Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!!!

Clark: We're kicking off our fun old fashion family Christmas by heading out into the country in the old front-wheel drive sleigh to embrace the frosty majesty of the winter landscape and select that most important of Christmas symbols.

Audrey: We're not coming all the way out here just to get one of those stupid ties with Santa Clauses on it are we?

Clark: No, I have one of those at home

Ahhh National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, my husbands favorite!

Well no I am not handing out overly large Christmas trees or Santa ties - there are presents, err Prizes! I mean I did have a contest the other day and there were winners.

Yes, winnerS - with an S.

So for being the first to correctly answer all the questions is....

SHANNON O'DONNELL of BOOK DREAMING (http://shannonkodonnell.blogspot.com/)

*AHHHH THE CROWD GOES WILD** wait we are writers... so the crowd intently observes the winner, wondering if she will later be fodder for character development**


I informed Le Magnadillo of this and he immediately informed his cousin The Holiday Armadillo and he was thrilled! Though he was sad that only one person could win.

"WAIT!"He said.

"I am the Holiday Armadillo, Santa's representative for ALL the Southern States & MEXICO!!! We should not leave the other entrants out!" he proclaimed.

He stopped and thought for a minute. "Um, uh, how many, um, entrants were there?" He asked quietly.

Le Magnadillo informed him there were eight.

"EIGHT!? Only eight were brave enough to attempt to answer the questions! Those eight must be exceptional people! They all MUST be on the Nice List this Christmas!"

He paused for a moment then surprised us all:

"THEY ALL MUST WIN A PRIZE!!"

"All of 'zem?" Le Magnadillo said in disbelief.

"Yes." he confirmed

So the Holiday Armadillo has spoken! All of my entrants win a prize. Shannon O' you get first choice of the items that were offered.

I know, I know I only showcased 5 items. No worry, the 7 remaining entrants will receive something special too! So email me your shipping information & be glad we southerners have such a sweet Santa representative! Will the following people please stand up & send me your info:

RK Charron of Books (http://rkcharron.blogspot.com/)

Sara McClung of Babbling Flow of a Fledgling Scribbler (http://babblingflow.blogspot.com/)

Shannon Messenger of Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe (http://ramblingsofawannabescribe.blogspot.com )

Through The Haze (http://throuthehaze.blogspot.com/)

Donnas of Donna's Blog Home (http://donnasbloghome.blogspot.com/)

Karen Amanda Hooper Author of the Kindrily (http://karenamandahooper.blogspot.com/)

Courtney Reese (http://courtneyreese86.blogspot.com/)

Oh & seriously these are awesome bloggers so check them out whenever you get the chance!

*Please do let me know if you already have one of the books/DVD set that I offered so that it can go to someone else.

Email me clsbarr(at)yahoo(dot)com

Please contact me by Friday, December 18 so I can get everything shipped out this weekend!

Le Magnadillo inspires a FRIENDS Contest! Enter to WIN!!!

Okay my new French family member posed an interesting question...

Now not everyone will understand where this question originates from but for those that do & are quick to comment prizes will be awarded!

So Le Magnadillo was in the kitchen talking to Party Parrot, and his new girlfriend Bride and my husband just happened to overhear them.

Le Magnadillo: "Oui! Oui! I do have a famous cousin!!! He is most famous during ze 'Olidays!!"

Party Parrot: "Who is he? Who is he? Who is he? Want a Drink? Ack! Want a Drink? Want a Drink?"

Bride: "Yes do tell darling. I would love to hear about him." (yes she says this sweetly and inches closer to Le Magnadillo)

Le Magnadillo: "Ahhh!! He is the famous.....the amazing.... the magnifique.... HOLIDAY ARMADILLO!!!"

*collective gasps fill my kitchen as my husband continues to eavesdrop*

Bride: "Oh my! I love him!"

Party Parrot: "Holiday Armadillo? Holiday Armadillo? Holiday Armadillo? Who is that?"

Le Magnadillo: "Ce qui! WHAT! You do not know!" He looked around trying to be sure he was not overheard.

*My husband stifles a gasp as he realizes that yes, our Le Magnadillo is related to one of our own favorite holiday icons! He continued to listen to be sure that it was one and the same.*

The Bride waited for Le Magnadillo to continue and the Party Parrot leaned in to learn more.

Le Magnadillo: "Ah...you see my feathery friend, he is most important for your...a Noel... um Christmas. The Holiday Armadillo is Santa's representative for All the Southern States & MEXICO!!!!"

*my husband then decided that he had heard enough and came quickly to tell me of the news*
-------------------------------------
Okay - so tonight I needed a break and seriously the above conversation came from my husband. Well it just so happens that the Holiday Armadillo arrived a few years back and ever since then we have enjoyed stories of Superman, wandering deserts and the Easter Bunny's funeral!
On the spur of the moment I decided that since this particular scenario is in reference to my favorite television show and since I have learned there are many, many, many FRIENDS lovers out here I decided to do a quick contest! Below are 10 questions all from that one episode the first person to get them all correct wins!


*UPDATE: 12-10-09 3 p.m. DEFINITELY WILL BE MULTIPLE WINNERS! The first person with all correct answers will win the book of his/her choice. Then the remaining comments will be placed in a random generator for a few more winners (1 more or 2 more or 3 more... Le Magnadillo will choose how many) Even if you don't know the answers - comment! You could still win!*

*you MUST be a Follower of my blog to win*

1. What character portrays our great Holiday Armadillo?
2. Who usually plays Santa Claus for Ben?
3. Why can't Santa & the Holiday Armadillo be in the same room for a long time?
4. Phoebe senses that 'who' will be uncomfortable with the fact that she might move out of her recently renovated apartment?
5. What is Rachel afraid of? (they freak her out)
6. What does Phoebe think she should teach Ben about this Christmas?
7. What restaurant does Chandler make reservations for?
8. What food item does he 'order' from the Maitre d' ?
9. What is the amount that the coins Chandler drops while trying to slip them to Gunther at Central Perk? (it is the coins that Joey then picks up)
10. What state does the Holiday Armadillo live in?

Get answering all you other Friends fanatics & those of you rushing to look up the answers :o)
What are you winning you ask?

Well again I aim to please so it is winner's choice!
Your options:

1. Blue is for Nightmares by Laurie Faria Stolarz
2. The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan
3. Virus on Orbis 1 by P J Haarsma *this is a signed copy*

4. Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

5. Friends: Season 7 (4 disc DVD set)

Just answer the questions in the comments section!

Contest runs until Tuesday, December 15 @ 11:59 p.m. CST Open to US & Canada only!

*if NO one gets all questions correct, the commenter with the most correct questions wins 1st choice*

*Please note that any lines directly from the EPISODE: The one with the Holiday Armadillo are copyright NBC/WarnerBros Entertainment

October is here, along with a play about Death & some yummy Pancakes...

It has been a few weeks since I posted an entry. We have been so busy lately! Between work, football, extra activities & just adjusting to the fact that it is OCTOBER!!! Seriously where has the year gone? Halloween happens to be my FAVORITE holiday. I have been ready for October for weeks in the holiday sense. This year it falls on a Saturday, how fun will that be? I would love to throw a Halloween party, but I will have to see how the month goes.
This past weekend, we went to Camden. Friday night we got into town & discovered how extremely tired we were. Last week I was in the lovely state of Arkansas on business. Yes I was traveling again...

Saturday was a wonderful day. Alabama played Kentucky (we won 38-20) then I met up with my best friend Stacie to drive to Montgomery to see The Shadow Box at AUM. I had looked up this play prior to the trip so as to be prepared. The first review I saw for the Tony Award winning script was that the story was about death. Yep death. Quite an interesting Saturday night theme. ;o) It is about death but most interestingly to me is that in focusing on 3 terminally ill patients and how they are coping actually shifted the theme to life. It became about how those left behind cope with watching a loved one die and also about how the loved one chooses to spend those last moments. The acting was good, though being set in the 70's the clothing left a great deal to be desired. lol No matter the drive up there, dinner, & the company was worth every moment. It was so much fun to slip out of town away from everything and spend some girl time with Stace. (though she might kill me for the video I am putting on here from my phone from Intermission of the play...hee hee).

Sunday arrived with a cloudy sky and pancakes. MMMMMM... my mom and her pancakes. God Bless Her! Then we decided to make some Pecan Pie Muffins & Tea Cakes. OME!!!OME!!! YUM YUM YUM!! The tea cakes really are something special. Every time we have them my mind just rushes with memories. Mom made the comment that they are like childhood and she is right. They are a simple cookie that opens my mind to memories of fresh blackberries, strawberries and summer afternoons. They make me think of batter that runs together making a mass of vanilla goodness and those afternoons where school drove you crazy but mom was there with kool aid and a tea cake. It is familiar, comforting, and special. There is also nothing like cooking in the kitchen with my mom. It always makes me smile...

Happy Birthday Tracy

Well today is Sunday, July 12. This is a special day for many reasons, one Sundays are always good days, two it is July - SUMMERTIME, and three most importantly it is Tracy's birthday.

About 9 years ago I happened to be at Marcus & Rob's apartment when a young woman (whom I had only met briefly once before at a Bama ballgame) wondered if she could use their washing machine. She had subleased the apartment across from them - a bug infested, scary people surrounded apartment. Of course since their apartment was where I did laundry, another Tracy (Tracy Carpenter), and Regina did laundry - who were they to say no to yet another gorgeous girl who wanted to spend time at their place!?

The guys would come home from class or work and find girls on the couch, in the kitchen, nail polish on the tables, fashion magazines scattered everywhere, supper or snacks almost ready and loads of laughter. They were college guys - they didn't mind. :o) But what we all had no idea of is that there were bonds being formed that would withstand the college years, that would flow over into marriages and vacations. In particular one friendship that I now consider to be more of a family relationship than just friends. I have said before that I have more than just Nina as a sister. Stacie has been there from the get go and we are lucky to realize that our sisterly connection continues to grow even stronger.

Then there is Tracy. (Mclees-Pulley) I was surprised when this Seattle girl slipped into my heart but not at all upset. Her quick wit, vivacious smile, strong faith and love of life are hard to resist. During those college years new apartments & houses were found, love was discovered & lost, time & distance created challenges - yet this was the girl I looked to when I needed someone to listen or cook sausage balls with, this was the girl I immediately knew I wanted standing beside Marcus & I when we said our vows; this girl is special. She is the friend I never knew I needed & the sister I thank God for sending me.

Tracy - I am so glad to be able to send these Birthday wishes into the universe. There is no one who deserves every wish when blowing out the candles more than you. Your beautiful daughter already shows signs of harnessing some of your wonderful traits & that crazy hubby of yours I know recognizes his great catch! Thank you for being there whenever I have needed you - for loving Marcus & I no matter what and for being the Seattle girl whose heart is all South.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - WE LOVE YOU - TRACY!!!!

OME!!

today is March 21st 2009. TWILIGHT the movie has been in my home. Not on television in a commercial promoting the film, but actually playing in my home. I saw Edward & Bella. I watched the story unfold as I did months ago in a theater. Only this time I felt like an industry insider. The DVD has special features; director/actor commentary, extended scenes, production notes and of course.... deleted scenes. These deleted scenes just might end up being the bane of my current existence. I was worried about these scenes & when I watched them among Twilighters I discovered a truth to my worry: the scenes should not have been cut. 2 scenes that were deleted are "give or take them" scenes. But the rest, the rest are pivotal to the heart of the story. The depth they could have given... I could hear the collective sighs of Twilighters around the world as a scene with Carlisle & Esme was shown, I could feel the shared aggrivation as a simple caress in the meadow was lost, and I could see how a few added seconds would not have 'upset the flow of the movie' but would have actually made it more cohesive. I know it is easy to be an "armchair director" alas! come on people! I truly feel that these segments were removed due to they wanted to portray a more 'thrill' type movie rather than a 'romance'. Even after all of the above lines have been expressed I am still giddy beyond doubt due to the entire experience. I happened to have invited a close knit group of Twilighters over for a viewing party. Now if anyone knows how much I love to throw a party then they know there was cake, yummy cookies, games and of course thematic decor! A shoutout to Mary at Mary's Cakes in Northport - that woman makes a delicious cake & she also made me a Stupid Shiny Volvo and Danger Magnet cakes without too many questions or a call to Bryce Mental Hospital. Might I add that she has no idea what Twilight is, but her assistants did. My menu was simple but relative to the book: Pizza (Bella dares Edward to eat a bite in the cafeteria), Lemonade (the drink that Bella is drinking when Edward keeps her cap), Mushroom Ravioli (do I really need a description? The restaurant Port Angeles), Veggie Pizza (those vegetarians :o) ), Doritos (Jacob & Paul fight over these in Breaking Dawn), Apples (hello?), Diet Coke (she drinks one) and cake (Bella's birthday party). I also had goodie bags & prizes! It was so much fun! We laughed, we critiqued, we ate and we swooned! Thank you Lori, Stephanie, Tabitha, mom & Nina. For a wonderful afternoon of Twilight. Marcus kindly took Anna & Jessica to Chuck E Cheese for the afternoon & it sounds like they had a blast.

Before I leave you my wonderful readers, I wanted to give a small moment of reflection: It was a March afternoon when I discovered Twilight for the first time. That day will forever press into my memory. It is fitting that on a March day I enjoyed the movie at my home for the first time. This series is so much more than books. The friends I have made, the bonds I have developed are priceless. So please enjoy the pictures & I cannot wait to see some of everyone elses... happy Twilight weekend everybody.

Note: my sister pouts as she is forced to have her picture taken before she can open the prize she won being the fastest at putting Twilight puzzles together! lol

An interesting beginning of the week....

Well, here we are the week of March 19, 2007. It began as the normal Monday, a bit crazy and jumbled as most Mondays are, but as the week is going by it is becoming a bit more crazy & wonderful at the same time.

Let me retrace my steps... Monday was a normal Monday. Work was going basically as it always does, recovering from the weekend. (which we spent at dinner with friends & gambling for St. Patrick's Day - no big wins, but no big losses either) Tuesday on the other hand was like the Monday of all Mondays! Work was insane, people came out of the woodwork on some of my projects and made it a stressful day.. then I get the phone call...

My best friend Stacie who was nine months pregnant and due around April 7, is going into labor. Her parents are rushing to get on the road and to Texas (where she resides) and try to make it before the baby comes. Now her brother David & sister Kristy had just returned from Spring Break in TEXAS!! Boy were they upset that they missed it by one day!!! So as I wait for the call from the fam on when the baby comes & how everyone is, I get a bit sad. I was there for her first child and really hate not being there for the second. She is totally not just a friend but a sister. I tear up a bit and realize that even though my day was stressful and I was so worked up about trivial matters, there is a room in an Army hospital that my new niece is being born in. She is being born to a woman that has always been meant to be a mom. Who has a first daughter that is adorable, loving, and kind so early in life, a testament to her mother & father. For the first time Tuesday, I really smile on the drive home.

Then as the evening developed and I am told that Grace Ellen has entered the world around 7:40 p.m. weighing in at 6 lbs 11 oz, I hurt myself. :) Truly weird evening. I end up crushing my right hand, causing trauma to (as quoted by the DR) my metacarpal II, III, & IV while also putting (get this) STRESS on my hematite (not sure on spelling) and the rest of my knuckles. So I end up wrapped in a soft cast & ace bandage, with broken blood vessels all over my hand and wrist. Yep, clumsy me. Though, my DR did note that it has been about a year since I have seen him for an injury :) Isn't is just humorous when your doctor actually remembers that you are clumsy???

So here I am.. barely able to drive. Typing this is taking me an hour, clothing is definitely in the comfort zone, weird week!

Other than that it is not too bad. Marcus has been at leadership conferences in Birmingham. He is really enjoying them so far. His week has been fairly nice, being able to get home before 7 p.m. is great for him.

We have his father coming into town on Friday from Houston so that will be a lot of fun!

Though due to my current hand circumstances Marcus will be cleaning up a bit by himself and I will tell you he is not thrilled at the prospect. :)

Well, I will leave you all at this point, but I hope you enjoy the photos of the beautiful new niece of mine!

I love you all!