes or more or just trekking through the yard to feed the chickens [up & down a hill on our mini farm] I always manage a little something.
2. Keeping fruit handy that everyone enjoys. Bananas and apples are staples, but watermelon, plums, grapes, strawberries, and honeydew have been making a much welcome appearance these days.
3. Colorful dinners. Variety in veggies and colors on the table are not only pretty but good for you.
4. Drinking water instead of soda, most days.
5. I have a weakness for chips and all things salty. I bring few into the house.
6. Spending time outside. With Spring in the air and the sun shining I find myself outside more and more.
7. Playing with my Ivy dog. She loves attention and needs exercise, too.
8. Laughing. It really is the best medicine. And when you’re around my family you rarely ever get sick!
9. Switched to almond milk. I was a big soy milk girl, but then learned that I need to limit my soy intake.
10. Writing. Yes, this helps me express myself and share with people all over. Life happens, why not write about it!

Bonus Tip

Drink more orange juice. Not only is it good for you, but now you can get rewarded even more for doing something good for your body.

If you are new to the Tropicana’s Juicy Rewards program, then I have a code to help get you started. TWMOM-READR is worth one Juicy Rewards point [that’s up to $5 in savings]. This one-time use code is valid for new accounts ONLY. Must be entered within 6 hours of creating your account. Limit one new account bonus code per new account. All accounts must be created and all codes entered by May 7, 2010 at 11:59 PM EST.

What little things do you do?

It could be as simple as parking farther away from the store and walking to going a day without fast food. It all adds up to a happier, healthier you!

Disclaimer: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Tropicana Trop 50 blogging program to be eligible to win 6 free Juicy Rewards points and a $30 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

The Little Things Really Do Add Up is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

today is beautiful.

There is something about this song that makes me want to dance, cry, smile, and live every moment fully. Enjoy!

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

Another Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010