My Afflation

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Annette (@dananner) I'm not on FB much, I just like to check in and see that my mother and siblings are liking and commenting on each other's post to know that they are still alive and well. I didn't tweak to the fact that my brother hadn't posted in a few days.

I found this gem while trying to clean up photos. Before it was uncool to be in a photo with Mom

On the Mark Twain, back when my son was shorter than me and I was skinny.

Soon after this I got to stop wearing pink ... 6th birthday in Tampico, Mexico. L-R: me, my paternal grandmother, my brother

I couldn't find one of myself that I liked, but I did find this one of my daughter and nephew that is just adorable. I'm not sure if they would feel the same way about each other today. Pin It

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Vegas in July 2009 with my dad Where do I start? I started this post weeks (months?) ago, when my brother sent me a text in the middle of the night, when sane people are sleeping , to ask about a book that I had passed on to him during my occult phase. Using my amazing Google-fu, was finally able to track down the series that he wanted, but that started me down a whole 'nother rabbit hole of nostalgia that I, in typical fashion, tucked away to be dealt with later when I had some privacy for a proper meltdown. Two months later, I still haven't had the meltdown, but it's kind of being forced on me. I don't do grief because I hate crying in public and my life these days is such that I only get privacy in the bathroom, and frankly, I don't want to reminisce and have a proper crying jag while staring at (or sitting on) the porcelain god ... so it just gets buried a little more. Until I get another request from my brother to commemorate the anniversary  and what wan...

I was looking for a few new recipes over at PaleOMG (like OMG, best desserts for this plan!) and realized that I do sort of cleanse on Mondays after the weekend. Though, after our amazing reunion weekend, we started last night with stuff I pulled from the freezer. Family sing-along Cooking with Cousin Olivia She couldn't get enough of the birds Sunday : Tilapia with green beans and tomatoes -- this recipe is so quick and easy, we love it. My mom and I had tilapia, the kids had Cajun Salmon. Monday : Curried Turkey Cutlets with Apricots - (we usually end up using turkey patties, but everything else is the same) with green beans, carrots, cauliflower and broccoli. Tuesday : Chicken Salad . Might as well use some of those apples I brought back from NorCal Wednesday : Mahi Mahi Grilled Fish Tacos Thursday : Steak Salad Friday : Turkey and Spinach Stuffed Sweet Potatos  - I love PaleOMG because she introduced me to sweet potato brownies. I can still have brownies!...

coming out of the fog (Photo credit: theloushe ) In general, I don't like airing my dirty laundry. I was taught it was uncouth, rude, nobody gives a damn, and why put your life on display like that. But you know what? I'm tired of being polite, in the shadows, hiding. It's time to tell my side of the story because everyone has heard my ex's side. And it caused a rift that can never be repaired.

The boys Pin It

We went old school tonight after my daughter found my deluxe board hiding in the storage closet. Even I had forgotten where it was. First time she's enjoying math in a while. :-D And obviously over getting over her strep throat. And then she taught me how to play Monopoly Millionaire. She owned me. I swear, it's because of this game I have no interest in ever being in real estate, no matter how many episodes of those brothers I watch on HGTV. All in all a decent Friday night. I'm going to pass out now.

The Globetrotters are coming to SoCal this weekend! And if you're like me and didn't think quite so far ahead and missed the Goldstar discount back in January, here's a little redeeming gift. February 15, 2013 07:00 pm San Diego,CA Valley View Casino Center February 16, 2013 1:00 pm Anaheim, CA Honda Center February 16, 2013 7:00 pm Anaheim,CA Honda Center February 17, 2013 1:00 pm Los Angeles, CA STAPLES Center February 18, 2013 2:00 pm Ontario, CA Citzens Business Bank Arena Get your tickets to the Harlem Globetrotters brand new " You Write the Rules " tour. Your family's smiles will start before you even get to the game as the Globetrotters take kid participation to a whole NEW level. Your family can vote at harlemglobetrotters.com and decide rules for the game that could affect the final outcome. With rules like double the points for every basket, and two balls in play at the same time, there's an exciting rule that every kid ...

It's Christmas, Snoopy! Who doesn't love a deal?  Thanks to USFamilyGuide.com I'm able to offer you a coupon to "Knott's Merry Farm." How cool is that?  If you haven't been to Knott's at this time of year (sad to say, I haven't. I usually go to Disneyland) here's what you can expect: Knott’s Merry Farm Thanksgiving Day – January 1 Knott’s Berry Farm is filled with the magic of the season as it transforms into Knott’s Merry Farm and celebrates “A Charlie Brown Christmas” with seasonal entertainment, spectacular decorations including a 65 foot tall Christmas tree, and a colorful Christmas parade.  Now a holiday tradition in Southern California, Knott’s Merry Farm is proud to present the holiday ice spectacular, “It’s Christmas, Snoopy!” The show, performed in the 2,100-seat Charles M. Schulz Theatre, is hosted by the famous skating beagle and his PEANUTS friends as they look for the true meaning of Christmas and features Knot...

Back in August we went to the circus, I was a little slow getting the photos up and I think there are a few more videos I need to post. Better late than never, right? I LOVE the circus (all you animal activists can crucify me later, I have nothing but good memories). I have loved the circus, and especially Barnum & Bailey's ever since I was a small child. My parents couldn't afford much, but they managed to take us whenever Ringling was in town. The motorcycles in the cage, the animal trainers (does anyone remember Gunther Gebel-Williams ? The way he was with his tigers -- Siberian tigers have been my favorite animal ever since.) At one point I am sure that I wanted to run away and join the circus. My brother certainly did. My not so great photos from the Greatest Show on Earth FUNundrum takes you back to the "freak show" beginnings of the circus, but it's well done and not really freakish at all. The acts are designed show off human strength, ag...

We all know that kids are expensive and getting more and more so the more we let go of “simple pleasures” and try to “keep up with the Joneses. Not to mention inflation! I came across this inspiring piece:   " What do you get for your $160,140.00? (not including college) * Naming rights . First, middle, and last! * Glimpses of God every day. * Giggles under the covers every night. * More love than your heart can hold. * Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs. * Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies. * A hand to hold usually covered with jelly or chocolate. * A partner for blowing bubbles and flying kites. * Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.. For $160,140.00, you never have to grow up. You get to: * finger-paint, * carve pumpkins, * play hide-and-seek, * catch lightning bugs, * never stop believing in Santa Claus. You have an excuse to: * keep reading the Adventures of Pooh and Piglet, * watch...

14/365 Time with Josh Originally uploaded by Nannerlady No, it's not bring your child to work day, though it might seem like it. Josh had an optometrist appointment litterally down the street from where I work. Afterwards we had lunch together. I had suggested Pit Fire, but ... the kid in him wanted a hot dog. @DC66Steps has told me they have some pretty good dogs. (There goes my diet for today). So here we are. And he's telling me about how he truly feels about pickles. You don't want to know. It will turn your stomach. I love taking pictures of my son even if he doesn't appreciate my enthusiasm. ~~Annette -- please excuse typos, sent from my phone.

1. Tell marketing executives that I'm on twitter. 2. Tell them that I have thousands of followers. 3. Also tell them that I'm a (mommy) blogger.  BONUS -- Have one of them ask "What do you tweet about?" Answer using the phrase "pimping" in relation to children's digital media.  I could have died right then. Especially since I was sitting next to a VP whom I am pretty sure raised an eyebrow. The room followed with nervous laughter. But of course I didn't. I plowed right ahead listing the other things I tweet about (which can be found in my bio if you haven't looked recently). One interesting point brought up in this meeting was the lifecycle of "mommy bloggers" -- how they are really into it and prolific while their child(ren) are young and then it dies off in the upper elementary - high school years, and now some older women are picking it up as their child(ren) go(es) off to college. The "empty nesters". And I found myself th...

I wish I had an eidetic memory so I could properly caption the photo. In lieu of that, TAKE A LOOK AT MY WONDERFUL FAMILY ! What an amazing day! It was an incredible experience to meet everyone, most for the first time. It was good seeing Katie and Andrew again, the last time was about 12 years ago. Actually, the last time I saw a lot of my relatives (on this side of the family) was 12 years ago at Grandma Helen’s 100th birthday celebration . Bonus: it turns out that we have cousins less than an hour away down this way. The boys got some bonding time in over ice-cream churning. Now that I have had a day or so to think about it, I am already starting to forget things. Memorable moments Seeing my grandmother for the first time since I’ve moved back to CA. I didn’t realize how much I have missed her Right after the large group photo was taken Aleta said “now let’s separate by color”. I was one of the photographers and blurted out “Wha..?” and then started laughing as ...