Country Road take me home....

Its April! But the March Madness is still in the air. This weekend I will be taking care of my son (he just had his tonsils and adenoids out) along with lots of cooking and baking for the Easter dinner I am hosting at my house this Sunday for my kids, my big guy, my siblings, nieces and nephew. My favorite thing to do be hostess for my loved ones :) There is however a certain game happening tomorrow evening... That is where the March Madness comes into play a part of my busy weekend at home. Oh yeah! Duke vs West Virginia...
You see I have never been into the whole college basketball/March Madness hoopla... Until I filled out my very own NCAA Tournament Bracket a few weeks ago to play along in a "friendly" game with co-workers. So tomorrow's game has turned into a huge deal for me...
Go W. Virginia!!!
One thing to know about me is I am a freak when it comes to lyrics to songs, it doesn't matter what type of music either. When I hear just a word that is in the chorus of a tune, bam I start singing it. I could be on that game show the singing bee, I so could and I so would too. So this is the song I sang for Tim and Mazie last Saturday when I found out W. Virginia beat Kentucky...

Country roads, take me homeTo the place, I be-longWest virginia, mountain mommaTake me home, country roads

On that note Have a Happy Easter and GO W. VIRGINIA!!!
Smooches,
Andrea

Friday fun: Survey???

1. Do you like Bleu cheese dressing? Love it! Especially on my turkey burgers.
2. Have you ever smoked a cigarette? Yes... :(
3. Do you own a gun? Nope and never plan to either.
4. What flavor Kool-Aid was your favorite? Yuck, I can't stand that stuff, even as a kid.
5. Do you get nervous before a doctor appointment? Depends on what I am being seen for.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? Only Turkey or Chicken are aloud in my house.
7. Favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas Vacation
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Water and Green Tea w/lemon
9. Can you do push ups? yes...
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? All my jewelry from my kids
11. Favorite Hobby? Cooking
12. Do you have A.D.D? ? Oh yeah!
13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? Neither, I got 20/20 baby!
14. Middle name? Lynn
15. What are you thinking about at this moment? How hungry I am...
16. Name 2 or 3 drinks you regularly drink? Water, Green Tea and Coors light
17. Current worry: too many to narrow down to one.
18. Current hate right now? always being stuck in the middle... (coming from a middle child)
19. Favorite place to be? Home with my babies
20. How did you bring in the New Year? Had a kid friendly party with my friends and their kids at my house.
21. Where would you like to go right now? At home with Tim and Mazie.
22. People who will complete this: I did!
23. Do you own slippers? Yes, but I don't know where they are and if I did I wouldn't wear them. I like to be barefoot!
24. What color shirt are you wearing? Black and White
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Never have?
26. What are you doing right now? "Working"
27. Would you be a pirate? Heck yes!
28. What songs do you sing in the shower? Usually Phil Collins tunes... Love him!
29. Favorite Girl's Name? Mazie Lue
30. Favorite boy's name? Ryder Ion
31. What's in your pocket right now? candy for my son when I pick him up after work and keys.
32. Last thing that made you laugh? A cake on the Ellen show...
33. What vehicle do you drive? Jeep Liberty, working on changing that soon I hope, we just got a Chevy Suburban so no use for 2 suv's.
34. Worst injury you've ever had? broke my fingers.
35. Do you love where you live? I love my house its a perfect fit and Puyallup/South Hill has grown on me and I really enjoy living here.
36. How many TVs do you have in your home? 5... 2 of them are never used, they just kinda sit there looking cool.
Where is number 37?

Only in Washington...

*This photo was taking today in Seabeck, Washington*

Only in Washington you get nothing but spring weather in February/March. Only in Washington you were thinking how on Saturday it was 60 degrees out beautiful and sunny. Only in Washington your boyfriend gets a sun burn yesterday on the golf course. Then the very next day it SNOWS and then for your hour lunch break the sun comes out and its looking like spring again, only to get a afternoon of more SNOW!!! Only in Washington...

I am taking yet another break from my blog, at least for this week. I am keeping all my writing time for journal and writing a disposition for my attorney (whom I meet this Wednesday) eek. Wow, who knew it would take this much work to write about this crazy roller coaster I have been dealing with the past 6 months? What a drag! It will be well worth the time and effort I put in to this in the end. Maybe one of these days in the future I will post all of my journal and possibly make it into a story...With much happy endings I can only hope for at this moment. *fingers crossed*
My story and journey is long, emotional and exhausting, but it has proved to me how strong I really can be.
Today both my babies are sick with the tummy buggy.*sad tears*
I would give anything to be home taking care of them and giving them all the mommy TLC they need and more. It has to be one of the hardest things to deal with or just one more to add to my list of hard times. I have expressed my passion to be home more with my kids, so it is slowly in the works!
How is the weather in your neck of the woods?
Smooches,
Andrea

Flowers for me?

I have been going through hard times lately...

No worries I won't go into detail about it just yet, that story or should I say novel will be for another day and another time, trust me.

Its people like Tim in my life that can bring my smile out. I was having a very rough, emotional day on Wednesday and much to my surprise Timothy met me after work. When I arrived to our meeting spot he had the biggest smile on his face, he told me he had butterflies *blush*. When I got in the car he greeted me with a bouquet of my favorite flowers. He took me to one of my favorite restaurants, Harbor Monsoon. We sipped on hot tea, talked and had my favorite Honey Walnut Prawns along with fried rice, and steamed veggies yum!

It was just what I needed after the day I had, Beautiful flowers,yummy food, and a handsome smile.

Smooches,

Andrea

Party planning!

Party Planning is my favorite...
Last month I put on a big birthday bash for my Mumsy's 53rd birthday. It was just spactacular to do for her since she had not had a birthday party since she was a little girl. It was a Rock Band partay! We mingled, ate a yummy variety of foods, played ROCK BAND, games, took tons of pictures and devoured my homemade cheese cake. I gave my mumsy a new much needed camera for her birthday. My mumsy use to be into photography when I was a little girl. She took classes at the Community College in Bremerton when I was 3 years old. I was her model for her photos and her art work. She always called me her ham, cause I loved the camera. I couldn’t afford to get her a fancy dancy camera like the one she had back in the 80’s, but this one will do for now while she enjoys her many travels and adventures.
A quote from the party girl: "Thanks again for having it. Lots of fun was had. Folks still talking about it."-Denise Jackson

This month I am planning three parties, two baby showers and one Sensaria party.
The first shower will be for my baby girl Dani (no she is not a baby, its just my nickname for her) her shower is this Thursday evening. Poor girl showed up a week early for her shower. Last Thursday as I am leaving the dentist with my kids, I get a text from her saying: "There isn't a table reserved and where are you?". Hahaha I had to giggle, poor sweet pregnant girl forgot when her own shower was. When I called her out on it (nicely) she responded "Oh I am so stupid" and I said "No your just pregnant". Her shower is going to be pretty low key, its pretty much co-workers here at Multicare. I will be hosting it at Moctezuma’s in Gig Harbor, which is a popular meeting place for us employee’s in the Family Practice department.

My Sensaria party is on St. Patrick’s day, I am calling it a Working Women's Wednesday partay. So you can only guess what the theme is? Yes my home is all decorated with green shamrocks, teddy bear leprechauns with their pot of gold, a fancy table cloth and I am all stocked up with festive St. Patty’s day cups and plates. The menu for the evening will be Corn beef, cabbage, red potatoes, Irish soda bread and beer, gotta have the green beer or at least some Guinness. We will enjoy all this Irish delight along with foot scrubs, facials and trying out all the spa products Sensaria has to offer. My best friend Brittany is a new consultant for Sensaria and I am hosting a party for her to help build her clientele. If you are interested in Sensaria please catch Brittany Hunter on her blog https://securemail2.multicare.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.brittanysdance.blogspot.com/ or on her Sensaria website https://securemail2.multicare.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.sensaria.com/brittanyhunter


The second baby shower is going to be huge! This one is for my long time friend Courtney, she is expecting TWINS!!! A boy and a girl so this will be super exciting. I will be planning the games and decorations along with my long time girlfriends Charlyne and Jennifer. Here is a little story about us four friends. We all met in 2nd grade (1988) in Girl Scouts, we were cute little Brownies. I will have to post a story on that along with some awesome pictures to bring us all way back in time. I am excited and honored to be a part of this party planning.

To be continued on the out come of these upcoming parties….

Smooches,
Andrea
***What are some of your favorite shower games to play?

Getting to know you

2010 Girlfriend Survey: The theory is that you will learn a lot of little things about your friends that you might not have known!

What time did you get up this morning?

6:05am
Diamonds or pearls?
Diamonds
What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Avatar
What is your favorite TV show?
Big love
What do you usually have for breakfast?
Yogurt or Cottage Cheese w/bananas

What is your middle name?
Lynn
What food do you dislike?
Italian sausage and Indian
What is your favorite CD at moment?

My old school mix cd I made
What kind of car do you drive?
Jeep Liberty
Favorite sandwich?
Egg Salad

What characteristic do you despise?

Disloyal

Favorite item of clothing?
My leggings
If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
GREECE!!!
Favorite brand of clothing?
Fox racing brand

Where would you retire to?
Arizona (I fell in love with AZ when I visited at age 16)

What was your most memorable birthday?
My 21st cause I just had my first baby 4 days prior and it was thanksgiving and we were stuck at the hospital.
Favorite sport to watch?
Basketball- LeBron James, need I say more?
When is your birthday?
November 22, 1980--- Yes I will be turning the big three oh this year and celebrating in VEGAS BABY!

Are you a morning person or a night person?
My mumsy always called me her night owl.
What is your shoe size?
10-11 depends on the shoe

Pets?
Not at this time but looking into it. Both my kids are animal lovers!!!

Any new and exciting news you 'd like to share with us?
In the works of planning our trip to California in July... Disneyland here we come!
What did you want to be when you were little?
Neonatal nurse and a mommy (got one of those goals down)
What is your favorite candy?
Starburst or Twix- But really I am not much of a candy girl.

What is your favorite flower?
Pink Daisies I guess, there is too many to choose from. I love flowers and plants, gardening is my therapy. Did I also mention Horticulture was my favorite class?

What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?

March 17th I am hosting a Sensaria party for My Best Friend Brittany.
April 10th Blacked Eyed Pea concert with my boys.
July 10th-17th one week vacation.
What's your full name?
Andrea Lynn Mannon
Maiden name:Jackson
What are you listening to right now?
The Ellen Show- Everyday at 11 George or I turn our lobby T.V. channel to her show. All we can hear is cheering, music , her wonderful voice and TONS of laughter.

What was the last thing you ate?
A dough nut... I know not the healthiest but it sure was yummy.
Do you wish on stars?
Nope
If you were a crayon, what color would you be?

Hot Pink
How is the weather right now?
cloudy

What is your natural hair color?
Honey/Blondie

Favorite soft drink?
Raspberry Ice Tea
Favorite restaurant?
Anthony's- I heart Seafood!
Samurai's- is my new fav, Tim just took me there last Saturday and we enjoyed some yummy Sake and delightful entertainment watching our chef make our dinner.

Favorite color of nail polish?
Holy Pink Pagoda
What was your favorite toy as a child?
My baby dolls
Pogo ball
Hot wheels
Summer or winter?
In the summertime when the weather is high, you can chase right up and touch the sky
Hugs or kisses?
Both

Chocolate or Vanilla?
chocolate

Coffee or tea?
Tea (I have a big cup of Green Tea w/Lemon every morning)

Your big goal or dream for next five years?
Get back into shape and do lots of traveling

When was the last time you cried?
Monday

What is under your bed?
A sub woofer (My boyfriend is into speakers and sound systems major)
What did you do last night?
Made a yummy Chicken pot pie for dinner and hung out with my love bugs.

What are you afraid of?
Snakes, spiders and heights

Salty or sweet?
Salty

How many keys on your key ring?
Two

How many years at your current job?
Three years in May!

Favorite day of the week?
Thursday

How many towns have you lived in?
1. Port Orchard
2.Tacoma
3.Bonneylake
4. Puyallup (Current)
Do you make friends easily?
You betcha, but by the look of my followers NO.

This was something my mumsy sent me this morning and as I was filling it out I figured it could be something to post on my blog to let some of you know random info about me. Hope you enjoyed and I would love to read your answers to these random questions too.

Smooches,

Andrea

My letter...

To whom it may concern,

I am writing you today to share my experience with your retail store. I have struggled since I reached 5'8" at age 13 to find jeans/pants long enough to fit me. So when I discovered in 2005 that your store "Tall Girl" was a new addition to the Tacoma Mall here in Washington I was excited to take a look inside. My first experience in your store was great, Tall Girl was really truly for girls like me who have a 38" inseam. I purchased slacks for work, tights, sweat pants and jeans at your store. I even had family and friends give me gift cards for your store. It was a place I could shop and not feel so abnormal about my size.

Much to my surprise when I went to shop there two Saturday's ago I was in total shock to see Tall Girl has closed down... I didn't know where to go? Old Navy? The Gap or Nordy's? Where do I go to find that perfect 38" fit? Your store was the one and only, a one of a kind. I know I can shop on line at Tall Girl, but its not the same. Just like any other girl in this world I like to try my jeans on and make sure they look good from every angle. I can't do that on line!

I really miss the store and hope one day all the other retail stores in the mall can catch on to something Tall Girl had going for them. There are Tall girls out here in this world and we like to try on our pants too.

Thank you for your time and I hope to hear back from you on any suggestions you may have for a 6'0" long legged girl like me.

Sincerely,
Andrea Mannon


So what do you think? I sent this letter to them yesterday afternoon, not sure what I want the out come to be? I guess I just want to be heard.
I did however get a catalog in the mail: Long tall sally. I figured okay this is Tall Girl's way of saying sorry we closed but here is a catalog. So I thumbed through it to see what they had to offer. Tons of cute clothes and I found a pair of skinny jeans that I really wanted... But NO the longest inseam they offer is 36". That just put me on a whole new mission!

To be continued......

Smooches,
Andrea