Birthdays are the Best!
A lot of you wondered why Julie and I switched days this week. Here’s the reason: It’s my daughter Jen’s 11th Birthday and I promised her I’d post and say:
It’s a bonus that it’s also the Plotmonkey’s Birthday Week!
When we started this blog, we didn’t know what to expect. I know Janelle figured even I could handle one post a week without getting blocked on ideas. Little did she know. 
I have one standby and that’s Buddy. I was thrilled to hear many of you say this week how much you enjoy my Buddy posts. Did I mention we’re getting another wheaten? This one a girl we’re thinking of naming Bailey? Yes, next year there will be many more doggie posts from me.
In the meantime, like the other plotmonkeys, I’ve thought back over the year. What else did I post about besides Buddy that you enjoyed? I definitely remember some shameless pleading to buy my books and I can see some more of that in the near future 
But there were some other posts I remember too.
Do you? Tell me what Carly posts you enjoyed the most and I’ll draw one grand prize winner for your choice of a signed Carly book AND a Plotmonkeys sweatshirt!
The winners of Julie’s contest yesterday are:
Jeannie #9
Marylin #22
Tina #30
Carol #38
Dayle #54
Yeah! Please email me at julie @ julieleto.com (no spaces) and let me know which title you’d like from my backlist. I don’t have copies of all of them available, but I’m sure we’ll work out something. My website has my backlist, um, listed. 
Happy Birthday to Jen!
Your post on appliances that didn’t work was so true and I loved the WordPerfect customer service conversation at the end.
Comment by Maureen — April 18, 2007 @ 6:22 am
Happy birthday Jen!
Hmmm, I guess the one where poor Buddy got a haircut - poor guy LOL. But I love all the pet stories - they bring such joy and amusement to our lives.
Thanx Jodie, for noticing when I’m gone. You guys are the best
Comment by Stacy ~ — April 18, 2007 @ 6:33 am
My favorite blog would have to be :wallbash: you know this one, lol!!! no i really love all of your buddy blogs, well, of course, that little cutie!!!
and baily is adorable!!!:doggie::doggie:
Comment by jen — April 18, 2007 @ 7:52 am
Happy Birthday, Jen!!!
I do love your Buddy posts, but your travel post sticks with me–yellow sweatshirt and all.
Comment by Julie Leto — April 18, 2007 @ 8:07 am
LOL! Without a doubt your “Never Travel with Carly” who could forget your yellow Elton sweatshirt. And the Mohegan Sun story….I know at the time you are’nt laughing when you travel but they do make for great posts.
Comment by Kelly F. — April 18, 2007 @ 8:20 am
Ohhh…wait I almost forgot your bunny story too! You and your daughter screaming, the treadmill, I can’t remember the actual name of the post though. LOL!
Comment by Kelly F. — April 18, 2007 @ 8:22 am
Aw, Happy Birthday, Jen!
As for your posts, I loved “My Person.” It was a :lightbulb: moment for me. :-)
Comment by Rhonda Nelson — April 18, 2007 @ 8:23 am
Happy Birthday Monkeys!
:lightbulb:
I love to visit your blog, they are interesting, cool and funny things everyday.
Comment by barbara — April 18, 2007 @ 8:44 am
Definitely the post about the Elton John sweatshirt, because I’ve always been such a big fan of his (had a whole wardrobe of EJ t-shirts in high school), that I thought I’d finally found my long-lost twin (maybe even some quints judging from the group pic) at Plotmonkeys.
And a very happy birthday to Jen!
Comment by Karen Lingefelt — April 18, 2007 @ 9:04 am
Happy Birthday Jen
hmm white cake? wheres the chocolate…lol… have a wonderful day.
My favorite posts.. you all are a riot so its hard to pick but lately i loved the buddy haircut post… poor puppy…lol:doggie:
im trying to talk hubby into a new puppy i saw, its a shihtzu pomeranian mix and the most adorable little guy youve ever laid eyes on but hubby is fighting me saying 350 is too much for a dog.. what does he know..lol
Comment by Jolene — April 18, 2007 @ 9:30 am
I like your travel stories, also liked the one about why you write romance. And buddy( he’s adorable).
Happy Birthday Jen!!
Comment by Stacy S — April 18, 2007 @ 9:39 am
Happy birthday, Jen! Hope you have a wonderful birthday!
I enjoy all the personal stories. While I’m not a “lots of blogs” person, all of your personal stories are what separates Plotmonkeys from others–I feel I get to really know all of you. My fave posts of yours have been your “bad news travel” ones. Reading them, I feel so bad for you, but, as stories go, they are really entertaining…sorry….
So, enjoy the day with your daughter. She’ll be teenager before you know it (not certain if that’s an up or down thought).
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — April 18, 2007 @ 9:45 am
The travel stories really resound with me. Just love those. happy Anniversary. Great blog and enjoyable.
Comment by sharon — April 18, 2007 @ 9:47 am
Good morning, everyone!
Since you all love my travel stories, you should know I am taking a day trip to Buffalo on May 5 to get the new puppy by plane, with my girls. PLEASE pray for NO travel horror stories with an untrained puppy accompanying us home in a carry on bag!
Comment by Carly — April 18, 2007 @ 9:49 am
I enjoy the travel ones, but that Elton John sweatshirt sticks with me. Don’t ask me why. Call me weird. I also liked the Saturday post on the “True Kelly Ripa” story.
:doggie::doggie::doggie:Welcome Bailey:doggie::doggie::doggie:
Comment by katie — April 18, 2007 @ 9:50 am
I liked the travel post and love the ones about Buddy, but the one I learned the most from was the one about your new laptop. I learned about Flash drives and about laptops in general. In fact, that whole discussion got us thinking in my house and I ended up getting a new one myself…so that one definitely had the most impact on me.
Don’t know where I’ve been, or why so slow, but I just discovered your “writers helping writers” columns on your website night before last so am now making my way down the list of them. Thank you so much for doing those!!!
Comment by Jodie — April 18, 2007 @ 9:51 am
Happy Birthday Jen!!! I love all the plotmonkey blogs, but I guess I really love the Buddy stories and the travel stories…Love the Elton John sweatshirt. I did love the laptop info too…helping me to decide between an apple ibook and a regular laptop.
Comment by Liza — April 18, 2007 @ 10:30 am
Happy Birthday Jen!!! :present:
:present:
Congrats to yesterdays winners
My favorite post…hmmmm…it’s hard for me to pick just one. I love the Buddy blogs, Never travel with Carly blog, The road to Publication blog, Hair blog and so many more. But if I can only pick one I think I’ll choose the blog you did on “One Person” I loved it and it rang so true for me.
Enjoy all the birthday fun with Jen today.
Comment by Vicki — April 18, 2007 @ 10:36 am
Carly I love the Kelly Rippa story, it gives us aspiring authors hope!
Julie, Thanks for the prize:present:
Comment by Tina Martinesi — April 18, 2007 @ 10:45 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENN!
Carly, if you are like me, I relieve the day my kids were born on each birthday. If the feel like listening, I tell the story. If not, I just tell it to my mom, my dg, any one who will listen!
Did you make Jen’s cake? It is very nice!
I enjoyed hearing about your girls arguning :love2: (as all sisters do) and LOVED the Kelly Ripa story since I love you and her both.:love2:
Also, since I am such a fan and when I think of Carly all I think about is you, I fondly recall all summer when my surgeon’s assistant would call and for a few drug-induced moments I would think that it was you.
Have a super birthday Jen and mom!
Comment by Debbie — April 18, 2007 @ 10:50 am
Carly I love your stories about Buddy and your travel stories.
The one about the Mohegan Sun was close to home and gave me
smile.
Most of all I like your loving caring ways. :love2:
The tribute to your vet was a perfect example of the wonderful
human being you are. And the way you spoil your dog, excellent.
Another dog cool.
Last but certainly not least it is a special day.
:love2:Wow 11 pieces of cake to get 11 candles!:love2:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEN
Comment by jeannie — April 18, 2007 @ 10:53 am
I just found the link you posted last night on your very first group post from April of last year. That was great!!! For anyone that’s new here and curious, I’d definitely recommend going to yesterday’s blog and going to the link Julie posted last night. It’s a great way to get to know the Plotmonkeys better and to find out how we all ended up here.
Thanks!!!
Comment by Jodie — April 18, 2007 @ 10:56 am
Aww, you all make me feel so good! Here’s to you! :cocktail:
And since I’m the designated nondrinker of the group, for me:
But seriously, you’re all the best.
Nope, cake was store bought. Maybe I ought to do a what Carly can’t do blog. Like cooking.
Comment by Carly — April 18, 2007 @ 11:01 am
And congrats on the new puppy! :doggie: I can’t wait to see pictures!
Comment by Janelle — April 18, 2007 @ 11:04 am
Happy Birthday Jen! Carly, I have a Buddy too! He’s my 6-month old beagle!
Comment by Michelle — April 18, 2007 @ 11:09 am
Happy birthday Jen!!!
Carly, I have to say, one of my favorite posts of yours involved today’s birthday girl…Jen’s efforts to make mac & cheese…lolol!
Comment by Leslie — April 18, 2007 @ 11:17 am
Carly, my favorite posts from you are your traveling with Carly stories. And I’ll always remember you and your daughter trying to save the bunny, thank goodness for handymen!
I loved poor Buddy’s haircut too.
Good luck with the new puppy you are getting!
You Plotmonkeys rock!
Comment by Susan — April 18, 2007 @ 11:34 am
When you go to Buffalo if you have time you have to go to Schwable’s and have Beef on Whack. They have the best!!! I was there 1 1/2 years ago and I’m still craving them.
Comment by Vicki — April 18, 2007 @ 11:48 am
wtg winners
Comment by kim h — April 18, 2007 @ 12:02 pm
Love hearing your buddy posts and your Kelly Ripa story. Your joke about the 80 year old woman getting arrested for the can of peaches cracks me up love the punchline!
Comment by Teresa W. — April 18, 2007 @ 12:10 pm
I loved your post about Music and Lyrics ‘coz i’m a huge fan of Hugh Grant!
Comment by Kim C. — April 18, 2007 @ 12:18 pm
Oh, I loved your post about Buddy’s bad hair day! he was sooo cute there and it was so cute that you blogged pretending you were the dog, ah, I mean Buddy! LOL
Comment by Sheina — April 18, 2007 @ 12:20 pm
The Buddy Bogs are the best. So adorable and sweet. Love it.
Comment by ellie — April 18, 2007 @ 1:15 pm
Comment by Yolanda — April 18, 2007 @ 1:24 pm
Your travel stories are wonderful! Are crazy about those. Hope that your trip goes well. Happy Anniversary and all the best.
Comment by pearl — April 18, 2007 @ 1:33 pm
My favorite has to be the Buddy blogs. He is a sweetheart and just irresistible.
Comment by alissa — April 18, 2007 @ 1:34 pm
The Buddy stories are precious and the travel blogs are a big hit with me. Best of luck with the puppy and the trip.
Comment by sharon — April 18, 2007 @ 1:36 pm
Buddy stories are ones that I enjoy so much. I hope that your puppy is great and the trip is easy.
Comment by diane — April 18, 2007 @ 1:37 pm
Let me put it like this. . . LET’S GO METS!!
Lois
Comment by Lois — April 18, 2007 @ 1:57 pm
I must admit I also love the Buddy stories and your ‘less than ideal’ travel tales. I also enjoyed the blog on your hair and really had a big smile on the one about service calls on appliances. Some of your entries sure brought back some memories of past experiences.
Congratulations to yesterday’s winners.
Wishing everyone a GREAT day!
Comment by Shari C — April 18, 2007 @ 1:57 pm
Happy Birthday Jen! Definitely Buddy’s haircut post is one of my favorites if I had to choose just one.
Comment by Cherie Japp — April 18, 2007 @ 2:03 pm
WOO HOO! Let’s Go Mets. Those blogs will continue too!
Comment by Carly — April 18, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
Happy B-day Jen:!:
Carly, I really enjoyed your Kelly Ripa post ~ like Tina said, it gives us aspiring writers hope!
Comment by Robin — April 18, 2007 @ 2:21 pm
Since dogs are the best creatures for man, I love your Buddy Blogs. They are wonderful. But the travel stories I thoroughly enjoy. Good luck with the trip and the puppy.
Comment by joelle — April 18, 2007 @ 2:21 pm
Happy Birthday, Plot Monkeys! We’re celebrating our 2nd Anniversary over at Squawk Radio this week and Leslie Kelly was sweet enough to pop in and wish us well so I definitely wanted to do the same for you guys! Here’s to many more!
Comment by Teresa Medeiros — April 18, 2007 @ 2:22 pm
Hi, Terrie! I popped in this morning on Christina’s great blog about the ten things she’s learned and wished you one too!
You guys really set the precedent for blogs and se the bar high! 
Love you guys. Thanks for coming over here too!
Comment by Carly — April 18, 2007 @ 2:26 pm
Carly, I was just reading some archive’s and I love the story about Buddy and his favorite bone, which I can relate to. But I was disappointed that the photos wouldn’t pop in:cry: they must have been so cute.
Comment by Tina Martinesi — April 18, 2007 @ 2:29 pm
Happy Birthday Jen!
I love your Buddy blogs. He is so cute.
Comment by Crystal B. — April 18, 2007 @ 2:31 pm
Loved the interesting blog about your success and Kelly Ripa story. Fascinating and unusual. Your buddy stories are fabulous.
Comment by anne — April 18, 2007 @ 2:44 pm
OMG, I forgot about the mac and cheese! That was hysterical
Of course, if it had been my child I would have been hysterical. 
Comment by Jodie — April 18, 2007 @ 2:50 pm
YOU KNOW YOU’RE LIVING IN 2007 WHEN….
1. You accidentally enter your password on the microwave. (OK I haven’t done this one!)
I loved this post with all the reasons you should know. LOL.
I love the dog posts being a dog lover myself.
Comment by RobynL — April 18, 2007 @ 3:50 pm
Carly, I love the post about your trials and tribulaltions of your beloved Apple Computer.
Happy B-Day party week!
Comment by Ardie — April 18, 2007 @ 4:04 pm
Happy Birthday Jen!
Mine is tomorrow (but I don’t count them anymore!) and my son’s 13th is two days later! Carly, I liked your New Year’s Resolution blog - just my style! 
Comment by Nina — April 18, 2007 @ 4:10 pm
Happy Birthday Jen! I have to say I enjoy the pictures and posts about Buddy the most! Thanks again ladies for all the great posts! Its always fun to come here.
Comment by Carol — April 18, 2007 @ 4:13 pm
Thank You EVERYONE!!! :love2::love2::love2: plus: we can’t wait for the puppy either :doggie::doggie:
Comment by jen — April 18, 2007 @ 4:29 pm
I love your Buddy posts. I have cats, rather than a dog, and I can go on ad nauseum about them. Just ask my friends!
You can tell it’s a good friend when their eyes glaze over, but they still listen. I think Bailey is a great name for a little girl pup!
Comment by Shari — April 18, 2007 @ 4:29 pm
(I hope you make out like a bandit today!)
Buddy’s bad hair day sticks in my head. I think it must have been the photo of him. Such a sad looking dog.
Comment by Sue A. — April 18, 2007 @ 4:59 pm
Happy Birthday Jen :cry:
I love to hear about Buddy also
I liked the Apple computer story also and The Kelly Ripa story
but most of all from one MET FAN TO ANOTHER
LETS GO METS
Comment by Cherylann — April 18, 2007 @ 5:02 pm
OH NO JEN I MEANT THE
NOT THE CRYING SMILEY SORRY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Comment by Cherylann — April 18, 2007 @ 5:03 pm
Buddy haircut post. Loved it!
Comment by Minna — April 18, 2007 @ 5:30 pm
Happy Birthday to Jen!! Carly, it’s so hard to pick a favorite! I always enjoy the Buddy posts because life would stink without our four-legged children. I do remember a post you did on service calls. It made me laugh because at the time my microwave was making a god awful noise also.
Thank You for all the humor in the past year and I hope you give us many more years.
Comment by Tina — April 18, 2007 @ 5:42 pm
So, not only do we both have 11 year old Aries at home, but the granite under that cake is the exact same granite on my kitchen countertops.
Does that make us soul sisters?
Happy Birthday Jen!
Comment by Lori Borrill — April 18, 2007 @ 5:55 pm
Happy Birthday, Jen!
I guess some of my favorite posts are your hair posts.
Comment by Cheryl S. — April 18, 2007 @ 6:16 pm
I always enjoy any posts that have to do with animals but I also love hearing about your traveling experiences.
Comment by Claudia — April 18, 2007 @ 6:42 pm
Happy birthday Jen!!! Buddy’s haircut!
Comment by Amy S. — April 18, 2007 @ 6:49 pm
Happy BD Jen
I liked Carly’s blog on All I want to do is eat and the ones about her dog, Buddy 
Congrats ladies
Comment by catslady — April 18, 2007 @ 7:17 pm
Ha, ha, ………hands, no paws down, your Buddy posts are the best of all! Absolutely ruv them! Roof! My dog, Mickey barks his approval too!
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Jen, Happy Birthday to you……………Roof! Roof! :doggie:
Happy Birthday to all the Plotmonkeys!
Michele L.
Comment by Michele L. — April 18, 2007 @ 7:41 pm
Buddy is soooo cute! I do like the doggie posts and I liked the one about what your day is like. I would imagine right about now your either out with him on one of those walks or snacking. lol A big happy birthday to your daughter!
Comment by Kim — April 18, 2007 @ 8:19 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JEN!
May you have the time of your life!
I still love the Buddy stories and I look forward to stories about the new puppy (when she arrives) Puppy love is special!:love2::doggie:
Comment by Carol R — April 18, 2007 @ 8:42 pm
Happy Birthday Jen!
I’m a little new to this blog,but I did like The Bad HAir Day from Buddy blog.
Hugs, Danette
Comment by danette — April 18, 2007 @ 8:49 pm
I really loved your post a couple of weeks ago about your person.
It got me thinking, so I let “my person” know. I shamelessly copied some of your blog text and put it in an email to her. :email:
Needless to say, she reciprocates, so we’re all good. :thumbsup2: Now, if we could just forget some of the things we’ve talked about… They tend to haunt us
Comment by Lynn Matherly — April 18, 2007 @ 8:50 pm
Happy birthday, Jen!
So far I’ve enjoyed all your posts, but the one on how obsessions start when you decide you can’t/shouldn’t have something really resonated. Must be the “shouldn’t have another slice of pizza” decision I made earlier this afternoon…
Comment by Fedora — April 18, 2007 @ 9:30 pm
Hope you get lots of :present:!
It’s always so hard to pick one specific thing about the posts that I would point to being my favorite. What I can say is that it is the writing itself, from each of you, that I enjoy. Whether it is a funny story, a diatribe, or just plain shameless begging for us to buy your newest book ( I love those), I enjoy all the posts.
Keep up the good work guys!!
Comment by ev — April 18, 2007 @ 9:41 pm
OMG!!!!! American Idol Fans!!! He’s finally going home!!
Although, I must admit that I cried a little when he cried. What can I say, I’m a mom and he is only 17…but I’m glad he’s finally going home!!
Comment by Tina Martinesi — April 18, 2007 @ 11:30 pm
The one with you and Kelly Ripa. I didn’t even know she had a bookclub til I read your blog. All the ones of Buddy and his haircut and his surgery. POOR BUDDY. I really like reading all your blogs. You always keep things very interesting..
Comment by Kimberly Lane — April 18, 2007 @ 11:57 pm
Never Travel with Carly and Elton was hilarious too, maybe i can have a similar situation w/ this sweatshirt. haha! they will probably be asking where to get one instead! i also liked Carly’s Road to Publication. it gives hope and shows that dedication pays off.
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