Happy Memorial Day

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As we all celebrate Memorial Day today with our families, having picnics, swimming, laughing, playing and whatever else you may be doing, please remember to take the time to think about what today is really about.



Photo Credit

Please remember those who have fought and died for our freedom and those who continue to serve. Thank you!




BTW, if you have a moment, I found a wonderful site that speaks to the true meaning of the day and has some truly beautiful photos: Fallen Heroes.

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Sorry I Haven't Been Around... I'm Having Laptop Trouble

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UGH!!  Again I am having trouble with my laptop. I'm hoping it is again just my adaptor, but hubby thinks it is where the adaptor plugs into the computer (I sure hope not) so I'm going to order ANOTHER adaptor - this makes my third for this HP laptop since November 2009.... BLECH!

So, I may be away from the blog for a bit, I have a desktop (it is in pieces right now) that I can't sit and work at for too long because of my spinal issues and I will try to answer emails via my iPhone.... please be patient with me.

Hope to see you soon... HUGGLES!
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Thursday's Recipe Swap Meet - Hamburger Stroganoff

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OK... we know you have all these recipes that you love to make. You got them from your mother, your grandmother, a magazine, or maybe you made it up, perhaps you don't even remember where the recipe came from. Well, how about sharing them with all of us? We are going to share ours with you every Thursday!


My good friend and (according to her husband) excellent cook, Dolly over at XmasDolly and I are now doing a recipe swap; we want to share ours with you and wold LOVE to get some of your favorites as well... So, Welcome to Thursday's Recipe Swap Meet, here is all you have to do:





<br /><a href="http://wmjshewbridge.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket"src="http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz61/xmasdolly/Female-Chef.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /><br /><br />


Post a recipe on your blog, sign the linky on either blog (they will be linked), grab our new button - isn't she cute - hubby says she looks like me... TeeHee? (above, on my sidebar and on my Co-Chef Dolly's blog) and check out the recipes. Don't forget that each week you actually will be getting at least TWO for the price of ONE because both Dolly and I will post a recipe on each of our blogs. How simple is that??

Hamburger Stroganoff



Ingredients

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Jan Gautro

8 oz. uncooked egg noodles (I like largest size)
1 tsp. EVOO
1 lb. extra lean ground beef  (I use 10% fat)
2-3 cloves garlic minced or grated
2 Tbls. all-purpose flour
1 cup beef stock (you can also use broth if you want)
Salt & Pepper to taste
3/4 cup sour cream
2-3 Tbls. dry white wine
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley


~ Cook pasta according to package directions, without using any salt or butter/oil in the water; drain and rinse under cold water then drain completely.

~ Heat EVOO in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, add beef until browned, stirring to crumble. Add garlic stirring frequently until garlic is clear; sprinkle with flour and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly (I use whisk to prevent lumps). Stir in broth and bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 1 minute or until slightly thick. Stir in salt and pepper.

~ Remove from heat, stir in sour cream and wine. Serve over pasta. Sprinkle with parsley. (I have a parsley plant on my window sill that I am just waiting for it to grow big enough to use in my cooking. HaHa)

I forgot to take photos while I was cooking (I swear brain cells are leaking out of my ears) so I used the one above from the recipe - they use mushrooms but Bill doesn't eat mushrooms so I modified the recipe some. This recipe, because it has BEEF in it, received 6 out of 6 puppy tail wags and made enough for us to have two dinners.


So now all you have to do is sign our linky so we all can find your recipes. You check out all ours and we will check out all yours. If you don't want to write it all down and you know of one on line just post a link to it on your blog or leave it in a comment if you prefer!


For more recipes, head on over to Ms.BiBi at Daily Organized Chaos.


Let's get cooking..... Bon Appetit!

People of Walmart Video... OMG!!

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'Nuff said......

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Wordless Wednesday: Daddy and the Doggies (minus one) ~ May 25th

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WORDLESS

Welcome to Wordless Wednesday..... We were out walking the dogs today and I handed Bill the three leashes I was holding to go throw something away and as I turned around and walked back I saw him and the 5 dogs he had and though he looked so cute with all the little ones surrounding him, I just had to take a photo.  Don't they just look adorable? (Poor Maila is just out of frame)


For more Wordless Wednesday posts, check out the WW Hub, leave your link, check out the other participants, and don't forget to leave a nice comment - you know you like comments, they do too!!




And don't forget about our recipe sharing meme tomorrow: "Recipe Swap Meet Thursday" - have you got your recipe ready??? Don't forget to grab our button and play along... Happy cooking.



<br /><a href="http://wmjshewbridge.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket"src="http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz61/xmasdolly/Female-Chef.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /><br /><br />

Color Carnival ~ May 24th: Stained Glass Butterfly

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Maria's Space

I am joining my friend Maria over at Maria's Space who hosts this fabulous photography meme called Color Carnival where you post a photo you have taken of something colorful and link up to her blog. Then vote in your comments on for your favorite photo. Here is my submission for this week:



Let's see your best colorful photo, I know you all are wonderful photographers, and then link up to Maria's Space and vote for your favorite.


Have a great week.

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In My Neighborhood Tuesday May 24th ~ Everything's Blue

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I'm joining my friend Jennifer over at Eighty MPH Mom called In My Neighborhood Tuesday – a fun photo meme where you spend some quality time with your family and friends and discover average things in a new light, get creative and try and get outdoors on occasion. There will be an assignment/prompt for each week, and hopefully you will have some time to take a walk and show us what you found in your neighborhood!

This week's theme is: Blue Stuff

Here are my submissions.....

   Some blue birds at Animal Kingdom.

A really funky blue frog at Animal Kingdom.

Some gorgeous flowers from the Flower and Garden Festival at Disney's EPCOT

(Boy do I love having Disney World In My Neighborhood)



So that's my post for In My Neighborhood Tuesday... if you'd like to join, here is all you have to do: It is easy to join in! Just take your picture and post it on your blog, with the button above and link up on Eighty MPH Mom. Make sure you visit the other participants to see what they have found in their neighborhood {or house or wherever} recently! Don’t worry if you didn’t have a chance to take a walk over the weekend to snap the perfect shot. If you already have a picture that fits into the “assignment” of the week, feel free to use it. If you want to write down the upcoming assignments and take photos for several of them while you are on a walk, you can do that too! There really aren’t many rules, except to stick with the theme of the week and be creative! You can even post more than one photo, as if you didn't notice... HaHa!

Let's also help Jen out by tweeting about this meme:

Please RT: #IMNT Photo meme: This week’s theme: Blue Stuff! http://www.eightymphmom.com/

Enjoy the rest of the week and happy photographing!

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Monday Mingle ~ May 23rd: Pets, Cartoons and Food

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“Mingling with you since August 2009!”

 "Welcome to Monday Mingle! Each week three questions are asked, and you can answer via a written post, or a vlog post. If you have always wanted to try vlogging, Monday Mingle vlog meme is a fun way to try vlogging. If you’d like to join in the fun, answer the 3 weekly questions in short vlog on your blog, or a written blog post, then link up over on Eighty MPH Mom in the linky. Please post the above button within your post and link to Eighty MPH Mom, so readers can easily find other participants. Visit the other participants, learn about them and have fun! It’s not too late you can link up anytime during the week."

Questions for the week of May 23, 2011:

1. What were your childhood pets and their names?
2. Favorite cartoon or comic as a kid? (I know y'all are thinking I'm going to say something Disney)
3. What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?





Well, that's it for this week, hope you all had a great weekend and you got to spend lots of time with the ones you love.


Now it's your turn - come on, want to get to know you better.... we won't bite. :) Don't forget to link up with Jen at Eighty MPH Mom. Please at least visit some of the other participants and leave a comment - we all love comments... :)


Plus, help us get more players... Tweet the meme by either hitting the retweet button or tweeting this phrase:

"Join Eighty MPH Mom for #mondaymingle- a fun meme to learn about you! http://eightymphmom.com"


Have a great week everyone!!
 
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Why I Can't Lose that Last 15 Pounds

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Thanks to my dear friend Dolly at XmasDolly (who recently did a blog upgrade and it is beautiful, you have to go see it), I have discovered WHY I cannot lose these last 15 pounds that I have been trying to lose.  I just wish someone had told me this earlier....


It's the shampoo I use in the shower.



When I wash my hair, the shampoo runs down my whole body.


Printed very clearly on the shampoo label it reads, "FOR EXTRA VOLUME AND BODY."



I have gotten rid of the shampoo and I am going to start using Dawn dish detergent.


Its label reads, "DISSOLVES FAT THAT IS OTHERWISE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE."


Problem solved!




It sure pays to read the label!

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Monday's Music Moves Me - TV Themes

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<br /><a href="http://thenewxmasdolly.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz61/xmasdolly/Decorated%20images/th_retromusic1-1.gif" /></a><br /><br />


Welcome to Monday's Music Moves Me the fantabulistic music meme hosted by me, Dolly from XmasDolly, Larry from Cakeblast and Callie from Jamerican Spice and this week it's FREEBIE WEEK!!

With all the TV shows that have been cancelled and new ones announced in the last few weeks, I have been thinking of TV theme songs that I've liked over the years! So here they are:

Suicide is Painless - Theme to M*A*S*H



Those Were the Days - Theme from All in the Family



The Brady Bunch Theme Song



..... and you can't have a TV theme song post without this one:

I'll Be There for You (The Rembrandts) - Theme from FRIENDS




What's on your mind this week? Let us know ~ we'd really love to know, here's all you have to do:


First step: Head on over to You Tube, or anywhere you get your music videos and post them on your blog! Upcoming themes are to you LOWER RIGHT of XmasDolly's blog.

Second Step: Grab our "Monday's Music Moves Me" Button, mine is on my right sidebar, or off of any of the hosts' sites.

Third step: SIGN THE LINKY - Follow your hosts, grab their buttons too when you visit them and show them some love by leaving a comment.. (mine is on my right sidebar above the 4M button)

Final step: Go visit the other Rockers on our Linky and PLEASE show them some love by leaving them a comment, you know you like comments, they do too!


Once you write up your post, link up with us (on any of the host's blog - they are all connected) and you may be chosen as our SPOTLIGHT DANCERS like this week's lucky couple in our #1 and #2 linky spots.....

Dollycas of Dollycas's Thoughts ~~ and ~~ Cathy of Cathy Kennedy's Blog

CONGRATULATIONS!!

 
Now, don't forget to sign the linky, visit the participants, and leave a comment - you know you like them, so does everyone else. For more Monday music fun, visit Amanda, Lady Estrogen, and my friend Denise at Run DMT.

 
 
 
 
 
ROCK ON, MY FRIENDS!!
 
 
We're very sorry to say there has been some people not playing along, and just signing our linky so other people will stop by their blogs for giveaways or whatever! Unfortunately, these bloggers will be justifiably deleted without prejudice or notice. Leave a comment, grab our button, or follow us. If you don't want to post a video, you can post a link to a video, or post some lyrics, but please - at least attempt to make it music related. Thank you for your understanding.
 
 

*** Just one thing to note... We are family friendly blogs and while we don't want to censor anyone, we do ask that you keep your songs rated PG13 or less.

Thank you very much!***

Self-Portrait Sunday ~~ Enjoying the Florida Sunshine

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My friend Maria over at Maria's Space started this meme to get us out from BEHIND the camera and showcase our own lovely faces on our blogs.... We don't want to have a blog full of our family, friends and children and when we go back years later and wonder.... where the heck were we and what did we look like?

I thought I'd go outside and take a couple of photos of myself outside because the weather has been so beautiful. I know that a lot of you have been having lots of rain, we haven't had any in months, but we have had lots of sunshine.

Join Maria by posting your beautiful face and link up with Maria over at Maria's Space, visit the other participants and leave them a nice comment.

Hope you are all having a great weekend.

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The Muppets are Coming! The Muppets are Coming!

It's been 11 years since the Muppets have been on the big screen and boy have I missed them. However, lucky for all of us.... thanks to writer/producer Jason Segel (who will also star in the film) and director James Bobin, we wont have to wait much longer to see our favorites Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Animal, Gonzo and the whole gang in a new big screen adventure.

"On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world's biggest Muppet fan, and his friends Gary (Jason Segel) and Mary (Amy Adams) from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze the Muppet Theater and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets' former stomping grounds. To stage The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever and raise the $10 million needed to save the theater, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino tribute band called the Moopets, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, Animal is in a Santa Barbara clinic for anger management, and Gonzo is a high-powered plumbing magnate. With secret, signature, celebrity cameos, “The Muppets” hits the big screen Nov. 23, 2011."

To learn more about the Muppets and keep up to date about the upcoming movie, you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter or check out their website.

Armed Forces Day ~ May 21st

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It was President Harry S. Truman who wanted to set aside a single day for all Americans to come together to thank the members of the military for their service and sacrifice in support of our glorious country.

So, on August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day stemming from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department ~ the Department of Defense.

Today, or any day if you see a member of our wonderful, ALL VOLUNTEER, military please say THANK YOU for their service and sacrifice that they and their family go through on behalf of our country and each and every one of us.





Here is a special tribute to all of them....

God bless America!

{Information Received from Department of Defense}

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Friday Photo Flashback ~ Glamour Shots

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Alicia from More Than Words says she started Friday Photo Flashback because "I have so many pictures from my PRE-digital camera days. I thought it would be fun to scan them and share them here with you.. I'm having so much fun doing this, that I would love for you to join me, too! So dig out the photo albums and put your scanner to good use! Don't forget to link up so we can all visit and comment on each others blogs!"




OK, ladies, how many of you remember "Glamour Shots?" You know those places in the mall in the 80's where they put too much make-up on you, did your hair up too big and gave you "sexy" clothes to wear, then took photos of you to make you look "glamorous."  I'm ashamed to say that I fell for the deal and even bought several of the photos. I only have two of them left and have NO idea where the rest of them are... how scary is THAT?  Now, while you are laughing at me, remember, this is the 1980's (and before I got braces)!!

If you'd like to play along with Friday Photo Flashback, dig out the old photo albums, scan in some photos and write a post to tell us all about what's going on in the photos. Then link up with Alicia at More Than Words, visit the other participants and leave a nice comment.


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Thursday's Recipe Swap Meet ~ Grilled Chicken Breast

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OK... we know you have all these recipes that you love to make. You got them from your mother, your grandmother, a magazine, or maybe you made it up, perhaps you don't even remember where the recipe came from. Well, how about sharing them with all of us? We are going to share ours with you every Thursday!




My good friend and (according to her husband) excellent cook, Dolly over at XmasDolly and I are now doing a recipe swap; we want to share ours with you and wold LOVE to get some of your favorites as well... So welcome to Thursday's Recipe Swap Meet, here is all you have to do:




<br /><a href="http://wmjshewbridge.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket"src="http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz61/xmasdolly/Female-Chef.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /><br /><br />

Post a recipe on your blog, sign the linky on either blog (they will be linked), grab our new button - isn't she cute - hubby says she looks like me... TeeHee? (above, on my sidebar and on my Co-Chef Dolly's blog) and check out the recipes. Don't forget that each week you actually will be getting at least TWO for the price of ONE because both Dolly and I will post a recipe on each of our blogs. How simple is that??


Grilled Chicken Breast
 

 
 
In a long casserole dish cover two (more if your grill is larger) boneless, skinless chicken breasts with EVOO, balsamic vinegar (to taste) and your seasoning of choice. I chose to use Pampered Chef's Greek Rub (sooo delicious). Make sure you coat all sides of the chicken (you can even let it sit all day or over night if you want).
 
 
 

I used my Panini/Grill to cook my chicken breasts and because it was cooking on both sides, once I placed it on the grilling surface and closed the lid, it only took 20 min. to cook completely with a juicy inside and nice grill marks on the outside.

I served with mashed potatoes and green beans (forgot to take a photo with the beans - oops). Everybody loved this! It got 6 out of 6 puppy tail wags but I didn't want to share. =)  The puppies even like the potatoes and the green beans. I just LOVE simple, quick recipes, don't you?




So now all you have to do is sign our linky so we all can find your recipes. You check out all ours and we will check out all yours. If you don't want to write it all down and you know of one on line just post a link to it on your blog or leave it in a comment if you prefer!


For more recipes, head on over to Ms.BiBi at Daily Organized Chaos.


Let's get cooking..... Bon Appetit!

**Just a note ~ my dear friend Dolly had some surgery and was in the hospital this week, so please add her to your thoughts and prayers this week.**

Wordless Wednesday: My Workspace... with Lots of Little Ones ~ 5/18/11

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WORDLESS

Welcome to Wordless Wednesday.... This is where I do my blogging with my little babies, there are a couple missing because I got up and they followed me to get the camera and were standing next to me while I took the photo. Otherwise there would be one on the ottoman and another one on the couch. They protect me all the time... gotta love them!

For more Wordless Wednesday posts, check out the WW Hub, leave your link, check out the other participants, and don't forget to leave a nice comment - you know you like comments, they do too!!


And don't forget about our recipe sharing meme tomorrow: "Recipe Swap Meet Thursday" - have you got your recipe ready??? Don't forget to grab our button and play along... Happy cooking.




<br /><a href="http://wmjshewbridge.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket"src="http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz61/xmasdolly/Female-Chef.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /><br /><br />
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Monday Mingle ~ May 16th: American Idol and Mother's Day

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“Mingling with you since August 2009!”

 "Welcome to Monday Mingle! Each week three questions are asked, and you can answer via a written post, or a vlog post. If you have always wanted to try vlogging, Monday Mingle vlog meme is a fun way to try vlogging. If you’d like to join in the fun, answer the 3 weekly questions in short vlog on your blog, or a written blog post, then link up over on Eighty MPH Mom in the linky. Please post the above button within your post and link to Eighty MPH Mom, so readers can easily find other participants. Visit the other participants, learn about them and have fun! It’s not too late you can link up anytime during the week."


Questions for the week of May 16, 2011:

1. Do you watch American Idol? If so, who do you hope will win (out of the final four)?
2. How did you celebrate Mother’s Day?
3. What is the kindest thing someone has ever done for your for Mother’s Day?





Well, that's it for this week, hope you all had a great weekend and you got to spend lots of time with the ones you love.


Now it's your turn - come on, want to get to know you better.... we won't bite. :) Don't forget to link up with Jen at Eighty MPH Mom. Please at least visit some of the other participants and leave a comment - we all love comments... :)


Plus, help us get more players... Tweet the meme by either hitting the retweet button or tweeting this phrase:

"Join Eighty MPH Mom for #mondaymingle- a fun meme to learn about you! http://eightymphmom.com"


Have a great week everyone!!

Shake Hands With a Hero

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I just saw this on my friend Noelle's blog. Now if you know me, you know that I do whatever I can to help support our troops. This is something super easy that we can all do to show love to our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen.


Please head over to Noelle blog to see what you can do, it's so easy, that I expect all of you would be willing to do it:

Jumpin-Beans: Shake Hands With a Hero


Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

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Monday's Music Moves Me ~ Reggae and Hawaiian Time

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<br /><a href="http://thenewxmasdolly.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz61/xmasdolly/Decorated%20images/th_retromusic1-1.gif" /></a><br /><br />


Welcome to Monday's Music Moves Me the fantabulistic music meme hosted by me, Dolly from XmasDolly, Larry from Cakeblast and Callie from Jamerican Spice and this week it's time to get down with some Reggae and Hawaiian music!

So to get started, I think we all need to start off with this song that always makes me smile....

Don't Worry, Be Happy - Bobby McFerrin



Next is a song that I heard for the first time when I was in St. Thomas on the way back from my step-son's wedding, we all started singing and I have loved it ever since....

I Got You Babe - UB40



And finally, you cannot have a category like this without the one and only.....

Tiny Bubbles - Don Ho




What's on your mind this week? Let us know ~ we'd really love to know, here's all you have to do:


First step: Head on over to You Tube, or anywhere you get your music videos and post them on your blog! Upcoming themes are to you LOWER RIGHT of XmasDolly's blog.


Second Step: Grab our "Monday's Music Moves Me" Button, mine is on my right sidebar, or off of any of the hosts' sites.


Third step: SIGN THE LINKY - Follow your hosts, grab their buttons too when you visit them and show them some love by leaving a comment.. (mine is on my right sidebar above the 4M button)


Final step: Go visit the other Rockers on our Linky and PLEASE show them some love by leaving them a comment, you know you like comments, they do too!


Once you write up your post, link up with us (on any of the host's blog - they are all connected) and you may be chosen as our SPOTLIGHT DANCERS like this week's lucky couple in our #1 and #2 linky spots.....

Christina of Christina's Place ~~ and ~~ Dominique of From Dominique's Desk

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Now, don't forget to sign the linky, visit the participants, and leave a comment - you know you like them, so does everyone else. For more Monday music fun, visit Amanda, Lady Estrogen, and my friend Denise at Run DMT.
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ROCK ON, MY FRIENDS!!
 
 
 
We're very sorry to say there has been some people not playing along, and just signing our linky so other people will stop by their blogs for giveaways or whatever! Unfortunately, these bloggers will be justifiably deleted without prejudice or notice. Leave a comment, grab our button, or follow us. If you don't want to post a video, you can post a link to a video, or post some lyrics, but please - at least attempt to make it music related. Thank you for your understanding.
 

*** Just one thing to note... We are family friendly blogs and while we don't want to censor anyone, we do ask that you keep your songs rated PG13 or less.

Thank you very much!***