Mission Possible

If you've been around here awhile, you know of my passion for New Life for Haiti, a charity that benefits people in the Grande Anse River Valley on the southern peninsula of Haiti. While I've not had the privilege of being a part of one of the work trips, many of my friends have gone.

One of the common threads of everyone's experience is the passionate love that they develop for the people in this desperately poor country. Most Haitians on this island paradise live in abject poverty, but have a light inside that simply radiates joy.

A friend from church who has been several times is embarking on an incredible journey. She will be traveling to Haiti on July 13th and remaining in Marfranc with our NLH mission staff, Steve & Joline Moore, until early October. She will experience the Haitian and missionary lifestyle to help her determine if God is calling her to full-time missionary work in Haiti. Her main duties while she is there will be helping to plan and implement the process by which children sponsored through the NLH Child Sponsorship Program receive school uniforms, shoes, books and vitamins.

In order to make the trip a reality, Laurie has to raise approximately $2700 in support by June 30th to cover all of her expenses while living in Haiti, as well as her travel costs and stateside expenses while she is gone (car payment and insurance).

From her support letter:

"I would like to give you an opportunity to invest in this mission of mercy and love. So many of us want to make a difference in the world, but can't always find the right channel to do it. With your financial support, we can give hope for a better future to these Haitian children and their villages.

Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated. The work I am going to do in Haiti truly matters and I'm grateful for your willingness to aid me in helping our Haitian friends."

If you are able to help Laurie with her support needs to go to Haiti, I know she would be very grateful. Any amount would be appreciated, as little donations add up to big donations!

Won't you please take a minute and help Laurie get to Haiti?

Checks can be made out to New Life for Haiti, and put "Laurie Trent" in the memo section. Mail to New Life for Haiti, P.O. Box 33, Plainfield, IL 60544.

"You can wish the world was a better place or you can pick one place in the world and make it better."

With Apologies to Edward Elgar...

This is the time of year for graduation ceremonies, and here at Diva U., we'll celebrate our grads this weekend. While planning the logistical part of the ceremonies is my job now, in a former lifetime, my involvement in graduation ceremonies was limited to music.

As in conducting it.

As a high school band director, it was my responsibility to corral the bandos and conduct them in the prelude and ceremonial music. The prelude music was pretty basic. Whatever we'd performed that year at our concerts was fair game. The ceremony music was fairly straightforward as well: play the Alma Mater and processional/recessional music.

In other words, "Pomp & Circumstance", more specifically, March No. 1 of Sir Edward Elgar's "Pomp & Circumstance".

For those of you who don't know this song by its name (because seriously, you DO know this song), allow me to virtually hum a few bars...



The most famous part of this march is the Trio section, which is about 2 minutes into the recording above.

When I was a band director, my kids would soldier through innumerable repetitions of this piece. One spring, after we'd practiced about forty-eleven thousand times, I had a brainstorm.

I ran a lyrics contest for Mr. Elgar's music. Now, before my fellow music educators get all over me, yes, I do know that there are lyrics. But seriously, after you've done forty-eleven thousand run-throughs, you're lucky if the lyrics in your head are even fit for mixed company, if you know what I mean.

So I ran a contest for the best lyrics to good old P & C. The only stipulation was that they had to be "clean". It was a family show, after all. The winner was a French horn player with an incredibly creative mind. He passed away suddenly in January of 2009, but this was always one of my favorite memories of him, and I still have a copy of the original in his handwriting. He makes my Commencement duties a lot more fun every year.

And so, for all of you band directors, band kids, band parents or anyone out there who knows what it's like to play "Pomp & Circumstance" forty-eleven thousand times, I present:

Pomp & Circumstantial Evidence, by Jacob S.

Refrain:

I really hate this song.
It goes on forever,
And when you think you're done
You have to start over!

Verse 1:

Why did somebody decide to
Inflict this torture on innocent youth.
Because if I find out who
I swear to you, I'm gonna sue!

And to you who disagree,
That this song destroys sanity,
If you really think I'm wrong,
Get down here and play along!

Refrain

Verse 2:

Now the low brass has melody
I think I missed the last repeat,
Please Miss B. let us end,
No, it's back to the top again.
Miss B. forgot to close her hand,
and thus confused the entire band.
Was that a fist or was that an "E"?
We'll just play eternally.

Refrain

Verse 3:

I am quite sure that those folks
for whom this song always invokes,
Feelings of nostalgia
Never had to play this stuff.
I think I'm a measure behind
Why, Drummer, keep time
This is criminal Miss B.
It's called "cruelty to minors".

Refrain

Verse 4:

Graduates keep filing endlessly.
I think the flutes are in the wrong key.
Who played that sour note? It was me!
Can't we stop I have to pee!
I REALLY HATE THIS SONG
It's much too repetitive, much too long.
And if given half a chance
I'd burn my "Pomp & Circumstance"!

Erin Go Bragh

I love Ireland. I love reading about Ireland. I love Aran sweaters and celtic crosses. Irish Dancing makes me want to curl my hair into ringlets and put on my dancing shoes. Seeing pictures of Ireland stirs the travel bug in me.

I'm pretty sure I was Irish in another lifetime, but sadly, I have not one drop of Irish blood in my veins in my current lifetime.

Some friends of a friend are finalists for the "Ultimate Job in Ireland". From the website...

"To celebrate the launch of Ireland’s most exciting destination wedding and honeymoon website, The Irish Times have teamed up with Runaway Bride and Groom to find the right candidate to do 6 months of research… researching the most romantic and ultimate wedding and honeymoon venues around the world - with their partner.

We are looking for the right person (and their partner) to research and test out the most romantic and ultimate wedding and honeymoon destinations all over the world and then report back with their verdict (on the place, not the partner!) to their boss, 4,000 miles away."

The job involves six months of travel and the selected couple will be compensated €20,000 (just over $27,000 USD).

To apply, Greg and Sarah Amidon had to submit an 80 second video telling why they should get the Ultimate Job.



Right now, they are not only in the top ten applicants, and the only Americans to make it that far! They're still about 2400 votes from the leader, so every little bit helps! Take a minute and vote for them and send your friends to vote as well!

Maybe the luck of the Americans will take them to Ireland!

Vote for Greg & Sarah Amidon!

Five Hundred (and a Giveaway!)

Hard to believe, but yesterday marked my five hundredth post! I guess that's what happens when you decide to post every day and forget to keep track of just how many posts you've done in total! I thought 300 was a milestone and now 500 has come and gone!

If you read yesterday's post, I introduced you to my creative friend Michelle. Well, she has graciously agreed to help me celebrate this momentous anniversary of 500 posts with a wonderful giveaway! If you looked at the video (which I know you all did!), then you saw the fabulous acrylic stamps and positioning block that Close to My Heart now has. I know a lot of you out there in the blogosphere are crafty and creative and would do beautiful things with something like this.

Here's the scoop. Michelle has agreed to give away a set of stamps with a block to position your images just right! This is a $30 value! If you already love stamping or wanted to try it, this would be a great way to check out the CTMH products.

So how to enter? Leave a comment on this post for one entry. Still want another? Post a link to this contest on your own blog and come back to let me know! Still another entry? Link to Michelle's video on your Facebook or Twitter account and leave another comment telling me you did! What? You want another way to win? Head over to Michelle's creative blog "Inks Outside the Box" and leave her comment love! Make sure you come back here and let me know that you did!

That's FOUR chances to win this fabulous little stamp set! I'll give you until 9 pm (Central Time, interpeeps) on Thursday, 2/4/10 to enter, then on Friday, the 505th post on my blog will announce the winner! Be sure to leave your email so I can connect you with Michelle to arrange shipping! :)

Artsy Craftsy

I love doing crafts. Unfortunately, I don't do them very often, with the exception of the occasional Christmas craft. I have, over the years, dabbled in many crafty projects. As a child, I once worked on a simple plastic canvas needlepoint project for TWO YEARS before I completed it.

Yes. Two years.

I get interested and then my interest wanes. Consequently, I become a Jill of All Trades (and Master of None), when it comes to crafting.

I especially have a huge respect for stampers/scrapbookers and absolutely LOVE the finished products.

I tried scrapping once. Unfortunately, my envisioning skills are often more developed than my execution skills. The best laid plans and all that.

My photos usually end up in simple albums, or, worse yet, in a folder on my computer. I'm pretty sure that without Facebook and my blog, Diva Nana might suffer serious withdrawal from her boys.

I've stamped a few greeting cards in my time. But after a few cards, my perfectionism would kick in. Trying to line everything up perfectly, or make sure I had the perfect paper and pattern would make me crazy, which of course is in complete opposition to the relaxing effect crafting is SUPPOSED to have.

I figure at least I know my limits.

A college friend of mine is one of those amazingly creative people who FAR exceeds my stamping/scrapping abilities. Michelle is a consultant/director for Close to My Heart. She "Inks Outside the Box", in her words!

What amazes me are the projects that can be created with stamps. On her CTMH site, Michelle has this totally cute photo cube project that's made with a "stamp of the month".


How cute is that? What a great gift that would be for family or friends!

This next project was from what Michelle calls her "December BlogHop". What a great hostess/teacher/friend gift this stationery would be. She even gives a step-by-step "how to" on her blog.



Michelle is in a contest to promote CTMH's new acrylic stamps. She's created a fabulous video extolling the many positive aspects of acrylic stamps. She's trying to get as many page hits as possible, so head on over and take a look! You'll get a kick out of it.

A three-legged kick, to be precise! ;)

And maybe you'll be inspired to be all artsy-craftsy!

Make No Small Plans

It's going to take more than a bit of putting this


Into this


So we can put these


Onto them.


Yep. We're planning a trip a little over a year from now. I'm really excited for many reasons. First, it's Disney for Pete's (Dragon) sake...it's the Happiest Place on Earth (just for you, NJ!)!

Second, both boys will be old enough to ride and enjoy everything and young enough to not be too cool for a pair of mouse ears.

Third, we're hopefully meeting up with family friends, which promises to be lots of fun!

Finally, this time, I have the most fabulous of all of the Disney Princesses herself helping with the planning. She's not Cinderella, Princess Aurora, Mulan or Jasmine. She's not Pocahontas or Princess Tiana.

She is my favorite princess ever, HRH Princess Frugal-Ears herself!

Princess Frugal-Ears has been to WDW more times than I can count and she knows how to stretch a dollar like Mrs. Incredible. She knows the best places to stay on property, which restaurants are a hit with kiddos and what attractions are "ears up".

I'll be sharing my planning with you over the next twelve or so months and, with Princess Frugal-Ears' permission, will share her tips with you as well!

Sing it with me kids!

"M-I-C...
See ya real soon!
K-E-Y...
Why? Because we LIKE you!
M-O-U-S-E!"

It's a Party!

After a lovely-yet-not-fancy tea party this morning with some fabulous ladies from church, I was buried under six loads of laundry.

Blame my mother. She's the one who taught me to sort.

In the midst of the laundry, I also made lunch and cooked dinner.

Yes, "made" lunch and "cooked" dinner. Tried making potato chips, which I've done before with decent success.

Tonight's attempt was less than successful

Oh, and I washed the dishes and loaded the dishwasher.

Yeah, one big party. Being a grown-up isn't all it's cracked up to be! ;)

Bel Ayiti, Tris Ayiti

Haiti is always in my prayers, and today more so than usual. As you probably know, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, possibly the world, has been devastated by an earthquake.

Please pray for this couple and all of the people they help.



Steve and Joline Moore are the resident missionary couple for New Life for Haiti.

We've gotten word from Joline that they are safe, but many of the people with whom they work have not yet heard from family members, have suffered direct damage from the quake, or have been touched in another way.

A friend and co-worker has family in Port Au Prince.

A former student has not yet been able to reach his family in Port Au Prince.

Please pray for the beautiful, stricken country of Haiti, her beautiful people, and all who have family and friends affected by the earthquake.

Once a Band Geek...

I am a band geek.

I'd like to be able to tell you a story about how I started playing the oboe in 4th grade band and it was love at first note. I'd love to be able to tell you how I practiced every day and worked my way up from last chair to section leader, how I took private lessons and my teacher was so impressed that she invited me to join the honor band and by the time I graduated from high school, I'd earned a full scholarship to Julliard.

My real story is a bit less dramatic.It all began when I was in 8th grade. The band parents organization from the Catholic high school I was going to be attending came to do recruitment at our school. The band had been selected to march in the Orange Bowl Parade in Florida. The parents showed a video of the band and talked about how much fun it would be to represent our school and our state in the parade.

I was hooked. I wanted to go to Florida. There was just one little problem.

I didn't play oboe. Or trumpet. Or any other wind or percussion instrument. **And for those of you who suggest color guard? There's a reason my parents didn't name me Grace.**

I played the piano. Which, even if you're not a band geek, you'll probably understand when I tell you how difficult it is to play a piano in a MARCHING band.

No problem, said the band director. She can play the cymbals! And so I did, thus beginning my foray into the world of percussion, and my life's journey as a band geek was begun.

I stuck with it for four years in high school, having what I still regard as some of the best experiences of my life, and making dear friends. Then I chose to major in music in college, continuing with incredible experiences and friendships. After college I directed a high school program for five years, then moved on to a different career. Although I'm not directly involved with bands anymore, I'm still a band geek at heart.

As a student, director and volunteer (and later full-time staff member), I encountered an organization now called Music for All. While it's been through a few iterations of the name (Marching Bands of America became Bands of America, which became Music for All), their purpose has remained the same: To Provide Positively Life-Changing Experiences. Founded in 1975, They do this with a VERY small professional staff and a nationwide cadre of volunteers. The core of their management have been with the organization for many years. It is a group of people who are PASSIONATE about what they do, and more importantly, never forget for whom they do it...the band (and color guard and orchestra) geeks of the world.

You can check MFA out here. Go now. Be sure to come back though, as I have a favor to ask!

(quiet humming...)

OK, so in this season of giving, Chase Bank has decided to donate $5M to worth charities, and Facebook fans get to help decide who should get the money. You guessed it, MFA is one of the candidates. If you're on Facebook, won't you please take a moment to vote for them? It's very easy...just click on the button below.

We band geeks have to stick together, you know!

Music Monday

It's that time again! Hum a tune, sing a song, flip on the radio, because it's Music Monday! Today's Music Monday is for my friend Viv! :)

I love Glee. It brings me back to some of my favorite high school memories. We didn't have a show choir, but high school music organizations all seem to share similar characteristics.

This isn't the Glee cast, but holy cats, this kid is good. It is a Glee arrangement of the classic Journey tune.

Sing it with me, kids...

Six Word Saturday

Loved friends today. God is good.

If I Had a Million Dollars...

I never really wanted to be rich. Oh, sure, I've dreamed about what it would be like to have serious money, but when I think about it. I mean REALLY think about it, I'd be happy with a modest home, my family's needs met, and have the opportunity to bless others with some serious cash.

I'd love to endow scholarships at my high school alma mater, the high school where I taught for five years, and my undergraduate alma mater, all in the name of my maternal grandfather. He never went beyond eighth grade, but he so valued education, and encouraged me until he passed away nearly 20 years ago.

I'd give lots of money to my church. We're looking forward to building our own church and being able to minister and bless others.

Most of all, I'd go to Haiti. Our church is part of a mission organization that is working hard to bless some very poor villages. I'd love to be a part of a mission team working for a few weeks down there.

But since my chances for winning the Mega Millions aren't looking so good, I'll do some smaller-scale giving. Most of my friends are in similar situations and probably do the same. Of course even though big money gifts are always appreciated, Margaret Mead said it best.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

With that in mind, I'd like to share a letter with you. A dear friend of mine has been called to do a 10-day mission to Perm, Russia. She needs assistance in raising the funds necessary for the trip. Even the smallest gifts will help.

Most of all, she needs prayer. Prayer for the trip, prayer for the team, prayer for the people who will be blessed. Please read her words, and if you feel called to bless her with funds, leave a comment with your email address and I'll pass along her mailing address.

Dear Friends,

Imagine a place where atheism was the formal statement of faith of the government for most of the 20th century, where the population is dying faster than they're giving birth. Imagine a country where life expectancy for men has decreased by six years, and where alcohol is said to play a role in the deaths of nearly a third of the population. Imagine living in a place where your faith is determined largely by your ethnicity instead of the state of your heart, and where less than 1% of the population is comprised of evangelical Christians. Imagine going to a city that was right in the heart of the Russian Gulag and trying to bring light into darkness.

I've only once missed Thanksgiving with my family, and this year I will forgo my single annual pilgrimage home to go where I believe the Lord is sending me. To Russia. In the middle of winter. November 20-December 1, I will be traveling to Perm with a team from the Atlanta Vineyard Church. The purposes of the trip are:
1. To encourage the believers in a dark, lost part of the world and pour out spiritual refreshment from the Lord.
2. To allow God to work in our own lives as we watch Him transform hearts and lives through testimony and rhema word.
3. To pray "on sight with insight", setting foot on Russian soil and letting the Holy Spirit inform us of how to pray for this nation.
4. To develop and foster relationships with local believers, to make the world smaller geographically but explode it relationally.

I am excited about going on this my first mission trip. I consider it no coincidence that I started learning Russian in April and decided to apply for a passport in June, and then was asked to pray about this trip later that same month. I am writing to ask for both prayer and financial partnership.

While I'm comfortable asking for prayer support, asking for financial support is a bit more difficult. As you can imagine, a trip like this requires support from a number of people. I need to raise $2,000 by November 15, with $1200 due by October 1. If you'd like to be a part of this mission financially, checks may be made payable to the Atlanta Vineyard Church and mailed or given to me. A receipt for tax purposes will follow. I covet your prayers as well, knowing that this trip will not accomplish its God-intended end without covering. If you'd like to commit to praying for me as I prepare for the trip, please let me know. I so value your friendship and support.

Passionately Pursuing the Kingdom,

Heather

Dogs and Cats--Living Together!

I'm not one of those kind of people who can pull the "perfect" movie quote out of thin air. Don't get me wrong, I love movies. It's just that by the time I see them, they're usually on AMC or TBS or some other TV channel, so they're a bit dated.

Yeah, I have kids. I don't see many movies that aren't animated or have some sort of Nickelodeon or Disney connection.

Recently though, Sweet Son #1 has been introduced (by Diva Husband) to some old classic cinema. (I still haven't resigned myself to the fact that since 40 is only slightly more than a week away, it's highly likely that all my favorite movies and music from childhood are considered "classic".)

But I digress.

Thanks to the Diva Husband's lesson, SS#1 now knows "who he's gonna call", to paraphrase the song. Yes, he loves "Ghostbusters". And we watched it last weekend.

For the forty-seventh time.

Well, maybe not 47 times, but he's already seen it more than a few.

And while I was cleaning up the kitchen, I heard Bill Murray say one of my favorite movie lines ever. "...dogs and cats--living together!"

It loses a bit in transcription, and if you aren't familiar enough with the movie to be able to visualize the scene, I'm sorry for you, but Murray's delivery is hysterically funny.

Maybe it's enjoying movies from my childhood with my own child. Maybe it's my rapidly approaching fortieth birthday. Maybe it's the huge number of high school and college friends I've reconnected with since Facebook took over came into my life. I'm not sure what's causing it, but I'm feeling incredibly nostalgic lately.

And at the same time, incredibly lucky that my son is at an age that movies like "Ghostbusters" is still cool, even though Mom and Dad watched it a freakin' long time ago!

And I Was Doing So Well...

My disciplined blogging sort of fell by the wayside. But just to show you I've not totally gone off the deep end, I'm spreading some linky love today! :)

In another lifetime, I was a high school teacher. I had the privilege of teaching some wonderful kids who, not surprisingly, have grown into wonderful adults. Through the magic of Facebook, I've reconnected with a lot of them, and some of them have homes on the Interwebz!

Like photography? Check out Leslie's amazing work at Keough Photography.

One plus one equals four, or almost four. Angie recently started a fun family blog. Her little Ava's a dolly and life will certainly change for the Barnes Family when Baby Boy Barnes arrives!

A laid-off lawyer who discovered she has a thing for writing, roller derby and lipstick, Karen Lynn O'Brien loves life in the Windy City.

Busy girl Gwyn is a graduate student who works full-time in University Conference Services, has her own business as an amazing baker and blogs about life with her hubby and kitties. If you're local to the Dayton area and are in need of some fun cakes or cookies, check her out at The Fox's Oven

Beth is a dear heart on a journey. In her words, "out of the pit and on to the Rock". She's desperately in love with Christ and working every day on her journey. She's on the brink of a big move and I love reading about the changes that God is working in her every day at Preserved by a Promise. She's also a talented photographer.

Hope you all enjoy this little tour. Happy Tuesday!

A Woman Inspired

Hello to all my new friends from the "A Woman Inspired" Conference! I'm SO enjoying the sessions and hope you are as well!

Over There, Over There!

Over here today!

Hey Old Friend

Seems like everyone I know, used to know, or want to know is on Facebook.

My mother is on Facebook. My pastor is on Facebook. One of my favorite college professors is on Facebook. My college friends, high school friends, even some of my grammar school friends are on Facebook. Former colleagues, current colleagues, they're all there.

It's a bit overwhelming, really. I'm the type of person who compartmentalizes my relationships in my head. I have a section for family, which has grown to "his" and "hers" since I got married. I have a section for my current coworkers, a section previous coworkers, a section for my college friends...you get the idea.

Since I've been on Facebook, those sections have overlapped. I discovered that one of my students from my teaching days (12 years ago, in Ohio) is good friends with one of my former graduate assistants here at Diva U. I also discovered that my neighbors graduated from the same undergraduate institution as my brother (again, in Ohio), only a few years apart. AND those same neighbors are good friends with a fellow colleague here at Diva U. and a friend who now works in Cincinnati. Weird, huh?

I knew I was in too deep, though, when I recommended a friend to a former student of mine who'd gone on to study at my alma mater. Both were Miami Grads, but from different eras. My former student responded to me with "Do I know this guy?"

All because my friends insist on overlapping in my brain.

On a related note, Facebook helped me discover that a former co-worker also counts herself among the ranks of "mommy bloggers". I'd forgotten (since it's been more than TEN YEARS since we worked together!) how very funny she is, both in person and in print. Go check her out and give some bloggy love. She is Sandwiched between Chiquita, Mr. Hoagie and her little ones.

Enjoy!

Seventy Six Trombones

Well, he actually plays the bass clarinet, and he's not exactly Professor Harold Hill, but I'd like to introduce you to a new IRL blogging friend of mine, The Music Man. His wife is my dear friend Heather, who blogs at Finding Me in the Madness and is the Green Queen, of The Green Queen & The Salt Fiend fame.

Anyway, the Music Man decided that since H. refers to him as such, he should have his own "notes". Get it? Notes? Hahahahahaha....he's a band geek, so it's all good! ;)

Anyway, check out his new blog. Definitely, as I told him, a "man blog", complete with football picks and other sports mentions, but he's OK. Go give him some bloggy props.

After you check out his blog, go cheer for my bloggy buddy, Denise. She's celebrating her 200th post (Yay, Denise!) and has a fun giveaway.

Happy New Year!

Wowza! It's been a long time since I went a week without a blog post!

I can 'splain, though. :) We've been spending some vacay time with Diva Nana and Diva Papa. We're having an absolutely marvelous time, and getting to reconnect with some old friends while we're here. More on that later!

The Manimal and SS#1 are thrilled with their "haul" from DN and DP. The Manimal has been playing NON-STOP with Thomas the Train (don't get me started on the Thomas racket...a post for another day!). Sweet Son #1, while he loves the Legos (oy...more of the deadly little bricks!), has really been having a blast with DN and DP's Wii Fit. Have to say, I'm enjoying it myself and if I had an extra $500, one of those would be going home with us! :)

Meanwhile, we had some tasty crab legs to ring in the New Year (a sort of Diva family tradition) and will be enjoying homemade tamales tonight--Diva Nana and Diva Papa love them, so I decided to make them the other day. Nana made the beef and we searched all over town for the masa preparada. We FINALLY found it! Can't wait to try them tonight! :)

Well, I'm off to have SS#1 beat me soundly in bowling! Hope you and yours are enjoying a wonderful kickoff to the New Year! More later!

Girls Night Out

I'm beginning to think I might have to go buy a lottery ticket or something, because apparently, I'm having a very lucky go-round with some of the bloggy giveaways that have been happening! :)

The other day I wrote about winning the Chocolate Package from Debi at YaYa Chique. I was so excited and can't wait to get it!

Then last night, I found out that I won Denise's Fourth Day of Christmas Giveaway! She'll be sending me a lovely Girls Night Out basket with a "Sex and the City" theme. Since I haven't seen the movie and I love a good Cosmo, I can't wait to get it!

Denise's description is as follows: "The basket includes the Sex in the City wide screen DVD, a bottle of non alcoholic Cosmo mix. Its strictly BYOV (vodka) here. Orange is not my color! Also included are 2 heavy polycarbonate martini glasses so you can watch and drink with your BFF. (Polycarbonate sounds much sturdier than plastic) While you're watching and sipping you can also nibble on--chocolate that is! Get your mind out of the gutter! Six Ghirardelli chocolate squares are included. And let's not forget the basket!"

Girly things are so much fun for me because, well, I'm a girl, yes, but have I mentioned lately how OUTNUMBERED I am in my home? That's why we got a girly dog, remember!

So many bloggers are doing fun giveaways and I wanted to give a little plug for my bloggy friend Jenners. Remember, she of the Starbucks-winning "Life With a Little One and More"? Well, her Hubby is sort of getting the gist of the bloggy world, and Jenners is giving away a $20 Target Gift Card. Who doesn't love Target?! You can just comment and get an entry, but you absolutely MUST try her children's books quiz, as you have the chance for even more entries!

Have fun, and celebrate this season of giving (and remember the Greatest Gift of All!)