In the beginning . . .

I was interested in seeing how our two Idol finalists looked on audition day.  They've both grown.  David Archuleta's look has gotten cooler, yet he's maintained his humble authenticity, and his voice is magic. David Cook's hair has definitely improved, I've loved being surprised at how versatile he is, and I really love the mellow, dusky side of his voice. Each owns charisma to the T's; they're both savvy entertainers, so it's easy to predict that each will have a great career, no matter who takes it next week. But if I were a bettin' woman, my money'd have to be on the sweet young David Archuleta. I think his win was there from day one . . .

Ok, ok. I give. I'm IT.

The game is Sixes Tag and these are the rules:

1. you link back to the person who tagged you.

. . . and that would be lyn.

2. post these rules on your blog.

. . . Voila!  Telles sont les règles

3. share six unimportant things about yourself.

. . . see below

4. tag six random people at the end of your entry.

. . . see below the above below

5. let the tagged people know by leaving a comment on their blogs.

. . . you're gonna have to trust me on this one

6. enjoy the results.

. . . oh, all right!

Six UNimportant things about me:

1. I make most things much harder than they need to be (like writing this list).
2. I sometimes nap in my car.
3. Parades make me cry.
4. I know all the words to most Frank Sinatra and Peggy Lee songs.
5. I really miss Pushing Daisies,  Journeyman and Studio 60.
6. I've watched more TV in the last 10 months than in the last 40 years.  Combined.

Oh yes.  I almost forgot.  This is what I'm supposed to put below the above.  The Sixes-Tag virus has been passed to: barefoot gypsy girl, heather, ashley, bayley, oma, and kenju.  Please click on their names to visit each blog and wish them a speedy recovery!  

Friday's Fab Five

Is it Friday again? Already? Wo-hoo! The weekend cometh!

And since it's almost Mother's Day, I thought you might like a SkinnyLink peek at some unique gifts (from maniac to must-have) for the Baby Mamas in your life.

Let's start with the (ahem) indispensable gift for any household with a new baby and big brothers. (Natalie, this one's for you and Lincoln. Steph, you may want to consider one for when Cardon visits. . .) Behold the amazing My First Riot Helmet by bulletproofbaby.net. Yes, friends, this is for real. And believe me, if you grew up in a house with big brothers (and are still compus mentus), you may yearn to kneel before the inventor. Someone call the Nobel committee.

This next find is for all you mamas who are married to men who are poopie-diaper averse. It's the Thanko USB Powered Mask Air Purifier. High tech daddies rejoice! This little sweetheart connects right to your lap-top and features two fans – one on either side of the mask – that draw in a steady supply of air which is then filtered to remove "pollutants." Hmmm. . . and I thought I'd seen it all. Can't diaper without it? Check it out at NewLaunches.com. Oh, and Mom? Be sure to invite his poker buddies over to watch him use it . . .

Oh yes. This innocent little lamb is hanging from the top of a restroom stall door. Mama-mia! What is going on here? Here's the Skinny: You're at the mall with baby, and you need to use the twah-lay (that's French for toilet). . . your only alternative is to enter a germ infested cubicle! . . . EEEEK! What to do with Baby?? Never fear, The Baby Keeper is here! (Yes Richie, this one's for you.) In fairness to the makers of this contraption, I need to let you know that it also functions as a pretty slick baby carrier. Think you gotta have it? Here you go: Mommy Essentials.com. Just don't come running to me when your child outs you on Jerry Springer some day. Remember, you asked for it.

The Congratulations! You get to sit near me! t-shirt.
Imagine flying for six plus hours with 4-year, 3-year, and 18-month old little boys. When my poor daughter and her husband fly to the mainland from their home in Hawaii, they generally limp off that plane looking like warmed-over extras off a Rambo-movie set. And though they do their very best to be respectful of their fellow passengers . . . well you try keeping three little boys quiet in a steel tube for 6 hours and let us all know how that works out for you. This is why I'm buying three of these great baby T's from Milk Bomb. Maybe a little humor will help all the big people on the flight chill a little and just smile through their pain.

Today's final Fab Five recently under went a very smart and tasteful name change, upgrading itself from The Hooter Hider, to Bebe Au Lait. (Excellent move, guys.) I've given several of these ingenious nursing covers to my daughters and they love 'em. Notice how the top of the cover stands away from Mommy's chest so she and baby can keep an eye on each other--while everyone else is allowed to keep their eyes to themselves. These heavenly little creations are da Baby Bomb: They come in a bazundle of very hip colors and patterns, they fold up small enough to fit into a diaper bag, and they're easy to slip on, even with only one hand. Ta-da! Modest munching!

Because mommies love babies

This is for all of us mommies no longer have (or are

waiting for) a baby in the house to make us giggle. Enjoy!

Found my dog! First round winners!

Well, all I can say is, there are some pretty smart puppies out there reading the SkinnyLink! Congratulations to our FIRST ROUND PRIZE WINNERS:

• lyn.
• gemma
• terry
• nancy sue
• kathy 
• michael
• heather
• pierces
• max and duke (of barefoot gypsy girl)
• amy
• shelly
• stephanie
• votistdot (oh!  I just got it!  hahahahaha!)
• barry
• raleigh- who's answers weren't EXACTLY right, but wins honorable mention as our youngest player!

Now, I know that some of you feel pretty darn strongly that certain dogs from this pack would be a lot better suited to owners other than the ones they're matched with here. I feel your pain. This has got to be really tough. Why don't you take a deep breath and sleep on it tonight. If, by tomorrow morning, this is still an issue for you, drop me an email, and we'll have a good talk about it. I have a feeling you're gonna be fine, I'm just sure of it.

But, disappointment and heartache aside, I would like to offer a Big SkinnyLink congratulations to all of you lucky First Round winners!  Your names will go into our giant diamond studded doggie bowl for the big drawing this weekend. Tune in again on Monday to see who our LUCKY Grand Prize winner will be! 

And Raleigh, good job! You WON a pack of ORANGE TIC-TACS!  Watch for them in the mail!  and thanks for playing! I love you, Grammie

Have you seen my dog? Win $25!

Once upon a time, Cesar Dog Food ran a clever ad where they posted pictures of the supposed winners of an "I Look Like My Dog" contest. Supposed? Was the contest even real? I'm sorry, I have no clue. But this contest is real! And, there's a $25 prize on the table. Want to give it a try?  Scroll through the pictures of these dogs and their humans, and see if you can match each dog with his or her human. I'll give you the easiest one: Human #1 belongs to Dog F.  See how easy that is? Once you've matched all six pairs, post your guesses under COMMENTS below, and on Friday, I'll post the answers--along with the names of our first round winners. Then, over the weekend, my puppies and I will randomly select a lucky Grand Prize winner from all the first round winning entries. Grand Prize: A $25 gift certificate to PetsMart! (Not a pet owner? If you're our winner, we'll come up with a $25 gift card that works for you. How about Barnes and Noble? Or just plain green dollars?  You tell me.) All you have to do is start matching.  Best of luck to all! 

All photos found online, without any sort of attribution.  I assume they belong to the CESAR Pet Food Company.  Click here: CESAR for link to special offers.

Majesty

 

Did you know that during any given sixty second period, there are more than one thousand thunderstorms wailing and raging across this pretty little planet? And together, these storms are causing SIX THOUSAND lightning strikes--again, thats per minute, folks. Ouch! Poor Mama Earth. Here's the skinny:  Give her a little extra love today, will you?

Photo: Google Images   Submitted by AstroSurf

Tulips are better than one.

Just a little teaser to hold you over 'til I get back from tiptoeing through the tulips.  (Thar's a blow a commin' and if I don't get outside now, it'll be too cold later.)  But if you'll just hold your horses for a bit, there's a treat in store . . . something fun, free, high tech and easy . . . that you'll want to tell all your friends about (oh, they'll think you're so smart!).  For now, go do that thing you've been procrastinating, you know, yes, that one, then check back with me when you're done and I'll have your reward waiting.  I'll race you.  Ready? On your mark, get set, GO!

Photo from Wikipedia, "Tulips"