Feel me up Friday Awards: Remember, dress like a tramp, get a boyfriend

I really wish they'd kill of Sharon on Y&R. She's a buzzkill in everyway. Whether you watch or not (you probably don't. I get it.), you must know a Sharon. The girl/lady/woman who has men groveling at her feet. She's helpless and hopeless and if she'd go a day without cleavage, I'd be okay with that. She's not cool. At all. I like strong women who can figure out how to pick up the pieces and get it together, instead of whinewhinewhine inbetween manmanman while showing cleavcleavcleav. Go away Sharon.

*end rant*

THREE DAYS LEFT to enter this MONUMENTAL CONTEST (yay CAPS)! Believe it or not, there's only about as many entries as there are prizes, so your chance of winning if you've already entered or are going to this weekend are excellent. Even if you're not a writer you can still support the cause, wear a shirt, download a song or just donate!

Random Fact: In fourth grade I performed "Cold Hearted Snake" in the end of year talent show, wearing cut-off jean shorts and jean jacket. Wait I didn't describe that right. I looked like a hooker. I swear grown men whistled. I got a boyfriend that day (not a grown man. yuck)...I guess if you dress like a tramp, you really do go places. Ya hear that kids?...Wow.

Random Fact: Okay okay...some of you have already seen it, but yesterday I had "me" time. Most people would (as Matt Rush suggested) go to the movies, the the spa, or just enjoy a quiet house. Not this rocker. I headed straight to the tattoo shop and started, what will be, a testament to my new motto. I told you I'd get it. And after dealing with all of life's shizz, I did:

Oh yeah. Could I afford it? Hellz no! But with yesterday being the 29th, and then everything about last week, this was closure. And it's not finished. I didn't have the $$$ to add this:

My best dude is totally cringing right now (you can't control me WOMAN!), but I've never been more sure about something so permanent, other than my darling princess, my love of all things Bert/Brady (and I guess the hubs!), and my hatred of the barking a-hole next door.
And this doesn't hurt either:

Okay friends, I'll be announcing the winners for the contest Tuesday (because I'll be gone all weekend). Black shirts are still on back order but I can order white right now.
Until we meet again, tell me, if a tattoo could represent you as well as this does me, what would it look like/say?

Team Joy 2 the World. OUT.

A nutjob says what?

What? Oh yeah. That'd be me. On a typical day, you can find me doing various miscellaneous slave work in and around the house. I'm almost always wearing a tee shirt and sweats, covered in whatever meal I made last and may or may not smell delicious (my vote is not). My wild hair is almost always free-falling across my sweaty, pasty face and despite the heat, I'll probably have socks pulled up to my knees. Sexxaayy, I know. Don't hate.

A day in the life:
Wakey wakey no matter how sleepy
Grab coffee STAT
Guzzle coffee while tripping over offspring's gourds of toys
Sit down with laptop and have a first attempt at checking email
Listen to offspring chat about what Daddy said she can't do
Give her something productive to do
Read email/blog inject coffee straight into veins before offspring interrupts
Eat a stray piece of toast
Continue process while offspring begs the hubs to go outside before he leaves for work
The hubs reluctantly takes her with a snarl
I enjoy the last quiet I get until offspring's bedtime
Offspring comes in crying over what Daddy said she can't do, again
The hubs comes in angry
I try to defuse, divert and decompress
Offspring settles. Hubs leaves. Me and offspring play.
I make lunch that offspring refuses to eat
I attempt to lay her down for a nap, starving myself
Forty minutes pass and it's time for quiet again.
Repeat this process + dinner + errands + clean house + laundry + dishes + sweeping + bills

And in the middle of all of this, I've somehow managed to write an entire YA Novel Writing for Beginner's course for KSURF, complete any and all copywriting work by the deadlines, work on my WIPs, breathe, organzize a fundraiser, daydream about the next New Medicine show, shower, read blogs, comment on blogs, write this blog, eat too much ice cream, hang out with friends, gush over BR80, query agents, and somewhere in there...sleep.

And today, my friends, Candyland is out of steam (temporarily). I've scraped the barrel dry, so this afternoon, I'll be doing something to remind myself why I do what I do, every second of everyday. You might see it in a random fact tomorrow...

AND... If you haven't entered or referred others to enter the CONTEST, Do. It. NOW. Four days left...

NOTE: All black tees are on back order. The second shipment of white ones will be ordered tomorrow.

Until then, when you run out of steam, what do YOU do to refresh?
Candyland. OUT.

Bella to Edward: "Change me...or get your hands on Paranormalcy. Either is cool, really."

Um, have you ever had one of those days where you felt like someone was, uh, watching you? You know. As you trudge to the laundry room, heaping pile of clothes hanging from the sides of the clothes basket and shivers crawl up your spine. You pour the detergent. Then the fabric softener. You don't use fabric softener? Oh. Well how do you keep the wrinkles away? Dryer sheet? Really?

Anyway, you stuff the clothes down into the hole (I swear that's not meant to be innuendo), turn the dial and press START. But the feeling doesn't leave you. You're afraid to turn around because you know they're there. They're...always...there.

 Don't see them, gawking, staring at you from behind? Look a little closer...

If you're ever in Anne's laundry room, the one currently messier than mine (ZING!), tell them to go away. Please. Or I'll have to bring out the big guns. Bleach...or my Tide to go pen.

CONTEST UPDATE: An entire day passed, and not a single contest entry. Twenty-four hours, and not a peep. I think I almost cried. And then I got over it and added a new prize: A pre-order of Kiersten White's Paranormalcy. Everyone's talking about it. Enter and get yours for free.

Graphic of the day brought to you by one of the coolest little dudes I've ever met, Lenny Lee:

FIVE days left to leave your mark, change the world and win great prizes. You can't lose when you give. A special post dedicated to all who've entered next Tuesday, August 3rd. Read all about the contest HERE.
Be the change. (And if you're Anne, be the Sharpie that accidentally blacks out the intruding faces).

Team BR80 Candyland. Out.

When laundry rooms (and life) smells like dung

The mere idea of how complicated I am is exhausting. I mean, I have certain rituals that occupy my time like "the tuck," constant hand-washing, wearing a robe in 100 degree weather...but then, on the flip side, I can't explain things like this:

Shhhhyyeeaahh, so...awkward. Don't even get me started on the closets. Inspired by Tawna's post, and BR80's words, I thought I'd get my freakin' act together and be the change in my own house. So I organzied, and scrubbed, and shifted things around. And in the end, this:

Funny enough, the first set of pictures is how I write a rough draft-messy, random, unorganized-in-an-organized kind of way, and the second set is what I end up with. It's still not perfect, but it's a cleaner start...kind of like life.

Speaking of a cleaner start, sometimes, people come into your life for a reason. Maybe it's to make you laugh. Maybe (unfortunately) it's to make you cry. And maybe it's to show you you're not alone. Last week, as some of you may know, was hard. Really hard. I haven't felt so low since I lost the baby. But thanks to emails, Tweets, msgs, time with friends, and lots of good cries, I feel so much better. And then, in yesterday's mail, this:

Thank you, my dear Lenny, for bringing the good kind of tears to my eyes. Sandwiched between two bills (and in front of a screaming toddler), I pulled out this little card of love. To each and every one of you who reads this blog, and has befriended me, I honestly love you. Thank you for standing beside me through all of my random facts, my spilled guts and everything in between.

How about you, friends, is your life currently a messy laundry room or a cleaner (but still needs work) version?
Oh, and, if you missed yesterday's CONTEST update with words from Matt Brady, please read HERE.
Candyland. Out.

Give and be freakin' happy

Some of you are unsure of this whole "I Heart Joy Like BR80" contest. You may have reservations. You may have doubts. You may have constipation. Well I'm going to put your mind at ease, but I can't help you in the bathroom department. Just eat more fiber.

I've had a couple of emails from various web friends concerned with the lack of information on the web regarding this wonderful organization and after an in depth article in yesterday's paper about charities, I thought this post was due. Part of the problem is my fault for posting only one website link, when in fact there are several. I've updated the contest page accordingly and given myself a time-out. The other part of the problem is my obnoxious fear of over-messaging BR80. I mean, the guy knows I think he's amazing, so when I flood his inbox, I fear he may be tempted to file a restraining order. Yaaaknow?

But I pushed my heart aside for the sake of addressing these issues. This is what he had to say:

First of all, J2W began as an affiliate of Women's Trust, an NGO in Ghana that works in a nearby village. They've been in their community for 5 years and acted as a model to help J2W get off the ground. They have since split ways and J2W stands independently to address the needs of people in the communities with which we operate.

J2W is a registered 501c3 non-profit. The most up to date fundraising page is directed through www.razoo.com , one of the net's most extensive networks of nonprofits. In order to qualify, all groups must present their tax ID and status to Razoo and complete a verifcation process to be featured on the site. J2W is in the process of scrapping the Paypal program because of it's unreliability and the excessive fees for use. Instead of embarking down the path of Paypal verification, we switched to a much more trusted and secure partner, Razoo. Also, there are no fees for transactions, meaning more of your money goes directly to the issue. 

The website is in the process of adding new content. January was the last major posting because that's the last time we were on the ground, in Ghana, collecting data to make the site more robust. I can assure you we plan to improve the content available, but you must remember there are no full time employees of J2W in America. Kathleen, Kanden, Nick (our new web site coordinator) and myself work out of a mutual passion for the women and country of Ghana. Your donation does not go to pay our salaries. It goes directy towards improving the lives of Ghanaians. 

J2W employs a loan administrator and a program director to handle all loan operations in Ghana. In January, we also hired a third party accountant to itemize and scrutinize all financial records to assure our contributors. That information will be finalized and posted upon Kathleen's return from Ghana at the end of August.

Finally, thank you for all your well thought out questions and concerns. You've obviously put alot of soul into digging deep into the group. Know that I'm always available to answer questions or direct you to Kathleen if their are questions I can't answer. Bottom line, this movement is important and life changing for the 200+ clients that have already received loans, the communities of Media and Samsam that benefit from the J2W well (borehole), the families that have received scholarships for their children by being "A" clients, and the countless people soon to be receiving buckets and wash basins because of the generous contributions by people like yourself. 

Thank you for being the change. 

If anyone has any questions or concerns, PLEASE email me and I'll forward them to BR80.

I'm about to up the stakes here. Now that you know everything about this organization, I HAVE to meet my goal of $500. I'm just about half way there. Yes, t-shirts have been ordered, graphics created, downloads, uhh downloaded, and the good word spread like wildflowers.

BUT...It's not enough. I want BIGGER donation numbers. If you still need to know why, read these:
Buy a Bucket  or Pre-K School

I know money is hard to come by, which is why I'm going to sweeten the deal for anyone who donates to enter. For every $1 you give J2TW this week, you'll get 5 entries PLUS you'll be entered into a special drawing (along with everyone who donated) to win a special "Candyland says Thank You" prize pack:
-Free Team Candyland or BR80 Tee
-$15 Gift Card to online store of your choice
-16 oz handmade candle in the scent of Buttercream Icing

So what are you waiting for, friends? Give $1, $5-I don't care! Just givegivegive! This is the last week to enter to win some incredible prizes while helping an amazing cause. Enter the contest by donating, downloading, buying, creating or promoting! Help people! Be freakin' happy!Yay! ENTER THE CONTEST HERE NOW!

Graphic of the day brought to you by the wonderful Lenny Lee and family, who also contributed $100 in donations for J2TW. Lenny, you ROCK! I'll be sending you something special for being so gracious.

As BR80 says, thank you for being the change. Annnnddd a HUGE THANK YOU to Jen Daiker for not only being the change, but inspiring Harris County Public Library in good ol' Houston Texas to be the change as well. This is bigger than us! Be a part of it! And if you ordered a shirt, send me pics of you in it (not in a creepy, romantic way...at least, not at first...let the fire build first. I like to take things slow)! And feel free to show your head...

Candyland. OUT.

Feel me up Friday Awards: Elton John wrote a song about me

I had a good day yesterday. Nonononono. Let me re-phrase. I had a freakingfantastic day yesterday. After recovering from my Wednesday-night-half-bottle-of-wine-while ugly-crying-in-front-of-best-dude debacle, not sleeping, and waking up around 6 am yesterday (withOUT child, mind you), things perked up in a big way.

No, I didn't win the lottery I don't play.
No, Matt Brady didn't profess his undying love for me.
No, I didn't organize my cabinets like Tawna.
No, I didn't magically lose those last pesky 15 lbs.

BUT, friends, my day started with coffee and all of you, mid-day lunch with the hubs, I found the PERFECT pair of jeans (the angels sang), and something happened I can't yet share. Yeah, I'm sneaky like that, but you *heart* me anyway.

Random Fact: I always wear three (sometimes four) black rubber bands around my right wrist. One is for my father's life. The one I didn't get to be much a part of. One is for his death. The one I didn't get to be a part of at all. The third is for the baby I lost last September. The one that will always be a part of me. Occasionally I'll wear a fourth, for its actual use-to put my hair up into a ponytail. Even though the offspring told me I'm not beautiful with my hair up. I think I do it anyway to rebel. Against my 3yo.

Random Fact: This is for Sheri. I was a dancer all my life. Until I hit high school anyway. Elton John wrote an ironic song about me. You might have heard of it. You know, Tiny Dancer. I was the largest effing dancer in every effing class, every effing year. One year we wore two-piece outfits. Oh yeah. It was as flattering as toilet glasses on my face. Wait...
Thanks Elton for making me a freaking sore thumb (as if I wasn't already). Because I was a fattie. Seriously.

Thanks for the feel-up. And right before the weekend! I feel so...so...loved! And special! And appreciated! Wait, you mean I'm *not* supposed to tie my self-respect into these feel-ups? Hmm. I need to have a talk with my therapists. With all the contest biznass goings-on, I know our relationship has suffered, but I promise I'll spend more quality time with you next week. And I promise not to let anyone else feel me up until then (well, I'll try)...

Until then friends, what kind of hobbies did you have growing up? Dancing? Eating? Crying? Hmm. Maybe all those were just me...


Team. Candyland. OUT.

Half a bottle of wine later...

I think the title implies a little more sexiness than I intended...hmmm...Anyway...

I had a lot of wine last night. And chocolate. And I'm still here to blog about it. Dedication or insanity? I'll let you decide, though if you know me by now, you'll be leaning towards a little of both. I'm sleepy and headachy, but ladies and germs, I just just HAVE to tell you something.

Yesterday was a hard day. Like ugly cry in front of best dude, have-alcohol-for-dinner, kind of hard. BUT, all your comments meant the absolute world to me. Seriously. I went back and re-read them several times over (after the buzz wore off!)so I didn't feel so alone. And even this morning, there were more, like little presents. It's hard, losing someone. Whether from death or even life. And this year, it stung more than most.

Maybe because it was coupled with Phil Harris's passing on Deadliest Catch, maybe it's because I've started working out again and Tony Horton is an asshole, maybe it was because of all the doctor appointments, maybe it's because it's been 2 whole weeks since the last New Medicine show and i'm going through withdrawal, or, maybe it's because I really, really miss my father. Whatever the reason, thank you for taking the time to read and comment. Now, enough of that. Onto some good news...

Um, the list of people blogging about this contest keeps growing! Keep at it my lovelies! We'll grab attentions sooner or later (when everyone's tired of hearing about it!)
Thank you new posters: 
Kimberly Derting
Amanda J.
Ricki Shultz
Erika Lynn
Riv Re
And again to everyone else who's blogged about this contest:
Beth Revis (she's giving away $15 for spreading the word!)

Tawna Fenske

Sean Ferrell

Matthew Rush

YA Highway

Susan Kaye Quinn

The Adventures In Children's Publishing

Robyn Campbell

Carrie Harris

Jen (Unedited)

Rose Cooper 

Valerie Kemp

Dianne Salerni

Kasie West

Cassie Bongiovanni

Aik

Janet Johnson

Sisters In Scribe

Leigh Moore

Dawn

Kelly Breakey

If I've left you out, please let me know! You deserve credit!!!

More good news:
-My pitch won Shelli's Agent Pitch contest with Suzi Townsend. CLICK HERE to read.

-Entries are still slow, but they're coming! And I sold a few more shirts. Yay!

-I got a $7 rebate check in the mail! Score!

-My daughter kept her pants on. All day.

Okay, so maybe it's not all AMAZING news, but it's good enough for me. Also, I'm completely obsessed with raising more money for Joy 2 the World. This has been such a fun contest. I just want to remind you all, there are ways to enter without giving money. You can promote the banner or create a graphic for entries and still have the chance to win some superawesome prizes. Also, so you know, I'm counting blog posts for entries too. Woo-hoo! Don't remember what I'm giving away? Click the banner at the top of the page.

J2TW graphic of the day: Created by Kirthi

Now, Candyland has some contest biz to attend to and dragons to slay. Wait...

**The offspring did NOT keep her pants on after the creation of this post**

Tell me friends, what small joy have you experienced this week?

Team. Candyland. OUT.
P.S. Candyland's background is expiring (BOOOO!!!), so don't be alarmed when you come back tomorrow and it's sporting a new look.

Six years ago today

Six years ago today, my father died. In a hospice, without the face I remembered from my times, few and far between, with the man I didn't know was my father.

Six years ago today, I met my husband. At an open mic, in another state that would eventually become my home.

Six years ago today, I had no idea my father was dying. No idea he might have cried out for me or reached for me or whispered my name to a passing nurse.

Six years ago today, I had no idea the drummer with the Ohio accent would become my husband, or my friend or the father of my child.

Six years ago today, I had it all and felt free for the first time ever and I loved every second of it.

Six years ago today, despite the freedom, I was lost, looking for myself and who I wanted to be.

Six years ago today, despite my efforts, my father was lost, looking for me.

Six years ago today, the stars aligned and fates crossed and my father, my husband and myself became forever intertwined. Whether I was ready, or not. And I wasn't ready. To be in love again. To lose the father I'd only started searching for, to find...me. But I did.

7-21-2010
To my father,

Today Lilliana's eyes sparkled the way yours used to. The times I saw you. It took me back, caught me off guard, to see you in there rattling around in her glare. I felt like you saw me through her eyes, or she saw me through yours. I couldn't tell. But in that instant, I felt you around us, thickening the air, filling my lungs with your presence. It only lasted a second, but I tried to hold on to it. I tried not to let go. And then she looked away and the air was thin again and my lungs struggled for breaths, the way they always will without you around.

If you could do that again, so I know you see me, so I know you hear me, the cracks in my heart could start to heal. Until the day I die, I'll hurt for you. I'll miss you. And most of all, I'll love you.

Love,
Your only daughter

Candyland. Out.

Look at my white butt forever

This is what I heard after the offspring pulled down her pants, climbed onto the couch and shoved her pasty caboose onto my cheek. Motherhood couldn't be more glamorous. It's times like these when I long for the next New Medicine show. So I can remember who I was before. Don't get me wrong, I love her. I wouldn't trade it. I'm grateful. But man, I used to be cool and fun and funny and wore short skirts and tank tops and felt good about it. And now...this.

I went to the doctor yesterday. For answers. You know. The doctor. The plus is, things aren't as bad as they could be. The boner is, they're not amazing either. I have some decisions to make, some pillows to punch and some chocolate to eat. Oh and some New Medicine to remind me how to fight. "The strong resolve to fight" is what they sing, with conviction. I'm thinking of getting it tattooed as a reminder to never give up on anything that matters. Including myself.

Things around the web have been slow. I know, it's summer. People have lives outside of this. But let me tell you, friends, this contest for Joy 2 the World is important. Not just because it's a wonderful distraction and something for me to bury myself in to forget the choices and changes in my life, but because it helps people and you can never go wrong with helping people. Never.

I believe in karma and faith and being kind and doing good. I also believe your worth isn't measured by the things you do, but the person you become by doing the things. And Matt Brady's journey, and New Medicine's music and this contest I'm throwing are changing me and reminding me of the amazing person I was before motherhood. And that I can be "her" and still be "me" too...

So, go ahead. Enter the contest, spread the word, be forever changed by the good you're doing (and maybe winning cool prizes). Clicky on the banner at the top of the page. You won't be sorry.

How about you friends. What's changed you? And do you ever miss who you were before the change?
Team BR80. Out. (okay. Team Candyland.ugh...)

I Get Around...a lot.

You may have noticed over the past week, I'm kind of, um, everywhere. I don't mean to be all up in yo biznass, friends, but I've got to get people interested in my mission for the women of Ghana. If you haven't seen my banner or a blog post or a Tweet about it (or FBook or MSpace or email or carrier pigeon or sign language or miming), then get with it!

There's a contest going on where you'll be entered to win some AMAZING prizes and you'll be helping an AMAZING charity. Click on the banner at the top of the page to see all the deets.

And when I say I get around, I'm not kidding. You can read more about this movement through the following peeps who've done an amazing job of spreading the good word:
Beth Revis she's giving away $15!
Tawna Fenske
Sean Ferrell
Matthew Rush
YA Highway
Susan Kaye Quinn
The Adventures In Children's Publishing
Robyn Campbell
Carrie Harris
Jen (Unedited)
Rose Cooper 
Valerie Kemp
Dianne Salerni
Kasie West
Cassie Bongiovanni
Aik
Janet Johnson
Sisters In Scribe
Leigh Moore
Dawn
Kelly Breakey

A huge thank you! HUGE! And to everyone who's put the banner up, linked on their side bar or anything short of screaming it from the rooftops, I THANK YOU from the bottom of my headless heart. Keep at it, and we'll have a nice pile of donations for J2TW come July 31st.

Thank you Lenny for creating today's graphic!

I challenge you today to refer at least one person to my contest page. And then challenge that person to refer one person. And so on. And so on. Until there's nothing left to give (donations). Until there's nothing left to listen to (iTunes download). Until there's nothing left to create (graphics). Until there's nothing left to buy (t-shirts). And until there's nothing left to promote(I HEART JOY LIKE BR80 CONTEST).

Tell me friends, how are you going to enter the contest?


Team BR80 Candyland. Out.

Feel me up Friday Awards: Contest Updates & Oh no...the cup

First, some sucky news: After today, all t-shirt prices will increase to $25 per shirt, regardless of size or color. This is due to the site's "special" ending. Yes, this is a GIANT #epic #candylandfail for not noticing how long the special ran, but I'm new at this whole fundraising biz and alas, there's good news too. All t-shirt orders will now get 20 entries and all others have been raised to more entries, per activity, as well.

Yeah, it sucks. I suck. The t-shirt peeps suck. Suck suck suck. Moving on...

Just remember, you don't HAVE to enter this way. There's other ways to rock the contest. If you want a shirt at the original price, order TODAY before 4pm, and yours will be included in the 1st and last shipment of the affordable tees. After that, twenty-five buckaroos, but still, for a good cause.

Operation Stats since Tuesday's announcement: 
Total donations: $85
Total shirts sold: 4
Total graphics made: 1
Total downloads: 1
WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THIS, FRIENDS!!! With all the amazing prizes, donate, give, create, buy, listen-whatever. Just do it! You can't go wrong here.

Also, I've decided to group the prizes, so if you win, you can pick! Liiikkkkeee, if you want to enter but have no manuscript, you can still win gift cards or books. It sounds more complicated than it is, but the new format is now visible on the contest post. You'll see what I mean.

Random Fact: Remember that effing plastic cup? While washing dishes, it stared at me with its stupid orange stripes and I kind of lost it and...well...

Random Fact: I don't feel bad about throwing the cup away. Sorry hubs.

Thanks to everyone who's spreading the good word to help make this fundraiser/contest a success. If you're an agent/author/editor etc. who wants to donate, I'll be accepting them until the last day, July 31st.

To everyone else, keep Tweeting, FBooking, Blogging until your fingers hurt. This is about something bigger than us, and together we CAN make a difference. In fact, if you look at the new/original contest page, you'll see if you put this banner up on your page, linking to the contest page, there's the fifth way to enter the contest. If you need a better resolution of the image, just shoot me an email.

Give. Buy. Create. Listen. Promote. Total number of entries for posting: 5


Happy weekend friends. Spread the love.
Team. Candyland. OUT.

Deja Vu: Operation I Heart Joy Like BR80 CONTEST...Pass it on

Operation "I Heart Joy Like BR80 Contest."

~To read the story behind the contest, CLICK HERE~ 

G is for GIVE: Donate directly to Joy 2 the World via the paypal button on their site! The more you donate, the more entries you'll get, just like a raffle. For donations of $50 or more, Candyland will throw in a"Team BR80" or "Team Candyland" tee, if desired (see below). Just be sure to include your size and address when you submit proof of donation (also see below).

To donate, CLICK HERE.
Total number of entries per dollar of donation: 1

B is for BUY: Buy a limited "Team BR80" or "Team Candyland" shirt for $15! Pick a side, I dare you! Half the proceeds from each shirt will go directly to J2TW. Even if you don't want to enter the contest, you can still order these and know you're doing your part while rockin' a cool tee. Also available in BLACK for $5 more. You can email me or order with the "BUY NOW" button on the right side of the page. Just be sure your address is noted somewhere in the transaction so I know where to send.

Total number of entries per shirt: 10

C is for CREATE: If you don't have the cash, it's cool! Design you're own Joy, Br80, New Medicine or Candyland graphic!
Total number of entries per image: 3

L is for LISTEN: Of course I want to help promote my boys because they ROCK! Download of either their singles "LAID" or "THE TAKEOVER" on iTunes. For every one of these entries, Candyland will donate $1 to J2TW.
CLICK HERE TO BUY.
Total number of entries per download: 5 

W is for WIN: It wouldn't be a contest without fabulous prizes and I have been incredibly lucky to have some of the top peeps in the industry help out for this amazing cause. Enter today and you can win:

• (5) winners will be invited to attend a private webinar + query, synopsis + 5 page critique with superagent Natalie Fischer
• 30 minute phone call with superagent Michelle Wolfson
• Autographed copy of "The Body Finder" and swag pack donated by author Kimberly Derting
• 3 chapter tandem critique by authors Tawna Fenske &Cynthia Reese
• "Lost Dog," "Chasing Smoke" and "Day One" autographed book set donated by author Bill Cameron
• A copy of "NUMB" + 50 page critique by author Sean Ferrell
• A copy edit of your ms by supereditor Gretchen Stelter
• "We Hear the Dead" tee + ms critique by author Dianne Salerni
• Query letter + 3 chapter critique + special pre-order of "Across the Universe" by author Beth Revis
• One of (4) signed prints, (1) signed original, and (2) query critiques donated by author Rose Cooper
• Critique and line-edit of first 30 pages of YA ms donated by author Valerie Kemp
• One of (3) $25 Amazon Gift Cards + (1) 10 page critique donated by author T.H. Mafi
• Query, synopsis and 5 page critique donated by author Carrie Harris
• Query critique by author Matthew Rush
• "24 Hours London" + "24 Hours Paris" donated by author Talli Roland
• ARC of "Dead Beautiful" by Yvonne Woon donated by yours truly, Candyland
• MORE PRIZES TO COME!

How entries are verified and counted: 

Email all information to candaceganger@yahoo.com. 

-For GIVE, email proof of donation.
-For BUY, use the "BUY NOW" button on the right side of the page.
-For CREATE, email each  link, picture or graphic.
-For LISTEN, email proof of each download.
You may email multiple entries separate or all together!

The contest will run today through July 31st and winners will be announced on Monday, August 2nd. You may enter with as many options as you'd like as many times as you want! Refer friends, help J2TW, win cool stuff, be cool. Yeah.

If you have any questions or want to donate a prize, email me at candaceganger@yahoo.com. I will keep adding as they come in and I will post this as often as I have to to get the job done! To everyone else, have a truly rockin' day week month life and thank you thank you thank you for helping.

Team. Candyland. Out.

The shirt that keeps on giving and ROCKS: Which team are YOU on?

I am overwhelmed with your generosity re: yesterday's contest announcement that will benefit Joy 2 the World. Seriously. To everyone who's volunteered a prize, donated directly, bought a shirt or downloaded a single THANK YOU. At the end of every post from now through July 31st, I will provide a quick re-cap of how to enter and a list of prizes until everyone humanly possible has entered (or you grow tired of me).

Also thank you to everyone who created a  blog post, Tweeted or FBooked about this fundraising contest. In my opinion, if you give, you win, but it also helps to walk away with one of the amazing prizes offered or a limited edition "Team" t-shirt (to order, look on the right side of the page).

I'm still catching up on emails and preparing for something that might get a little bit more attention to this, so for now, I'll leave you with yesterday's details. If you want to read more about WHY I'm hosting this, read yesterday's post HERE.

 Operation "I Heart Joy Like BR80 Contest."

G is for GIVE: Donate directly to Joy 2 the World via the paypal button on their site! The more you donate, the more entries you'll get, just like a raffle. For donations of $50 or more, Candyland will throw in a"Team BR80" or "Team Candyland" tee, if desired (see below). Just be sure to include your size and address when you submit proof of donation (also see below).

To donate, CLICK HERE.

Total number of entries per dollar of donation: 1 

B is for BUY: Buy a limited "Team BR80" or "Team Candyland" shirt for $15! Pick a side, I dare you! Half the proceeds from each shirt will go directly to J2TW. Even if you don't want to enter the contest, you can still order these and know you're doing your part while rockin' a cool tee. Also available in BLACK for $5 more. You can email me or order with the "BUY NOW" button on the right side of the page. Just be sure your address is noted somewhere in the transaction so I know where to send.

Total number of entries per shirt: 10

C is for CREATE: If you don't have the cash, it's cool! Design you're own "Joy/Brady/New Medicine/Candyland t-shirt graphic.

Total number of entries per image: 3

L is for LISTEN: Of course I want to help promote my boys because they ROCK! Download of either their singles "LAID" or "THE TAKEOVER" on iTunes. For every one of these entries, Candyland will donate $1 to J2TW.

CLICK HERE TO BUY.

Total number of entries per download: 5

W is for WIN: It wouldn't be a contest without fabulous prizes and I have been incredibly lucky to have some of the top peeps in the industry help out for this amazing cause. Enter today and you can win:

• (5) winners will be invited to attend a private webinar + query, synopsis + 5 page critique with superagent Natalie Fischer
• 30 minute phone call with superagent Michelle Wolfson
• 3 chapter tandem critique by authors Tawna Fenske & Cynthia Reese
• "Lost Dog," "Chasing Smoke" and "Day One" autographed book set donated by author Bill Cameron
• A copy of "NUMB" + 50 page critique by author Sean Ferrell
• A copy edit of your ms by supereditor Gretchen Stelter
• "We Hear the Dead" tee + ms critique by author Dianne Salerni
• Query letter + 3 chapter critique + special pre-order of "Across the Universe" by author Beth Revis
• One of (4) signed prints, (1) signed original, and (2) query critiques donated by author Rose Cooper
• One of (3) $25 Amazon Gift Cards + (1) 10 page critique donated by author T.H. Mafi
• Query, synopsis and 5 page critique donated by author Carrie Harris
• Query critique by author Matthew Rush
• ARC of "Dead Beautiful" by Yvonne Woon donated by Candyland
• MORE PRIZES TO COME!

How entries are verified and counted: Email all information to candaceganger@yahoo.com. 

-For GIVE, email proof of donation.

-For BUY, use the "BUY NOW" button on the right side of the page.

-For CREATE, email each  link, picture or graphic.

-For LISTEN, email proof of each download.

You may email multiple entries separate or all together!

The contest will run today through July 31st and winners will be announced on Monday, August 2nd. You may enter with as many options as you'd like as many times as you want! Refer friends, help J2TW, win cool stuff, be cool. Yeah. And thank you, Anne for the very first graphic creation!

If you need more incentive, Beth Revis is offering a $15 gift card giveaway for spreading the word and posting the link(s) on her site. You can find out how HERE.

Until tomorrow friends, motherhood's been craptastic lately. Have any of you had "those" days?

Team. Candyland. Out.

Operation "I Heart Joy Like BR80" Contest

Hello friends. I've had problems with Blogger, so this is a new "contest" post, only condensed. I hope by now, you know who New Medicine and Matt Brady are, but if you don't, they're the reason for this monumental giveaway. Matt Brady is New Medicine's bassist, and an avid supporter of the non-profit, Joy 2 the World, which generates micro-credit loans for the women of Ghana to encourage independence and empowerment.

They're an amazing organization who helps build wells for clean water (as opposed to river water), create pre-k schools with hot meals, give loans to women for small business start-up and awards scholarships to those attending school.
To read Matt Brady's amazing journey in Ghana, click HERE.
To read more about Joy 2 the World, click HERE or HERE

To enter Operation I Heart Joy Like BR80:
1) G is for GIVE: Donate directly to J2TW. The more you give, the more entries you'll receive.
To donate, please click HERE or HERE or HERE or HERE
Total number of entries per dollar: 2 5
2) C is for CREATE: No cash? It's cool. Create your own graphic supporting this cause.
Total number of entries per graphic: 3
3) L is for LISTEN: To support my boys, download one or both of New Medicine's singles "Laid" or "The Takeover" on iTunes. To download, please click HERE.
Total number of entries per download: 10
4) B is for BUY: Buy a limited edition "Team Candyland" or "Team BR80" shirt for $25. Use the "BUY NOW" button to the right of the page.
Total number of entries per shirt ordered: 20

5) P is for PROMOTE: Paste the banner on your web page or blog with a link to this page and spread to the good word!
Total number of entries for blogging/pasting/linking: 5

6) W is for WIN: It wouldn't be a contest without prizes! There's two groups, one for writers and one for readers so no one is left out. Also, entering at all is a win/win for you, and the women of Ghana!
For Writers:
-(5) winners will be invited to a private webinar + query, synopsis + 5 page critique with superagent Natalie Fischer
-30 minute phone consultation with superagent Michelle Wolfson
-3 chapter tandem critique by authors Tawna Fenske and Cynthia Reese
-Copy edit of 3 chapters by supereditor/superawesome (formerly of Baker's Mark) Gretchen Stelter
-50 page critique by author Sean Ferrell
-Query letter + 3 chapter critique by author Beth Revis
-Skype session and copy of ebook "From the Query to the Call" by Elana Johnson
-Query, synopsis + 5 page critique by author Carrie Harris
-Critique of manuscript by author Dianne Salerni
-Line edit of first 30 pages (YA) by author Valerie Kemp
-(2) Query critiques by author Rose Cooper
-Ten page critique by author T.H. Mafi
-Query critique + winner interview on blog by author Matthew Rush

For Everyone:
 -Autographed copy of "The Body Finder" + swag bag donated by author Kimberly Derting
-Autographed set of "Lost Dog," "Chasing Smoke," and "Day One" donated by author Bill Cameron
-A copy of highly anticipated "Numb" donated by author Sean Ferrell
-Special pre-order of highly anticipated "Across the Universe" donated by author Beth Revis
-Autographed New Medicine CD, autographed poster donated by Candyland & Photo Finish Records
-ARC of Yvonne Woon's "Dead Beautiful" donated by Candyland
-Pre-order of Kiersten White's highly anticipated "Paranormalcy" donated by Candyland
-"We Hear the Dead" tee donated by author Dianne Salerni
-One of (4) Signed prints + (1) signed original piece of artwork by author Rose Cooper
-One of (3) Amazon gift cards donated by author T.H. Mafi
-Copies of "24 Hours London" + "24 Hours Paris" donated by author Talli Roland

Something extra for those who donate $$$:

The chance to win a special "Candyland says Thank You" prize pack:

-Free Team Candyland or BR80 Tee

-$15 Gift Card to online store of your choice

-16 oz handmade candle in the scent of Buttercream Icing

How entries are counted: Email all proofs of donation, downloads, banner links and graphics to candaceganger@yahoo.com. T-shirt orders will be sent automatically to my inbox. Also, forward any questions, concerns or donation offers to the same email! Enter as many times as you'd like, in as many ways as you'd like. The contest will run through July 31st and winners will be announced Monday, August 2nd.

Team Candyland. OUT.