FMM

I am playing with Kenz at Friend Makin' Monday.


FMM: Three Things


Three of your favorite movies:
The Outsiders
Satisfied
Joe Dirt


Three of your favorite things to drink:
COFFEE !!!!!
Water
Hot Green Tea


Three of your favorite songs:
anything by Kidrock
Never Been to Me - Charlene
anything by Eric Clapton


Three people who have been a positive influence on your life (outside of your family):
Kenz with her many challenges and accomplishments! For Real!!
My current boss at work
My dancing teacher from years ago - Ruby

Three things you to do keep yourself entertained:
Blogging
Reading
Exercise


Three things you're attracted to in the opposite sex:
Mean (tough) looking...LOL
Funny is a must
Old School Respect - opening doors, etc.


Three things you love about yourself:
My personality (try to think of others first)
My hair
I tan easily


The last 3 people you text messaged: (I dont text so I will sub the word call)
My mommy
friend Mariella
friend Walt

Three things you're looking forward to this week:
Seeing my family..especially ALL my nieces and nephews
Waking up at Mom and Dad's Christmas morning (many nieces and nephews still believe in Santa and that is what makes Christmas amazing)

Laughing until my belly hurts with my family!

Now it's your turn to share your answers!

JOIN IN THE FUN!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Blogger Friends!

Here's wishing all my fellow bloggers a safe and happy holiday season filled with love and laughter!!
You all have come to fill a special place in my heart and I cannot wait to read how each of our 2011 plays out!!
Luck and Love,
XOXO, Ann

Polar Express

I got to take my niece on the Polar Express in Dennison, Ohio.

What an amazing experience this was!!!

If you ever get a chance to do it - I say go!!!

Here are the pics - it was supposed to be me and my niece however my nephew was sooo excited about the trains that he could not stand it ... soooo we had to take him too!!! FUN FUN FUN! They were both soooooo good and sooo into the whole thing!

This is Kyleigh and Memew waiting for the train

And Susie and Ryan...waiting patiently (it was soo cold and snowy)...


And Me and the kids before we boarded the train!

And another farther away and a bit blurry...

Our little elf "cutie pie" and the kids...


Hugging her brother?!?!?!??!?! I do not see her pinching anything on him!!! :-)
The conductor punching the kids tickets...
Holding up their tickets and cookies....
Kyleighs book for Santa to sign...
Santa getting the kids lists and asking if they behaved this year - you know Aunt Annie said they were angels!!!!!!!!
and another...
Me and my loves...
my darling cat Kidrock...chillin' next to the christmas tree....I was cracking up when I saw him.....LOVE this little man!!!!

Sorry I have been such a cucky blogger.....I will pick up the action in 2011....promise!!!
Will be posting more holiday fun soon!!!!!!
Merry Christmas and happy holidays!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Misc Catch-up

I went to visit an amazing friend at his resting place on the anniversary of his death, Nov 10th and saw these turkeys hanging out...cool hugh?

This is his families bench near his gravesite...loved this guy sooooooooo much and miss him everyday!!!!!!!!!
This is my sweet Lucky at the vets office on Oct 12th the day she went to kitty heaven...I loved her sooo much and also miss her everyday!!!!!!!

This is a racoon I saw when I was walking on the walking path the other day...I think he was sick as he was just curled up and did not even try to move or run :-(

And, after all the sad memories posted above...this is a picture of most of my nieces and nephews (missing one nephew and one niece-sorry Matt and Madelyn) piled into the coco bus headed somewhere....really cant remember where I just love this photo and it makes me smile!!!!!

Who makes you smile?!?!??!?!?

Enbrel, my friend

Not sure who has been following me for ahwile but in a previous post I metioned that I suffer from Psoriasis...it stinks - to say the last.

Well, it has just kept getting worse and worse so my dermatologist finally switched me to a shot that I have to give myself twice a week now. I wasn't so sure that I could do a shot on myself but I have acheived personal injectability very well, thank you! LOL

I have also found that my belly fat comes in handy after all - if I try to shoot it into my arm or legs it hurts because there is not enough fat there...however, if I shoot it into my belly, I do not feel a thing!!!! So, belly fat it is!!!!!

It is amazing so far!!!
It is supposed to take three months to REALLY kick in and it is already working after 1 month and I am looking less and less like a lepper each day...yeah!!!!!!!! Also, it will help me from progressing into the psoriatic arthritis also...double yeah!!!!!

Just saying....THANKS ENBREL!!!!!

PS - this picture gives you the idea but it is not my belly...mine is wayyyyyy chubbier!!! :-)

Shopping Enlightenment

I was recently shopping with Waliacha (hanging out as friends as we see if he is REALLY changing and IN recovery) and we were at a mall near my home.

The Galleria is the South Hills of Pittsburgh, PA

As we went inside from the POSH parking garage (mind you, this whole mall is a very POSH mall with expensive stores and we werejust browsing and getting coffee at Starbucks - LOL); I noticed something strange on the overhead rafters and was floored to find out what it was.

I initially thought it was a prank by kids but no; it is a huge FAKE bird left up there to discourage the REAL birds from hanging out there and pooping on unsuspecting shoppers.

Great idea, right???

Except the best part was on the left side of the FAKE bird was a real bird...just chilling out like the FAKE bird was his best friend...you can see his eyes to the left of the FAKE birds feet in this picture...isn't that hillarious?!?!?!?

Just goes to show ya - birds are no dummies......LOL!!!! We had this same thing occur when Mom and Dad put a fake owl at the end of their dock on the lake - I think it became the seagulls best friend!! LOL!!

It is soooo suprising what you find when you take the time to look around our world!!!! :-) Anyone from my area: go to the mall and see if you can find exactly where it is ... fun day excursion for ya'll!!!!

Happy Thursday.

Shutterfly - My Favorite Photo Site

YUP!!! Count me in!!!

I heard that shutterfly was requesting blogging people help spread the word about their Holiday Cards I was soooo excited to jump right on the bandwagon!

Not only do I use them for all my digital prints and gifts year-round, I have ordered my Christmas Cards from Shutterfly for the past two years and they always turn out great!!!!


My favorite Shutterfly card designs this year are the following...








They also have these really cute and easy to do calendars on Shutterfly - I have created a few myself as gifts and was really suprised at how easy it is to do and how cute they turn out!!!! Everyone that got one from me loved it and it is a gift that keeps giving all year round! A great holiday gift for ANYONE on your list!


I will definitely be using the birthday invitations this year also as they have sooo many cute ones.


Writing this post has really gotten me back in the spirit of cards again this year! Those that know me know that lost both a boyfriend and a cat this year so it was going to be a really somber holiday but this post has made me see that I need to do another fun picture card again this year with the two cats that are left in my life and remain grateful for what I DO have!


Thanks Shutterfly and check out there site asap - I promise you will not regret it - it is great value, great customer service and great quality all in one place!!!

I love you Lucky

As I posted yesterday, I put my baby to sleep after 17 years this week.
I had this cat for sooooooooo many great years...
I got her when my ex and I got engaged and moved in together.
She was my child!
She has been my baby ever since!!!
I will love and miss her forever...
She has been with me for 17 years and 4 different homes!! Through un-countable number of relationships and sober and not sober life.
I love her with all my heart and will miss her forever until we meet again.
I think she is now painfree and happy ...
I love you forever Lucky and you will always be loved and missed!!!

XOXO

RIP Lucky 10/12/2010

I put my baby (17 year old cat) Lucky to sleep a few days ago - I am on little "life break" right now...be back soon...just need a bunch of bubble baths and time to process....

:-(

Sad Day 10/12/2010

I had to put my oldest kitty to sleep
:-(

Friend Makin Monday!

1) Do you prefer talking or texting? Definitely talking!!! It seems I talk fast and alot and I just cannot seem to text all that information quickly enough and I get frustrated when I try to text!!!

2) Do you make your bed everyday? Absolutely-it cuts down on the amount of cat hair I have to sleep in :-) LOL!!!

3) What sounds do you hear right now? silence!!!!!!!!!!! at work non the less!!!!

4) List three things that you always carry with you: cell/blackberry, gum, and tooth flossers

5) What are your favorite TV shows? Survivor, Amazing Race, and Biggest Loser!!!!!

6) Is there a hobby that you'd like to devote more time to? If so, what is it? Rock climbing-outdoors - no gyms for me!!!!!!

7) What is your favorite drink? water and coffee - it's tie!!

8) Share a couple of cool facts about your family: We get together EVERY CHRISTMAS!!!! No matter what - the WHOLE family!!!!!!!!!!! We do an annual cookie baking weekend every Thanksgiving to prepare the Christmas cookies every year - I think last year we made a total of around 200 dozen cookies!

9) List one thing that you will do for yourself today: bubble bath at the end of the day!!!!!!!

10) Share something that you're thankful for today: Family and friends that are amazing in so many ways!!!!!

Now it's your turn to share you answers! Happy Monday Friends!

Where I stand...contently single

So I spoke with Walt last night.
As I said before, he sent flowers to work and left many, many messages about how he wants to make things right and he needs me, etc. etc.
I finally called him back last night to ask that he stop calling and move on.
I explained that it was over and I don't think I can ever feel the same about him again after the months of lying, etc.
After about a half hour I told him I had to go and please stop calling and please move on and I think he has FINALLY gotten the message. I have not heard from him since - including any messages.
Just to clear the air...I did not kick him out!!

I have had a lot of people ask if I feel bad for kicking him out onto the street...
here is what happened.....
I found the bank statement with the Casino ATM withdrawls on Monday-he promised to change and get help...on Thursday we had to go to a dinner party and in the car he was acting high-I asked him if there was something wrong with him or if he was using- he called me a bitch, asshole, etc. and said he was leaving...he said he could not do anything right and he was leaving and that I should find someone that could actually love me to move in...so I said "maybe you are right".
He gave me his key and left that night with a few clothes...I told him if he left he was not coming back and he left.
I spent the rest of the night packing his stuff....he stopped by the next afternoon and took his phone charger and told me to throw everything else in the dumpsters.
I called his brother and took everything to his brothers house and that was that (i am not spiteful enough to throw everything away even if he asked me to)!
So, you see, I did not throw him out - he left of his own free will and in the process managed to call me every horrible name in the book.....
Yes, I am sad sometimes... yes, I morn for what I thought we were working toward together...but no, I did not choose this - I only choose to stay sober and take care of myself from here on out!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for listening!

Still deleting...

Hey Hey!
I guess I am documenting all this for me... I appologize to my readers for the bummer subject and hope this blog gets to be about fun stuff and fun pics again SOON!!!!!

Waliacha sent/brought flowers and a card to work again today.

I sent the card through the shredder without opening it and gave the flowers to my secretary.

I then proceeded to call Waliacha's sponsor and request that he make a plea to him to stop coming and bringing stuff to my work and spen his money on a place to rent to live instead of stupid cards and flowers that are all for naught...we shall see if that works.

I am giving this phone call thing one more day then getting his number blocked from both my personal and work cellular numbers as it does not appear to be letting up and the messages are ripping my heart apart - try as I may it is hard to delete without listening-maybe blocking is the best option.

But, I am still very happy and will not change my decision with the exception of a few tears here and there (lots of broken promises and dreams)...he will NOT be coming back to MY HOME - that I know for sure!!!

Thanks again for all the kind words...it will be interesting to see what God has in store next....

Quick update

The ex sent roses to work today - what a shame he did not do that when we actually were together......

I gave them to my secretary!!!

She loves them!

Tonight I have dinner planned with friends for my sponsees birthday.

We are going to Wright's Seafood Inn......should be yummy and fun!!!!

Also - got word that my very first work trip to Germany has been cancelled due to traveling constraints and money.....stinks!!!!

Maybe next time :-(

BIG PS - Thanks soooo much everyone for the kind words of support!!! I will not be taking him back - promise and it helps to read your words of support.

It sucks now but it sucks a little less each day..... :-)

Behind the Smile

So what's been goiong on?
Where have I been?
Just A LITTLE absent from blogger world...
Well, I kicked Waliacha out to the curb last week.
The long and short of it is I found out last Monday that he was spending lots of time and money in the Rivers Casino while telling me that he could not help out with bills (ie: Hot Water Tank died) and then on Thursday he was visably high on something so I confronted him.
He said "I can't do anything right, all you do is pick on me, maybe I should move out!!!" and I said OK....
So a huge weight has been lifted - all of his stuff is gone (drove it to his brothers house) - he is calling constantly to come home and I am giving it a few more days and then calling the police for a PFA....what a life, hugh?!?!?!?!?
So I will keep you posted and hopefully the next few months will consist of me soaking in bubble baths after work and NO CHAOS!!!
Ya right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hod Podge Catch Up

Hi All!!

I have been a horrible blogger lately...between not having much to say and being really, really busy at work - it seems like I post weekly if that!!!

We went to see Phantom of the Opera last week and it was amazing!!! I love spending time with my sisters and mom and the play itself was just great!!! (Mom got us the tickets for our birthdays this year). Everyone stayed over at the condo and then we went to the outlets in Washington, PA - I forgot my camera that day though.

Anyway here are the pics of the Phantom night...
Kerry, Mom and Susie (L to R)

Susie, Kerry and Mom (L to R)

Fun night with my favorite people!!

Last weekend (Sept 18th) I was the Chairperson of an event that is called a Day of Sharing. They are soo much fun - everyone in the program gets together and shares their experiences and knowledge and it turned out great!!! All the speakers did amazing and the food was amazing and my cookies were a hit too. I made 160 sugar cookies with out group symbol on the top of them and they looked great...here is a pic of the cookies!

This weekend we are all going to Penn State for the final family game in the box....:-(

I will definitely have pics of that - I promise!!!

One to boring life stuff: This is a pic of my breakfast today at work....I ate my greek yogart and am not eating three of my not so famous weight watchers fiber chocolate balls....in the pic did you notice the lollypops too!?!??!?

This is my new obsession.....they are Tootsie roll Caramel Apple Pops!!! I think they may only make them at Halloween....soooo yummy and weight watchers approved as a snack...

I do however, need to get back in line with my proportions of food and exercise...Ihave been eating WAY too much and not excercising at all lately....this is my plan to change this around today!!!!!!!

I will let you know if I made it to the gym today in tomorrows post!!!

Music of the Night...

Cannot wait!!!


Tonight my mom and two sisters are coming to Pittsburgh to stay overnight!

We will be going to dinner in the city and then to see The Phantom of the Opera at the Benedum Center tonight. We went all together last year too but this is the final showing before it is retired (not sure if that is correct to call it retirement or not but they will not perform it anymore).

We will then have a BIG slumber party (meaning one person in the spare bedroom and the other two on blowup mattresses with kitty cats jumping on them all night!!

FUN FUN FUN!!

Tell the truth...you wish you were coming too right?!?!?!?

Then, tomorrow we will go shopping here.

This is the new Tanger Outlets in Washington and it is always a great way to bond with my FEMALE family members (and some male members: my little bro is a great shopper and Steve also can shop with the best of them)....LOL!!!!!!!!!!

Pictures will follow!!!

Hope everyone has an amazing weekend too!!!!!

Exciting Saturday Night

WOW!!!

Talk about an exciting Saturday night!

I was doing my lead (telling my story) in Donora, PA at an anniversary party (CONGRATS to the Donora group for their 33rd anniversary-awesome food and fellowship!!!) and it went as always. I remember nothing I said so I assume everything is all good.

Well, I was done around 9:30PM and hung out and visited with people until about 10PM.

I left at 10PM to head home (about a 45 - 55 minute drive depending on traffic).

When I turned left from tenth street onto Route 837 I was following a guy going about 10 miles an hour in a 25 miles an hour zone. I am not an entirely patient person when someone drives under the speed limit...so I think I was kinda of peeking around his car to see why he was driving soooooooo slow....well, about two minutes later he pulled to the side of the road and signaled for me the go around...as I did all the sudden the lights on the car behind me come on and I see this behind me.....


YES!!! I was being pulled over (had no idea why only thought maybe because we were going tooooo slow for the speed limit)
Anyway; "Skippy" (the cop as I will refer to him for the rest of this post-the cop was about 19 years old and 50 pounds soaking wet and looked like Opie)...
soooo Skippy asked for my license and registration....I gave him the documents and asked why I was pulled over. Conversation follows...
Me: "Can you tell me why I was pulled over?"
Skippy: "In due time Maam!" (by the way, I HATE being called Maam!!!)
Me: "OK"
Skippy: "I see you are from Bridgeville; why are you all the way out here in Donora at 10PM?"
Me: "I was at an AA anniversary dinner at the church a block away and I was the speaker."
Skippy: "Were you drinking tonight?"
Me: "No, I have not had a drink for 13 years - that is why I was the speaker"
Skippy: "Can you tell me why you were swerving?"
Me: "I did not realize I was...maybe I was weaving to see around the person going 10 miles an hour in front of me (thinking to myself - Skippy; do you think there is any FAINT chance that THAT guy was drunk and maybe you picked the wrong car?!??!?!)
Anyway he let me go after he ran my license and saw that I had no warrants, etc. and realized I was not drinking. He did recommend that I move the GPS a little lover and that may help.....I have noticed that my driving is much straighter since that little adjustment was made!! LOL
I was cracking up the rest of the night!! I am the only person that can get pulled over for a DUI and be STONE COLD SOBER-and I swear I was not on the phone or anything!!!! After I was let go I had to call everyone i know to tell them the story...
HILLARIOUS!!!!!!!!!


Anyway, then on to Sunday.....it was boring and uneventful as it is hard to top my Saturday night adventure!!!
I used our handy-dandy Hoover (shown below) and deep cleaned the carpets in anticipation of the girls weekend on Sept.10th - sisters and Mom will be coming to see Phantom of the Opera in Pgh and spending the weekend!!!!! Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, lessons learned...my carpet is soooo pretty when it is clean and I am a very swervy driver!!!!

Losing My Mind!!!!!!!!

I am having a losing my mind day-no, sorrry, make that week!!!!
Sometimes life just decides to really suck!!!
I know today I am only responsible for myself but WOW it sucks when the people you care about make stupid choices or no choices at all.
I need to keep learning, growing and moving forward and I guess it is time to find out if the person I love is moving with me or not.
Time will tell.....I wish I could just do the action for them and know they are moving with me but then I guess, everyone has free will to do as they please...
Again, I have no control and time will tell...I am definitely giving this one to God!!!

A new obsession

I suppose I have been living under a rock.

Not sure how I missed the boat on this one but I went to Zumba the other night and we danced to two amazing songs....Gypsy and Waka Waka...

after class I asked the instructor who sang them as I could not wait to rush home and get them on my ipod.

It's Shakira!!!

I have heard the name but never her music.

I had just discounted her as another "Hot Looking" not but so talented performer.

Well, I have been missing out!!!!!!!!

She is amazing!!!!! I love both the songs I listed above and I am playing them over and over and over again!!!!!!! I am belly dancing to Gypsy in my cubicle at work!!!!! AWESOME TUNES!

I can't wait to download her other other songs as I am sure they are amazing too!!!!

Just saying...glad to have found me some Shakira!

Slacker.....

WOW!!!!


It has been forever since I posted. I think I have been in a funk - I have been reading all the posts but just dont feel like posting anything...this has been going on since I got back from vacation. I think it just took me a while to adjust to working and life again....actually was in a little "funk" for a week or so.


But, I am good now....


Back to working out with Zumba and the gym....mostly Zumba...


Going here again lately...they have to MOST AMAZING instructors and class is soooooooo fun you don't realize how fast that hour goes or how SOPPING wet you are until the class is over!


And tonight going here and meeting up with some really cool friends to enjoy the Summer parrish festival...I will definitely post pics of this tomorrow.


Have a great day and I will leave you with pics of the lifeguard races my nieces and nephew participated in on vacation at Stone Harbor, NJ.

My oldest niece, Kyleigh, won third in the race pictered where she is holding the rope (funny thing is she cheated to win: she stod at the finish line and never left when the other kids ran for the water she just stood there and when they came back across the finish she followed them and got third-HAHA!!!! We even told them she cheated and she still got a medal for it....LOL!!!!!

Tooo funny - have a great day - TGIAF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vacation - Stone Harbor - 2010

Okay

Wowsa - this is a big update!

I was on vacation for a week (technically 9 days) at Stone HArbor, NJ with my family and it was AMAZING!!!!!

No rain - not a drop - not one day!!!

I am soooooo tan I love it!!!!!!

Laid on the beach every day, went to the OC boardwalk, went to dinner at Sylvesters in Avalon, and just hung out with family - could not have asked for a better vacation!

Waliacha stayed home and "manned the fort" and I must say - he did an amazing job also! Scooped poop and cleaned - I came home to a well-kept and spotless home - yeah!!!!!!!!

So, here are some pics for your enjoyment...mind you, I forgot my camera and got all these with my blackberry...I did not take alot but will post my sisters when she sends them...

While we were in town, my sister spotted this car.....

Then this guy...
Apparently they were filming for Diners, Drive-ins and Dives at a restaurant near town in Stone Harbor called Quahogs

It was pretty fun to watch Guy Fieri practice his lines...it is amazing how long and how many takes it takes them to film...anyway - it was fun to see him there!!! Little rest between takes...

This is my older sister Kerry (it is her "hotel" that we stay in at the beach) LOL!

This is Kyleigh getting ready for the lifeguard races...she actually came in third on this one...by cheating mind you - long story but she did it accidently and came in third....go Kyleigh! LOL

This is the line "train" they used to get the kids lined up for the lifeguard races - cutest thing ever!!!!!!!!!!! This is the 3 and under group...

Here are my nieces and nephew waiting for their group turn at the races with their daddy....cutue pies, hugh?

On an amusing note: I am going here after work today as I was jumping waves and apparently a mermaid swam by and liked them so they now belong to her...at least that is the kids story....mine is I bent over when my niece said "Aunt Annie I am peeing on you" to plop her in the waves and the glasses fell off and disappeared in the crazy waves...oh well, such is life - the bonus is...got to ask the lifeguards if they found any glasses and now cute new glasses!!!!!!

Happy Tuesday

P.S. - I am STILL drinking all my water everyday!!!!! YEAH!