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

Looking for something fun to do with your family this weekend?

Right now you can sign up to get a coupon good for $5 off. Even better, you can use one coupon for up to 10 people. Now you can wind down those hot summer days with a little air conditioned fun. Just click on the above image to get your coupon.

UPDATE: The above $5 off for up to 10 people is reaching its limit. BUT, AMF is offering a buy 1 game get 1 game free coupon once the first one caps.

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Disclaimer: Affiliate link used in this post. What does this mean? If you click and sign up I earn according to the terms of this offer. Want to know more? Check out my disclosure notice.

Save When You Bowl at AMF Bowling Centers 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

Sure I refer to him as my husband. Boyfriend doesn’t quite cover it. Significant Other sounds so 80’s. Life partner? Uh, no. Person who resides in the same house with me, but is no actual blood relation of mine? A bit wordy, don’t ya think?

So, after 10 years and many hours of contemplation I have finally relented consented to marry him. Officially.

Why did it take me so long?

I blame him. Here is where he would say he has strong shoulders to carry the blame, blah blah blah. When we met I had been divorced for all of 6 months [I had been separated 2 years prior to that]. This is when he started quoting statistics to me.

Studies show those who remarry within 5 years of getting divorced have a 75% chance of getting divorced again.

Yeah, that made me want to go get married right away. I don’t think so.

Then it was something about the government giving us the privilege of getting married versus our right to marry. And regulations and taxes and so on and so forth. This is where my thinking like a man gets me in trouble [or is that him?]. So, I decided marriage, officially, was not necessary. In fact, being a “single” parent* had its perks. Who’d of thought?!

Excuses, excuses, excuses

Excuse #1 MONEY

This is a really good excuse. Convincing, too. For years I decided everyone was better off financially as long as no one got married. Being a “single” person in the eyes of Uncle Sam and having 3 kids worked very well for everyone. Both of us conveniently had previous bad experiences with shared finances. Now we keep things separate, but work together for those things we want.

Excuse #2 NAME

This coming September I will have been a Bender for half of my life. Not to mention it is the name of my children. And I like being A. Bender [get it?]. Not that Dwayne’s last name is bad. It’s a fine last name. Unfortunately, most people around here can’t seem to pronounce it correctly. Morrell [pronounced: Mor-L]. Yet, around here they seem to want to say Moral which would then make me A-Moral. Not sure how I feel about that.

Excuse #3 STIGMA

I only wanted to get married once. Not twice, once! Not that many people the world over don’t get married 2, 3, 8 times, but I am not many people the world over. {stomping feet like a bratty child}

The real reason

FAILURE

Was I one? Did it matter? And if it did, to whom? My own mother has married twice. She [and our family] would have missed out on some wonderful people had she been as stubborn as me. So why am I being so difficult?

The answer to this is quite telling in my dream sequence from last year’s NaNoWriMo. Letting go is hard for me.

And yet, it is time to let go. Time to move on. Amanda and Stephen are good. Megan is so-so. Yet, the truth of it all is I am ready.

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* I have never considered myself a single parent. I was a parent who was single. Whether I was married or not I have always had help raising my kids. Their father was always a part of their lives until his death in 2001. My family, his family [still my family], friends, Dwayne, everyone helped. I never did it alone.

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

Here is Megan, accompanied by Nitza Kats on piano, playing Scherzettino by Joachim Anderson (1847-1909)

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.

Scherzettino, Performed by Megan Bender & Nitza Kats is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010

National Kids and Pet Day is April 26th

As a family, we had talked about getting a pet for a number of years before actually going forward with choosing one. Just like any new addition to a family, a pet requires care, love, and visits to the doctor. Pets get sick, have accidents, and need their shots. I always say having a pet is like having another child. Well, I guess that really depends on the pet. I suppose a simple goldfish doesn’t cost all that much.

Family Friendly breeds:

• Cocker Spaniel – These lap dogs are sensitive and sweet and enjoy the attention of children. Cocker Spaniels are obedient with training and friendly around people.
• Pug – This affectionate breed loves being part of a family. Outgoing and mischievous, they make playful companions for children.
• Golden Retriever – Similar to Labs in personality, Goldens are mild mannered and enjoy being around families and other people. These dogs are easy to train are gentle with children.
• Basset Hound – This breed is good with children of all ages. They are known for their docile nature and gentleness. Their long backs need to be supported when they are picked up, and an eager child can accidentally injure them.

Our beautiful puppy is a hound/lab mix. This makes for some interesting times around our house. Ivy has the talkative nature of a lab with her gentle whimpers and outright barking when she wants something. She is also known to cuddle up under the covers and she snores. Then she has these beautiful markings showing she is part Blue Tick hound and the nose to the air or ground depending on what she happens to be tracking. Yes, she’s the best of both worlds.

Teach your children safe pet play:

• Teach children to pet softy, stay away from food dishes, toys and bones, and not to startle your dog or cat when it is sleeping.
• Keep babies and toddlers at a level higher than your dog. Dogs perceive height as representative of their hierarchy. Keep children off the floor when the dog is in the room.
• Don’t give your dog toys that resemble your children’s toys or clothing. Stay away from fabric stuffed dog toys that resemble your child’s stuffed animals.
• Involve your child in your dog’s care. Just the presence of your child in the same room while your dog is receiving his favorite things or activities can help build a positive association to children.

Ivy really loves tug toys and toys which dispense treats. An old tennis ball works well, too.

Remember, puppies are like toddlers they get into everything and need constant supervision. I haven’t raised any kittens, but am sure they are just as mischievous as puppies. Although, sometimes we think Ivy is part cat. She has 9 lives after all.

Visit Kroger’s Pet Health blog for more information on family friendly breeds or additional tips on teaching your children about pet safety.

Ivy going for a ride in the car

{this was recorded with my cellphone}

My puppy

We adopted Ivy from the pound in August 2007. She was shy and scared and so cute. Oh, and she had parvovirus.  Ivy stayed overnight at the vet and this was our first big expense. Next came her first round of shots. Then there is heartworm pills and flea & tick prevention.

Our next big expense came on Superbowl Sunday, 2008. We took Ivy outside to do her business and when she came back inside she left bloody paw prints everywhere she walked. We bandaged her up and off we went to the emergency vet. A few hours later, and about a $100, Ivy was patched up and we were on our way home.

About a year later, on a pretty Saturday, Ivy was running free in the yard. We live on about 5 1/2 acres. We had gone inside. When we went outside to call her back in we found her lying by the back door. She had been hit by a car and limped there for us to find. Back to the emergency vet she went. This time she stayed overnight. Thankfully no major damage had been done.

Did you know Kroger offers pet insurance?

click to see full size image

Offered through PetFirst, Kroger pet insurance policies cover routine care and medical procedures for dogs and cats, and is available at more than 2,400 stores in the Kroger family including City Market, Dillon’s, Fred Meyer, Frye’s, King Sooper, Owen’s, Pay Less, QFC, Ralph’s and Smith’s.

A little about PetFirst

• Started in July 2004
• Founded by Lansdon B. Robbins and A. Brent Hinton
• Privately held and owner operated
• Available in all 50 states
• Headquartered in Jeffersonville, Indiana
• Underwritten by AM Best A+ rated insurance companies

In addition to being available in-store, Kroger’s pet insurance can be purchased online at http://www.krogerpersonalfinance.com/pet-insurance/. Kroger’s pet insurance works at any veterinarian nationwide, with reimbursement typically occurring within two weeks. Coverage starts as low as $9.95 per month and right now, individuals who purchase online can save $10.

Win a $20 Kroger Gift Card

Kroger Co. through the Global Influence Network have generously sent me a $20 Kroger gift card to give away to one of my readers so you can spoil the pet [or pets] in your life. Sounds pretty good, right?

Giveaway Rules:

Let’s keep this simple, shall we?

1. Tell me ~ how are you going to spoil your pet?
2. Like me on Facebook. [if you're already a fan, let me know that, too]
3. Follow me on Twitter.
4. Follow Kroger’s Pet Health account on Twitter @PetsOfHealth
5. Tweet about this giveaway [may do this once per day]. Be sure to include a link to your tweet for verification. Make sure to include #pethealth or use this:
   { RT @AnneOnline Win a $20 Kroger gift card & show your pet how much you care #pethealth http://anneonlife.com/?p=5798 }
6. Blog about this giveaway. [5 entries, please leave a comment for each]

Leave a comment for each thing you do. This giveaway will end Monday, April 26th at midnight EST.

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents, 18 years or older.

Good Luck!

Disclaimer: For helping raise awareness of National Kids & Pet Day I was provided with a $20 gift card to spoil Ivy and a $20 gift card to give away to a reader so that they could do the same by the Global Influence Network and the Kroger Co. All opinions are 100% my own and are not influenced by the Global Influence Network or Kroger Co. in any way. Please read my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Pets & You + Win a Kroger Gift Card 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.

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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.

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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

Ooh to the eeh the ooh the aah aah
To the ting to the tang the wallawalla bingbang
Ooh to the eeh the ooh the aah aah
Ting tang wallawalla bingbang

This is how I remember Alvin and the Chipmunks. Singing songs like Witch Doctor. I even grew up listening to the Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas album. That’s right, back when they had albums. Good times.

What are your memories of Alvin and the Chipmunks? Did you know you can now you can share Alvin and the Chipmunks with your kids? Up-to-date and hip, and completely three dimensional looking. What kid wouldn’t want to see this?

Last week Fox Family Films released Alvin and the Chipmunks: the Squeakquel

…and my niece cannot get enough of this movie. She even brought it by this past weekend just in case we were interested in checking it out ourselves. How is that for a 7 year old’s seal of approval?

This Double DVD pack includes The Squeak Along bonus disc with more music, mayhem and all-new singalongs!

And check this out.

You can enjoy even More Munk Mayhem when you get munked. First choose your chipmunk. Then outfit and accessorize. And if that wasn’t cute enough, you get to record a message. You can call it in, use a microphone, text to speech, or choose a line from the movie. I opted for a line from the movie. Press play below to hear my message.

For all you parents looking for a family friendly film to add to your collection.

Go ahead, buy it now, your kids will love you for it. Or you could just say you were buying it for your kids. It’s okay I won’t tell.

Be sure to visit http://www.foxfamilyflicks.com for more fun munk mayhem.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel Now Available on DVD, Blu-ray & Digital Download is a post from: AnneOnLife where life happens quite regularly. If you liked that, you'll love me on and .
© AnneOnLife 2008-2010