Thoughts I think (and other stuff)

I'm giving wordpress a try.

2007-12-15T21:01:00.000-07:00

my blog address there is http://yaddayaddayaddablahblahblah.wordpress.com/

2007-12-05T19:56:00.000-07:00

Thirteen Random Things Inside My Head

1. I am cold

2. but I just got my power bill so I think I'll layer rather than turn the heat up. Dammit.

3. I want to decorate for the holidays soon.

4. I have to wait for a pay cheque (or a reimbursement cheque from the make up I bought for Seussical) before I can decorate.

5. I need a new computer chair.

6. I want a snack.

7. but there is nothing interesting here to snack on.

8. I want the home improvement show people to come fix my apartment only I don't want it to be filmed because OY whatta mess.

9. I've been listening to Stuart Mclean on CD. I want to see him in concert (if that's what you call it. He's a story teller/comedian type person. He makes me smile)

10. Does anyone know how to get kids to stop sucking their thumb?

11. Also, the baby (16 month old) is randomly biting. Often when she's snuggling in. OUCH. What the HELL???

12. I'm still wanting a snack. *sigh*

13. I'm still cold.

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November Reading Frenzy(ish)

2007-12-02T18:24:00.000-07:00

*The Boss (just finished it and I already can’t remember what it was about)by Monica Belle
* Cut Throat by Sharon Sala
* Mouth to Mouth by Erin McCarthy
* Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
* Behind Closed Doors by Tara Taylor Quinn
* Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning
* Good Girl Gone Bad by Karin Tabke
* Howl at the Moon by Christine Warren
* The Demon You Know by Christine Warren
* For Her Pleasure by Maya Banks
* The President’s Daughter by Mariah Stewart
* Dangerous Lover by Lisa Marie Rice
* Baby It’s Cold Outside by Cathy Yardley
* Forever After by Catherine Anderson
* A Time To Die by Beverly Barton

I read 15 books this month, bringing my total (so far) for the year to 222.

Happy Birthday to me

2007-11-27T22:07:00.000-07:00

This is me at 2 years old. I'm 37 now (OY) and not nearly as cute! lol

Make up and costumes :)

2007-11-25T21:19:00.000-07:00

The one where I give Dakota yellow coloured nightmares ...

2007-11-17T20:39:00.000-07:00

Some photos of costumes in the Seussical play I'm in. The Whos are all orange and yellow ...

I'm in 2 different animal type costumes. Can you tell I'm just thrilled to death to be a lion? *g* I put the mane on and comedians in the cast started to sing songs from Wizard of Oz. Did they not realize that I'm in charge of their make up? LOL They have NO idea! (Make up and full dress rehearsals are tomorrow and Monday - the show goes up next week)

Never Forget

2007-11-11T10:07:00.000-07:00

I know I'll be stopping in honor and respect of those who are fighting, and have already fought for me. Will you?

The one about raking the leaves

2007-11-03T21:48:00.000-06:00

My October reading frenzy

2007-11-01T20:45:00.000-06:00

*Eye of the Beholder by Shari Shattuck
*Dexter in the Dark by Jeff Lindsay
*Time For Alexander by Jennifer Macaire (ebook ... soon to be purchased again in print. This one is a keeper!)
*Teachers Pet by Marilyn Lee
*Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
*Riding the Storm by Sydney Croft
*Double Vision by Fiona Brand
*Rough Canvas by Joey W. Hill
*Shadows Present by Michele Bardsley
*Force of Nature by Suzanne Brockmann
*Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye by E.C. Sheedy
*Servant: The Awakening by LL Foster
*The Devil’s Backbone by Kim Wozencraft
*Demon’s Kiss by Eve Silver
*Wonderful You by Mariah Stewart
*Truth or Dare by Delilah Dawson
*Phoenix Unrisen by Kathleen Nance
*Bodyguard by Suzanne Brockmann
*Last Known Victim by Erica Spindler
*Once Bitten Twice Shy by Jennifer Rardin (must find more books by this author!)

This month there were a few new to me authors (some of which are ones that I need to buy the backlists if there are any!). A few 'meh' rated books but no wall bangers.

I read 20 books (a couple were shorter stories though) in October. This brings my year to date to 207.

LMAO @ these guys!

2007-10-27T23:08:00.000-06:00

Thursday 13

2007-10-24T21:36:00.000-06:00

Thirteen things I do (or I plan to do) with my 4 year old niece when her little sister has nap time in the afternoon.

1. Crafts - paining, colouring, stickers, anything that we can't do without being interrupted by a 1 year old when the little one is awake. Serious one on one craft time!

2. Homework - No I'm not that mean. She's only 4 for goodness sake. She just calls it that. She likes to practice printing and her numbers.

3. Cards - She's learning how to play go fish and games like that.

4. Paper Dolls - She's all about making the clothes for them and dressing them up.

5. Clean up time - the child is a neat freak. It drives her crazy when her sister plays with the toys after she's arranged them. If she cleans at nap time she has a whole hour - hour and a half of non messed time. Weird.

6. Games - board games like Sorry, Candyland and Snakes and Ladders

7. Cooking - we'll put together stuff for supper. Veggies and casseroles and stuff.

8. Baking - She loves helping in the kitchen.

9. Computer games

10. Movies - Her favourite movie right now is Annie.

11. Dress up time - She loves to dress up. At least once a day she's a princess.

12. Play hair dresser - So far I've managed to successfully ban any picture taking after she's 'styled' my hair. LOL

13. Read - She loves to be read to. She loves to make up stories. :)

Her little sister's nap time is a fun time for both of us!

Happy Birthday Sweatpea :)

2007-10-21T20:48:00.000-06:00

She's having fun lookin r'diclis (ridiculous). And yes it was completely on purpose :) She gave me the same look a few minutes later!

I can't believe she's 4 years old!

13 Great Halloween books (some for grown ups some for kids)

2007-10-17T20:16:00.001-06:00

1. Dracula by Bram Stoker

2. The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty

3. The Tell Tale Heart and Other Writings by Edgar Allan Poe

4. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (kids)

5. A Dark, Dark Tale by Ruth Brown (kids)

6. Velocity by Dean Koontz

7. Back From Hell by Shiloh Walker

8. Dark Fire by Denise A Agnew

9. Nightlife by Rob Thurman

10. Tell Me a Scary Story by Carl Reiner (kids)

11.BOO! by Robert Munsch (kids)

12.Bitten by Kelley Armstrong (Hey! It's in the horror section of my book store!)

13. It by Stephen King

September reading frenzy

2007-10-02T20:34:00.000-06:00

Into the Storm by Suzanne Brockmann
Wed In Wyoming by Allison Lee Davidson
The Woods by Harlan Coben
Don’t Say A Word by Rita Herron
Spellbinder by Melanie Rawn
McKettrick’s Pride by Linda Lael Miller
Die For Me by Karen Rose
Copy Cat by Erica Spindler
Missing by Jasmine Cresswell (book 1 in a series)
Sex With A Stranger by Katherine Garbera
Last Breath by George D. Shuman
Doctor in the House by Marie Ferrarella
The Hunters: Rafe and Sheila by Shiloh Walker
No Longer Mine by Shiloh Walker
Silver Master by Jayne Castle
Broken by Megan Hart
Suspect by Jasmine Cresswell (book 2 in a series)
Devil May Cry by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Dark Rival by Brenda Joyce
Dark Lies by Vivi Anna

This month I read 20 books bringing my years total to 187. I was lucky this month. I'd recommend any of these books to someone else to read. No wall bangers or DNF! Of all the books I read this month, Broken is the one that touched me the most ... No longer mine by Shiloh Walker also grabbed hold of my emotions and wouldn't let go. This is the 3rd or so time reading that book and it gets me every time.

It isn't what it looks like ... I swear!

2007-09-29T23:19:00.000-06:00

I was in a scavenger hunt today. I had a TON of fun! There were about a hundred things for us to look for/take pictures of - including the following.

I was having WAY too much fun while this was happening *g* The officer was a good sport. *s*

I finished an unbelievable book last night

2007-09-25T19:59:00.000-06:00

I can't even remember why I bought it. I'm sure sooner or later I would have looked for it in the library (it was an expensive book for my budget - $17 - worth every penny), but I saw someone blog about Broken by Megan Hart somewhere. I was intrigued enough to not want to wait until I could find it at the library.

Under the title Broken, in fine print it says "an erotic novel". It is so much more than just an erotic novel. It's a shame that many people will see those three words and shy away from reading it.

From the back cover

"THIS MONTH MY NAME IS MARY. My name is different every month - Brandy, Honey, Amy ... Sometimes Joe doesn't even bother to ask - but he never fails to arouse me with his body, his mouth, his touch, no matter what I'm called or where he picks me up. The sex is always amazing, always leaves me itching for more in those long weeks until I see him again.

My real name is Sadie, and once a month over lunch Joe tells me about his latest conquest. But what Joe doesn't know is that, in my mind, I'm the star of every X-rated one-night stand he has revealed to me, or that I'm practically obsessed with our imaginary sex life. I know it's wrong. I know my husband wouldn't understand. But I can't stop. Not yet."

You know, even from the back cover I probably wouldn't have normally paid this much for a book from a relatively unfamiliar (to me) author. The cover art is sexy, but no so sexy that I would feel uncomfortable reading the book in public (if that makes sense).

The book was so much more than what the back cover led me to believe. It touched me on a number of levels. Enough for me to still be thinking of it hours after I finished it, and to not want to start another book quite yet, because I don't want to let this story leave my mind. The story was incredibly written. The sex scenes were very hot (hence the word erotic under the title). The story though is what grabbed a hold of me. I felt emotionally involved with the characters. At one point I was going 'Oh my god nooooo' because I could sense stuff that was going to happen.

Simply said - the story touched me. I can only hope that the rest of Ms. Hart's stories are as incredible as this one. I may have found another auto buy (and keeper shelf) author. You can find more about Megan Hart here. You can buy Broken here.

Thursday 13 - 2 days early cause that's when I have time.

2007-09-11T21:43:00.000-06:00

Thirteen things I know for sure ....

1 . Dakota is going to need medication after seeing zebra print and pink leopard print on the same blog. I'm surprised she hasn't said much to me about the header here *g*

2. I love my job right now :) I'm so lucky to be able to do what I'm doing.

3. I need to stop forgetting to bring my cell phone with me every day. I forgot it again today and it sure would have been handy. lol

4. I love children's books. :) I've been enjoying reading with my nieces.

5. There aren't enough hours in the day. I'm rushing like mad to get things done (it feels like)

6. There are too many hours in the day. LOL I'm SO tired!

7. Canadian Idol is a waste of time. I've been forced to tape the finale (which I don't care about because one of the finalists inspires a strange reaction in me. I see him and want to kick him or push him over. I have no idea why. It could be the Barney-esque smile on his face that I can't trust. Who knows.) for my parents who are on holiday. I haven't watched much of this season because it just seems like a no-talent, or at least a not much talent, show. This makes me a bit sad cause I used to watch it all the time. (you can all make fun now. At least I still have So You Think You Can Dance that I can watch!)

8. Rob Thomas makes me happy. I've watched the video for MB 20's newest song a zillion times. I can't wait until the CD release!

9. Old Sesame Street clips make me happy. I've introduced my nieces to what Sesame Street should be ... what it used to be like. :)

We have about 15 minutes a day where we watch clips, just before the little one's nap. It quiets them down.

10. Letting my niece 'read' me a story is about one of the best things on earth. What an imagination that kid has!

11. A new box of crayola crayons can fix a lot of problems.

12. Same goes with containers of play doh!.

13. I need to get my eye brows waxed but I'm in denial because the last time I did it the stupidhead who did it for me neglected to tell me about some vision issues that were going on with her. It wasn't the best job. I also know that when trying to recover from a bad eyebrow wax job, it's painful and it is slow going.

Rest in Peace

2007-09-06T22:14:00.000-06:00

Luciano Pavarotti's voice made me shiver and smile. I love laying back with my eyes closed and listening to him sing when I need to find peace. He lost his battle with cancer early this morning (Thursday).

I think this performance at the Torin Winter Olympics in 2006 was his last professional performance. He'd already been diagnosed at this point in time. I could be wrong though.

August books

2007-09-03T08:37:00.000-06:00

Wed and Wanton by Lacey Savage
Blood ties book 2: Possession by Jennifer Armintrout
Blood Ties by Daniel Kalla
Lover Revealed by JR Ward
Demon Rescuer by Racy Li
Fallen From Grace by Laura Leone
Grounds to Believe by Shelley Bates
Bit by the Bug by Michelle Pillow
Touch of Darkness by Christina Dodd
Beyond Reach by Karin Slaughter
Wild Roses by Deb Caletti
Night Rising by Chris Marie Green
Paint It Red by Carla Cassidy
Simon Says by Lori Foster
Blood Calls by Caridad Pineiro
Echo Park by Michael Connelly
Joe’s Miracle by Helen Conrad
Next To Die by Marliss Melton
Somebody’s Lover by Jasmine Haynes
Beg for Mercy by Toni Andrews
Make Me Believe by Shiloh Walker (e-book)
The Hunters: Byron and Kit by Shiloh Walker (e-book)

I read 21 books this month, bringing the total for the year up to 167.

I'm feeling all flustered and excited

2007-09-03T00:17:00.001-06:00

twitterpated even *g* OHMYGOD OHMYGOD!!! Matchbox 20 is releasing a new CD soon :) YAY!!!

I *heart* Rob Thomas.

Today was finger painting day!

2007-08-29T21:17:00.002-06:00

The baby used pudding. Big sister used finger paints. Much fun and messiness happened. *g*

Thursday 13

2007-08-29T21:17:00.000-06:00

Thirteen Guilty Pleasures

1. Reading - it's a guilty pleasure only because I spend sooooo much money on it. *g* I don't feel guilty about the books I read, only about the money I shouldn't be spending lol.

2. So You Think You Can Dance. I LOVE that show. :) Except for Mary whatshername ... one of the judges. She makes me crazy.

3. Home improvement shows. I want to be able to do all that stuff to my place.

4. Shoes. I love them. I have too many pairs of them.

5. Gene Simmons Family Jewels show. Yeah. I'm addicted.

6. What Not To Wear. I want them to take me to NYC and buy a wardrobe and get a fancy hair style and make over. I really really really want this. lol

7. The Wonder Pets. This is a new one. I discovered this show when I started being the nanny for my nieces. *g* The show cracks me up. Click on the link and watch one of the clips. Oh. My. God! LOL

8. The Muppet Show. I want the series on DVD. It's too expensive though. *sigh*

9. Pedicures. I don't get them that often but I would love them to be a regular thing for me.

10. Pepsi. I have to cut back on this. I should actually stop drinking it completely but ... little steps. *s*

11. My new bed. *happy sigh* I just got a new mattress. It's my first non hand me down mattress I've had since my crib probably. I lurve it.

12. Starbucks Tazo Chai Latte. Yum.

13. All of those cooking shows. Iron Chef, Restaurant Makeover, Hell's Kitchen. Love 'em.

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ACK!

2007-08-28T20:04:00.001-06:00

So as if I'm not busy enough. I auditioned for a part in the chorus for the theatre group I've been a part of for years. Wish me luck! We're doing Seussical. It's a musical based on Dr Seuss's books Horton Hears A Who and Horton Hatches An Egg.

Thursday 13

2007-08-22T21:53:00.000-06:00

13 Books that have been in my TBR pile for way too long

1. The Soulless by LG Burbank I can't even remember why I bought this book. LOL The blurb on the back is pretty interesting but the cover kinda creeps me out. It's a hard back book that's paperback sized ... that might have been the shiny thing that caught my attention too.

2. The Demon you Know by Christine Warren. I love this series. I have no idea why this book hasn't been read yet.

3. Midnight Fantasy by Ann Major. I can NOT believe I have a category romance this current. I tend to save those (when I do read them) as library books. Too expensive for the page count IMO.

4. Blood Calls by Caridad Pineiro. Another category book? OY! The blurb is cool though. I almost hope that I don't like it because it looks like this is in a series LOL.

5. Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine. Okay. I know this one was buried in the stack and re-discovered when I moved. I'll be reading it soon.

6. The Moon Witch by Linda Winstead Jones. My attention was drawn to this because of the artwork on the cover. Pretty :) It's the second book in a series though. Should I give Anne heart palpitations by reading out of order? *g*

7. Bride of Lochbarr by Margaret Moore. I have no idea why I have this. I don't tend to buy a lot of historicals. Men in Kilts though ... mmmm *g*

8. The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King. I must read this soon. Stephen King and Dragons? What was I thinking not reading this one right away???

9. Raintree: Inferno by Linda Howard. Another category but with Linda Howards name it was a must buy. Awesome artwork too!

10.Night Echoes by Holly Lisle. She's an auto buy author for me. So many books so little time though!

11.Vamps and the City by Kerrilyn Sparks. I loved the first book. This just got lost in the stack. (do you see a theme here? lol)

12.The Blood Books Volume One (Blood Trail and Blood Price) by Tanya Huff. Someone told me that I needed to read her books so I bought this on sale I think. I still haven't got around to reading either of the stories though.

13.Night Life by Elizabeth Guest. I saw this in some newsletter somewhere that I subscribe to and it looked interesting.

Wow! I have a lot of reading to do. (this hardly puts a dent in my TBR stacks LOL)

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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My friend Maura just got her first fiction book published!

2007-08-18T12:54:00.000-06:00

Congratulations Maura!

I was lucky enough to be a test reader for the book Texas Tea by Maura Anderson and I loved it! :) Everyone go check it out at Aspen Mountain Press. Click here to go to her website. I think she has some contests running right now.

Thursday 13

2007-08-15T21:32:00.001-06:00

Thirteen baby photos

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Thursday 13

2007-08-09T07:54:00.001-06:00

Thirteen places I want to travel to someday...

1. Disney World (been to Disneyland and now I want to try Disney World)

2. Some place that RT is held so I can meet a bunch of my online friends.

3. Eastern Canada - I'd like to travel more in this country. I haven't really been anywhere in the Eastern part of Canada.

4. NYC (again) I didn't get to see everything I wanted to see last year when I was there!

5. New Orleans

6. Scotland

7. Ireland

8. France

9. New Zealand

10.Egypt

11.South Africa

12.Greece

13.Spain

My July reading frenzy

2007-07-31T10:06:00.001-06:00

It's hard to believe that I had time to read a ton of books in July, with all my preparations for the walk, but I did! Here are the books I read, along with one DNF that I'm going to attempt again some other time.

Exit Strategy by Kelley Armstrong
Ascension (e-book)by Lauren Dane
Heaving Bosoms(e-book)by Ashlyn Chase
On Target by Catherine Mann
Buddy System (e-book)by Caitlyn Willows
In Darkness Reborn by Alexis Morgan
Say You Love Me by Rita Herron
Rage Therapy by Daniel Kalla
Succubus Blues by Richelle Meads
Last Look by Mariah Stewart
Blood Drive by Jeanne C. Stein
Unshapely Things by Mark del Franco
Night Hunger by Cathy McDavid
Pure Sin (e-book) by Sahara Kelly and S.L. Carpenter
Last Words by Mariah Stewart
Night’s Touch by Amanda Ashley
Scent of Darkness by Christina Dodd
Cross My Heart by Carly Phillips
Magic Study by Mariah V. Snyder
Are You Scared Yet? by Hunter Morgan
Head On by Colleen Thompson
Sex, Lies, and Vampire Hunters (e-book) by Myla Jackson
Taking the Job (e-book) by Cheyenne McCray
A Taste for Control (e-book) by Patrice Michelle
Dark Harbor by Stuart Woods
Hunter’s Salvation by Shiloh Walker
Until the Day You Die by Tina Wainscott
Damsel Under Stress by Shanna Swendson

**So far this year I've read .... 143 books!**

Winners of my final Fundraising Draw!

2007-07-30T21:40:00.001-06:00

Sorry this is posted late!

The winners in my final fund raising draw are:

Jaynie R
Nina C
Lori S
and Pam K

I've sent this information out to you in an email too! Jaynie and Lori, I'll need to get your snail mail addresses. Nina and Pam, I'll let the authors of the books you've won know your email addresses so they can contact you about mailing out your prizes.

Congratulations ladies! I’ve drawn your names for my last 4 draws in my Weekend to End Breast Cancer fund raiser!
Nina, you’ve won the prize pack from Vivi Anna and Sasha White!
Jaynie, you’ve won the mystery prize pack from me, with a book from Sasha White!
Lori, you’ve won the Babe Pack, with books by Dakota Cassidy, Michelle Hoppe and Isabella Jordan!
Pam, you’ve won the books by Shiloh Walker!
Thanks again ladies. With your help, the Weekend to End Breast Cancer Calgary walk brought in 5.6 million dollars for cancer research and treatment! WOW!

5.6 MILLION Dollars!!!

2007-07-30T10:12:00.000-06:00

That's how much money was raised by people participating in Calgary's Weekend to End Breast Cancer! $5,600,000.oo!!!

I've learned that ...

* People are amazing if you give them the chance to be.

*Swoobs are icky. (sweaty boobs) If you're not careful you can get friction blisters in bad places (my bra band was my enemy by the end of day 2) *snort* OUCH

*Yes, I really can take just one more step when it seems like I can't.

*Hills are not my friend.

*Yes I can hurt that much.

*Yes it was all worth it.

*I'm crazy enough to think of signing up for next years walk. (I'm just thinking right now though LOL) If I don't do the walk I want to be one of the crew volunteers.

*This was one of the most amazing experiences. Everyone should do this or something like this at least once in their life time.

I'll let the pictures talk. Ask any questions you want, I'll be happy to answer!

Don't I look like I'm ready to take onthe world? OY! lol The guy I'm with is truly amazing. By the end of the summer he will have walked in every Weekend to End Breast Cancer walk in Canada. Chad, my thoughts are with you. You're a new hero of mine now!

We're on our way! Just leaving the Calgary Round Up Centre at Stampede Park! The volunteers were amazing. They are the best cheerleaders EVER!

Boobs on Bikes! *g* They kept us safe. Stopping traffic for us and keeping our spirits up. Don't they look great?

People in the neighbourhoods came out to cheer. Even their dog's participated *g* By the end of the walk we loved all the cheerers ... the ones who sprayed us with water or had ice for us really kept us going 'til we got to our next pit stop! The pit stops were where we bandaged blisters, re-filled with water or gatoraid, got snacky stuff, stretched out muscles and went to the bathroom (OMG the line ups!). The people who worked/volunteered at these were amazing.

The end of the first 35 kilometres is in sight!

The people with The Weekend to End Breast Cancer took very good care of us. These are medical tents. There were nurses, paramedics, physiotherapists, chiropractors (Dr. Dean saved my body from freezing into a ball of pain), and massage therapists. There were only so many (they were all volunteers) so we had to sign up. I was lucky enough to get time for a massage too! There was a band playing after supper and some of us were even crazy enough to dance after walking 35 km! (it did help I think, to keep our muscles from tightening up too much.)

Day 2!!! I think I just might be able to do this :)

The woman in the picture below kept me going. She was an amazing cheerleader. We've stopped here to listed to the Calgary Police band who played for the walkers as they arrived at lunch. I got split up from Cathy at lunch and finished the rest of the day on my own/with other groups (usually as they were passing me *g* OH MY GOD I was tired). Thanks Cathy for giving me the energy to make it to lunch!

I DID IT!!

I'm back

2007-07-29T20:28:00.000-06:00

I survived.

I'm exhausted.

I'll have pics and details tomorrow along with the winners of the draws :)

yellow plaid screen of doom

2007-07-27T21:20:00.000-06:00

I had the yellow plaid screen of doom earlier today (It wasn’t really yellow plaid but the computer certainly wasn’t doing what I wanted it to do), so I didn’t draw my pre-walk winners from my fund raising draw. I’ll draw all the winners on Sunday night or Monday. Thanks so much everyone! With your help I raised $3,400.oo on behalf of the Weekend to End Breast Cancer!

Thursday 13

2007-07-25T22:42:00.000-06:00

Thirteen great books to read aloud to your favourite child (for me it's my nieces *s*)

1. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
2. Falling Up by Shel Silverstein
3. Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss
4. The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch
5. Dogzilla by Dav Pilkey (you must use a mouse voice when reading this to get the best effect)
6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
7. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
8. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams and Katherine Wilson
9. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
10. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff
11. Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
12. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
13. Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

2007-07-19T01:10:00.000-06:00

Thirteen things I want

Yes this weeks Thursday 13 is completely about me. Some of the things I want may appear to be frivolous (and they are … kind of *s*) but they’re all things I’ve wished for. Do I expect to receive them? … Nope. Hopefully some of them but for now they’re wishes.

1. A tiara. Don’t you think that a tiara would help make a blah (or even worse than blah) day feel better?

2. I want the weight loss fairy to come visit me. I’ve been walking a zillion kilometres a week for the past few months and it doesn’t look like I’ve done a thing. It’s extremely frustrating. (and no it isn’t the muscle is heavier than fat theory people keep talking about. My clothes all fit the same.)

3. That mythical man. I’d really like to find someone who can see past all the physical stuff and see me instead. Sounds corny yes? I’ve always wanted a family. To be a wife or whatever and a mom. I’m not sure I even wish on this one that often anymore though.

4. A magical library in my house that automatically has the next book for me that will capture my imagination. (and I want it to have those sliding ladder things that I see in movies. How cool would that be? *g*)

5. I want a money tree (or to win the lottery). Or I’d at least I’d like to be able to earn enough money to be comfortable. To not worry about being able to pay all the bills. To not have to play the which bill wins the I get to be paid this month game. *s*

6. I want to travel. I want to see the world.

7. I want that Take Home Chef dude to cook for me.

8. I want the What Not To Wear dudes to come rescue my closet.

9. I want to find a fabulous apartment. (OY! I hate apartment hunting)

10. I want the packing/moving fairy to find me and move my crap to the fabulous apartment that I find.

11. Magic walking shoes that keep my feet from getting all swollen and sore and icky during my weekend to end breast cancer walk that happens in a little over a week (YIKES!) … OR I’d like a personal masseuse to come to the event with me and take care of all my needs *g* … Maybe I need both a personal masseuse AND magic walking shoes! How cool would that be? *G*

12. I want my car to be paid for. That would be easily done if I had the money tree mentioned in #5.

13. I want to be graceful. I’m SO clumsy. It’s frightening really. I want to be able to dance (and not fall on my head). Hell I want to be able to walk and not fall on my head!!! LOL Speaking of dancing ... and beauty ...

Danny is beautiful to watch. Every movement is graceful. (he's pretty hot too *g* I didn't have to try that hard to get over his youthfulness lol He's just beautiful to look at.)

What kind of books do you like to read?

2007-07-15T22:45:00.000-06:00

This question was brought up in some of the yahoo groups I participate in. I'm finding more and more that I'm just a bit different from many of the people that post in some of the groups. Different in that I don't require a happily ever after in the books I read. I do, however, need an ending to the story that makes sense for that story.

An example of this is the book My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

From the Publisher - New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult is widely acclaimed for her keen insights into the hearts and minds of real people. Now she tells the emotionally riveting story of a family torn apart by conflicting needs and a passionate love that triumphs over human weakness.

Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate -- a life and a role that she has never challenged...until now. Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister -- and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable, a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves.

My Sister's Keeper examines what it means to be a good parent, a good sister, a good person. Is it morally correct to do whatever it takes to save a child's life, even if that means infringing upon the rights of another? Is it worth trying to discover who you really are, if that quest makes you like yourself less? Should you follow your own heart, or let others lead you? Once again, in My Sister's Keeper, Jodi Picoult tackles a controversial real-life subject with grace, wisdom, and sensitivity.

This story was gripping. I could NOT put the book down. It made me think and cry and smile a bit even. I was pissed off at the ending ... BUT it was the right ending for the story. I didn't like the way things went for the characters in this book but the way Ms. Picoult wrote the book was amazing. She seemed to choose her words with great care. She made me recommend this story to many people after I read it. She made me look for more of her books.

Some people might wonder why I'd read more by her if this story disturbed me so much. The reason I do is because they let me escape. No, the stories aren't pretty. I can't read a whole bunch of her books in a row. I need to space them out over time. I do, however, find myself feeling better about my own life when I'm done reading her books. I find myself feeling hope and thinking of possibilities.

I like this song

2007-07-15T00:13:00.000-06:00

I found out about this at The Sneeze blog.The group is called Cloud Cult. I'm thinking of downloading the CD. You can find it at their website.

Thursday 13

2007-07-12T22:45:00.000-06:00

Thirteen things I did today

1. Walked 7 kilometers.

2. Finished the book Last Look by Mariah Stewart.

3. Went out for lunch.

4. Went shopping with the mom.

5. Watched the So You Think You Can Dance results show (totally called it on the ones that got voted off the island or whatever you want to call it)

6. Acquired a new blister (to be friends with the blister I got yesterday).

7. Scanned a few baby pictures of me looking freakin' adorable. *g*

8. Bought the next book in Mariah Stewart's trilogy. (damn her for writing addictive trilogies!)

9. Debated colouring my hair a different colour when I get my hair done on Tuesday.

10.Watched a bunch of video's on YouTube. I'm completely addicted.

11.Pondered which book to start reading next. (btw I've completed 10 books so far this month and had 1 DNF book. YAY me!)

12.Listened to music (while on the computer *s* I love music. Right now the song is Smooth by Rob Thomas)

13.Remembered at the last minute to get a Thursday 13 up!

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Why am I doing the Walk?

2007-07-11T00:17:00.000-06:00

Initially it was a way for me to force myself to get active. There are so many health issues that arise for people who carry extra weight. Especially if they carry a LOT of extra weight. Breast Cancer is one of those things

"The risk triples for obesity with excess caloric and fat intake" ~Breast Cancer Society of Canada

By making the commitment to do this walk, asking other people to support me by giving donations I forced myself to do the preparation that's required for something like this. If it was just my money I'm pretty sure I'd find excuses to not do it. With other people involved though ... I have to do it.

Now even with all the preparation ... the training walks I've been doing I know this is going to be extremely difficult. Lets face it. I'm fat. I'm out of shape (but I have better endurance than I did 6 months ago *g*). I'm also determined. I WILL succeed. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have injuries. Bruises, sore muscles, blisters. Many women I've talked to who've done the walk also mentioned lost toe nails. (ICK!) I've got my fingers crossed that that doesn't happen.

I'm getting pretty close to my goal I set for myself. I want to go way past that goal though. *s* This is the first time I've really rocked at doing something I've set out to do though. I've always been fairly average at what I've accomplished. I've been that shy quiet girl in the corner at the party (on the rare occasion that I've gone to parties). Help me prove that I can do this. My goal is $3000.00 . Wouldn't it be cool if I got to $3,500 or something like that? CLICK HERE to make a donation.

My Last Fundraiser **updated July 10/07

2007-07-06T11:15:00.000-06:00

I'm officially 3 weeks away from my Weekend to End Breast Cancer 60 kilometre walk.

3 WEEKS

Three! OY!

I have 4 more packages I'll be making a draw for. I'll do 2 draws on July 25 (2 days before I'm busy with the pre-walk and walk) and I'll do 2 draws on July 30. The day after the walk. They'll be a YAY! I survived draw *g*

Just CLICK HERE to make a donation, and I'll enter your name into the draw! Easy Peasy!

The prizes in the draws will be ...
(prize package 1)books and promo goodies from Vivi Anna and Sasha White,

(prize package 2) books and goodies from The Babes (Dakota Cassidy, Isabella Jordan and Michelle Hoppe),

(prize package 3) Autographed books from Shiloh Walker

and

(prize package 4) a mystery package sent from me (It's a mystery because I still don't know all that will be in the package *lol* It'll be full of groovy things though).

Love Thursday

2007-07-05T00:22:00.000-06:00

I felt like doing a Love Thursday this week, instead of Thursday 13 :)

** I don't even know if they're doing the Love Thursday anymore. I haven't been able to find any recent entries (within last few weeks). Instead of taking this down ('cause I love the picture *s*) I'm still declaring this Love Thursday. If you wander over to Karen's site (the chookooloonks one) and look at the photos you'll still have a wonderful time. She's an amazing photographer!

On Thursday, August 17th, 2006, Irene Nam from MOMster in Paris and Karen Walrond from Chookooloonks declared every Thursday "Love Thursday," inviting people to post pictures depicting love on their websites each week. In conjunction with this, behold the "Love Thursday" pool: feel free to upload your photographs depicting love in all its forms -- love of a partner, love of a child, love of a favourite toy, love of life -- to share with everybody. Unusual images of love -- fallen leaves that look like hearts, for example -- are also very welcome.

Just remember love does not equal sex -- let's keep it clean, folks.

Can't wait to see what you share!

http://loveisallaround.squarespace.com

Books I read in June

2007-07-03T09:06:00.000-06:00

It didn't feel like I read all that many books in June (compared to other months). I'm not sure why. Considering how busy my month was that's quite a few. There were none that were DNF this month (which was nice) but there was one that almost made that rating. There were a couple that were OHMYGOD fabulous... (Anya Bast - what can I say? Her first book published by Berkley was incredible. I can't wait to read more. Kelley Armstrong is always amazing, I loved Colleen Gleason's second book in her series and then a new to me author, Rachel Vincent, is a new person I'm going to be adding to my authors to watch list.)

*Stray ~ Rachel Vincent
*Don’t Let Go ~ Sydney Somers (ebook)
*Babe in the Woods ~ Lorelei James (ebook)
*Lynda’s Lace ~ Lacey Alexander (ebook)
*Rises the Night ~ Colleen Gleason
*Midnight Sun ~ Rene Lyons (ebook)
*No Humans Involved ~ Kelley Armstrong
*Carter’s Cuffs ~ Lacey Alexander (ebook)
*Fear the Darkness ~ Sherrilyn Kenyon (ebook)
*At the Edge ~ Cait London
*Once Upon Stilettos ~ Shanna Swendson
*Wild Thing (anthology) ~ Maggie Shayne, Meljean Brook, Marjorie M. Liu, and Alyssa Day
*Soul Song ARC ~ Marjorie M. Liu
*Love, Lies and a Double Shot of Deception ~ Lois Winston
*Witch Fire ~ Anya Bast

Happy Canada Day!

2007-07-01T07:49:00.000-06:00

Thursday 13

2007-06-27T22:15:00.000-06:00

13 Toys I either had (as a child) and loved or wanted and never had

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

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I am exhausted

2007-06-26T21:58:00.000-06:00

I'm done work at the school on Friday though. Thank GOD!

I've also decided to take a year off (at least a year, probably more) to do something else. :)

After Sunday I can relax for a bit. (kinda lol)

The post in which I taunt you about reading an ARC

2007-06-23T11:54:00.000-06:00

I just finished reading Soul Song by Marjorie M. Liu. I received the ARC in the mail on Thursday.

I can not for the life of me remember where I applied/volunteered/whatever to read it but OMG Thank GOD I did!

Marjorie M. Liu has always on my To Be BOUGHT list but I stopped NEEDING to read her books as soon as I bought them after the second in this series. It wasn't that the second book was bad, I quite enjoyed it. It was just that there are so many other books that I NEEDED to read right away that the books kept lost in my mountain of TBR books.

The characterization in this book is phenomenal. The story grabbed a hold of my imagination and wouldn't let go. I'm almost sad that my adventure with Kitala and M'cal is over. The story was just that good.

I must now dig through my TBR mountain and find any and all other books that are in the Dirk and Steele series.

Anyways ... when this is released (July 2 I believe) go out and buy it. It's worth it!

oh yeah and ... Na Na Na Na Boo Boo I got to read this book early!

(mature, yes? *g*)

Thursday 13

2007-06-20T21:32:00.001-06:00

Thirteen comedians who pretty much always make me laugh out loud (in no particular order)

1. Eddie Izzard

2. Jane Curtin

3. Gilda Radner

4. John Candy

5. Eugene Levy

6. David Hyde Pierce

7. The Carol Burnett show Cast (I know this is more than 1 person but it's my list so it's my rules *g*)

8. Rick Moranis

9. Dave Thomas

10 - 12. Monty Python (I'm getting tired lol I'm not naming them all.)

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
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I have a winner!!!

2007-06-17T13:56:00.001-06:00

My niece helped me draw the name of the winner!

Maura you may now start doing the dance of joy! :)

Congratulations you won my latest draw!

I'll let Shiloh Walker know she can expect an email from you.

Happy Father's Day

2007-06-17T13:24:00.001-06:00

My dad rocks the casbah.

An amazing dad

2007-06-17T12:39:00.000-06:00

I posted this youtube once before (last year sometime) but I think the video and the message that was sent to me in an email are still amazing. Enjoy ...

Strongest Dad in the World

[From Sports Illustrated, By Rick Reilly]

I try to be a good father. Give my kids mulligans. Work nights to pay for their text messaging. Take them to swimsuit shoots.

But compared with Dick Hoyt, I suck.
Eighty-five times he's pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars--all in the same day.

Dick's also pulled him cross-country skiing, taken him on his back mountain climbing and once hauled him across the U.S. on a bike.

Makes taking your son bowling look a little lame, right?

And what has Rick done for his father? Not much--except save his life.

This love story began in Winchester, Mass., 43 years ago, when Rick was strangled by the umbilical cord during birth, leaving him brain-damaged and unable to control his limbs.

"He'll be a vegetable the rest of his life," Dick says doctors told him and his wife, Judy, when Rick was nine months old. "Put him in an institution."

But the Hoyts weren't buying it. They noticed the way Rick's eyes followed them around the room. When Rick was 11 they took him to the engineering department at
Tufts University and asked if there was anything to help the boy communicate.

"No way," Dick says he was told. "There's nothing going on in his brain."

"Tell him a joke," Dick countered. They did. Rick laughed. Turns out a lot was going on in his brain.

Rigged up with a computer that allowed him to control the cursor by touching a switch with the side of his head, Rick was finally able to communicate. First words? "Go Bruins!" And after a high school classmate was paralyzed in an accident and the school organized a charity run for him, Rick pecked out, "Dad, I want to do that."

Yeah, right. How was Dick, a self-described "porker" who never ran more than a mile at a time, going to push his son five miles? Still, he tried.
"Then it was me who was handicapped," Dick says. "I was sore for two weeks."

That day changed Rick's life. "Dad," he typed, "when we were running, it felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!"

And that sentence changed Dick's life. He became obsessed with giving Rick that feeling as often as he could. He got into such hard-belly shape that he and Rick were ready to try the 1979 Boston Marathon.

"No way," Dick was told by a race official. The Hoyts weren't quite a single runner, and they weren't quite a wheelchair competitor. For a few years Dick and Rick just joined the massive field and ran anyway, then they found a way to get into the race officially: In 1983 they ran another marathon so fast they made the qualifying time for Boston the following year.

Then somebody said, "Hey, Dick, why not a triathlon?"

How's a guy who never learned to swim and hadn't ridden a bike since he was six going to haul his 110-pound kid through a triathlon?
Still, Dick tried.

Now they've done 212 triathlons, including four grueling 15-hour Ironmans in Hawaii. It must be a buzzkill to be a 25-year-old stud getting passed by an old guy towing a grown man in a dinghy, don't you think?

Hey, Dick, why not see how you'd do on your own? "No way," he says. Dick does it purely for "the awesome feeling" he gets seeing Rick with a cantaloupe smile as they run, swim and ride together.

This year, at ages 65 and 43, Dick and Rick finished their 24th Boston Marathon, in 5,083rd place out of more than 20,000 starters.

Their best time? Two hours, 40 minutes in 1992--only 35 minutes off the world record, which, in case you don't keep track of these things, happens to be held by a guy who was not pushing another man in a wheelchair at the time.

"No question about it," Rick types. "My dad is the Father of the Century."

And Dick got something else out of all this too. Two years ago he had a mild heart attack during a race. Doctors found that one of his arteries was 95% clogged. "If you hadn't been in such great shape," one doctor told him, "you probably would've died 15 years ago."

So, in a way, Dick and Rick saved each other's life.

Rick, who has his own apartment (he gets home care) and works in Boston, and Dick, retired from the military and living in Holland, Mass., always find ways to be together. They give speeches around the country and compete in some backbreaking race every weekend, including this Father's Day.

That night, Rick will buy his dad dinner, but the thing he really wants to give him is a gift he can never buy.

"The thing I'd most like," Rick types, "is that my dad sit in the chair and I push him once."

Here's the video....

sticky post Wanna win an ARC? **UPDATED

2007-06-17T09:26:00.000-06:00

As many of you know, I'll be participating in The Weekend to End Breast Cancer 60 Km walk which takes place on July 27-29. The actual days of the walk are the Saturday and Sunday. The proceeds from this walk will benefit the Alberta Cancer Foundation, funding important breast cancer research, education, services and care. Help me support the people who are going to kick breast cancer in the butt by making a donation towards my fundraising efforts.

With each donation I'll put your name into a draw where you can win Hunters Salvation by Shiloh Walker! *click here for an excerpt*I can't wait until this book releases (July 3,2007) and I can read Vax's story! This character captured my imagination in the book Hunting the Hunter. I've been (not so) patiently waiting for his story since then. I'll make the draw on Monday June 25.
**The draw date has been changed to June 18! Thanks again Shi :)

**I'll also have a draw for some other books on July 2. More information about that will be coming soon!

Teenagers are weird.

2007-06-15T23:14:00.000-06:00

Really really weird.

Seriously.

So as many of you know I work in a senior high school. Today was the last day of classes before final exams.

We were prepared for NORMAL teen aged dumbassedness but this is what happened (in addition to the normal teen aged dumbassedness) …

At the end of the day, about 15 minutes before the final bell was going to ring some idiot set loose a bunch of chickens (no I don’t know where they found some live chickens. Teenagers are weird) then that same idiot (or one of his/her fellow idiots) pulled the fire alarm, sending 750 students out of their classrooms to evacuate the building.

Do you have any idea what a bunch of chickens do when a gaggle of teenagers (or should they be called a murder of teenagers?) decend on them?

There was a whole lot of chicken crap in the hall is all I know. I’m glad I wasn’t the one who had to clean up the mess.

As the blogs turn ... a melodrama of the internet sort

2007-06-14T20:52:00.000-06:00

While I do have to admit to being a little curious about a lot of the blog dramas and wars. I try to stay out of most of them for a few reasons.

The energy it takes to stay that pissed off for that long is just too much for me to waste on something so negative.

They get boring. Most of the time they appear to be about the same damn thing. Often repeated verbatim. (oooh impressive word, yes? *s*)

I just don't want people to think of me in the same way that I've found myself thinking of some of the respondants in these little melodramatic soap opera like moments.

So yes ... my blog is fluffy (except for the bits about the breast cancer walk). I often post youtube videos and other silly things just because they make me smile or feel good. Sometimes I'll rant ... usually about stuff that no one can really do anything about but it's better than talking to myself.

I figure as long as what I put up here helps me feel better and is hopefully not damaging others then life is good.

If I have an issue with someone I'll either sit and stew quietly to myself and maybe avoid them, or I'll have it out with them. It really depends on how much I care if I get to spend more time with that someone. If I don't care, I'll stew quietly and avoid. If I want to work things out I'll talk to them.

*rant over*

Thursday 13

2007-06-13T22:44:00.000-06:00

Thirteen things about my week

1. My cable crapped out on me soon after I finished last weeks Thursday 13 (crossing fingers it won't happen again) and didn't get fixed until late Monday evening.

2. I found out how pathetically I'm addicted to my electronic toys. At first it was oh well...I can't go online (cable internet) I'll just go watch TV... *sigh* Of course no cable means no channels for me to watch LOL.

3. I found out I am able to walk 20 km in one day (yes I did it on purpose *s*) and I'm still able to walk the next day (with only a few aches and 1 giant knot in my calf muscle I had to work out)

4. I can quite happily entertain myself with books and music. God help me if I'd lost my music as well as the cable though!

5. Did I mention I walked 20 km? *s* Thank goodness for good running shoes!

6. I thought up a few ideas for baskets/packages to use as draw items for my Weekend to End Breast Cancer fund raiser (to go along with the books). I'll post about those tomorrow *hopefully*

7. I was given an interesting, and very tempting, job proposition that I'm considering. (Instead of going back to the school in the new school year. Which ever school that may be. The school division SUCKS when it comes to staffing the paraprofessionals. In the past there have been way too many years I didn't find out about the next years placement until the last day of work before summer holidays)

8. TWENTY KILOMETRES!!!! (I boggle my mind *g*)

9. I think I just might make it through this school year. OH. MY. GOD! It's been a challenging one. I'm exhausted.

10. I bought Michael Bublé's new CD and I've really been enjoying it. Well most of it. Who ever told him the version he did of Wonderful tonight was good should be shot. *sigh* I love Clapton's version of that song and Michael's version SUCKS. Always On My Mind is a bit of a snoozer too. The rest of the cd is great though :) I wish I'd known there was an extra song on the online/downloadable version though. I would have bought it instead.

11. I've still got fingers crossed about another job I applied for (one different from the proposition mentioned earlier *s*)

12. 20 kilometres ... in one day! I need to do that again this coming weekend. It will be more difficult though if the weather is as it's forecast. The weather dude is predicting rain.

13. I found more yummy recipies I'm going to be trying on the BBQ :) I love BBQ season lol

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Thursday 13

2007-06-06T23:31:00.000-06:00

THIRTEEN MOVIES THAT ROCK THE CASBAH
1. The Princess Bride (really could it get much better than this???)

2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail

3. The Wedding Date (yes it's corny and a chick flick but it makes me happy)

4. Pirate's of the Caribbean

5. The original Star Wars trilogy (it's my list, if I want to count this as 1 I can!)

6. The Indiana Jones trilogy

7. Planes, Trains and Automobiles

8. The Muppet Movie (the first one)

9. The Wedding Singer

10. Wait Until Dark (Audrey Hepburn was amazing)

11. Grease (the first one ONLY. Grease 2 was horrid)

12. Mary Poppins

13. Robin Hood - Men In Tights (silly and irreverent and wonderful)

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Someone stole my damn links

2007-06-04T21:06:00.001-06:00

*sigh*

Fuckers!

2007-06-02T10:00:00.000-06:00

This was sent to a yahoo group I'm in

*snort*

I need to start swearing more *g*

It was like a party in my pants...

2007-06-02T09:58:00.001-06:00

a surprise party at that. I'd forgot that my cell phone was in my pocket. I never hear the damn thing so it was set on high ... apparently on so high that it also vibrates with the first couple of rings.

Holy. Crap.

I'm glad I wasn't driving.

I think I'm going to have to give more people my cell phone number *g*

shut up Jaynie. LOL

My April/May reads

2007-05-31T20:38:00.000-06:00

APRIL 2007 books

Killer Dreams ~Iris Johansen ~B
Perilous Passions (e-book) ~Teri Thackston ~B
You Suck - a love story ~Christopher Moore ~A
Fear No Evil ~Allison Brennan ~A
The Scent of Shadows ~Vicki Pettersson ~A
Seeing Eye Mate (e-book) ~Annmarie McKenna ~B+
Stranger in My Arms ~Rochelle Alers ~B+ (need to look for rest in series)
Nightlife ~Rob Thurman ~A+
Lush ~Sasha White ~B- (last story was an A though)
Just Like Heaven ~Barbara Bretton ~B+
Nine-Month Surprise ~Jacqueline Diamond ~Oy Vey *shudders*
Perfect for You ~Sylvia Lett ~DNF
The Sword ~Jean Johnson ~B-
Moonshine ~Rob Thurman ~A+
Waking Up in Charleston ~Sherryl Woods ~B+
Full Time Father ~Susan Mallery ~B-
Kitty Takes a Holiday ~Carrie Vaughn ~B

MAY 2007 BOOKS
Object of Love ~Sharon Cullars ~Meh… I finished it but barely. D+? I’m returning it.
High School Reunion ~Kimberly Dean ~B-
Poison Study ~A+!!!
Lessons and Lovers (ebook) ~Portia Da Costa ~B
Lara ~Bertrice Small ~Wallbanger!!!
Magic Bites ~Ilona Andrews ~B
Night Lost ~Lynn Viehl ~B+
Virtually His ~Gennita Low ~DNF
Wild Wicked & Wanton ~Jaci Burton ~A-
Obsession ~Karen Robards ~B
Snow in September ~Rachel Lee ~B
Flashpoint ~Suzanne Brockmann ~B
Alibi Man ~Tami Hoag ~B (kept feeling I’d read it before though)
Sighs Matters ~Marianne Stillings ~C+
Karma Girl ~Jennifer Estep ~B+ (must look for more by her!)
Hunters: Heart and Soul ~Shiloh Walker ~A-
Loving Jack & Best Laid Plans ~Nora Roberts ~B
The Three Motives for Murder ~Michelle Perry ~B
Secrets in the Shadows ~Jenna Black ~B
The Secret ~Kat Martin ~C

Thursday 13

2007-05-30T23:34:00.001-06:00

13 great moments in Monty Python ...

1. “Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government!”

2. “Nudge, nudge, wink, wink. Know what I mean?”

3. “NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition! Our chief weapon is surprise...surprise and fear...fear and surprise.... Our two weapons are fear and surprise...and ruthless efficiency.... Our *three* weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency...and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope.... Our *four*...no... *Amongst* our weapons.... Amongst our weaponry...are such elements as fear, surprise.... I'll come in again.”

4. “Sir Bedevere: What makes you think she's a witch?
Peasant 3: Well, she turned me into a newt!
Sir Bedevere: A newt?
Peasant 3: [meekly after a long pause] ... I got better.”

5. “Jesus did. I was hopping along, when suddenly he comes and cures me. One minute I'm a leper with a trade, next moment me livelihood's gone. Not so much as a by your leave. Look. I'm not saying that being a leper was a bowl of cherries. But it was a living. I mean, you try waving muscular suntanned limbs in people's faces demanding compassion. It's a bloody disaster.”

6. “STAN: I want to be a woman. From now on, I want you all to call me 'Loretta'.
REG: What?!
LORETTA: It's my right as a man.
JUDITH: Well, why do you want to be Loretta, Stan?
LORETTA: I want to have babies.
REG: You want to have babies?!
LORETTA: It's every man's right to have babies if he wants them.
REG: But... you can't have babies.
LORETTA: Don't you oppress me.
REG: I'm not oppressing you, Stan. You haven't got a womb! Where's the foetus going to gestate?! You going to keep it in a box?!”

7. “Tim the Enchanter: Follow! But! follow only if ye be men of valor, for the entrance to this cave is guarded by a creature so foul, so cruel that no man yet has fought with it and lived! Bones of four fifty men lie strewn about its lair. So, brave knights, if you do doubt your courage or your strength, come no further, for death awaits you all with nasty big pointy teeth.”

8.

Catholic Dad (singing): Every sperm is sacred,
Every sperm is great.
If a sperm is wasted,
God gets quite irate.

Catholic Daughter (singing): Let the heathens spill theirs,
On the dusty ground.
God shall make them pay,
For each sperm that can't be found.

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
Every Sperm is Sacred - song

9. “BBC Announcer: We interrupt this program to annoy you and make things generally irritating.”

10. “First Bruce: We find your American beer like making love in a canoe. It's fucking close to water.”

11.

Immanuel Kant was a real piss-ant who was very rarely stable.
Heideggar, Heideggar was a boozy beggar who could think you under the table.
David Hume could out-consume Schopenhauer and Hegel.
Rene Descartes was a drunken fart: "I drink, therefore I am."

12.

Customer: This isn't an argument! It's just contradiction!
Professional Arguer: No, it isn't!
Customer: Yes it is!
Professional Arguer: No, no, no!
Customer: It is!
Professional Arguer: No, it isn't!
Customer: Yes it is! An argument is an intellectual process! It isn't just contradiction!
Professional Arguer: Look, if I'm to argue with you, I have to take up a contracitary position!
Customer: Yes, but it's not just saying "No it isn't!"
Professional Arguer: Yes, it is!
Customer: No, it isn't!

13. King Arthur: Run away!

A yummy salad I had this weekend.

2007-05-28T22:13:00.000-06:00

Grilled Peach and Chicken Salad

DRESSING:
1/3 cup plain non-fat yogurt
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tbsp peach juice
1 tbsp snipped fresh mint leaves
1/8 tsp salt

CHICKEN AND SALAD:
1 tsp vegetable oil
1 garlic clove, pressed
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
salt and coarsely ground black pepper
2 large peaches, pitted and cut into wedges
1 cup lightly pressed watercress leaves (this is what the recipe calls for. The leaves in the salad I had were just mixed baby greens)
1/4 cup toasted chopped pecans

*For dressing, whisk ingredients in a bowl until well blended then refrigerate until ready for use.

*Combine oil and garlic then brush over the chicken. Season with salt and black pepper. Grill chicken. When done cut chicken into bite sized pieces.

*place peach wedges on lightly greased grid of grill. Grill covered for 2-3 minutes turning once when grill marks appear.

*Place chicken and peaches into mixing bowl, adding the dressing and mix gently. Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours or until chilled.

*To serve, add watercress to chicken mixture, tossing lightly. Sprinkle with pecans.

*Make lots of yummy noises.

Thursday 13

2007-05-23T23:29:00.000-06:00

Thirteen Calvin and Hobbes comics that make me smile... (sorry the pictures are so small. I'll try to adjust them tomorrow.)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

Things that make me go ...

2007-05-22T11:28:00.001-06:00

What the HELL???

It's called The Daddle (the name makes me giggle-snort a bit LOL)

Is it me or is this beyond crazy?

I found it while blog hopping (imagine that)

YouTube-ity goodness

2007-05-20T11:58:00.000-06:00

Michael Buble makes me smile *g* The other 2 videos are just fun.

Okay, yesterday wasn't all bad s

2007-05-19T22:39:00.000-06:00

I had the day off work (YAY!)so I went to Miss S's swim lesson and watched her be
way too fearless for her Mommy's (and Auntie's) sanity.

I also had some quality play time with Miss E.

She's all about the giant baby kisses (very slobbery but cute), blowing kisses and saying mmmmaaaaa while blowing smoochies, and dancing (wiggling body with music - much more fun to do when Auntie Erin is holding her so she can stand and bounce legs too).

She's still not crawling. She's not at all about being on her knees when she has feet that are for standing. I think the kid is going to skip the crawling thing and go right to walking. LOL

When Miss E was having her nap, Mommy took advantage of me being there and
went grocery shopping with no kids. I stayed and played Dora the Explorer play-doh with Miss S.

The early part of the afternoon was way fun :)

Why I hate shopping - OR the story where I showed admirable restraint

2007-05-19T11:08:00.000-06:00

...and didn't kill me any shop bitches.

As a person who has struggled with weight issues all my life, I've never really liked shopping. Not even in the 'special' stores with sizes geared towards large people.

It's humiliating to have to pick sizes that big.

It's even more humiliating when they're tight or don't fit. This is why I have so many shoes. Even skinny people have feet my size.

It's never something I look forward to when I have to go into regular stores. For the Weekend to End Breast Cancer walk I have to purchase some items that I just haven't been able to find in the plus sized stores so I made an attempt to try the regular sized stores yesterday.

The first couple of times it happened I didn't let it bother me. (while it was happening at any rate) But then I got tired of waiting for assistance and had the audacity of going up to a few sales clerks who'd been thus far successfully ignoring me and *gasp* asking them for assistance.

It's a simple question I had to ask really. I need some athletic wear that isn't just for show. The plus sized stores have some stuff but I've tried wearing it and it just doesn't last when it's used for sporty purposes. The stitching doesn't last and there isn't the support I need ...blah blah blah the list goes on.

Anyways I went into an athletic supply store. It had lots of different styles and a great selection ... for people who are already small. After being walked past and around a few times while the sales clerks assisted other customers, People who'd come in after me, and people who they had to go around me to get to, I got tired of the wait and went up to a group of clerks (3 who were talking to each other) and asked if they knew where I could go to find what I needed. Was there a different branch that carried a larger selection of sizes or did they know of other stores where I might go to.

The person who answered me couldn't even look me in the face while she talked.

It felt to me like she was afraid that my fat was contageous.

The other clerks were suddenly struck mute and busy (couldn't talk and suddenly had to go do stuff somewhere else).

The wall of invisibility was with me in a few other places but I didn't receive this level of disrespect/ignorance/whatever you want to call it, at any other store. That could be because I didn't force them to acknowledge me after this experience. Who knows.

I must say that when I went to the store that just had athletic foot wear the men that worked there were helpful. Maybe it's just women that can catch fat by talking to a fatty? I don't know.

It certainly hasn't made me eager to go out and continue my search.

So now you know. Sometimes fat people stay fat because of the service they receive in these places. It's humiliating to have to go to the gym wearing tent like clothes. When you go somewhere to solve that problem you're further humiliated by mean people. It does't seem like it should be a big thing. To be able to wear something that 'regular' sized people wear to the gym. It is though. It's the first step in making yourself feel like you fit in.

It was so fucking tempting to 'drown' my depression in food. I didn't do it but it was difficult not to.

Thursday 13

2007-05-16T21:34:00.000-06:00

THIRTEEN THINGS ERIN NEEDS (according to google)

1. Erin needs ... a drink (actually this one is pretty true *g*)

2. Erin needs ... to wear shirts (also very true. No one needs to see a shirtless Erin LOL)

3. Erin needs ... what most white girls crave - a c**k that measures in the double didgits (WOW I had no idea I needed that. I think it sounds painful.)

4. Erin needs ... to go to bed. (actually this one is true too LOL)

5. Erin needs ... a new hobby.

6. Erin needs ... an exorcism. (shaddap Jaynie)

7. Erin needs ... to be naked too. (didn't we cover this in the Erin needs to wear shirts entry?)

8. Erin needs ... a man or an attorney. (huh?)

9. Erin needs ... "My Auntie Erin DESPERATELY needs to raise more money for her giant walk!" (COOL! I googled myself!!!)

10. Erin needs ... to play fish tycoon. (huh??)

11. Erin needs ... to clean her room. (looking around for the spy camera)

12. Erin needs ... you more than ever now. (wow I sound desperate)

13. Erin needs ... money. (OMG How did they know???)

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Don't you hate it when ...

2007-05-15T21:44:00.000-06:00

you find that you can no longer read books written by former auto-buy authors because they're so damn horrible (consistently)that you want to poke your eye out with a pen as you slam your head into a wall to take away the pain of the words you forced yourself to read. You forced yourself to read them because you couldn't believe that the book was THAT FRICKIN BAD. Unfortunately it only got worse.

Luckily I was able to restrain myself from actually tearing the book apart and burning the pages. I was able to return it and get something different instead.

I had to do a massive test read though. I think I read the first 30 pages in the store (good thing I read fast) in order to make SURE that it wouldn't make me want to tear my eyes out with the horror of it.

That was this past weekend btw. I'm still shuddering with the terrifying memory of it.

And no I'm not naming the book here. I'm sweet and innocent and nice and stuff. It would go against my beliefs since I can't constructively criticise it. I can only say it is the most horrific piece of dung that has probably been published and I'm sad that while reading it, I lost time in my life that I can never get back.

Happy Mothers Day g

2007-05-12T08:42:00.000-06:00

*sigh* I love youtube. LOL Happy mothers day too all the moms out there!

Happy Baby! :)

2007-05-10T20:00:00.000-06:00

Thank you so much for all the donations so far! You all ROCK!

I have another winner!

2007-05-10T19:57:00.000-06:00

Patti (battiann) is a HUGE winner of 13 books! Thank you so much for your donation Patti :) (and everyone)

I have another draw coming up soon with another AWESOME prize :)

Thursday 13

2007-05-09T23:33:00.000-06:00

13 authors that NEED to release more books so I can plunge myself into their worlds again *s*

1. Rob Thurman *new to me author

2. Vicki Pettersson *new to me author

3. Christopher Moore

4. Ilona Andrews *new to me author

5. Kat Richardson

6. Maria V. Snyder *new to me author

7. Holly Lisle

8. Colleen Gleason

9. Carrie Vaughn

10. Jodi Picoult

11. Annie Solomon

12. Jeff Lindsay

13. Dee Henderson

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Help!!! (shameless use of cute (but very sad) baby picture alert)

2007-05-09T22:09:00.000-06:00

I'm so sad! My Auntie Erin DESPERATELY needs to raise more money for her giant walk! (click here to donate)The next draw date (where you have the chance to win THIRTEEN books!!!) is being moved to Thursday (instead of Wednesday). Please please PLEASE donate more money and be entered into the draw. I promise to smile real pretty for you if you do!

I've been tagged by Shiloh Walker

2007-05-08T23:47:00.000-06:00

Here are the rules.... (copied from Shi's blog)

Da Rulez:

1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Here are my answers ~

1. I'm allergic to nature (animal dander, grass, pollen, mold, dust, grass
... damn spring time LOL)

2. I love the smell of freshly mown lawn (damned allergies!)

3. I am addicted to youtube. It is a wonderous invention.

4. I love to travel and wish I could travel more. I need to win the lottery
or something like that LOL

5. I'm a book-a-holic. I don't apologize for my addiction to books. It's healthier than other addictions.

6. I haven't watched more than a couple of hours a week of TV for 4 years.
Sometimes not even that much. (although I have been keeping up with American Idol at youtube. See??? It's an addiction)

7. I love thunder. I love the rain. Walking in the rain is awesome. (the song/movie too! Not just the act of walking in the rain LOL) Puddle stomping is the BEST.

8. I love music. I almost always have some playing when I'm at home. I have eclectic taste though. The only stuff I don't like is rap.

I'm tagging ...

*Sasha White
*Dakota Cassidy
*Anne
*Jaci Burton
*Maura
*Daisy Dexter Dobbs (I love that name *g* Just typing it makes me smile LOL Yes I know I'm weird)
*Terri
*Samantha Winston

Reminder about breast cancer draw!

2007-05-06T22:16:00.000-06:00

The draw is coming up on Wednesday this week... 1 HUGE prize! Click on this link for more details!

Dakota you might not want to watch this one

2007-05-06T20:50:00.000-06:00

(but I kinda hope you do just so I can see the reaction from what happens at about a minute into the video LOL)

Since the last youtube video I posted here I've been watching a bunch of WKRP clips. This one made me giggle a LOT. It's a long one though.

One of the best lines in TV ... EVER

2007-05-05T13:12:00.000-06:00

"As God is my witness ..."
"... I thought turkey's could fly" Mr Carlson ~ WKRP

Why God made moms .... answers from some kids

2007-05-05T09:22:00.000-06:00

This was sent to me in an e-mail. I know I've seen some of the answers before but they still make me smile *s*

WHY GOD MADE MOMS. Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

I've been playing with my blog

2007-05-01T22:24:00.000-06:00

What do you think?

Thursday 13 -

2007-04-26T22:20:00.000-06:00

13 books you can win in the next draw for my Weekend to End Breast Cancer fund raiser! ... the draw will be done on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 (13 days from this Thursday 13)

One download of a book by Delilah Devlin

Two downloads of books by Sydney Somers

One download of a book by Mary Winter

Two print books by Lorie O'Clare

Two print books by J.J. Massa

One print book by Ann Jacobs

Two signed books by Sahara Kelly

One book and some promo stuff from Melissa Schroeder

One book (YA) by Jennifer Macaire (Samantha Winston)

add them all up and there is 13 books there (and some promo stuff)!!!

To be entered into the draw all you have to do is make a donation to my Weekend to End Breast Cancer fundraiser! I'll contact the winner by email in 13 days :)

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Wasn't she amazing?

2007-04-25T23:05:00.000-06:00

I don't think there is a thing I've seen or read by Gilda Radner that I haven't loved. She was an amazing person and the world is an emptier place without her around to give us laughter and smiles. I swear to god I smile when I see her face in any old clips (like the one here) from S.N.L.

If you haven't read her book It's Always Something you need to. It's funny and heart-wrenching and important to read. (IMO)

Guys and Dolls photos

2007-04-22T22:06:00.000-06:00

Thursday 13

2007-04-19T00:13:00.000-06:00

Thirteen Blogs I go to that I haven't linked to

1. Boobs, Injuries and Dr. Pepper

2. Argh Ink (Jenny Crusie)

3. Chookooloonks

4. Naked Women and Beer

5. What the Buck? (okay it isn't a blog but I go to his youtube site daily *g*)

6. Tess Gerritsen

7. Paperback Writer

8. Afterthoughts

9. St. Dickeybird The Blasphemous

10. Dear Author

11. My brain hates me...

12. Christopher Moore

13. Barista Brat

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Weekend to end Breast Cancer .... Another draw!

2007-04-18T23:36:00.000-06:00

I'll be doing a couple more draws for some books (more details later) on April 30.

Thursday 13 - Wild, Wicked & Wanton

2007-04-12T00:42:00.000-06:00

Jaci Burton ran a contest on her blog and I won a chance to read and review the ARC for her soon to be released book Wild, Wicked & Wanton.

Three friends…three secret desires…three chances to make it all come true.

They’re inseparable best friends who delight in sharing their wildest secrets and dares. But their latest bet is the boldest one of all: each must sleep with whomever the other two have chosen for her. And come back with every juicy detail…

WILD

Abby married the town bad boy. And he lived up to his reputation, bedding any woman who let her guard down. She swore off men for good, but never counted on a pair of sexy veterinarians who are fulfilling a desire of their own.

WICKED

Blair is the town heartbreaker. Afraid to commit, she’s broken off three engagements. Yet there’s one man she never had the courage to bed. The one man she really loved. But now, the decision is out her hands.

WANTON

Callie is the sensible one….but beneath it all she’s a true romantic, with the broken heart to prove it. Now her long-dormant fantasies may be getting a workout. A new man enters her life and everything about him is irresistible.

13 things about Wild, Wicked and Wanton by Jaci Burton

1. The cover art. WOW! I love it *s*

2. OH MY GOD .... HOT! The book starts off with a bang!

3. I printed a copy of the book and brought it with me to read while working a casino fund raiser. When I work those things I tend to have a lot of time on my hands. I'd just like to say this was NOT a smart idea. *g* YOWZA! I wouldn't recommend reading this in a crowded busy room. *g* Especially if you blush easily (as I do *LOL*)

3. The character building in Wild is amazing. The relationship between Abby and BOTH of the men involved with her was fabulous. (oooh la la!)

4. I also loved the ... how do I say this without giving away too much? *g* I loved the interactions between her and people from her past. I also loved the way the story was made more believable with some of the decisions and choices she had to make along the way.

5. Wicked is Blair's story. Again this is a seriously HOT story. If you like stories with a BDSM theme to them you'll probably really enjoy this one.

6. I didn't enjoy Wicked as much as I enjoyed the the other 2 though. I don't think there was anything bad about the story. It just wasn't my cuppa tea.

7. I do know some people who will love this one though and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to them *s*

8. I think I enjoyed the characters in Wanton (the 3rd story) the most out of all the stories. I thought this was the sexiest of all the stories. Callie and Jack are characters that I think were the most real to me. They seemed like people I'd enjoy being around.

9. The transition between stories really worked well for me. The stories were written so each one flowed smoothly into the next.

10.One of the things that brought me out of the story each time I read it was the lack of condom use. In contemporary erotic romances, it makes me a bit crazy when this happens. These women are all initiating what is intended to be one weekend of acting out a secret desire. It would make sense that they'd use condoms since none of them were in a relationship with their men before the dare.

11.The stories were fun! They grabbed my attention and made me want to keep reading to find out what happened next. It was easy for me to visualize what I was reading. (too easy to visualize it *g* Like I said earlier. I wouldn't advise reading it in public LOL)

12.The other thing that kind of made me gigglesnort (classy hmmm?) and brought me out of the book (I believe it was in the first story) a bit was the monster cock. (It even had Monster in the nick name). First I giggled then I thought 'Ouch!'.

13.I am DEFINITELY going to be buying this when it's released (May 1). Yes I know I have it but the ARC doesn't have that new book smell or the shiny cover art. *g* It's a book for the keeper shelf.

Thank you so much Jaci! It's a book that left me smiling at the end.

How to deal with a monster - 3 year old style g

2007-04-12T00:03:00.001-06:00

This song has been added ...

2007-04-11T00:29:00.000-06:00

This song has been added to my MP3 player in my "songs to listen to while I train for the walk" list.

:)

April fools?

2007-04-01T21:33:00.000-06:00

Unfortunately not. *sigh* I am SO ready for spring to happen.

These pictures of my house/yard were taken today.

February/March books read

2007-03-31T22:31:00.000-06:00

There are a few more books than the ones on the list. I forgot to write down the titles though and they were Harlequin Desires (I think??). They all have similar titles *g* I can't remember which ones I read. Whichever books they were, they didn't suck.

February 2007 books

1. The Brotherhood Of The Holy Shroud by Julia Navarro (translated by Andrew Hurley)
2. Dead Giveaway by Brenda Novak
3. Open Invitation by Jasmine Haynes
4. Roguish Hearts (ebook) by Nikki Soarde
5. Dead Sexy by Amanda Ashley
6. Blood Son by Erica Orloff
7. Killing Spree by Kevin O’Brien
8. Speak No Evil by Allison Brennan
9. Causing Havoc by Lori Foster
10. Night Whispers by Leslie Kelly
11. The Dream-Hunter by Sherrilyn Kenyon
12. Sheer Pleasure by Maggie Shayne
13. A Teenager’s Journey by Richard B. Pelzer (non fiction)
14. Count to Ten by Karen Rose
15. Fly Me To The Moon by Alyson Noel
16. Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs

March 2007 books

1. See No Evil by Allison Brennan
2. In Flames (ebook) by Michelle Perry
3. The Queen’s Fool by Philippa Gregory
4. Close to You by Kathryn Shay
5. Dead Shot by Annie Solomon
6. You’ll Be The Death Of Me (ebook) by Stacia Wolf
7. Taking Instruction (ebook) by Cheyenne McCray
8. Fighting Chance (ebook) by Lacey Savage
9. Final Truth by Mariah Stewart
10. Arousing Suspicions by Marianne Stillings
11. Treacherous Wishes by Denise A.Agnew
12. Kissing Sin by Keri Arthur
13. The Last Reilly Standing by Maureen Child
14. Warrior Angel by Margaret and Lizz Weis
15. The Collector by Cameron Cruise
16. Grounded by Rose Middleton
17. Touch of the Wolf by Karen Whiddon
18. Atlantis Rising by Alyssa Day
19. Blood Secrets by Vivi Anna
20. Spellstruck by Jaclyn Reding
21. 18 Seconds by George D. Shuman
22. Wild, Wicked & Wanton by Jaci Burton :) (ARC)

Update on my Sunday 16

2007-03-31T00:16:00.000-06:00

In my Sunday 16 I did this week I had an entry about my gracefulness. I went to the Dr today because my knee was still all gross and YAY it's infected *sigh*

I'm such a dork.

I have more winners!

2007-03-30T23:27:00.000-06:00

Debbie Ellison and Jackie Roe, you've both won a microsoft mouse (that's way cool *s* I want one myself!)
Crystal Esau.... You've won the Windows Vista operating system!

Dinah Shortt ... You've won the Microsoft Office Professional 2007!
(Microsoft prizes donated by Maura Anderson)

Patricia Chaddock....You've won the book bag (donated by Tara Nina) filled with books!

Congratulations and thank you so much for your donations to my fundraiser :)

Thursday 13

2007-03-28T22:58:00.000-06:00

Thirteen people/groups I would have loved to see in concert

1. Queen - I would have LOVED to see Freddie in concert!

2. Ray Charles

3. The Bee Gees

4. The Partridge Family (any of you laughing at me right now can just shut up LOL)

5. Johnny Cash

6. Donny Osmond (shut up! - I know at least one of you are pointing and laughing now!)

7. Sonny and Cher *g* How cool would it have been to go to that show???

8. Liberace

9. Monty Python (I know they weren't a music group but they did sing some songs ... and they rocked the frickin casbah with humor *s*)

10. KISS

11. Bette Midler (I guess this COULD still happen...perhaps)

12. The Blues Brothers

13. and of course Tina Turner!

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)
...actually I probably won't because I'm kind of clueless about the mr linky thingy. Put your link in comments though and people can follow you that way :)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

I have a crush on ...

2007-03-27T21:39:00.000-06:00

Ed (if you could only see me sitting and watching this with a silly smile LOL)

Sunday 16 (since I didn't do a 13 on Thursday s)

2007-03-25T20:08:00.000-06:00

16 THINGS ABOUT MY WEEK ...

1. My inability to say no to people smacked me upside the head when I committed to coordinating hair and make up for a play that the local theatre group is putting on in a month. I have no skills with hair or make up. My hair is wash and blow dry only … because my hair chick knows I’m a moron when it comes to styling. My make up consists of mascara and lip conditioner stuff … sometimes. Usually I forget the mascara part until I’m half way to work and it’s too late to worry about it. Oh. Dear. GOD! LOL

2. I’m starting to get used to the school I’m now working at. I moved from a middle school to a high school at the beginning of March. For 3 weeks I’ve been working 3 days in the special needs classroom and 2 days in the rest of the school where I’ve been working my ass off trying to keep ahead of the students in high school math. I haven’t done high school math in 20 years. I think I had some of them fooled into thinking I knew what I was doing *g*. We have a new student in the special needs classroom now though so that means more aide time. SO I’m going to be full time in that classroom now (yay!)

3. I’ve been reminded that high school students are BIGGER than middle school students and I must learn to dodge faster. I was smacked upside the side of my head for no apparent reason on Tuesday. (OUCH)

4. I now know I need to bring spare clothes/shoes to work with me. While doing one of the work experience jobs with some of the students my feet were SOAKED on Wednesday. Tons of snow on Monday and Tuesday made for tons of slush on Wednesday when the sun came out. I had meetings after work so couldn’t change my shoes/socks/pants until way late. I was very shivery.

5. I have noticed this week that I’m not tiring as quickly as I used to with the walking I’ve been doing  YAY!

6. I weighed myself and found that I’ve lost 10 pounds in the last six or so weeks  (YAY!!!)

7. I think I may have made some decisions about what I need to do for a second job … and I NEED a second job to make ends meet. I have been enjoying this last almost 2 months of only working 1 full time job. It’s been more than 4 years since I’ve only worked 1 full time job.

8. I won the chance to read Jaci Burton’s ARC for Wild, Wicked & Wanton and do a review on it! (YAY!!! Thanks Jaci  )

9. I have passed the $2,000 mark for my fundraising for my walk I’m doing in July  I had to raise at least that much to be able to even DO the walk.

10. I had the chance to test read for 2 authors this week! I will taunt about some specifics (which authors and which books) as soon as I’m allowed to (hehehe)

11. I read books by 3 new to me authors and 2 of them rocked the casbah. *s* The other one was good until the end and then it PISSED me off. Stupid endings make me grumpy!

12. I was able to spend time with all my nieces and my nephew this week.  The older 2 (niece and nephew) are brats and sassy. I will get them back when they least expect it (insert evil laugh). The younger 2 are cutie pies and adorable. I got some good snuggling time in with both of them. 

13. I was reminded again of my inability to say no to people when I said I would work a casino for a friend I worked with at the old school. She was having problems getting enough volunteers. When I said I would the weather was crappy. It was nice this weekend though so I really didn’t want to do it last night. It was a boring casino too. I sat around a lot.

14. There was a really hot security dude who was working at the casino though so at least I had eye candy *g*

15. I had time to read Jaci’s book last night while sitting from 5 pm to 2:30 am at the casino. (I’m a fast reader and the book was pretty damn awesome *s* Interesting to read in a public place though sometimes LOL. I’ll review in a couple of days)

16. I was reminded on Friday of how much of a klutz I am. I tripped while with some of my students and smashed my knee into the side walk. Embarassing yes? I'm such a dork. I got up and told myself to suck it up and kept going, limping a little for a block or so then putting it mostly out of my mind. When I was sitting at lunch though and rubbed my knee I knew something was whine worthy when I felt the knee of my jeans and it was stiff. Ick. Blood. My whole knee cap is now bruised and oozy. Nice huh?

Be a hero and have a chance to win ....

2007-03-22T16:55:00.000-06:00

Microsoft Vista Ultimate operating system , Microsoft Office professional 2007 or a couple of groovy mice (I can't find a picture of the mice online and my camera is being stupid and not working right so I can't take a photo ... trust me they're cool. Not your regular every day computer mouse) which were donated to me to use for fundraising!

I also have this fabulous package of books that come with a cool book bag ...

I'll be doing the draws for these fabulous prizes March 30.

How do you win? You simply make a donation to my Weekend to End Breast Cancer fundraising efforts and I'll enter your name into the draw as a thank you for your generosity!

How easy is that :)

Weekend to End Breast Cancer draw number 3

2007-03-10T10:45:00.000-07:00

Draw number 3 will happen towards the end of the month. I'll have details tomorrow on the prizes. (they're going to be AWESOME!)

You can make donations here to be entered into the draw! I'm at 50% of my goal for fundraising! I need help to get the next $1,500 to make it to my goal!

Love Thursday

2007-03-07T22:23:00.000-07:00

This is me with my Papa. I'm pretty sure I'm about 3 years old here. It's been almost 20 years since he died and I still miss him.

About Love Thursday: Love is All Around Us

On Thursday, August 17th, 2006, Irene Nam from MOMster in Paris and Karen Walrond from Chookooloonks declared every Thursday "Love Thursday," inviting people to post pictures depicting love on their websites each week. In conjunction with this, behold the "Love Thursday" pool: feel free to upload your photographs depicting love in all its forms -- love of a partner, love of a child, love of a favourite toy, love of life -- to share with everybody. Unusual images of love -- fallen leaves that look like hearts, for example -- are also very welcome.

Also, be sure to visit the brand new website, Love Is All Around -- for even more images of love!

Just remember love does not equal sex -- let's keep it clean, folks.

Can't wait to see what you share!

LOL!!!!

2007-03-03T13:16:00.000-07:00

February 26, 2007
Blindsided

Picture a lazy Saturday afternoon at home. You're hanging out with your six-year-old in his room while he quietly draws a boat on his MagnaDoodle. Maybe a bird is chirping outside the window. It's all very bondy and nice.

The boy stops drawing for a moment, looks right at you and says: "HERE'S THE IMPORTANT QUESTION: What part of the mommy does the baby come out of?"

Jesus Christ! What's with the friggin' sneak attack?!

... To read the rest of this blog go to The Sneeze

I've been tagged

2007-03-03T12:36:00.000-07:00

Anni tagged me with a meme asking me to post 10 weird things about me. I think she tagged me a week or so ago but I've been lazy *g* Sorry Anni!

Rules: No re-tagging, write a blog with 10 weird random things, facts, or habits about yourself, chose 10 people to be tagged and list their names, leave a comment that says “you are tagged” on their profile, and tell them to read your latest blog.

This is going to be a difficult one for me. *g* I'm really not all that weird!

1. I don't like the way most polar fleece feels. It makes me shudder and my stomach turns.

2. I think feet are gross unless they're 7 years old or younger. Baby feet are cute. If someone is insane enough to like touching feet though and wants to massage mine I'm all about humoring them. I LOVE going to a reflexologist.

3. I haven’t read any of the Harry Potter books yet. I don't anticipate reading any in the near future. There are so many other books in my list of books to be read that are more appealing to me than those ones. I have seen the movies though.

4. I can't snap my fingers.

5. I can't stand the taste of coffee. I do like the smell though.

6. I break into a panicked sweat at the thought of getting a needle.

7. I'm not a huge holiday person but I LOVE Christmas music. (I actually have enjoyed the holidays a bit more the last few years now that there are little ones in the family again with my 2 nieces).

8. I am one of the laziest people I know when it comes to exercise but I've signed up to do the weekend to end breast cancer 60 km walk. WHAT. WAS. I. THINKING??? lol

9. I've never been able to watch a full show of survivor. It's boring and stupid. I did win $80 in a survivor pool though. We drew names and my chick won in the show.

10. I hate beer. (even though some would say that it's un-Canadian of me to hate beer, 'eh)

I am tagging no one specifically. I think most of the people I know that blog have already done this. If you want to tell me 10 weird things about you though please feel free to post in the comments :)

I have survived my first 2 days of highschool in 20 years ...

2007-03-03T11:52:00.000-07:00

As of Thursday, I am working in a senior high school as an educational assistant.

DEAR GOD! When did kids start swearing so much in school??? I am having so many OMG I feel old moments. I find myself thinking ... we never did/said THAT when I was in school! LOL Then I go oh dear god I'm officially old now that I've had that thought LOL

I have homework this weekend LOL I have to figure out how to use those damn fancy calculators since the classes I'm helping in are almost all math (ironic that the students swear but I'm not allowed to LOL *shudders* Math makes me swear LOL)

For the next couple of weeks I'll be doing part time learning support and part time in the classroom with the students with severe special needs. Eventually I'll be full time learning support.

Wish me luck!

WINNERS For Draw #2 !!!

2007-03-01T21:17:00.000-07:00

Thank you for everyone who've made donations towards my weekend to end breast cancer fund raiser!

The winner of the Malloy family books in paperback or ebook format (reader's choice) donated by Beth Williamson is .... CATHY MCDONALD!!!

The winner of e-book downloads from Mechele Armstrong a download of choice and a copy of Torc’s Salvation, winner’s choice of format from Ellora’s Cave) AND from NJ Walters (a download from NJ's backlist)is .... LISA FREEMAN!!!

AND the winner of a bookthong and an autographed print book from Titania Ladley is .... LINDA BYRD!!!

Congratulations Ladies!

Remember there is an entry for each $10 donation, so you may still have your name in other draws! In a week or so I'll post information on next months draws! I'll do a draw for the Microsoft prizes as soon as it arrives in my mail :)

Thank you so much everyone for supporting my Weekend to End Breast Cancer journey!

Thoughts I think (and other stuff)

I'm giving wordpress a try.

November Reading Frenzy(ish)

Happy Birthday to me

Make up and costumes :)

The one where I give Dakota yellow coloured nightmares ...

Never Forget

The one about raking the leaves

My October reading frenzy

LMAO @ these guys!

Thursday 13

Happy Birthday Sweatpea :)

13 Great Halloween books (some for grown ups some for kids)

September reading frenzy

It isn't what it looks like ... I swear!

I finished an unbelievable book last night

Thursday 13 - 2 days early cause that's when I have time.

Rest in Peace

August books

I'm feeling all flustered and excited

Today was finger painting day!

Thursday 13

ACK!

Thursday 13

My friend Maura just got her first fiction book published!

Thursday 13

Thursday 13

My July reading frenzy

Winners of my final Fundraising Draw!

5.6 MILLION Dollars!!!

I'm back

yellow plaid screen of doom

Thursday 13

What kind of books do you like to read?

I like this song

Thursday 13

Why am I doing the Walk?

My Last Fundraiser **updated July 10/07

Love Thursday

Books I read in June

Happy Canada Day!

Thursday 13

I am exhausted

The post in which I taunt you about reading an ARC

Thursday 13

I have a winner!!!

Happy Father's Day

An amazing dad

*sticky post* Wanna win an ARC? **UPDATED

Teenagers are weird.

As the blogs turn ... a melodrama of the internet sort

Thursday 13

Thursday 13

Someone stole my damn links

Fuckers!

It was like a party in my pants...

My April/May reads

Thursday 13

A yummy salad I had this weekend.

Thursday 13

Things that make me go ...

YouTube-ity goodness

Okay, yesterday wasn't all bad *s*

Why I hate shopping - OR the story where I showed admirable restraint

Thursday 13

Don't you hate it when ...

Happy Mothers Day *g*

Happy Baby! :)

I have another winner!

Thursday 13

Help!!! (shameless use of cute (but very sad) baby picture alert)

I've been tagged by Shiloh Walker

Reminder about breast cancer draw!

Dakota you might not want to watch this one

One of the best lines in TV ... EVER

Why God made moms .... answers from some kids

I've been playing with my blog

Thursday 13 -

Wasn't she amazing?

Guys and Dolls photos

sticky post Wanna win an ARC? **UPDATED

Okay, yesterday wasn't all bad s

Happy Mothers Day g

How to deal with a monster - 3 year old style g

Sunday 16 (since I didn't do a 13 on Thursday s)