Hallmark Card Contest

You may of checked or heard that we didn't win the Hallmark Mother's Day contest. We did come in second place which, even though they should of had a second and third place in my opinion, was pretty cool. You can see that here.

We had a fun time and met alot of nice people. It was fun being recognized on the street and making my dream come true of being featured on a popular local show. Even though we didn't win the grand prize, I don't regret all the hard work we put in and it will be something for Emily to treasure and tell her kids about some day.

With that, I have to tell you that Emily did take it hard. Every day for a month, she had been excited about possibility of winning the prize and would point out what she was going to get with her winnings. When she was told that she didn't win and would not be able to buy the new barbie house she wanted, she threw herself on the couch and put her hand up to her forehead and gasped, "Now my barbies will have to live in their car!"

Grandpa and his boy

The hubby really took to Zach from the day he was born and I think Zach kind of likes him a bit too. My daughter only has one request and that's for him not to teach him to become an electronic shopaholic.

Words with a Blogger Wednesday

I'm not letting you down this week- I've made sure that I had an interview for Words With A Blogger Wednesday no matter what! I kidnapped a blogger and held him in my closet all week to make sure. I'm letting him out now-yes, I've got another dad interview for you. We needed a little testosterone around here.

This week's blogger is:

Jim from

The Busy Dad Blog

http://www.busydadblog.com/

Take it away, Jim...

I’m a first-time dad. Well, that was 7 years ago, I think I’m past the statute of limitations to be able to use “first-time” as an excuse to justify how I don’t always know what I’m doing. My blog is simply a journal of the crazy stuff that happens along my journey through parenthood. This is the stuff you’d normally forget a few months after it happens unless you wrote it down somewhere. Or at least I would, since my short term memory isn’t what it used to be.

When did you start blogging?

I started in the summer of 07. My job back then involved a 4-hour commute on the train every day. I really don’t like to read and I have a laptop, so I figured I’d write instead. I had never read a single blog before the day I decided to start blogging.

Do you make money from your blog?
Nope. I’m not against it though. I just haven’t found anything worth my while. I work in internet marketing so I know that making any decent money off my blog is close to impossible, so I save myself the effort and focus my time on coming up with amusing posts instead.

How frequently do you post?
Nowadays? Haha like once every two weeks if you’re lucky. My life is just too hectic to expect much more. It used to be twice a week when I started out. Hey, at least I can be proud of the fact that I live up to the title of my blog.

Do you have a favorite blogger(s) that you just can't live without reading?
I love to read stuff that makes me laugh. That said, http://www.whiskeyinmysippycup.com/ and http://momo-fali.blogspot.com/ are must-visits. There are about 5 more that I make a point to visit regularly for different reasons, but if you want the funnies, look no further.

Have your readers influenced you in any way?
They haven’t influenced me content-wise; however they have kept me motivated and inspired. There is no better feeling in the world than knowing that if you put something out there, a whole bunch of people will nod their heads in agreement or laugh with you (or at you, but it’s all in good fun). Without my readers, I don’t think I’d be half as motivated to do what I do. Feedback is very important to me. So is validation. My readers give me both. I have made some really close friends through blogging, and have been fortunate to have met several in person. And they are just as cool as they are on the internet. Who would’ve thought?

Has blogging changed your life in any way?
It has taken over every aspect of my life. It’s an addiction. Let’s just leave it at that.

What do you do when you get writer's block?
I walk away. I love blogging because in the end I’m the boss of my blog. If I’m too busy to post, so be it. If I’d rather hang out with friends and family, so be it. Or I drink. It is amazing how a couple beers or some alone time with a nice bottle of Scotch can open up the creative pathways.

Any other advice you might have for newbie bloggers?
Yes. DON’T TRY SO HARD. Just do it. Readers will come. Friends will be made. There is no short cut to a successful blog (I define success as having a regular readership). Just write for yourself and participate in the “community” by visiting other blogs you like and leaving comments that matter (i.e. a “LOL that was great!” comment is crap). People will see you around and do the same. And the folks who can identify with the stuff you put out there will become your readers and stalkers. Also, join Twitter.

Thanks!

Become a victim-er, I mean a featured blogger! Comment on here and include your URL and I'll sneak on over to check out your blog! :)

Where's the handle bars?

The room is spinning. The room is spinning. What the heck am I talking about? Last night before I went to bed, I started to get very dizzy. The room was a spinning and a spinning and totally freaking me out. I decided to lay down to see if it would help but it only made it worse. I finally got my head calmed down enough to fall asleep. When I woke up, I thought all was well until I sat up and well, I felt like I just ate a bad mushroom. I stumbled out of bed and told the hubby about it all the while, I'm freaking out. He said that it was probably nothing-hmm, last time I checked, dizzy spells generally happen for a reason-doesn't just happen like passing gas. Sorry, couldn't resist.

So, Jessica came over to help me and of course, the first thing out of her mouth was, "YOU'RE PREGNANT!"

I don't think so. No thank you. PLEEEEASE, PEOPLE.

So, I was off to search on the Internet for the reasons why a person gets dizzy. I wasn't sure if I had any other "true" symptoms because my chest did hurt and I felt nauseous but I think that was because I was anxious from freaking out. Yes, those are signs for a heart attack for women. I'm still alive, so hopefully that wasn't it. I did find about a hundred reasons for dizzy spells. Thanks, Google, for freaking me out more.

So, after spending most of the day almost running into walls, my mom called and told me that she thought it probably was Vertigo. The movie? No, the sickness. Her other advice was to go to the doctor because stuff like that happens for a reason. Hmm, where did I hear that before?

I haven't left yet to go get checked out. I think I will take a shower first and find someone to give me some coaxing to actually go. I hate going to the doctor, you see.

But, one thing I couldn't resist today was to take my daily picture of my little baby boy. Yep. he's Nana's favorite.

MIA Wednesday blogger...

Did you come by yesterday and wonder what happened to my usual Words with a Blogger Wednesday? Well, my featured blogger got delayed at the last minute and we missed the deadline. I promise that next week there will definitely be a featured blogger interview. Cross my heart and hope to die. Stick a needle in my eye. I really would like to skip the needle in my eye part. Maybe the hope to die too. thank you.

Maybe you were wondering what I've been up to? Just working on about four zillion wedding photos. Thank you for all the nice compliments on the two that I posted. Oh BTW, I received an email from a couple that are friends of that couple and wanted to know if I was available to do their wedding next year. Oh boy, here we go again. Do you have an iron skillet handy? Please knock me on the head before I say Ok.

My husband's birthday is this Saturday. This is the time of the year I like to remind him that he is way older than me. Ok. Only by three years, but that's enough for me to rub it in. We actually are having a get together on Sunday instead since we have a busy Saturday going on. His birthday's are easy to do. Just get him chocolate cake and cash and he's happy. I've given up trying to surprise him with a gift. It always ends the same way-I get all excited because I think I've gotten him something he needs and I just know it's the right color, etc. etc. Then, he opens it, cocks an eyebrow and says, "Um, thanks?" I then sigh and hand him over a fifty. So, I'll just save the time and disappointment and look for a money holder card.

My daughter's much anticipated recital is next weekend, so we are getting ready for that. We received the proofs from the recital photo session that my husband had to take her to last Saturday. They turned out great-whew! I just have to choose which pose I want. THAT shouldn't be hard. I think that's partly why I became a photographer-so I can have ALL of the poses.

The dance people also had everyone do their makeup classes, so I told Emily that she would be going to an extra class last week. I didn't understand why she was SO excited about going to this class. I said it was just a makeup class but she was all like, I have to wear this outfit and this hair bow. So, when the makeup class day came and I told her it was time to go, she squealed with joy and ran to the car. When we got there, she ran in and sat down and with a big smile she proudly states, "I'm ready to have my makeup put on for my MAKEUP class!" Oh boy...

Am I still alive?

I did it. I survived yet another wedding. Have you ever shot a wedding before? No? If you value your sanity, please don't. I just added ten years to your life. You can thank me later.

Did I make it to the huge garage sale that I desperately wanted to go to also? Kind of. I drove through the neighborhood on my way to the store to pick up batteries and really didn't see any good stuff. That made me feel better to be missing it this year. I quickly got back home and did Emily's hair and hoped that it stayed in place for the recital photos that I would also be missing. As far as I know, that went well but I guess I'll find out when the pictures come in. (fingers crossed)

I think I forgot to tell you that my dad was coming with me to help shoot the wedding. He was a photographer many years ago after he retired and though he really, really, really didn't want to go, he couldn't say 'no' to his baby girl. So, he shot backup for me and I didn't have to sit by myself during the meal time.

We actually had kind of a good time between coming early at the bride's request so we could take the girl's pictures ahead time, only to find out she chickened out because she didn't trust the groom sneaking out to see her. So, we had a nice three hours to kill. That was ok because they were a super nice couple and very cooperative after that.

Do you want to see a photo of the couple? Ok.

How about another one? You talked me into it.

I also had to thank my dad, not only for helping, but for getting us out of there at 7:30- a true record for me. I usually don't get out of the receptions until at least 9:30 at night. We also had an hour drive home, so that was a blessing to me. So, I grabbed a couple of favors for Emily (a tradition we had started my first wedding I did) and we were outta there.

I looked forward to getting home and expected to just be able to sit down and relax. When I walked through the door, I contemplated turning around and running back to my car and driving back to the wedding. THE HOUSE WAS A TOTAL DISASTER. I decided to just I set my camera bags down and ignore the mess until morning. I earned a "do nothing" evening and I was taking it. So, that night I dreamt that my husband and kids cleaned everything up in the morning before I woke up and the world was balanced again. Did my dream come true? Why yes, it did-and cute little fairies appeared too and made me breakfast in bed.

Born to model

I took some photos of Emily and plan on taking some of Jessica and Jordon too because I need to update the photos in our living room. I also had an ulterior motive with Emily's photo session. I came across a site called, The Cute Kid.

It lets you know when there are photo contests and when major companies are looking for cover kids for their magazines or products.

May be a gimmick. May be not. I think I will give it a try-I still owe her a Barbie house, remember?

All wrapped up in one crazy day

I couldn't sleep last night, which usually happens a couple of days before I have to shoot a wedding. I give myself the usual, Why Do I Do This To Myself? talk and swear that I'll never book another wedding again. This lasts about six months and then I forget how much I hate doing them and book another one.

Since I have the greatest luck in the world, Emily's recital photos fall on the same day (this Saturday). This means that I have to get her ready before I leave- bath, makeup, hair and all. Then, I have to do the cross sign on my chest and pray that when it's time for my husband to take her, her hair doesn't look like Medusa's and her face like Ronald McDonald.

Our neighboring neighborhood (can I say that?) is also having their annual HUGE garage sale this Saturday too-when it rains, it pours, huh? This happened to me last year too-ironically, the same day the only wedding I shot then too. So, I have to figure out how to fit in running over there in the early morning. Will I make it? I don't know, but if you bet on me going, please don't buy a lottery ticket tomorrow- I wouldn't want you to waste your two dollars.

So, wish me luck that I survive tomorrow and next time I tell you that I booked a wedding, please knock me on the side of the head and say, "You goofball, you did it again!"

Million Dollar Baby

Here is one of the outfits we bought during our "shopping spree" the other day. Ever since we brought home Emily's new outfits, she's been wanting to wear the dressy ones to play outside in. I've tried to talk her into saving the real nice outfits for weekend wear when we go out. This hasn't gone over well with her and whenever I try to reason with her she simply says, "I have to wear these everyday before I grow up and they don't fit anymore. Remember?"

Words with a Blogger Wednesday

Wednesday! Wednesday! Wednesday!

It's Words with a Blogger Wednesday!

I am excited to bring to you today a great blog. This blog can help you save some green for dinner and I dont mean your veggies!

It's called,

$5 Dinners.com

http://www.5dollardinners.com/

The blogger that created this wonderful blog is

Erin Chase

and she is going to tell you about herself and her blog-right now.

My name is Erin Chase and I have a little problem. I can not make a meal that costs more than $5. Even if I try.
I spent the first 22 years of my life in Texas, followed by 6 years in the Dominican Republic, and I now call OH home. I have been married to the love of my life for almost 7 years and have 2 adorable little boys, almost 4 and 2, with a little turkey on the way...due Thanksgiving Day!


When did you start blogging?

I started a personal/family blog in May of 2007. As I wanted to post more and more recipes and all about the deals I would find at the grocery store, I decided I better start another one and $5 Dinners was born on August 22, 2008.

Do you make money from your blog?

Yes, I have monetized the site through a number of different advertising networks, affiliate programs, and private advertisers.

How frequently do you post?

I generally post twice a day during the week and maybe once on the weekend.

Do you have a favorite blogger(s) that you just can't live without
reading?

Big Mama! She is absolutely the MOST hilarious blogger out there. (www.thebigmamablog.com) Without a doubt. I often work at Panera, and I usually pop over to read what she's been up to and inevitably end up with half the place staring at me because I am laughing uncontrollably at my computer.

Have your readers influenced you in any way?

I value and appreciate reader input, if it is constructive! I want to make each readers visit to the site as comfortable as possible!

Has blogging changed your life in any way?

Yes, blogging has certainly changed my life! My blog is first and foremost my passion, but it is now a business! An official business. I can now comfortably say that my blog is also now my job. It's wonderful having a job you love! And being your own boss!!!

What do you do when you get writer's block?

I don't write! I take a week off. Write down ideas during that week and then start anew and fresh! I would suggest keeping an ideas notebook where you can write down "one liners" that will jog your brain into action if you are ever stuck. Re posting old posts is also a good idea. Take a walk down memory lane, or just be silent and still for a few days.

Any other advice you might have for newbie bloggers?

Find your voice and let it take you where ever you shall go! Don't stress about trying to make money or build traffic, as this becomes evident through your writing and your site. Be true to yourself and you will shine!!!

Thanks, Erin!

I need great bloggers! Do you want to be interviewed? Please contact me!

Peeping Tom

Yesterday morning I happened to look out my window in our living room and there was this squirrel sitting on our neighbor's roof peeping into our window. Glad I wasn't in just my underwear.

Sometimes you just gotta do it

Yesterday, I did a very bad thing. I. I. I.....bought my youngest daughter her summer wardrobe. Huh? You are saying out loud right now-yes, I can hear you through the monitor. Ok, that's not the bad thing. The bad thing is where I got them and how much I spent. Let me tell you first about why I gave into this elaborate shopping spree. There is this very cool store that I totally love and the little girl clothes are soooooo cute. They make them like mini big girl clothes and I just want to eat them up, they are so adorable. The only thing is, they are a bit costly. By costly, I don't mean $50 an outfit or even close to that. But, they are more than what I see fit to spend on kids clothes that they grow out of in a season or sooner. I'm a Walmart and Target shopper for kids clothes. JcPenneys at the end of the season if I get lucky to find a bargain. $3.50 for shorts or tshirt? I'm there!

But, every year since Emily was born, I say that I'm going to splurge just one time at this place. I mean, isn't that what little girls are for to dress them up in this-outfit-is-so-cute-I-want-to-gobble-her-up clothes? The thing is though, I never did it. One year. Two years. Three years. Didn't do it.

On Sunday, we stopped in this store (which I havent been in for about a year) and I was already sweating before I walked in the double doors. I love this place! I knew already before we walked up to the little girl's section that I was going to be all like, Awww, this is so cute! I love this! OH MY GOSH, WHERE'S MY CHECKBOOK?! Only this time, I didn't think about my mini me being with me. I heard a squeal from behind. Mommy! Mommy! I LOOOOOVE this outfit! Oh, and look at this one! Pink! A pink one! Yes, I had introduced her to Princess Outfit Land and she was addicted already. My oldest daughter was with us too and she was even holding up outfits to little Zach and wondering if anyone would noticed if she dressed him up in a cute pink and brown halter top outfit? She asked if I could have another girl and she could dress her up in little cute girl clothes-I don't think so, Hun.

Anyway, I mentally tallied up the cost of all the outfits I really wanted to get her and sighed. I reasoned with myself- not the kind of reasoning you would think. I told myself that I SHOULD do this. Just once. If I don't then she will grow up and I will of missed being able to have fun dressing her up in something other than Garanimals from Walmart. Do it. Do it. Do it. chanted in my head. I looked at Emily and I swore her eyes became those hypnotic spinning circles as she grinned from ear to ear.

I had made up my mind. I was going to do it. Just this once. But, I had to come back when there were no witnesses. So yesterday after dance, Emily and I snuck off to go shopping. I did end up putting back half of what I had in the cart because well, I did have to make a house payment this month and all. We got some adorable outfits and she (Emily) put on one of the tshirts in the car to show Daddy when we got home. The shirt said, Sorry Daddy Says No Dating. He loved it, of course.

Did we show him the rest of the clothes or even TOLD him we got anything else? Now, what do you think????

Good bye, old friend

The contest is now over. I have that same feeling that you get when an old friend that lives far away goes back home after visiting for a couple of weeks. Or when your child leaves the nest for the first time. My "baby" is gone now and I feel empty. (sigh) Maybe my card will come visit again or at least write-I doubt it.

I've decided to do what you do when your child moves out or a guest leaves-clean "house". I'm cleaning out my blog and am going to rearrange things and add things and it should be fun. Do you miss our picture of our Hallmark card? I may put it back up as a memory of our journey. Don't worry though, we'll probably get involved in some other contest soon and I'll be bugging you to vote. I'm just nice like that.

So, yesterday I started my revamp between running to the store to buy last minute flowers for the mom, mom-in-law and grandma in my life. I also attempted to make apple dumplings using Pioneer Woman's awesome recipe-I made the mistake of leaving them in the oven and asking the hubs to turn off the oven. He asks, should he leave them in the oven after he turns it off? Sure, I reply. Not a good idea it turns out. Everyone got dumplings that were a bit brown on top. I just can't bake. I have beautiful visions in my head but alas, they never look like them in reality. Don't worry, I'll never bug you to vote for my award winning apple pie.

I did get a nice Mother's Day card from my youngest. The girl on the front looks just like her. Ironically, my grandson gave the exact card to his mom. We think alike- I like that.

A way to remember it all

This will be the cover of the photo book I'm doing of our journey being a finalist in one of Hallmark's card contest. I'm doing it for Emily to have just incase when she grows up, she forgets about the time in her life when her mom became totally obsessed to the point of crazy to try to win a contest.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Think about this today....

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.



Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night...

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried..
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put him down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt..
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom..

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child...
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom .

I don't have time to blog-I'm on Facebook...

First of all, just an update on my card because I can: I'm in 2nd place and I've been checking on Hallmark's Facebook and they are all in a buzz over how to decide who is the winner after Sunday-by the card sales or voting-not that anyone should stop voting online. I think they are really weighing over going with the sales. So if you have some spare change stuck under your couch cushions or in your cup holder in your car, please just buy at least one card. You can store it in your memory box and in twenty years, you can take it out and say, I remember that woman. She ended up going crazy over some silly contest and they locked her up and we never heard from her again. I'm so glad that I bought this card to remember her by....

Now, on to other things. Have I told you that I love Facebook? I used to hate it-I don't even know why. Whenever I heard someone talk about it, I would cringe. I thought, what a waste of time, this Facebook. I figured it was just a place to get a date online, have an affair or just tell people your business. I know. What am I thinking?

Anyway, one day I just decided to go over and check it out. I'm not sure what made me do it. Maybe the forces of evil took over my fingers. At any rate, I found myself on their site. The phrase, "curiosity killed the cat" ran through my mind as I signed up. I skimmed through the different options and came across the "find people" box. You could find out where your old school buddies are now and see if the popular crowd got fat and bald. Curiosity killed the cat. Curiosity killed the cat. Did I want to go down this path? I smelled an addiction coming. What if I did connect with old friends? What if this was fun? Before I could even reason with myself, I found myself typing in people's names. Oops-there they were. Add as a friend? Umm, ok. Just this one. Hey, there's somebody I didn't even talk to in school. Add as a friend? I could try. I had a crush on him. Add him as a friend? Maybe. Wait. I hated her in high school. Add as a friend? Okay-got to see if her family lost their fortune and she now works at McDonalds-NOT that it's not ok to work there. You know what I mean, people.

That was a month or so ago. I now have 33 friends and was contacted by three reporters for interviews for my card that wouldn't of found me if it wasn't for Facebook. I was also contacted by a lady that told me that she Googled me to find a way to contact me to let me know that she saw our card in the store and thought her daughter looked exactly like Emily. So much, that they thought somebody stole a photo of her! Then just this week, I connected with an old best friend that I thought was lost forever and we have been emailing about all the adventures that we've been up to over the last ten years.

So now I love Facebook. Don't know what I ever did before Facebook. Help. I'm now addicted to Facebook. Please come pry my fingers off of the keyboard before I marry Facebook.

Can I please have a couple of more weeks???

Tick tock. Tick tock... Can you hear it? I do! The constant ticking of the clock is driving me crazy. It's now Thursday and that means only four days until the contest is over.

Will we win?

Will we not win?

I really wish that Hallmark would've done a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place because all of us finalists really worked hard and brought them in lots of sales. Oh well, C'est la vie.

But, what will happen after the contest is over? What will I write about? The weather? What I ate last night?

What will this little girl do after the contest is over? What will be her reason to live?

Hmm, maybe to watch endless hours of the Disney Channel? Possibly.

Maybe I could talk about my family and the funny things that we get ourselves into. Oh yeah, that's why I started this darn thing in the first place. Duhhhhhhhh.

P.S.- Please vote or buy a card too. Thanks!

Words with a Blogger Wednesday

Words with a Blogger Wednesday

Have you ever heard of this blog?

A Pocket Full Of Buttons

http://apocketfullofbuttons.blogspot.com/

Well, I have and now you know about it too!

Tell about your blog, Stephanie:

My blog is called A Pocket Full Of Buttons (http://apocketfullofbuttons.blogspot.com/). It is..well, it just is. It's nothing spectacular unlike so many others I have visited, but I adore her. I write about what I like and I've been fortunate it strikes a cord with others. I post giveaways.. either my own or ones I find. Funny things my girls do, what's new on my Etsy/dot com, I just stared doing Java Jaunt with Jo Thursdays and so far...loving it! I would like to get in on Muffin Tin Mondays and Wordless Wednesdays, but have not found the time yet...oh today's Weds! That's about it, I'm simple (depending on who you ask), my blog is simple (unless your my husband), but man what a ride, wanna join me?

When did you start blogging?

I started blogging last year. My good friend Sharon actually recommended I do it. She thought it would be a good way to connect with people, let them see who I am, what I do and promote my online business.

Do you make money from your blog?

I have had a few custom orders from clients who have stumbled across my blog which is always awesome.

How frequently do you post?

I try to at least post once a week, but I'm happier when I can post several times a week. I am so addicted at this point to blogging and meeting new people I just can't stay away from the
computer.

Do you have a favorite blogger(s) that you just can't live without
reading?

I check up on all the blogs I am following daily when I log in. My fav's I can not miss are Mama's A Mess, Secrets In The Sauce, Carma Sez, The Haby Goddess, Frogs In A Bucket, Color In Your Life, Pixletrashamania, Sweet Words Boutique,JesseKate Designs. This is but a small list of my
favorites, I wish I could add them all, but then I wouldn't have room for all the other questions!

Have your readers influenced you in any way?

My readers are the best. They are so sweet, honest, funny and delightful. I get a kick when they
tell me they cracked up over something I posted because really, I'm not that funny :)

Has blogging changed your life in any way?

Yah, keeps me on the computer a whole lot more. I should name my laptop "Bruno" since he seems to be my second husband..haha Really though, I am very lucky to have a understanding
husband who will pick up my slack when I need him to just so I can be online all night.

What do you do when you get writer's block?

So far it hasn't happened yet *fingers and toes crossed*. Maybe because I'm still new and fresh with ideas. However I get so many great ideas and ques from all the blogs I read and the new bloggers I meet daily so I have to give props there.

Any other advice you might have for newbie bloggers?

Be yourself and be creative. Don't forget without our readers and followers we are just
keeping a diary for ourselves, so don't forget to show them love too.
Explore! There are so many amazing blogs out there just waiting for you to
find them. Join blogging groups! My favorite are Mom Bloggers Club, Secrets
In The Sauce, and Skout. You will meet so many amazingly talented and
beautiful people there.

The final week...

It's the final week for the contest and I'm almost sad to see it end. We did our final card signing Saturday and didn't do too bad on our own without help from family or friends. I honestly thought we wouldn't get anyone since we didn't advertise it anywhere and all my family came the last time, but we got a big crowd and the people at Kirlin's were excellent in helping us to get votes.

They kind of turned it into a real " local celebrity" signing by telling customers that Emily was doing a card signing and they could have their picture taken with "Emily the Celebrity" if they bought a card. How cute was that? She had alot of pictures taken with customers and we probably had a bit over thirty cards signed.

See the lower half of a guy walking up behind us? Yes, that's Emily's card in his hand. He was the only man that bought one of our cards at our signings. Just wanted to let you in on that little fact.

When it was over, the Kirlin's ladies gave Emily a gift bag full of little girl treats and she was just tickled pink over it. When we left, we stopped by the other Hallmark store that we did our first signing at to see how the cards were moving and told them that we were in 2nd place so far. They were all like, YEAH!!! They then gave Emily a Webkinz and she was all excited about getting some more free stuff. I think she is totally loving all this attention and presents because Sunday morning, she woke up early and said she wanted to do another card signing. I think this may of created a monster.

So like I said, I'm a bit sad to see this end and it would be so nice to keep up the attention a bit longer because if we won, we get to be back on the talk show we were on and our picture up as winning in the card stores. So may I ask a small favor of you? I'm asking all readers if they would mind putting up a sticky blurb on top of their blog for just one week, asking THEIR readers to vote once per day and if they are feeling a bit generous, buy one card. Would I be so terrible to ask this favor?

Maybe if I said, "Pretty PLEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASE????"

Delicious...

On our way to do test shots for a wedding, I caught a photo of this hot guy in my mirror pumping my gas.

Yummy-I think I'll marry him. Wait. I already did.

More conversations with a four year old

Me: "Emily, time to pick up your toys."

Emily: "I can't."

Me: "Why not?"

Emily: " I broke a nail."


......

Emily: "Mom! Guess what?"

Me: "What? What?"

Emily: "The man on tv said there was going to be weather tomorrow."

Me: "Thank God."

......

Emily: "When we win the card contest, can we go to eat at AppleBees?"

Me: "Sure."

Emily: "And Chili's?"

Me: "Um, ok."

Emily: "And Steak n Shake?"

Me: "I guess."

Emily: "And Wendy's?"

Me: "We're going to get fat if I win, aren't we?"