MPLO giveaway winner

Gina is the winner of the Rick Springfield CD.


Gina, I need you to contact me (writeone.two@gmail.com) or leave a comment here with your contact information by 11/1.

Thanks to all who played along.

Top Ten Songs That Can Make Me Smile

This is today's top ten...it's very possible that it could change tomorrow!

1) "Taylor, The Latte Boy" - Kristin Chenoweth
2) "Nineteen Somethin'" - Mark Wills
3) "So What" - Pink
4) "So Beautiful" - Darren Hayes
5) "Dancing Through Life" - Wicked soundtrack
6) "Supermassive Black Hole" - Muse
7) "Bruce" - Rick Springfield
8) "Popular" - Wicked soundtrack
9) "I Get Excited" - Rick Springfield
10) "Hey Katie" - Josh Kelley

What songs make you smile??

Don't forget - today is the last day to enter the my-precious-little-one-giveaway

Check My Brain...and Overcome

More music reviews for your enjoyment! I often have a mental list of bands I want to hear more from or songs I want to download. This weekend I was able to add some music to my ipod. here's what I think:

Overcome - Creed. I love the lyrics. I liked Creed back in the day. Never have been a big Scott Stapp fan, but I love, Love, LOVE Mark Tremonti. He can play guitar for me anytime! So I heard this on the radio the other day and was torn. Love Mark, hate Scott. Oh, what the heck. I bought the single. I don't know who wrote it but it's pretty telling of the rocky Creed relationship. Typical sound but a good song over all. "I'm entitled to overcome, completely stunned, I'm numb..."

Check My Brain - Alice In Chains. I've never been big AIC fan...it's one of those "that was a bad time in my life and this music reminds me of that" so I was again torn. The title of this song makes me laugh and even though I don't know any of the lyrics, it's worth a listen if you like AIC or if you need a little musical therapy.

If You Only Knew - Shinedown. Great song! "If you only knew I'm hanging by a thread" There's definitely a story behind this song but I think that everybody can listen to it and take their own "lesson" from it.

Jet - Rick Springfield (cover). recorded live in Nashville. Fun song. Rick and the boys did a great job with it. (For the record - I also bought the Paul McCartney version)

Live Like We're Dying - Kris Allen. It took me a couple of listens but now I like it. I think it will do okay on the radio. Kris has a huge following and I don't think people will be disappointed.

Time For Miracles - Adam Lambert. yes, I'm admitting it. I bought it. I didn't like Adam at first but then I took him for what he was - a drama geek - and it's all good. not a great single, but it is on a soundtrack so maybe his solo CD will be a bit different.

Although these next few songs are not "new", I haven't mentioned them yet so I'll throw it out there today. Sevendust - Hope and Sorrow. Buy this album if you like rock at all. Sevendust alone is great but you also get "Hope" featuring Mark Tremonti (see above note!), "The Past" featuring Chris Daughtry, and "Sorrow" featuring Miles Kennedy (lead singer of Alter Bridge-I guess I can wait for Creed to get done messing around to get a new AB CD). These are great songs for differently reasons. Hard hitting, story telling, rock n roll.

Leave This Town Review

Back in July, Daughtry released it's second CD. I bought it off of itunes, downloaded it, put it on my ipod and occassionally listened to "No Surprise". Last week, I heard the second single was getting ready to be released so I fired it up on the ole ipod...and haven't stopped listening to it yet. Literally. I hear the songs in my head as I'm falling asleep and start singing them to myself as soon as I wake up. I want to listen to them loud! I want to listen to them all the time (except for one). I loved the first Daughtry release and now that I've started listening to this one, loving it as much. Here's my review/breakdown of the songs on the album with my favorite lines from each song. BTW, the review is not necessarily in the order that the songs are on the CD...just so you know.

"Life After You"
The title makes me think of "I'm better off without you" but once you listen to the song, you realize it's just the opposite. This song is about realizing that there is no life after you. We were meant to be together and I'm coming back. I have two favorite lines in this song. First, "All that I'm after is a life full of laughter..." Second, "I must've been high to say you and I weren't meant to be..." Great lyrics. I've probably listened to this song the most. I believe it is the new single as well.

"No Surprise"
Loved this song the first time I heard it. We often stay in a relationship that isn't working. Suddenly, in this song, Chris gives us the breakup song of 2009. "It's no surprise I won't be here tomorrow" and "As I say it louder I love how it sounds". Like he just figured out how to get out. A little snarky, but snarky is my new middle name so I LOVE it.

"What I Meant To Say"
More snarky here. Another relationship gone wrong song. This song tells a story of one person working hard to hold on, while one has already let go. Favorite lyric "All this sucking up to you is getting old". Seriously!??! I love that line.

"Open Up Your Eyes"
this is my least favorite song on the CD. So much so that I might delete it from the ipod. It's a nice story, I guess. I'm just connecting with it like I am with all the other songs. Favorite lyric, if I had to pick "Welcome to the first day of your life"
editor's note: after listening to this song a few more times, I've decided to keep it on the ipod.

"September"
second to least favorite song, but it tells the story of summers past, how we want to hold onto those memories of good times. Favorite lyric "Nothing to lose but everything to gain"

"Ghost of Me"
Another relationship song. Somebody was going through some stuff while they were writing. I hope it wasn't Chris because he's a sweety and I'd hate to hear that his AI fame messed with his family. Anyway, this song is a little more punchy than some of the others. It makes me smile everytime because I can imagine hearing it live. I don't really have a favorite lyric for this one. But definitely worth a listen.

"Everytime You Turn Around"
This one is a light rocker as well. It makes me think that somebody is doing things (moving forward in a career maybe??) while somebody stays behind. Favorite lyric "I've been following my dreams, trying to find the scene where you believed in me"

"You Don't Belong"
This one could go a couple of ways. Almost sounds like an admission of an affair. "You don't belong to me, I think you lied to me" but I can't get a great read on it. I do like it and listen to it a lot.

"Learned My Lesson"
Beating a dead horse much?? This song is about going back to something that is bad over and over again. We've probably all been there at some point as well. This song puts it out there. Favorite lyric "It turns out I haven't learned a thing"

"Supernatural"
This is a 'fun' song. It's got a great feel and it's a little punchy. It's almost like getting sucked into something before you even realize that it happened and you don't know how to get out. And it's so intense you're not sure if you want to get out. No favorite lyrics, but this is a great song.

"Tennessee Line"
This was my least favorite song at first, now it's decent. It's another "I didn't know what I had until it was gone" song...but very slow, sweet and methodical. "Well, it's my heart I follow this time" and "Tell me how to make right every wrong turn I made" love it.

"Call Your Name"
Ever loved somebody who didn't love you back?? That's what this song says to me at the beginning. a little. It's also a "I didn't want to break your heart" song. Nice song. Another slower one but worth a listen.

Overall, this CD is fantastic. I wish I had a copy to give away but I don't so run out to your local WalMart, target, Itunes, wherever you get your music from and pick up your copy! If you like Daughry at all, you won't be disappointed. I'd love to hear feed back on what you hear in these songs as well. Leave a comment. Thanks!

My Precious Little One - Giveaway

It's somebody's lucky day! I'm giving away a copy of My Precious Little One by Rick Springfield. (click on the link and you can listen to samples at Amazon.com) It's his newest release. It's lullabys. It's awesome. And for one of my lucky blog readers, it's FREE!

Entering for this contest is only slightly harder than the last one.

You need to comment that you would like to win, but also in a seperate comment,

tell me who is your "precious little one".

(Blog identities - if you don't use your kiddos real names - is okay! I don't need the information, just wanted to give everybody a change at two entries!)

So that's it. A couple of comments and in a week, we'll have a winner.

Entries accepted today (10/20) through Wed, Oct 28.

I will again assign numbers based on entry submissions and use random.org to pick the winner.

Good Luck, Everybody! "Don't Keep the Sandman Waiting"

Homecoming 2009

Lyric went to her first high school dance last night. Homecoming 09. Her date was her very best guy friend. He's a good kid and I'm so glad that they are friends. Here's a few photos.

The girls got ready at our house and the guys showed up at 5. The girls waited in Lyric's room until both boys were here and then they did a big "reveal" entrance. It was so cute.

Lyric's date, L, came with his mom and brother. Her friend, E, had been here but E's mom came and Lyric's god mother came as well. We had cameras going all over the place so there are lots of good (and not so good) photos. And one of my very best guy friends, Mike, came over in his biker gear to be the male contingent. Since Fisher was out of town as was Kelley's hubby, I wanted the boys to know that there was somebody looking out for Han. :-) Sneaky, huh?? I let Mike open the door for the boys and he was just kind of there. He left to go home before we went to the park and Lyric didn't get to say goodbye. She was talking about him and texting him. Good for L to know that besides mom and dad and the biological uncles, she has Uncle Mike, too, and I'm pretty sure that he would take a bullet for her.

PPPP- Patrick Dempsey

I've haven't played along with PPPP for a few weeks, but I wanted to share these photos. They were actually taken by an employee of the hospital where I work and she graciously shared them with my boss....who then shared them with me. Don't take them and use them as your own, they are only for your viewing pleasure today....and what a pleasure it is.

Shaving Tips...A PSA from me to you

I don't usually get too personal here because well, it's personal. But today I decided to share something I haven't told many people.

I have sensitive skin. It's getting better, but I used to have to use baby laundry detergent on my own clothes. I would itch and get red and well, you know, it ain't pretty.

I hated shaving my legs because they would get bumpy and red and itchy. Then I started using Nair. Smells yummy (NOT!). After one of my girls had some other sort of rash, I found .Gold Bond Medicated Powder This stuff is a freaking life saver! I would sprinkle it on after I shaved my legs and never get the itchies or the bumpies or the redness. Life was good. Until it turn summer. Who wants to walk around with white, powdery legs.

One day, in a lazy moment when I didn't have any ladies shave gel handy, I used conditioner. Yes, that's right. The same stuff you put on your hair to keep it soft and silky. Works Wonders! Now it's all I used. A nice thin-ish layer of conditioner on your legs and then shave as normal. No itching, no bumps, no redness. Seriously! I'm not making this up. I've used all kinds of conditioner with the same wonderful results, so you don't need to spend a fortune, just grab the cheap stuff and go. And the good news: it's actually less expensive than the shave gel anyway! (well, some of it is)

If you have ever had the above mentioned issues, try the conditioner thing and let me know how it works out for you.

And by the way, what's up with razors that have scented handles?? I picked up a pack last night and was surprised to open it and smell lemons! WTF?

Pay It 40 update...and 40 things about me

The pay it 40 campaign dates have been extended....November 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010. Tell everybody! I should have the website/blog up within the next week or so. In the mean time, here's 40 things about me (that you may or may not already know)

1. I work at a hospital
2. I have 2 daughters
3. I had two miscarriages before the girls were born
4. I've been married "twice" but to the same man (civil and religious ceremonies)
5. I have two half brothers, a step brother and two half sisters
6. I'm a huge Rick Springfield fan
7. I love to write fiction
8. I hate operas
9. I love soap operas
10. I've never been outside the US
11. I've always wanted to travel to Australia
12. I've always wanted to write Rick Springfield's biography
13. I've met some of my best friends through the internet
14. my favorite color changes frequently
15. Fall is my favorite season
16. Christmas is my favorite holiday
17. I love singing
18. I have a horrible singing voice
19. My girls can sing (must be some recessive gene!)
20. My mom rocks!
21. I start nursing school in January just a few days before I turn 40
21. I can't start my day without coffee
22. I didn't start drinking coffee until I was 29
23. I would love to own a Corvette
24. or a Chevy Impala
25. I would love to have more kids, as long as I didn't have to be pregnant
26. I would consider adoption
27. I used to be a packrat (albeit an organized one)
28. Lyric is carrying on the packrat tradition
29. I would love to be self employed
30. My dream job would be Rick Springfield's personal assistant (think he's hiring??)
31. I turn maps in the direction I'm going
32. I hate following people (in the car) when they know where we are going and I don't
33. I love to play online games
34. I've been a girl scout leader for 10 years
35. I've never broken a bone
36. I will probably break something now that I said that
37. I've wanted to be a writer since I was 12
38. Both of my girls like to write...and are very good at it
39. I love the smell of burning leaves
40. I think turning 40 is going to be FUN!

Pay It 40...a birthday gift to your favorite charity

Some of you may know that next year I will turn 40. I don't feel 40 and I don't think I look 40, but the calendar tells me it's true. I wanted to do something that wasn't about me. I wanted to figure out a way to give back. I wanted to make a difference, even if it's just a little one. I have a few friends that will be turning 40 soon as well. In order to make it less traumatic for us and a definite plus for somebody else, we came up with the "Pay It 40" campaign. Sort of a play on the "pay it forward". I will create a new blog/website with links for all the charities.

In the spirit of giving, I'd like to open up the Pay It 40 campaign to anybody who is turning 40 from November 1, 2009 to October 21, 2010. What you have to do is: 1) leave a comment here with your name and birthday, 2) chose your favorite charity (if you know a link, post that as well) and then when the new blog is up and running you can tell all your friends.

Let me know if you have any questions. Please feel free to share this information with others. I would LOVE to have 40 people participate.

Reminders

Hello, everybody! Old friends and new. Here's a few link to some highlights of what's going on right now. I don't want anybody to miss out on the good stuff!

Hanbag giveaway

followers showcase

Mom Pen pals

Check out the links and leave a note.

My Sister's Boyfriend

(New story idea/starter)


When you are five and you like a boy, you chase him around the playground, but what happens when you are 25 and you like a boy? And he’s engaged to your sister? That would be my life.
I’ve always been a bit on the independent side. I never felt like I needed a boyfriend to fit in. I dated in high school, but most of the guys were more into sports or cars to just looking cool. I went to prom by myself. When I went to college, I met lots of great people, but never had a spark with anybody. Lots of dates, but no serious relationships.
When my sister walked into the house last week with Brad, I felt as if my whole body woke up for the first time. Our eyes connected as my sister introduced us. Everything in my body felt electric and light and on. Dinner was rough because I had to sit across from him. I was so taken in. All I wanted to do was look at him for hours. I kept trying to steal glances but after he caught me looking (or was he looking at me the same way?) I made a very conscious effort to look at everybody else but him.
When my mom brought out the desert, Brad stood up and said, “This would probably be a good time to tell you that I asked Julia to marry me.” He smiled down at her (yes I was looking) and she grinned from ear to ear as she flashed a nice diamond. It had to be at least 2 carats. Flashy and it fit my sister’s style perfectly.
I thought my dad was going to jump out of his chair, he was so happy. My sister had been a bit of a, well, geek and I think my parents were afraid that she would never get married. They knew I was a bit of a free spirit and hoping for me to get married was a bit of crap shoot so they pull all their “I want my daughter to get married” eggs in that basket.
My mom was thrilled with the news, hugging Julia and Brad and almost crying. Seriously? Crying? What the hell was she going to be like at the wedding?

Handbag Giveaway

No, i'm not giving one away, but Esther is. Click on her name and go check out the cute cute super cute handbags she made.

Random Follower Showcase

I'm going to start something new (again). Periodically, (Like when I can't think of what to blog about), I'm going to randomly chose one of my followers to highlight. I know we can all see who my followers are, but most people don't have the time to look into it any further than that. So, I will do it for you. If you absolutely do not want me to feature you (for whatever reason) let me know, otherwise, you are all fair game.

I was going to pick somebody right away, but I'll give everybody a little bit of time to decide. So within the next week or so I should have somebody featured.