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Quick Announcement: Be sure to mark your calendars for this Thursday when romance author Jaci Burton will be visiting with the plotmonkeys! :banana: 
:banana: :banana: :banana:
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The idea for today’s blog was taken from the RomanceNovel.TV Blog:
Top Twelve Things without which I couldn’t live my every day life/couldn’t go out of the house without or else I feel naked or ugly or … lost (and this isn’t the same as my what’s in your handbag blog):
1. Moisturizer – Too many products to name. :grin1:
2. Foundation – Laura Mercier’s silk creme foundation
3. Blush – varies by season and hair color – right now Nars Torrid
4. Eyeshadow base – Lancome Ombre Perfecteur
5. Eyeshadow – minimum – a frosted peach/pink – Lancome Off the Rack
6. Eyeliner – Clinique black/brown
Maximum – Vincent Longo three in one trio – lavender mist
7. Lip Gloss – Glomineral – Coconut (occasional lip liner – Clinique Mulberry)
8. Concealer – Laura Mercier – #3
9. Deodorant – Secret Platinum – vanilla or coconut fragrance
10. Jewelry – a watch; a necklace; earrings at a minimum
11. Handbag – can’t leave the house without it (and we’ve already discussed what’s in it!)
12. Cell Phone or iPhone (it’s amazing how dependent I’ve become on it!)
I realize from reading this how vain I sound. Sheesh! I guess, if I had to, I could leave the house with foundation, lipgloss and some eye shadow alone … a watch and at the very least my wedding rings!
How about you?? What things MUST you do before you leave the house in the morning and what must you have with you when you leave?
Carly Phillips would like to take 100% credit for all her stories but the truth is, Carly’s strength is writing family, emotion, funky elderly people and animals. She couldn’t plot her way out of a paper bag, which is why she smartly found her plotmonkey pals early on in her writing career. Thanks to their support, Carly is now a NYT Bestselling author of 23 plus novels. Because writing doesn’t keep her busy enough, Carly is also a wife, a mother of one preteen and one teenage daughter, the primary care giver of her soft coated Wheaten terrier and an expert carpool mom.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Carly,
you’re totally speaking my mind. In my handbag are about the same things as yours. Some things for the make up, my car key and key for the frontdoor and I often carry a pocket book with me in case I have to wait so I won’t get bored. Guess which one it is?
Okay, I’m telling you: It’s Hot Number from the Hot Zone. Can read it over and over again without getting bored. So it looks pretty used.
But there’s one thing I have to do before leaving the house: checking if the windows are closed. I’ve already had a break-in and hope that I can prevent another one by controlling the windows. Pretty anal, but can’t stopp doing it. I’m also a bit embarrassed to admit it but…
Hope you’re doing great. I’m pretty bad. My dent is aching terribly. :sicksick:
I’m gonna grab a good book and a cup of hot chocolate…and lay down for a while. Hope it’ll soon be better
Okay, I’m spilling my guts and you have to read it, so I’m stopping now
See you soon
Vero
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Vero, THANK YOU … you carry Hot Number for a reread? (HEY WHO TOOK OUR HEARTS AWAY?) :love: (I WANT OUR HEARTS BACK! How else can I rate movies?)
Anyway, thank you! Feel better. I’m having root canal tomorrow.
I stick my iPod headphones in my ears and try not to cry. It’s not the pain, I have novacaine but I HATE the drill sound!
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1. Car/House keys
2. Wallet and credit cards. It’s a must!
3. A book. Nuff said.
4. My wedding ring. I may or may not put on earrings.
5. My cell phone- which is now my watch.
6. Sunglasses
7. Clothes. Just cause I can’t think of any thing else.
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I can’t leave the house without having my face on. Of course before I put on my makeup I HAVE to use my moisturizers–by DHC. I use Bare Minerals makeup but I’ve recently discovered a loose powder by DHC that has olive oil and Q10 in it. It feels great on my face. I use a lip stick by Elizabeth Arden called Cocoa which I love. I don’t use mascara because I have chronic blepharitis and mascara causes it to flare up so I just use an eye lash curler. I also need some kind of scent before I leave which at the moment I’m hooked on Pure White Linen by Estee Lauder. I also need my body lotion–Cetaphil–which I love.
I also don’t like to leave the house without my cell phone and of course my purse. I usually take something to drink with me in the car. I have one of those “Tide on the go” pen stain removers in my car as well just in case.
Have a great day everybody.
Cher
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Oh there are sooo many must-haves LOL. Make-up, jewelry, debit card, keys, gum or breath mints, lotion, the list goes on and on. The most important thing I do before I leave the house, though, is to take a shower. It’s a must.
I am very excited to see Jaci Burton will be here – I love her hot hot HOT stories. I’m reading one of them right now.
(Shameless plug! I interviewed Sylvia Day at my blog – check it out if you’re interested).
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My day starts simply and I don’t really need to have much once I leave for the day.
Start with morning ablutions (love that word)…I make sure the kids are awake on dorm and that they leave for school day…I must check their rooms to make sure they cleaned it. The must haves when I leave for the day are
:
-Keys: apartment, dorm, gym, school building, classroom…I don’t need the car keys because I live where I work.
-book to read or reread…right now it’s Robyn Carr’s Down by the River and Leslies’s Overexposed.
-chapstick…I don’t wear much makeup
-paper and pen…just in case I get inspired
-cell phone
See how simple my life is right now…
Carly good luck with the dentist…I hate the sound of the drill too…
Vero, I hope you feel better soon…how is the weather in Germany?
I have to get to work…procrastination time over…talk to you all later…
Peace and love,
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Guys, I tried to post this earlier, but it didn’t show up…so I am going to try again…if it shows up twice, please forgive me…
My day starts simply and I don’t really need to have much once I leave for the day.
Start with morning ablutions (love that word)…I make sure the kids are awake on dorm and that they leave for school day…I must check their rooms to make sure they cleaned it. The must haves when I leave for the day are
:
-Keys: apartment, dorm, gym, school building, classroom…I don’t need the car keys because I live where I work.
-book to read or reread…right now it’s Robyn Carr’s Down by the River and Leslies’s Overexposed.
-chapstick…I don’t wear much makeup
-paper and pen…just in case I get inspired
-cell phone
See how simple my life is right now…
Carly good luck with the dentist…I hate the sound of the drill too…
Vero, I hope you feel better soon…how is the weather in Germany?
I have to get to work…procrastination time over…talk to you all later…
Peace and love,
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My stuff is not posting…Guys, I tried to post this earlier, but it didn’t show up…so I am going to try again (take three)…if it shows up three times, please forgive me…
My day starts simply and I don’t really need to have much once I leave for the day.
Start with morning ablutions (love that word)…I make sure the kids are awake on dorm and that they leave for school day…I must check their rooms to make sure they cleaned it. The must haves when I leave for the day are
:
-Keys: apartment, dorm, gym, school building, classroom…I don’t need the car keys because I live where I work.
-book to read or reread…right now it’s Robyn Carr’s Down by the River and Leslies’s Overexposed.
-chapstick…I don’t wear much makeup
-paper and pen…just in case I get inspired
-cell phone
See how simple my life is right now…
Carly good luck with the dentist…I hate the sound of the drill too…
Vero, I hope you feel better soon…how is the weather in Germany?
I have to get to work…procrastination time over…talk to you all later…
Peace and love,
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I’ll probably sound like a complete cavewoman compared to the rest of you, but I couldn’t live without water or iced tea (I drink a ton all day long, sometimes even splurge on the flavored Fruit2O–yum!)…or chapstick, just about any flavor; like the Avon, Blistik, & BonneBelle ones; & yes, I tend to lick if off. I’ve had friends tell me they think I need to enter rehab for my addiction.
Or television, mostly all the shows I record & watch later. A day without television is like…I don’t even want to think about it! 
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Carly, I’m so sorry you’re having a root canal! I totally feel your pain. When I turned 40–ahem–a few years ago I had like 4 root canals in a row. Ugh! That’s what happens when you’re a tooth grinder. Take care and don’t be afraid of your pain meds. You definitely need to stay ahead of any pain. Keep us posted on how you’re doing.
Stacy mentioned sunglasses–absolutely! I forgot to mention those. My eyes are sensitive to bright light. I’m such a high maintenance girl.
And Ev said a shower–Oh, yeah that’s a given. I don’t even like to take out the garbage without a shower.
Cher
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Besides the usual stuff (shower, getting dressed, putting on makeup), I have to check the plotmonkeys. That’s how I wake up. I always need a laugh in the morning. You don’t want to know what is in my purse. It’s scary. Hubby is afraid of my purse.
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Daily my routine items are
Body Moisturizer is by Trader Joe
Face Moisturizer is by Estee Lauder
Fragrance is Burberry London or L’Air du Temps by Estee Lauder
Deodorant is Dove Shower Fresh
Lipstick is a pale pink
Daily I wear the same jewelry (might switch my 2nd pair of earrings but the diamonds stay in the first hole) Also might add a different bracelet. But the constants are a pinky birthstone ring, a right hand divorce ring, a diamond pendant (my mothers original engagement stone) and diamond studs.
Pocket book items (or items I can’t live without during the day)
Lipstick
Rx sunglasses and cleaner
Tide Bleach stick
phone book
2 year calendar
wallet
cell phone
Rx meds
nail clippers and file
Items I keep in the car -
umbrella
book
car cleaning products
xtra pair of sneakers
blanket and first aid kit
I could never be someone stranded on a dessert island – I’m just to dependent on “things”
Carly – I hope you do well tomorrow – Play your music loud (the drill is actually the worst part!)
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Yes, Katie, a check to see what the Plotmonkeys are up to is a definite priority on my list. :banana:
Cher
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Besides showering and getting dressed, I usually check my email before I leave the house. I can’t leave home without my cell phone, keys, purse, at least 1 book, chapstick, ipod, a hair clip/rubberbands, and sunglasses. I don’t really wear makeup on a regular basis, but do usually have a lipstick or lipgloss in my purse. I also usually have a bottled water(or diet coke/sprite) and a granola bar with me.
Carly, I had my first root canal this year and was told it would be no big deal. My ipod did help with the drilling noise and helped me to relax a little bit. Take the pain meds if they are offered. I ended up having to leave work after only a couple of hours.
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Hmm…interesting…I’ll go with the 10 things I couldn’t get through the day without:
1. A kiss and an “I love you” from my hubby and my kids. :love:
2. Diet Coke. Copious amounts. :yikes:
3. Email. (Oy.)
4. Plotmonkeys (duh!)
5. Nightly glass of wine
6. Broadway music playing somewhere (kitchen when I’m cooking, stereo when I’m cleaning, car when I’m driving)
7. Medication (either my daily Rx’s or, I hate to admit, some kind of pain meds for my back/shoulder/leg/wrist/injury du jour)
8. Speaking of the above…I usually can’t make it through the day without injuring myself somehow, if only a nick while shaving or a bruise from bumping into the kitchen counter.
9. Something sweet to eat…even if it’s not candy (and it isn’t always!) I need a little bit of sweetness, a granola bar, something.
10. A cuddle with Cassie.
(Umm…notice how “work” isn’t on there… :doh: )
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My things I can’t live my everyday life without are….
I have atleast 2 travel mugs full a day.
1.) My 3 year old – we are joined at the hip….she is my miracle baby
2.) Without a doubt showering, sometimes twice a day…I know I’m anal. LOL
3.) My purse which also holds my cellphone
4.) Makeup, I don’t want to scare little children without my make up.
5.) Lately It’s my Nickelback CD and Fergie’s single “Big Girls Don’t Cry” for music.
6.) Okay, I can’t live without watching Days Of Our Lives – the character of EJ Wells is just too hot!! And so not my normal type.
7.) My TBR pile so I know I have something to read when I am done with my current book.
8.) This actually should be #2 COFFEE
9.) My computer – I have to check my email several times a day, and surf the net.
10.) My toothbrush, another thing I am anal about. I hate bad breath.
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Okay. I MUST wash my hair before I leave the house. 8O
1)Then I MUST have either lipliner and/or gloss on.
water bottle
2) Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen
3) cell phone
4) wedding rings
5) prescription sunglasses (even on cloudy days)
6) ample amount of coffee in my system
7) wallet and/or at least one credit card
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Oh, my gosh, before I leave the house I have to shower, dress, put on my face and my jewelry, have coffee and then make sure everything is in my purse for the day…a huge one that holds everything but the kitchen sink it seems. Sad to say I seem to need everything…just in case from my cell phone to my calendar, credit cards to mints, comb and cosmetics, kleenex, keys, pen and pencils, checkbook, mini-tape measure and small sewing kit (just in case, you know), coupons if I should stop at the grocery store, a book if I should have to wait somewhere, sunglasses, calculator, small bottle of water, etc, etc, etc. I always have my umbrella in the car and a pair of walking shoes plus a sweater…never know what you might need.
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Carly Ugggh on the root canal :hug2:
Leslie, I love your answers so I’m stealing some of them
My top ten essentials for the day:
1. A kiss and an “I love you” from my hubby and my kids.
:love:
2.COFFEE
3. the internet
4. Plotmonkeys :monkey
5. A book to read…hey no reading icon???
6. My nightly glass of wine
7. daily walk with my baby
8. fruits and veggies :banana:
9. CHOCOLATE :wub: #8 balances out my #9…lol
10. telephone
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:monkeyI have to check the plotmonkeys several times a day. Email, don’t want to go there…..you would think as a stay at home Mom I would not get a lot of emails, OY! I get as many as my hubby (we actually compared one day). Hope everyone is having a terrific Monday. I am off to do laundry. Too hot to go for a walk (it’s supposed to be in the MID-90s today. OY!)
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Sorry to hear about the root canal Carly! I haven’t had one, but I’m thinking if your mouth is sore afterward, does that mean you get to eat ice cream and jell-o? That’s not a bad thing. :wink:
There’s not a lot I MUST do or have before leaving the house – of course it depends how long I’ll be gone. Gotta have hugs and kisses from my family, sunglasses, cell phone, money and chapstick. A shower? Not necessary if I’m going through the drive-thru line at school or planning to exercise. But otherwise, yes.
Stacy – checked out your blog and really enjoyed your interview with Sylvia Day. I recently read Pleasures of the Night and liked it a lot!
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Wow this takes a lot of though.
1 Faith in God
2 laptop, internet and desktop, plotmonkeys
3 puppy & her kisses
4 hubby’s, family and friends love
5. credit cards, license, cash & car
6. diet green tea, coffee and water
7 dark chocolate and ice cream
8 cellphone & pocketbook
9 romance books (can’t imagine life without my books)
10 anti aging products :happy2: (they’re not working)
11 book light and extra batteries (lights go out a lot in Maine)
12 dungarees (ha ha okay jeans for you youngins’)
That’s it I am low maintainence and
guess I don’t mind going topless.:devil:
Okay add some tees :wub:
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WOW Katie mid 90′s
Here in New England it is 70′s at best this time of the year.
I get 1 month off starting at the end of this month.
I can hardly wait. I’m hoping the folliage hits just as my vacation
does. I just love the fall trip to Maine when it’s colorful. :flower4you:
Janelle I am glad you enjoy Zoey’s escapades. She is a hoot.
She’s now 2.5 lbs. and thinks she is a billy goat. Hubby figures she likes to
be higher up so that no one steps on her. Me I know she is newsy.
Hates to miss anything so she finds places like the top of the
big old pub sofa so she can see everything. At any rate I now have to put
pillows and folded blankets under where she sits so she doesn’t break her
little neck. CAn you say “SPOILED.” I am so glad we decided to
get one more puppy. We so missed Kerri and Zoey is
is helping to fill the empty space.
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You guys are FUN! And so many of us are so similar! OK … I should add, I shower every day too
:hug2: to all of you who check plotmonkeys first thing in the morning!
IMPORTANT NOTE: IF YOU POST AND DON’T SHOW UP RIGHT AWAY, DON’T THINK IT’S YOU. WE’RE HAVING PROBLEMS AND HAVING TO CHECK THE SPAM FILTER, SOMETIMES MORE OFTEN THAN WE CAN KEEP UP … SO WE’RE SORRY! BUT REST ASSURED YOUR POST WILL SHOW UP SOON!
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Must have to leave the house! Depends partly on where I am going & how long I will be gone.
In the morning after waking up I brush my teeth, eat a banana & go for a walk. After my walk I shower, have my juice, eat breakfast, read, check email & the Plotmonkeys & Jill Shalvis, get dressed & decide what I will do that day! Several years ago I quit wearing make up cause it left me more time to take a walk before work & now it is just habit. I use a lot of chap stick, usually from Trader Joe’s. I hate missing Oprah, the news & my favorite evening programs, especially Jeopardy. Tonight is the 49′ers first game of the season but I will probably watch Jeopardy anyway & then switch over. Guess that is my boring routine! Everyday I drink lots of water & if I am going to be gone from the house long enough I always take a bottle of water with me.
Carly, I have had several root canals, the worst part, for me, is the shots of Novacaine & when the Novacaine wears off. I’ve never experienced any pain after that. The other part I hate is how long you are in the dentist chair. My dentist even lets you take a potty break & shut your mouth from time to time!! I am not a good dental patient!!
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:bootyshak:
:love:
MY FAVORITES SO FAR. lOVBE THEM!
BEST ICONS ON A BLOG
:monkey 
:wub: 
:wub:
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I have to start my day with my caffeine. After my caffeine I MUST take a shower! I think the shower wakes me up more than the caffeine! I have crazy wavy hair so I have to use all different kinds of hair goop or else I have big time frizz head. Gotta have concealer, some foundation, bit of blush, curl the eyelashes of course the lipgloss. When I leave the house my hair is still wet cause because the crazy hair does not like the blowdryer! Can’t forget my cat…have to give him kiss goodbye! Must haves for the road…pocketbook that seems to get bigger the older I get! Car keys..won’t go far without them! Cellphone because like you Carly if I don’t have it with me I panic! Oh and the sunglasses, HAVE TO HAVE THEM!!
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well i cant wear makeup or any lotions etc at work.. so when i go to to work.. i have my purse,keys wallet, and my cell phone, and a container of mints.. thats the only stuff in my purse…lol..
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:darth: :darth: Okay, that emotion is in honor of my five year old. He’s my little Star Wars fan….Jeannie…it’s not typical of here to have in the mid-90s. This is July weather. Tomorrow, it is supposed to be in the low 90s, then cool down to the 80s. I have the a/c cranked.
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LOL it is 70 here in the high 50s low 60s and
I have the ac cranked
My reason :scratch3:it’s muggy
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:darth:
Yeah! There’s my emoticon!!!!
And this one…I love this one!
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OOH check us out!
First, my root canal is WEDNESDAY not tomorrow. Small things to celebrate about.
:dominatrix:
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OOOOHHHH new emoticons ….I found two for me :readdabook: :dominatrix: :giggle: ok so that’s three but I :wub: them
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:banana: :banana: :banana:
Hi everyone,
Zoey here!
I thought I’d stick my 2 dog bones in here.
1. I wouldn’t think of leaving home without a fabulous
silky sheen no tears shampoo
2. A head bow is an absolute neccessity
( Pink is my favorite just like Carly)
3. A nail trimming is always good
(when you like to get into mischief click, click click is not good)
4. Matching Collar and leash also pink; preferably with diamonds
( Okay rhinestones if you must)
5. Dogfood, treats and chewies
6. Water and water bottle (Classy dogs don’t do water dishes in public)
7. At least 1 dozen toys. (yes I play with them all)
8. My crate for napping complete with dog bone pillow and sheepskin
pad for cushion soft bedding.
9. My snazzy new travel pocketbook with all the amenities.
10. Last but not least a dog walker (boy do I love the grass)
and yes those un-mentionable doggie bags.
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:darth:1. dedorant, 2. foundation 3. lip goss 4. hair product 5. cell 6. jump drive, 7. coffee/water 8. keys 9. post-its 10. pen
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Hey all! Julie here. I’m in Boston and happen to have my twelve things with me…well, eleven. My daughter stayed home with my parents.
1. Child.
2. Alphasmart/Lap top (it is scary how a vacation isn’t a vacation for me if I can’t write!!!)
3. Cell phone.
4. Wallet/Money
5. Medicine cabinet…er, airplane ziploc with various pills/gels/liquids, including my favorite lipsticks and lipglosses (Carly…have you checked out the new color from Estee Lauder? It’s called Eclair. It’s delicious!)
6. sunglasses
7. Rosary bracelet (it’s my traveling charm)
8. Pens in various colors
9. Brush
10. Keys
11. Calendar
12. Book to read.
I forgot number 12 on this trip. I must have left it on the kitchen table.
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I :heart1: :heart1: :heart1: our emoticons!!!!
And if *these* start showing up on other sites because people steal them… it’s gonna be WAR! :darth:
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My kids are all over this one: :darth: :darth: heh…
OK, I admit it, I’m a total slob, so I don’t need much in the morning… I must be dressed and have house keys. I prefer to have but can live without my cellphone. Need kids in tow, some sort of lip protectant, and an extra diaper (for one of the aforementioned kids). Some sort of snacks preferred–both for me and the kids…
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I love the new emoticons ladies….especially this one :argue2:, and this one :darth: and this one… :dog1: really cute puppy….now this one is really RLMAO
and duh 
…the prayer one :pray: :pray: is essential for those Friday contests too…where do you guys find these….the “bad girl” is very nice too…very apropos for some…. :dominatrix: Well, I just wanted Julie and Janelle to know that their books came, not amazon, but the autographed ones…thank you so much…Janelle, love the book marks…keeps in on track about which books I still need to get…Julie, you are a mindreader…the neat surprise was one I was planning on getting too…thanx again…I am so glad I found the plotmonkeys…you guys help keep me sane…I am telling all my friends about you and your books…I just put the boys to sleep and now I am going to bed because tomorrow is going to be a long day…I hope everyone had a great day today…see you all tomorrow…
Sorry about the multiple posts…I thought something was wrong with my computer…I will remember that it will show up in time, as was demonstrated today…
Peace and love,
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:argue1: :argue1: :argue2: :readdabook: :scratch3: :darth: :dog1: :mail:
:gagged: 
:flamer: 
:bootyshak: 
:wub: :giggle: 
:liar: 
:pray: 
JUST TESTING
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Paula — I’m so glad your book arrived safely! Enjoy!
A big, huge thanks to WALT for uploading all our super fun emoticons! You made us all very, very happy, as you can see!
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Keys or I cant anywhere.
A Book.
My Watch.
All my makeup but most importantly – foundation, eyeshadow, blush and eyebrown brush on as my ends never grew back after I tweezed them.
My purse and bag that I carry my book and other “stuff” in.
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Forgot – MAKE THE BED – REALLY HATE LEAVING THE HOUSE WITH IT UNMADE. DONT KNOW WHY.