Random stuff

So I keep entering to win a Flip camcorder... they look so neat and I think it would be great for when we finally get going on this having a family business. So far, no luck, but this time I'm asking for your help - if you wouldn't mind. If you go here, and then in the search panel at left select "ALL", type Emily and hit search (it looks like this image) - you should see a few photos I've submitted for a chance to win. Please cast a vote for me!

(And if you're Canadian, you can also enter to win (and let me know - I'll vote for you!). The contest is run by Scotiabank - here's the main page.)
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Next topic! Did anyone else get a reassessment letter from Revenue Canada?! I got one yesterday - they want another $400 from me for last year's taxes. Ouch! Called my tax preparer first thing this morning and she told me RC's been busy as she's getting lots of calls! I'm sure it's a mistake, though, as the income they're debating was already claimed. Still, what a pain.
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Oh, last night I got a blog award from Hyla over at Green Earth Journey (thanks, Hyla!). How fun! The idea behind the Honest Scrap award is to reveal 10 secrets and then tag someone else.

I'm not sure I have 10 secrets.

Ha! Who am I kidding! Of course I do.

1. I ate Tostitos Hint of Lime chips for breakfast. There's vegetable (corn) and fruit (lime) in there, right?
2. I have two family-size chocolate bars in a drawer in my studio for emergency use. Shh! That's my private stash!
3. I'm actually really ticked that one of the women who'd signed up for my eight-week painting class sent me an email two hours before the first class saying she wasn't going to join the class after all. And that I should let her know next time I run a class. This is why I usually get payment in advance. So I'm really more ticked at myself for being 'nice' and not insisting on her paying me when she said she was committing to the class. And also at her, for holding a spot in the class when someone else could have joined (I only have room for 6 people, after all!).
   
4. I'm mad that I'm not still in my twenties. Grow old gracefully, my butt!
5. I fake being bright and cheery a LOT. My mum used to tell me that if my face smiled, my brain would get the message and my mood would improve. After many years of in-depth research, testing and experimentation, my expert opinion is that that's a lot of bunk. Up side? I'm not bad at faking it after all those years of practice.
6. There's only one cutest baby I know and I lied to the rest of the mums.
7. I hate when my husband gets angry at other drivers and tells me how stupid they are. Yep. people are stupid. Let's move on.
   
8. I talk to myself. Like, all day long. Is that weird?
9. I actually don't enjoy camping all that much. I used to. But now it seems like a lot of discomfort, tiresome chores and dirt. Given the choice, I'll pick hotel over tent any day.
10. I'm becoming my mother. Only snarkier.
    

Yikes! Don't tell anyone.

Anyone else want to play? I nominate Brie at Capital Mom, Jenn at Baby Makin{g} Machine, and Jessica at Dairy Free Betty who I think might have fun with this.
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Okay... you know I have a bunch of giveaways that I want to share with you. I'm working on that so check back right here for more.

For baby:

• Win a Gebbie cloth at BabyLuxe {daily}. It's a new burp cloth design! Ends January 18th.
• Win an Urban Fluff iCandy diapering system at Happily Domestic. Ends January 21st.
• Win a t-shirt of your choice from Tyler Trends at Feisty, Frugal and Fabulous. Ends January 16th.
• Win a Halo SleepSack at Natural Baby Goods. Ends January 22nd.
  

For the ladies:

• Win a $20 gift certificate to Affordable Scarves at The B Keeps Us Honest. I think this is open to Canadian residents - there's no eligibility note in the rules. I know the sponsor ships to Canada so it should be okay. Ends January 15th.
• Win an 88 palette, an 88 shimmer palette and a 13-piece brush set from Coastal Scents at Cool Canucks. Ooh, just the sort of thing I need. Ends January 21st.
• Win a blush, eyeshadow and lipstick by Pur Minerals at Simply Stacie. Ends January 18th.
• Win the New York Gift Set by Monave (powder blush, foundation, eye shadows and corresponding brushes) at The Five Fish. Ends January 20th.
• Win a lavender pearl necklace from Pearl Distributors at Park-Avenue Princess. Ends January 17th.
• Win Cream Perfume at Dev's Favorite Giveaways. Ends January 18th.
• Another chance to win Cream Perfume at New Age Mama. Ends January 19th.
• Win a Scrunchy Cashmere Scarf from Nepali by TDM Design at Feisty, Frugal and Fabulous. Ends January 20th.
• Win some luxe skin care products from Spa Boutique at Cool Canucks. Ends January 27th.
  

For those who sew:

• Win 20 lovely vintage print, cotton fat-quarters from rikrak studio. Um, I actually don't want you to go enter because I adore fabric and my stash is like a hungry, hungry hippo. Ends January 13th. You really probably don't have time to enter. Too bad. ;)