We have our winner!

We have a winner for my big huge giveaway. I loved reading about what you're working on this year. Go read the comments if you haven't already. You might find some good ideas - I know I did.

Okay, so I don't do the whole random.org thing. This technology-loving-girl just doesn't like that site and doing the number method. Plus I think I prefer to create more work for myself by writing everyone's name on a tiny piece of paper, folding them up and putting them into a little bowl.

Okay, the winner is........



JESSICA! (photo of the gorgeous winner and her cute husband stolen shamelessly from her blog)

Yay for you, Jessica! If you've never read her blog, you need to click here and spend some time reading about her and her darling family. I highly recommend you check out the quick quote right at the top of the page and then watch the barf training video (located here.) They have done such a service for the world with that video! Jessica, send me your address and I'll get your goodies in the mail!

Thanks to everyone who entered. I appreciate you all letting me begin accomplishing one of my own goals which is to be more giving this year.

Giveaway -- #300

I finally made it to 300 posts here on my little blog. I can't believe it! I'm going to celebrate with a giveaway but first have something to share that's been on my mind today.

A divorced dad of three got up and bore his testimony at church today. He's had a rough year. In addition to the divorce, he was laid off and has been without work since March and is living on his savings and thanks to the goodness of ward members, he and his family had a wonderful Christmas. This was after his youngest son said "it's okay if we don't get any presents, Dad" or something to that effect.

I felt awful hearing all of this because it reminded me that I didn't do enough service during the month of December. Yes, I take care of my friends and family but I need to look around my community (or at least, my ward) and share what I have with others. I have it so good. I need to give, and of course, not just in December but all year round.

So I'm giving first to you, my faithful blog readers. The giveaway will be random, just like me. It will include:

• an iTunes gift card
• a brand new copy of "Twilight" audiobook on CD
• a brand new copy of "Sense and Sensibility" on DVD (the Emma Thompson version)
• a brand new copy of "Grease 2" on DVD (you may remember I inexplicably own TWO copies of this classic!)
• a few boxes of Peppermint Crunch junior mints (so good and only available at Christmas!)
• a couple of brand new tubes of my fave Mint Carmex sticks (I bought a box on eBay since they aren't available in stores anymore! Love eBay!)

This is a pretty sweet giveaway, if I do say so myself! So one comment per person of course and you have to tell me what's one thing you plan to be better at this year (a goal, a resolution, a thought...anything.)

I'll keep this open until Saturday, January 9th at 5 PM Pacific then draw one winner at random.

We Have a Winner! Plus a Twilight Review!

First and foremost, thank you so much for commenting and entering my fun little drawing. I hated to only pick one winner*. I went the highly scientific route and wrote down the names of all 16 commenters, cut them into strips, folded them and then put them in a cute little bucket that my friend Jazzy left on my doorknob the other day (loved the pumpkin muffins, Jazzy!) I drew out a name and (drumroll please...) the big winner is the sweet, thoughtful and talented JILL! Jill, please email me your address and I'll get your CDs and other fun surprises into the mail soon. More to come on Christmas music -- I want to talk more about your favorites and my LEAST favorites.

Okay, Twilight. The movie.

I loved it!

I really tried to go in with low expectations. I knew it wouldn't be as great as the book. I knew I'd find fault with some of the casting. But you know what? I thought it was wonderful, entertaining and very faithful to the book. I would totally pay to see it again.

I thought Cedric (yes I know his name is Robert Pattinson but he will always be Cedric Diggory to me) was perfect as Edward. My mom was telling me today that she didn't think he was beautiful enough but I said "who on earth really is?" Brad Pitt & George Clooney don't look 17. Kristen Stewart was perfect as Bella. I liked her much more than I've liked Bella throughout the books.

It was fun going on opening night. People screamed and clapped several times, which was fun. Everyone applauded for the Harry Potter preview too (still can't believe we have to wait until next summer! grr.) The other thing that was great was that our theater was so organized and tried really hard to ensure everyone who came together could sit together. We sat next to some 30'ish ladies with homemade signs pinned on their back that said things like "I would let Edward bite me" or something like that. Nice.

Some random comments:

• I really hope they pull some Hagrid-like special effects to make Jacob taller for the next movie because he's way too short now.
• The only person I thought they messed up on was Rosalie -- she just wasn't quite right but everyone else was perfectly cast, I thought.
• The movie dragged a little in the middle, I thought...a little too "let's just stare at each other so everyone knows we're in love" or something.
• I totally missed the Stephenie Meyer cameo. I'm so disappointed in myself!
• As I was watching the movie, I found myself more and more irritated at Breaking Dawn and how the characters turned out. I sat there watching Bella and Edward and I thought "those are not even the same people." I still haven't finished Breaking Dawn and I'm not going to start now because it will just irritate me. And who reads to be irritated??? Not me.

Anyway, go see it. Wait for a matinee if you must but if you loved the book, you will more than likely love the movie. And if you live nearby, invite me to come along.

* I hate to only pick one winner so I would love to send my 2008 Christmas Mix CD to anyone who wants one. I love sharing what I love! So if you want one, send me your address (if you know I don't have it already, anyway.) I'm serious too. Send me your dang address and I'll mail you a CD. Then you can listen to it and think of me as you sing along or hit the skip button because you hate my taste in music!

Giveaway reminder!

If you haven't commented on my previous post yet, go comment now! I'm going to draw one winner sometime after 9 PM Friday night (probably well after considering how I have tickets to the 8 PM showing of Twilight but you get the drift.)

So come on, enter! I'll surely make it worth your while (well, if I choose your name, that is.)

Here's another video of a song I own and so very much enjoy.

People, it is time!

For what, you might be asking? Christmas music! Well, that AND a giveaway.

I love Christmas music. Love it! If you were to call my cell phone, you would hear Christmas music instead of a boring old ring. I have an extensive collection -- over 450 songs in my iTunes and that doesn't include the CDs I haven't gotten around to adding.

I tend to like all kinds of music -- ultra traditional but also very contemporary. Really, I like anything that puts me in a happy, giving, let's make cookies and share them with the world kind of mood.

Now to the giveaway: I was putting together a playlist of my favorite Christmas songs this year and I thought it would be nice to give away a CD of my favorites to one of my 16 readers. I will also throw another surprise or two into the box, just to make this a fun Christmas treat for someone.

If you'd like to win, just comment one time and tell me your most favorite Christmas song and why. Comment away until 9 PM Pacific this Friday, Nov 21. I'll announce the winner in a post Friday night or Saturday morning.

To whet your appetite a little, this song could possibly be on the CD (it is my ringtone, after all!)