**COMMENTS NOW CLOSED*** TGIF! As much fun as this has been, it will be good to get back to normal. I want to thank everyone who has entered throughout the week. I had a goal in mind of how many comments I wanted to have to feel that this was a success. Happy to say I think I will reach (and hopefully pass) that goal.

Some of you are now following me on Twitter and a few have subscribed to the feed. That means a lot to me. Because you did so without being asked.

I realize gaining new readers is one of (if not THE) point of this carnival.
However, I decided not to make subscribing to my feed a condition of entry. I know you can unsubscribe at any time.

But I wanted people to subscribe because they like what I'm doing here, not because they were forced to. So thank you again. I so, so appreciate it!

I know there are contests galore to be entered, but if you have a moment, look through the archives and get to know me. Check out my reading list or my favorite posts (Mozilla users scroll to the bottom). I'd love to see you back here again.

OK, I'm off the soapbox. Back to the giveaway. The last prize is another glass pendant from the talented Jeanne Lee of Trinity Treasures. This one is brown and gold with flecks of green on a brown silk cord. You have no idea how it will pain me to give this up!

To enter:
1. Go to the Trinity Treasures store to see Jeanne's other items (click on 'go to store,' top left).

2. Come back here and leave a comment on this post and tell me what other piece you'd buy - required. (If you entered the first contest, just let me know in the comment)

3. I MUST have a way to get in touch with you! NoReply@Blogger will not send you a response. I will have to delete comments with no contact info.

4. Comments will close tonight, August 1st at 11:59pm CA time.

5. I will use random.org to draw the winner and post the results/notify winner via email and in a "Winners" post on Saturday 8/2.

6. You don't need a blog to win, but I MUST have a way to contact you. US residents only (sorry!)

*Enter my first pendant giveaway here, the Chick Lit giveaway here, the re-usable totes and Trader Joe's GC here and the Starbucks/Barnes and Noble GC's here. (not required, but why wouldn't you?!)

Thank you! Good luck to all my entrants. There's still time to enter some of the 1,000+ contests at Bloggy Giveaway central. Have a good weekend!

Bloggy Carnival Giveaway Day 4

***COMMENTS NOW CLOSED**** Today I'm getting right to the point (my mom is coming in town and my housekeeping standards have slipped this week, not sure why...).

Please check out my other four giveaways. All are open until Friday. I will have another (different) glass pendant for tomorrow. Day 1. Day 2. Day 3. Day 5.

Back to today: I love to read. Usually I'm at home, but there's something about going somewhere else to read, like the beach or a coffee house, that I really enjoy. So I'm giving one winner a $10 Starbucks card and a $10 Barnes and Noble card.

To enter:
1. Leave a comment on this post and tell me what you have planned for the weekend - required.

2. I MUST have a way to get in touch with you! NoReply@Blogger will not send you a response. I will have to delete comments with no contact info.

3. Comments will close on Friday, August 1st at 11:59pm CA time.

4. I will use random.org to draw the winner and post the results/notify winner via email and in a "Winners" post on Saturday 8/2.

5. You don't need a blog to win, but I MUST have a way to contact you. US residents only (sorry!)

Thanks again for coming! Be sure to keep checking the Bloggy Carnival Giveaway hub for more great prizes. I popped in before posting and there were 960+ giveaways. 1,000 should be no problem. Have fun!

Bloggy Carnival Giveaway Day 3

***COMMENTS NOW CLOSED*** Today's giveaway is inspired by my trip to the grocery store, an email Drama Dad sent me and a funny video. He forwarded a slide show from The Pocono Record about plastic grocery bags and how harmful they are. Seeing the data expressed in numbers really hit home.

I'm sure these have gone around the web, but they're new to me. I found both the videos on You Tube. The quality (and music!) of the slide show isn't that great, but the other video is really funny.






This past Monday, I took all my canvas bags and one paper bag to the commissary. I had enough of my own bags that I only needed to take one (paper) bag from the store. And it felt really good.

I confess, I still have some plastic bags. I use them in my bathroom trash cans and for the cat litter. But I use them until they are nasty. When I find a better alternative I'll definitely switch.

One person really can make a difference. My small changes plus yours do add up. In the spirit of going green little by little, today's winner will get four re-usable bags from Trader Joe's (3 totes and 1 bottle carrier) and a $5 gift card.

To enter:
1. Watch the videos above if you haven't already or go to The Pocono Record's site to view the slide show (the slide show is much cleaner).

2. Come back here and leave a comment on this post and tell me your thoughts, impressions, what you're doing to go green or what re-usable bags you use (I'm looking for a few more cute ones) - required. Easy.

3. I MUST have a way to get in touch with you! NoReply@Blogger will not send you a response. I will have to delete comments with no contact info.

4. Comments will close on Friday, August 1st at 11:59pm CA time.

5. I will use random.org to draw the winner and post the results/notify winner via email and in a "Winners" post on Saturday 8/2.

6. You don't need a blog to win, but I MUST have a way to contact you. US residents only (sorry!)

You can still enter my first pendant giveaway here, the Chick Lit, Starbucks/Barnes and Noble GC and second pendant giveaways. I will have new prizes tomorrow and Friday. The easiest way to keep up, of course, is to subscribe to my feed but that's not a requirement of entry (yet, hee hee).

Thanks again for coming! Be sure to keep checking the Bloggy Carnival Giveaway hub for more great prizes. I popped in before posting and there were 800+ giveaways. I bet this year will break 1,000. Have fun!

PROMPTuesday Becomes What the Hell Wednesday

The brilliantly talented Deb at SanDiegoMomma challenges us to put on our creative thinking caps and bring out our inner Hemingway. The rules are simple:

1. You must write your entry in 10 minutes. This encourages top-of-mind, primal thinking before the ego and judgmental brain kick in. Just set a timer, make your kid count to 600 slowly, whatever. It’s an honor system. And I trust you.

2. Keep to 250 words or less.

3. Please have fun. Don’t put pressure on yourself. Together, let’s rediscover the simple joy in the writing process.

4. Post your submission in the comments OR post in your blog and leave a link to your blog in the comments.

This week's theme is deception. Says Deb, "Write about deception. Whatever that means to you. Can be fact or fiction."

OK, I choose fiction. Because I'm a coward, this is my first PROMPTuesday. I cheated a little, modifying a portion of a story I wrote in a creative writing class to fit the 250 word limit. Be gentle with me, I'm fragile right now. ;^)

When Sydney came home from work, she was surprised to see Travis home early. He was at the kitchen table, apparently engrossed in bills. She kissed him, picked up the mail and started talking about her day, not noticing the look on his face.

“Work has been so hectic with this new account. We’re frantic trying to make deadline. Wow, look at all these RSVP’s! The wedding just keeps getting bigger!”

Sydney stopped talking long enough to realize Travis hadn't said a word. He was stock still, looking back and forth between Sydney and the mail in front of him, replaying the conversation he just had with her mother.

“Babe, what’s wrong? If that’s the Visa bill it WAS an emergency,” she joked, walking back to the table.

Wordlessly, he handed her the paper. She took it, vowing to intercept the credit card statements from now on. When she realized what is was, the color drained from her face, her knees gave and she sat down, hard. Travis broke the silence.

“Were you going to tell me? Or were you going to let me walk down the aisle THEN come clean”

“You’re angry, and you should be. But I can-”

“What? Explain?” he shouted.

“Yes, but-“

“You used to be a MAN! You had a dick! I wanted to marry you, have a family. Now I look like a jackass.” He took his keys and slammed out.

She couldn’t move, think or cry. The creamy vellum envelopes mocked her from the coffee table.

Wordless Wednesday #8

*I'm giving away a different prize every day this week for the Bloggy Giveaway! Check the sidebar archives.

Bloggy Carnival Giveaway Day 2

***COMMENTS NOW CLOSED*** 

Hello! Today I have books to give away. Hopefully this author,

Jennifer Coburn, will be new to you. I love discovering new authors. It's like finding $20 in a jacket pocket.

I first read one of the books in the giveaway, The Wife of Reilly, a few years ago when I was working at a TV/radio station. This book was sent to one of the on-air talent.

I asked if I could borrow it and I read it in a few days. It's a quick, fun, funny read - just as Chick Lit should be. Coburn is currently living in San Diego. Gotta support the locals.

The winner of today's giveaway will receive three (new) paperbacks: The Wife of Reilly, Tales from the Crib and Reinventing Mona. I'll admit I've never read the second two (not sure why, probably because I'm cheap and waiting to come across one at the used book store). I wonder how quickly and carefully I can read them before I have to send them to the winner? Kidding.

To enter:
1. Go to Jennifer Coburn's site to read the synopsis of each book.

2. Come back here and leave a comment on this post and tell me which of her books you're most interested in reading - required. Easy like Sunday morning.

3. I MUST have a way to get in touch with you! NoReply@Blogger will not send you a response. I will have to delete comments with no contact info.

4. Comments will close on Friday, August 1st at 11:59pm CA time.

5. I will use random.org to draw the winner and post the results/notify winner via email and in a "Winners" post on Saturday 8/2.

6. You don't need a blog to win, but I MUST have a way to contact you. US residents only (sorry!)

*Enter my first pendant giveaway here, the re-usable totes giveaway here, the Starbucks/Barnes and Noble here and the second pendant here (not required, but c'mon, more free stuff!). The easiest way to keep up, of course, is to subscribe to my feed. But I won't make that a condition of entry (unless I get really desperate).


Thanks again for coming! Be sure to keep checking the Bloggy Carnival Giveaway hub for more great prizes. The last time I popped in there were 580+ giveaways. Have fun!

Sometimes All You Have to Do is Ask

This is so minor, but I'm pretty proud of myself. I got an email from O Magazine about my auto renewal. Since I love magazines, especially this one, I was all set to pay up until I noticed the rate.



I called customer service to verify that I have always paid a lower rate. The woman (we'll call her Dee 'cause I can't remember her real name) confirmed that yes, in the past I've only paid $18.

Me: Thanks, Dee. I have to pinch pennies wherever I can, being displaced an all.

Dee: I totally understand, I work and have to pinch them too. Do you want me to re-invoice you for the $18 or pay now?

Me: I can pay now [running upstairs for debit card]. Is the $10 rate still going on?

Dee: You have the lowest rate available.

Me: Oh, well, OK. I saw that rate offered by Redbook but maybe it's expired.

Dee: I've never come across it before.

Me: Yes, I see it all the time when I enter the sweeps on the Redbook site [frantically clicking]. Usually, after I enter it comes up as a special 'thank you' offer... [entering spa sweeps] Yes, here it is. [reading] "Thank you for entering, as a special 'thank you' get either 12 issues of Cosmo for $10, 12 issues of O for $10 or both together for $20.

Dee: I've never seen that rate come through before. Is it O Magazine or O At Home?

Me: It's for O. I can take a screen shot and email you.

Dee: [laughing] No, I trust you. I'll adjust that down to $10.

Me: Great, thanks! I have my card when you're ready.

It never hurts to ask!

It's Carnival Time! Giveaway Day 1

***COMMENTS NOW CLOSED*** Yeah! It's that time again. Time for late nights, ignoring the housework and finding new blogs. If you're here for the first time, welcome and thank you for coming! I hope to see you again.

I really enjoyed last year's carnival and wanted to do something special for this one. I am putting the finishing touches on my prizes and should be giving away a new item each day so please check back.

For my first giveaway, I have a beautiful handmade glass pendant from Jeanne Lee at Trinity Treasures. I adore fused glass jewelry and bought two of her pendants as my Mother's Day present to myself.

Jeanne is so sweet and I was so happy she agreed to give me pendants (notice the plural, hint, hint) for the carnival. She is local to San Diego and I always like to support local artists. But it's going to be really hard for me to give them up!

My camera does not do this necklace justice. It's several shades of green with an almost teal sparkle to it on a brown silk cord. Gorgeous!

To enter:

1. Go to the Trinity Treasures store to see Jeanne's other items (click on 'go to store,' top left).

2. Come back here and leave a comment on this post and tell me what other piece you'd buy - required. Simple! (You can thank me later)

3. I MUST have a way to get in touch with you! NoReply@Blogger will not send you a response. I will have to delete comments with no contact info.

4. Comments will close on Friday, August 1st at 11:59pm CA time.

5. I will use random.org to draw the winner and post the results/notify winner via email and in a "Winners" post on Saturday 8/2.

6. You don't need a blog to win, but I MUST have a way to contact you. US residents only (sorry!)

*Enter my Chick Lit giveaway here, the re-usable totes here , the Starbucks/Barnes and Noble here and the second pendant here. (Not required, but more free stuff!)

Thanks again for coming! Be sure to check out the Bloggy Carnival Giveaway hub for more great prizes. Last quarter there were more than 900 giveaways. Have fun!

Where the Magic Happens

Latte Mommy wants to know where we do our blogging. We have three bedrooms in our house. The computer is in the third room (aka the catchall, junk, throw it in there and close the door room).

I don't like being tied to this chair. I love it when Drama Dad brings his laptop home from work. Then I can sit upstairs on the couch (closer to the kitchen).

Sunday News That Didn't Make the News

Lizard birthday party

http://news.aol.com/weird-news/article/party-time-for-two-headed-lizard/84509


I would expect nothing less from a man who looks like this
http://news.aol.com/article/man-shoots-pesky-lawn-mower-cops-say/101493



(Photo from CBSNews.com)

Oh My Word!

Go to Wordle.net to see your blog represented in words. (Thanks Daisy!)

Weekend Events for 7/25 - 7/27

Woo Hoo! We're almost into August, the start of the school year is getting closer and closer!

Music

Jazz on the Green at the Four Seasons Resort Aviara tonight. 6pm

TGIF Jazz in the Park at Poinsettia Park tonight 6-8pm

Gnarls Barkley performs in the infield after the last race at Del Mar 7/26

Los Lonely Boys and Los Lobos at Viejas 7/26

Food

Taste of Fallbrook today on Mountain Avenue. Sample food from 28 local restaurants.

Cheesecake Factory restaurants are offering cheesecake slices for $1.50 next Wednesday 7/30 in celebration of their 30th anniversary and National Cheesecake Day (dine in only- bummer!)

Micro Brew Festival at Del Mar 7/26 (Gnarls Barkley performing, admission $6)

Movies

Outdoor Movie Night at San Elijo Hills' public square. 8pm (7/26 and 7/28)

The X Files I Want to Believe and Step Brothers both open today

Books

Author Amy Wallen will be signing copies of her novel, Moon Pies and Movie Stars at The Ink Spot tonight at 6:30 (has anyone read it?)

Shows

Phantom of the Opera at Broadway San Diego ends on August 10th.

My Thighs Are Screaming!

Another 30+ minutes today with the Wii Fit. I hate lunges! Yesterday, I decided to do Pilates instead of use the Fit, and I got scolded!

"I see you were too busy to work out yesterday."

Cheeky bastard.


My fit age dropped again, to 35. I'm pushing myself to see if I can get it below my real age on or before my birthday in a few weeks.

How about you? Are you focusing on lowering your age, weight or BMI?
(Fit image from here)

Rolling With My Homies

Yeah, OK, that was lame. I have been remiss in not updating my blog roll. Thanks to Mommy Pie and her awesome BlogHerNot party and to Mommy's Martini, I have added so many new reads. Thank goodness Drama Kid is old enough to wipe his own butt because I'm pretty much glued to the computer!

Instead of adding on to the current list on the left, I'm replacing some blogs with the new ones, just to keep it fresh. I think it's easier than having 100+ blogs listed and hopefully will keep the page from loading too slowly.

Enjoy these new folks, I sure do!

I Wish I Was This Creative

I got this video from a new site I signed up for, Very Short List. They email me something new from around the web every day.

Wordless Wednesday #7 My Kid Did That!

Guess What Wii Got?

Drama Dad is my hero! We've been combing the internet and relentlessly stalking Target, WalMart, Toys R Us and BestBuy hoping we'd get lucky. Shows how much we know.

Apparently, lines form before the stores open. This has been the gaming equivalent of The Holy Grail. Even if I was only sort of near one of these stores, I would run in just in case. I've burned enough gas to more than pay for the the thing itself!

But, this past Sunday, victory! Drama Dad set his alarm, threw on some clothes and rushed out the door around 9:00. The hunt was on. He had a route in mind, starting east and working his way west among the strip malls. He was just about to leave store #3 when he spotted it, low on a shelf not in the same area as the other Wii accessories.

Within an hour of my proud warriors return, I was doing this:

And I am sore. But in a good way. I'm loving the Yoga and Aerobics. The Balance excercises are hard but fun, and the Strength Training is intimidating but necessary.

The first time I did the soccer excercise (bend at the waist to "head" the balls coming at you) and my Mii got hit in the face with a cleat, I laughed so hard I spit. Drama Kid thinks this is hilarious.

And the Hula Hooping? Made me sweat a little. I will not tell you my Wii Fit age, but suffice it to say my competitive nature almost guarantees I'll be excercising enough to see that number go down!

The more you excercise, the more "credits" you earn in your bank. The credits unlock other excercises or yoga poses. I really like the way the excercises force you to focus on your center and posture. The closer you are to center balance, the more your score for that excercise goes up.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an overwhelming desire to her my son's infectious laugh so I'm off to play excercise. (PS- Nintendo has no idea I posted this).

Update: I ended up doing more time because I unlocked more excercises. And I'm happy to report my Fit age dropped significantly to 36!

Careful, I Might Just Blog About It!

Dear North County Bakery-
This past Friday, I attended a party where one of your cakes was served. It had ripe strawberries, real whipped cream, chocolate and almond shavings. It was light, tasty and divine.

However, the woman who purchased said heaven on a plate asked that the cake be personalised with "BitchHer 08" in frosting. I understand this was an unusual request. I understand your staff needing to confirm (multiple times) that the word "bitch" was indeed to be frosted on the cake.

What I do not understand, is why, when the spelling error was brought to your attention, you chose not provide what was requested and paid for. I also do not understand why, when the cake was returned for repair, replacement or refund, you chose to not to any of those things.

I really enjoyed your cake, it was delicious. This was the first time I had pastries from your bakery. Sadly, I think it was also the last. Though I very much invite you to share your side of the story.

With regret,
Melanie

French Bakery Cafe
1005 Carlsbad Village Dr, 92008

I Seldom End Up Where I Wanted to Go, But Almost Always End Up Where I Needed to Be - Douglas Adams

I believe in God. I believe in destiny and fate. And I also believe in free will. The curveballs of life and the forks in the road are all opportunities (sometimes in disguise). Every choice we make or don't make leads us to where we are right now. And right now, I'm in a pretty happy place.

Losing my job has turned out to be a blessing. If I hadn't lost my job, I would not be spending these summer weeks with my son going to the beach, the park and pool.

If I hadn't lost my job we wouldn't be the "dinner at 6:00" family we're becoming. I probably wouldn't know my neighbors very well. And I certainly wouldn't have discovered blogging. Which means I probably never would have met this amazing group of women.

The more time I spend with them, both online and in person, the more I am sure there was a plan in place when I took that last elevator ride back in November. I feel like there was something missing in my life that I didn't know was missing until now.

It's not that I don't have friends, great family or a good marriage, because I do. I guess I've just never had so many people who inspire me in my life before. Knowing that these smart, funny, talented, creative and beautiful women have been near me ALL THIS time and I'm JUST NOW getting to know them makes me want to stalk them to make up for the lost time.

Thankfully, Cheri graciously opened up her home for BitchHer 2008 so the Bitches and our Bitchlets could get together for food, drinks, swag and good conversation (though apparently, I missed a really important one about orgasms and baked goods).

I'm so glad to know you all. Be it fate, an act of God, the decline in the housing market or The Secret, having you in my life is making me a better person. Thank you!

Linky Love goes to: Cheri @ Blog This Mom!, Aaryn @ Thematically Fickle, Jamie @ Choosing My Own, Jenn @ Juggling Life, Kate @ katydidnot, Deb @ Sandiegomomma, Sam @ Little Dragon Fruit