365 days of grace - part 3

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5 things i've thankful for:
1. I'm thankful for the way music can lift me up and move me to dance, even on my 'downest' of days
2. I'm thankful for all my musical talent, it has enriched my life in so many ways
3. I'm thankful for the way music brings B-rad and I closer together, and that we can appreciate each others taste and learn from each other.
4. I'm thankful that I can sing and dance with Chewie everyday, and hopefully that will always be a fond memory for him
5. I'm thankful for strings, i love the way they sound - and i'm thankful for a good backbeat. amen.




Hip Hip Violin And DJ - The most popular videos are here

WINNERS!!

The results are in.

Thank you to Randomizer.org i've come up with the grand prize winner for the "Music" Harajuku Lover's Doll Perfume that i was giving away here

And the winner is....

Janell!

Way to go lady. I will send it to you in the mail, ASAP.

BUT WAIT - there's more.

There are two runner-up give aways, and both Jacki at Plushoff and Carma at Carmasez will receive a sample card featuring each of the five Harajuku Lover's Scents. So, ladies, if you could email me your snail mail addresses (madam_diva [at] yahoo [dot] com), i will pop those babies in the mail, post haste.

Congrats again.
Keep watching for another giveaway??? lol. mayyyybe!

LAUGHING!!

i know this has flitted its way around the interweb in the past, but lord help me if i don't burst into a fit of giggles everytime i see it.



Baby's First ROFL - The best video clips are right here

Comrade Mario

Check it out....

Mario kicks ass

365 days of Grace - part 2

Five things i'm greatful for (click the button for more info)

1. The smell and feel of a new book.
2. Finding that 'perfect pen'.
3. All the possibilities that lie between the covers of a new notebook.
4. Writing something out by hand.
5. The weight of a notebook in my purse, and knowing that it's there.

Two ONLY

You can.
Only type.
Two words.
No more.
No less.

Thanks James.

1. Where is your cell phone?
kitchen counter

2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend?
is secret ;)

3. Your hair?
Needs washing.

4. Your work?
Maternity Leave

5. Your father?
Reads Books.

6. Your favorite thing?
Fiona II

7. Your dream last night?
Sexy Hot.

8. Your favorite drink?
Hot Coffee

9. Your dream car?
Bio-Diesel

10. The room you’re in?
My Kitchen.

11. Your pet(s)?
Annoying Cats

12. Your fears?
Apocalypse Now

13. What do you want to be in 10 years?
Always writing.

14. Where did you hang out yesterday?
Jaimie's, Home.

15. What are you not good at?
Paying Attenti-

16. Eyebrow rings on the opposite sex?
SOOOOOOO HAWT

17. One of your wish list items?
Emerald Ring

18. Where you grew up?
All Over

19. The last thing you did?
Checked Facebook

20. What are you wearing?
Yoga pants.

21. What aren’t you wearing?
Bra/Panties

22. Do you currently like someone?
awwwwwwww Yeahhhhh

23. Your computer?
Fiona II

24. Your life?
Most excellent.

25. Your mood?
pretty content.

26. Missing?
Patrick, C.B.

27. What are you thinking about right now?
C.B....now....

28. Your summer?
Early Delivery

29. Your relationship status?
love him.

30. Your favorite color?
Purple/Blue

31. When is the last time you laughed?
recently/Chewie

32. Last time you cried?
can't remember.

33. School?
University sucked.

34. Your last kiss?
This morning.

35. Your mom?
Rocks, naturally!

365 days of Grace - 1

i was over visiting Schmutzie's blog and she has started a wonderful challenge for us all, and that is to blog five things that we are thankful every day. (Read more about it here)

I was very excited about it, and the first thing that i did was give myself permission NOT to do it everyday. I just don't need that kind of blogging guilt. So, when i can, when i'm moved... when i have nothing else to write about - i will give you five things that i'm greatful for. Starting today!

1. My most amazing and loving (and SEXY) husband of almost 5 years, B-rad, and i'm so very thankful that we never gave up on each other.

2. My beautiful, healthy, and happy baby boy - i had no idea that i could EVER feel this way about another human being. It's truly amazing.

3. Really big coffee mugs. The kind you can REALLY hold on to and let that warmth radiate up through your arms into your core. yeah.

4. Comfy yoga pants. Cuz without them, i'd be naked. or, i'd be wearing something else that is far less comfortable.

5. I'm thankful for a job that allows me to stay at home with my baby for an entire year. I wouldn't miss these days - even when they're remarkably difficult - for all the Scotch in Scotland.

Thank you, Schmutzie, for encouraging this kind of gratitude throughout the internets.

woah

Woah,
check this out, it lit up the Western Canadian sky on thursday - pretty freakin' wild.
a meteor falling to earth, a once in a lifetime opportunity to see something like that. zany. i saw the sky light up bright green from my basement as i was waiting for Paige to pick me up that night...

The Names of Me(me)

This meme brought to you by The Art of Over Thinking....

1. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's & father's middle names)
Marie Marc

2. NASCAR NAME: (first name of your mother's dad, father's dad)
Howard William

3. STAR WARS NAME: (the first 2 letters of your last name, first 4 letters of your first name)
Using my diva name: Dilau

4. DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Purple Cat... hm. Not nearly as exciting as i would have hoped.

5. SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you live)
This is a very personal meme... hm.... okay...
my quasi anonymous answer is: K. S'Wan

6. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite alcoholic drink, optionally add "THE" to the beginning)
The Blue Pina Colada - and i fly around giving slushy delicious cocktails to ladies by the pool!! Kazaam!

7. FLY NAME: (first 2 letters of 1st name, last 2 letters of your last name)
DiLa? Fly name - like house fly?? or Fly, like... "She's so fly!"

8. GANGSTA NAME: (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite cookie):
Chocolate Peanut Butter.... sounds more like a delicious sandwhich spread than a gangsta.

9. ROCK STAR NAME: (current pet's name, current street name)
Cinda Kirkpatrick

10. PORN NAME: (1st pet, street you grew up on)
Kiki Main - awesome!

Get Yours!

So, apparently the dudes over at Dr. Pepper are putting their money where their mouth is, or rather their 20 oz sodas where their mouth is. (Read about it here)

The jist of it is - Dr. Pepper never believed in the DREAM of a new Guns N' Roses album. And who wouldn't?? Axl's only been working on this baby for, oh, FOURTEEN YEARS!

So, Dr. Pepper said that if Chinese Democracy actually gets released in 2008 they will give everyone in America a free Dr. Pepper... as the album gets released on SUNDAY, everyone in America can go to the Dr. Pepper Website and download a coupon for a free 20 oz Dr. Pepper redeemable until February 28th, 2009.

As i'm a Canuck and live in the Great White North, i'm unable to partake in this free Soda extravaganza, but i know that my Yankee Brethren will go forth and drink their free soda and think of me up here in my free-soda-less country of Canada.

Free Soda's for everyone*! (*valid on in the U.S. sigh)

REVIEWS!!! and Free Stuff!!

Remember when i was given a Free Zune to try out and review? well, that same company has sent me another package of goodies to review! This time it was Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Lovers Scent line....

When i opened my package - there was goodies GALORE inside!!


What i received was a bottle of each of the fragrances to try, Love, Lil' Angel, G, Music, and Baby. as well as 30 sample cards to give away to all my friends and family that have all 5 scents for them to try.



i love perfume, but i don't wear it often because b-rad doesn't like a lot of scents. so i was pleased as punch to have a reason to wear it. The thing about reviewing a scent is, that everybody has a different taste in smells, and every ones body chemistry will react differently... so while one scent might smell one way on me, it might smell completely different on you! I found that the great thing about this line is that with five different scents, you're bound to find one that works for you. As for me, my personal fave is "G", the "Gwen" scent. It has a very summery smell, kinda like coconut. mmm. and it's really light too, so the sexy hubby doesn't mind it. My mom relly liked "Love", although when she first put it on i thought: "whoah! that is strong!" but all it needed was to breathe a bit and it was sweet and delicat and very pretty.

i found that was the case with some of the others as well, that as they had a little air they really were quite nice, and i found myself loving the "Lil Angel" as well. "Baby" is very sweet, almost candy like, and "Music" is also quite nice, although not my favourite - it's a bit musky for me.

So, now on to the free stuff, cuz what kind of a reviewer would i be if i didn't share the love with y'all?

Along with all my super cool stuff, including a sweet carry bag and a makeup bag, they also gave me a small bottle with the Harajuku Lovers doll, not just the sampler, of the fragrance "Music" that could be yours!!!

and how do you win such a FABULOUS prize you ask?? well, it's simple. First head on over to the Harajuku Lovers website and look around, then come back here and tell me which your favourite HL fragrance is in the comments! That's it!

Be sure you leave a valid email and stuff... cuz otherwise i can't get a hold of you to let you know if you won!

But wait!!! there's more!! Put up a link to this contest on your blog and you'll be entered again. Please make sure you come back and leave a comment with a LINK to your post.

The contest will end Sunday night at midnight CST and i will be randomly choosing a winner and i'll announcing it sometime next week. i wish i could give you a definate date, but the baby is priority number one. I would say if you're entering to watch your email. i'll give the winner 24hrs to get back to me before i move on to the next person.

Oh and for the gents, this could be an easy christmas present for a lady friend.... free free free!!

rock on, smelly people!! :)

update schmupdate

Well, i went to the Doctor-b (the B is for bargain) yesterday morning to meet with a surgeon about my gallstone garbage.

First of all, i have to say that my surgeon put me at ease right away. i love when that happens.

Essentially, they said that the xrays showed a whole bunch of little gallstones, and that given my age - even if i had only ever had ONE attack, they'd want to remove my gallbladder. Seeing that i've had over 10 so far, he's put me on the URGENT surgery list - and i could be rid of this thin within six weeks...

And after he told me that he said; "And they've just opened up a surgery date for the 24th, and i'm on call that day anyway so i figured i might as well schedule some day surgeries."

and i said: "Of November?"
and he said: "No, December."

That's right, folks. Looks like the old gal might be spending her Christmas Eve in surgery. How super awesome fun is that? Yeah, it blows big old donky-butt. (Ass-ass) But i suppose i would rather spend the day in the hospital than have more attacks. Yeah, it sure does suck. The first christmas with the baby, and i'll be in one of those Oh So Sexy hospital gowns...

But, it's an "in and out" surgery, as my surgeon put it. Even so, i reckon it will be a nice quiet christmas at home with the B-rad and Chewie - which is kind of what i wanted anyway....

More!!

i just spent the last half hour looking through youtube for christmas duets... and after a while, ya get sick of everyone and their dog singing White Christmas....

then i found this, and it's pretty effin' sweet.
It's Britney, Bitch.

Come On!!

Woot.

i am celebrating... i hit the 10K mark with my novel. Yeah yeah yeah, i know, it's the 16th of the month and i should be at 25K by now, but that first 10K were hard!!! so, i'm taking a Muppet Break...

"It's a celebration, bitches, enjoy yourselves!" - Rick James

Blogthings...

Oh Paige, you are the queen of these little tests.... here are mine:

What Your Peanut Butter And Jelly Sandwich Means

Your eating style is reserved. You are a bit of a fussy eater, and you have very specific ways you like your food prepared. You don't really have a sweet tooth. If you go for dessert, you tend to go for something light. Your taste in food tends to be quite eclectic and wide. You are an adventurous eater, and you like many types of cuisines. You belong to a class that's all your own. You resist rules and traditions of any sort. You are a tough person who isn't afraid to live life fully. There isn't a lot that scares you. You are laid back and extremely easygoing. You never make a fuss, and you try to enjoy every moment.

What Does Your Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Say About You?

I didn't know you could tell all that from my choice of peanut butter, bread, jellies, etc. Will wonder's never cease...

You Are the Bow Pose

You are an open hearted person. You seek connections and make them easily. You are naturally generous - especially with your love and your time. You have a knack for thinking up interesting ideas. You are an inventor and a creator. You approach everything in life with a relaxed attitude. You accept what you can't change.

What Yoga Pose Are You?

i really like that one... it's fairly true to me.

The Ultimate Color Test

When you are at peace, you are: Energized and innovative When you are moved to act, you are: Giving and warm When you are inspired, you are: Spontaneous and adventurous When your life is perfectly balanced, you are: Philosophical and expressive Your life's purpose is: To find contentment

The Ultimate Color Test

hm, there it is, my life's purpose as prescribed by blogthings...

You Are a Ham Sandwich

You are quiet, understated, and a great comfort to all of your friends. Over time, you have proven yourself as loyal and steadfast. And you are by no means boring. You do well in any situation - from fancy to laid back. Your best friend: The Turkey Sandwich Your mortal enemy: The Grilled Cheese Sandwich

What Kind of Sandwich Are You?

this one made me laugh out loud!! Who knew that my Mortal Enemy was a grilled cheese sandwhich??? Dun dun DUNNNNNNNN

cool writing tool

just a bit of news,

i have not fallen off the face of the earth, i have fallen into a black hole that is NaNoWriMo...... and so far my word count is sadly far behind the 1600 a day goal. I just keep hoping for that kick ass day of writing where it just comes pouring out of me.

But i found this awesome website that has been helpful... if not amusing.
What you do is tell the site how many words you want to write, and how much time you're allowing yourself to do it... and set the grace period to either "Forgiving" "Strict" or "Evil", choose your mode and start writing.

To test it out, i set it to the shortest time period, ten minutes. I set the wordcount to 200, the blasters to stun, and set off to write 200 words in a ten minute block.... a task i assumed was fairly easy - and for the first 45 seconds i just stared at the blank screen, and then i sucked it up and started writing. Once you hit that first keystroke, the site measures any lag time in typing and depending on what mode of annoying you have selected, it will pressure you in a oh-so-caring way that you need to write.

In my case, here i was - writing in bed next to my sweetly snoring slumbering hubby B-rad, when a few things happened. I hit my goal of 200 words and my computer set off all kinds of alarms and jangles - waking my man... i hit the mute button on the computer, but the damage was done so i unmuted it again. Just as he was drifting back to sleep i thought i'd do a wee bit of editing, and deleted the last five words... as i sat there pondering a better way to write: She drank the last bit of tea.... i heard this:



I Thought B-rad was going to kill me, luckily the many many nights with the baby have taught him to filter out everything but his alarm clock - which is the only thing that I can filter out. lol.

anyway, here it is, the middle of the night.... so i should get to sleep. adios muchachos!

Sample

‘If practicing midwifery is illegal, teaching it is even more illegal. I know about your camp, I’ve met with your midwife and taught her as much as I could.’ Alma scraped the last of the stew into a bowl and set it on the counter. Avani could hear the swishing of water as she began washing up from dinner. ‘Before I moved up here I lived in the small refugee camp on the Dessert Prairie. I had a few young women who were very promising students. I taught them to be midwives, the way my mother taught me and her mother taught her. They were going to spread out and find new underground colonies to join. A camp only needs one midwife. Then, one day, in the middle of day around noon a man wandered into our camp - dehydrated, delirious and half dead. We had no doctor then, he was away. They tried to question him about who he was and where he came from, but he was incapable of speech. They brought him to my tent and left him with me and I began nursing him back to health.
‘After days of spooning warm broth into his parched lips, he began to regain some consciousness. His name was Charlie. He said he was an officer of The Fist, but had been taken prisoner by a Nomad Clan when he lost his troop, he managed to escape and had been wandering for weeks in the dessert. He begged me not to tell the members of my camp. He was very handsome, and very charismatic, but also very weak and I knew what would become of him the renegades found out his real identity. I agreed not to tell anyone if he promised to stay and tell everyone that he had been taken prisoner but by The Fist, that he was On The Grid and trying to go underground.
‘He agreed. He stayed with me and became healthier by the day. He told the story we had rehearsed and was welcomed into the camp with open arms. As the weeks and months passed, Charlie and I fell in love. He was the love of my life. All the while, I was taking on more students and helping deliver the babies of the camp. He became used to the midnight interruptions and the women who would come and go from our home. I was as happy as I could remember being in a very long time. Two seasons passed, Charlie and I were inseparable. Then one night, The Fists arrived in our camp. We were sleeping when we heard the screams. Peoples tents were lit on fire, and then detained when they ran out. The Fists were everywhere, they were herding everyone into a circle in the middle of the open square. The commanding officer shouted that he was looking for the woman who was teaching midwifery and spreading blasphemous information and refusing to implant the Chip that was required by law of the G.U. They said that if I was surrendered, everyone could be set free. I looked at Charlie. He turned away from my gaze and his posture straightened to military fashion as he left my side and joined the other soldiers. He had betrayed us. Somehow he had contacted The Fist and told them of our location. I wondered what he would be rewarded for handing not just the midwife, but a teacher as well.

any thoughts? any ideas?

pimping

more stuff has been added over on the Baby blog Little Rock Star

you should go and check it out...

and for the record - the internet is evil... it is the tool of the Devil!!! by that i mean, it's so very easy to procrastinate when there's a computer in front of me - but i did get some writing done today. Just not as much as i'd like.

By my calculations, i should be at 10K words by now.... sadly, i'm not. And i would need to write at least 1,890 words A DAY for the next 26 days to make my 50K goal. Sigh.

maybe i'll put up an excerpt.

procrastination....she's a bitch.

Nap time... sweet beautiful and glorious nap time... where i can finally sit down and work on my blasted NaNoNovel.......OR!!!!! i can waste time stalking people on crackbook and check my email for the kagillionth time.

I'm at 10 pages so far. And if something really interesting doesn't start happening soon, i don't think i'm going to make it. The beginning part - the set up and the introduction and backstory, it sure is taking a long time. I just want to get to the good stuff, the parts where i'll be able to whip out 4 or 5 pages at one time, instead of painfully word padding to get 700 or so words out before i slam my laptop down in disgust.

sigh.

Does anyone ever finish one of these things?? have you? do you know someone who ACTUALLY has?? stay motivated, laura... i don't have the very understandable excuse of having my laptop stolen, not this year. SO, i press on....

....



.....



.......and look up some stuff on the internet... y'know, 'research'. lol. okay, all joking aside, this procrastination thing is going to be the death of my novel. so. here i go. i'm out.

of here.


for real.



this time.





no more joking around.








it's time to get serious.











here i go.











ciao

YAY!

Teeni at The Vaguetarian Tea Room thinks my blog is excellent!! This award originated over at JavaQueen where she says: "I hope you do as I have, and pass it on to all the people you know with an excellent blog- to let them know how much their words have touched you and made a difference in your life."

So, thank you Teeni!

And now i'd like to give this to:
Saviabella
Abigailroad
Paige
Fourleaf Clover
Slyde
Earl
Surprised Suburban Wife
and Red

don't think that this is an all inclusive list.... if you're on my blogroll, i love you for taking the time and effort to even write your blog - and provide entertainment and a few precious hours of the day that don't involve changing poopy diapers. you all rock. and you all roll.

NaNo NaNo, similar to NaNu NaNu...but not quite...

Oh you astute and clever readers of mine, you may have noticed that little doohicky doodad at the top of my main page that states that i have, perhaps foolishly, signed up again for NaNoWriMo after my failed attempt last year when my laptop was stolen when our house was broken into.

I'm working on the same novel as yesteryear - because i really didn't have a chance to get into it as much as i'd like. But it's not like i'll have much of a head start because i had eight pages on my laptop, and when i loaded the version i had saved on my flash drive, there were only three. It's already taken on a life of its own different from the way i had started last year.

Anyway, so somehow i am trying to manage to do this all while still being a mom to Chewie and all of that good stuff.

So, wish me luck, dear internets. Cuz i'm gonna need it. woot.