Tonight, it’s Top Chef! Yay! And Probst was on some channel or other proclaiming that this week on Survivor the food auction reignites a battle between two remaining members. Gee….let me stop for a second and try and figure out which two survivors they might be….. Hmmm, couldn’t possibly be Randy and Crystal could it? Naw. But first….more Top Chef! And I think the new Brit judge starts tonight. Can’t wait for him.

Don’t forget to enter this week’s contest! Details in Monday’s post.

So…..DISH!!

Back to the semi-final action and…Cody. You work so hard and I was thrilled to have Julianne back, too, but despite the fact that you’re probably a better technical dancer than Warren, I think your skinny-teen-can’t-dance-but-tries-really-really-ridiculously-hard run is over. Aww. But of the final four, this is the pair that excites me the least. (Well, that’s not true. Brooke and Derek are by far the most proficient technicians of dance left in the competition, and Derek isn’t hard on the hips-er, eyes, but Brooke doesn’t bring me into the dance, and at least Cody does that.)

But I think Brooke/Derek are a lock to go on, as is Lance and Lacey, who’s mambo was yowza wowza fun. Loved the jitterbug, too, and Lance losing a shoe and having to do that fast dance on one slippery sock? Double wow. Loved them most this week.

For most grins, Warren and Kym take it, hands down. He’s a horrible dancer, and yet I look forward to watching him have fun every week. He brings the joy, brings the funk. Stay, Warren. (And your dance lesson with Uncle Lenny was hilarious. Loved you teaching him your moves.) Plus, is it me, or is Warren a slightly smaller quarterback killer than he was when he started? Such a great smile, too.

Tonight’s results show brings a list of entertainment longer than the program, and all I’m gonna say is there better be some pro’s dancing along! Dance show, producers. Not singing show. Just sayin. That said, we get Aretha, so I’m officially shutting up now.

So…who do you think is gonna stay? Gonna go? Who do you want to win? I’m on the Lance/Lacey train, but this is no surprise. So? DISH! (And enter this week’s contest to win an advance copy of my March 09 book, Let Me In - see details in Monday’s post!)

This week, Kazakhstan. Gorgeous country, loved loved the Mongol warriors and the clue bearing falcons and eagles, and loved Toni and Dallas even more. My fave team, hands down, at the moment. Dallas in the cow costume, totally having fun with that whole silly detour, was a great thing to see. Nick and Starr take the last remaining fast forward (and have to eat nasty cow bits) and come in first again, Dallas/Toni hit the mat second, followed by Ken/Tina (who made their fair share of mistakes this leg) and Andrew/Dan, who simply are a mistake. Wow. No words. Dudes.

However, all this was quickly forgotten with the major eyebrow porn Phil gave us on the Amazing Bathmat. Smokin’ Phil this week, is all I’m sayin.

Next week, looks like Killer Fatigue set in on the Final Four. I’m looking forward to the race to the finish, even if it looks like that will include Ken and Tina. You can’t have it all your way. But I sure wish I could.

This week, however, to make up for my two week deadline hibernation from hell, we are having a special weekly contest! Yay! I will be giving away an advance copy of my March 2009 release, Let Me In, to one lucky Blog Babe. To enter, simply send me an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with Let Me Win! in the subject line. Winner announced on Friday.

I’m slowly making my way through a week of stuff, but LOVED the first episiode of the new season of Top Chef. Looks like a great season. Love! Survivor, I just have two words: Die, Randy. Wow, a more miserable human being I’ve never had the displeasure to meet. Kenny, on the other hand? Geek Rock Star. Let’s hope it’s buh bye, Corrinne & Randy next. My dream team final three? Sugar, Bob, and Kenny. And/or Matty. Not sure how that would happen, but as long as Randy and Corrinne leave the game, any remaining combination makes me happy. Fong can’t win a damn thing, but they can blindside the strong like nobody’s business. Outwit, Outlast, Outplay my dysfunctional friends.

Tonight, we get Julianne back with Cody, Warren and Kym, Lance and Lacey, and Brooke and Derek bringing us Final Four action. Should be fun!

Aaaaaaand? DISH!

Everyone enjoy the crisp fall air and falling leaves…and don’t spoil anything or tell me who has been sent home as I’m not watching anything until at least Friday. That’s my reward for hitting The End.

We will resume the weekly contest next week and there will be a Very Special Prize to make up for Hibernation Hell. An advance copy of my March release, Let Me In!! So tune in next Monday for the new giveaway rules, and hopefully some MAC as well.

Now….where did I put that big bag of M&M’s….do I have Cheng’s on speed dial? And Dominos? I think I’m good! See you all in a week!

Have a great weekend everyone!

However, just because this is going to be a blog-free week, doesn’t mean we can’t still giveaway free stuff! That just wouldn’t be right. Easy contest this week - just send me an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with “I could use a free book” in the subject line. On Friday, we’ll have two, yes TWO winners. (Hey, it’s an election week where there can be only one winner, so I say, more winners whenever possible!)

Thanks to everyone who made it out to the signing on Saturday. It was a spectacular fall day in the Blue Ridge mountains and our two hour signing turned into an almost 6 hour signing! I know! It was crazy. But fun was had by all and it was great to see everyone.

Don’t forget to get out and vote tomorrow!!

~ Donna

Next week I have committments that are going to making blogging a challenge, but I will pop up when I can! We will have a contest giveaway, so tune in Monday to get all the details. And maybe a pic or two of the booksigning tomorrow (if I remember my camera!) Hope to see some blog babes there.

Happy Halloween, everyone - stay safe, and enjoy the chocolate buzz!

So….go back and check out Monday’s post and send in your votes/guesses for this week’s contest. You have until 8pm EST this evening to get your votes in. Winner announced tomorrow! Remember, if everyone guesses wrong, then everyone who guessed at all will be in the running.

Good luck!!

On Dance night, we had all different dances, ones we’ve seen before, but this time danced by those who hadn’t done them as yet. Aaaaand, they dance a group old school hip hop routine that brings this show to a new low. Which….Cloris and Master P. Need I say more? So we’re talking loooow.

7 couples left…who goes home this week? (And if you’re thinking Cloris, don’t be so sure.) Oh, and Lord of the Flies–er Rings–er Dance, Michael Flatley steps in for Len as a guest judge and is surprisingly low key and gracious. I don’t understand it, either.

Okay…

Pairs I liked:

In terms of both skill and entertainment, Lacey/Lance’s jive was the highlight of the evening for me. And, as it turned out, for the judges who scored them in first place, too. Isn’t it nice when we all play well together?

I also really enjoyed Julianne/Cody’s samba. Shut up, Bruno. It was intense music, and the powerful way in which they danced it was riveting. Loved it. Totally sucks about her surgery and, though I think Edyta is gorg and Cody is likely having quite the fantasies right about now, her Amazon leg length alone is going to make her look like she’s towering over him. His ability to “be da man” is going to be severely tested. I hope he sticks around until Julianne gets back.

Aaaand, here’s my unpopular pick of the night. Cloris/Corky. Things got ugly when Carrie Ann slammed Cloris for having the nerve to still be on the show when Toni is no longer there…..like, what, Cloris had her offed or something? Since when is who WE vote for Cloris’s fault? Now, I agree that the antics are getting old, yadda yadda. But she’s 82, working her ass off, and having the time of her life. She’s not going to win. And neither was Toni. So, frankly, I say, back off and let her have her fun until her time is up. Everyone has made it really far and when they go, they go. We’ll all get over it, trust me. And for her, it’s the best thing in the world. And it’s a freaking dance show. She’s not running for office. I think that between the cha cha and the hip hop routine (which, sorry, she came out in those tights, socks, and shorty jean shorts and I busted out laughing. So…sue me. Twice.) and Carrie Ann’s less than gracious live comments, I think she’s guaranteed another week. And I’m totally okay with that. Tired antics and all. She made me laugh out loud several times this week, Corky dialed it back a little…and she entertained me. She makes my top three. Despite the fact she can’t dance. Don’t care.

Teams in the middle:

Due to Brooke’s bum foot/ankle/whatever, Derek was forced to tone down the choreo and it showed. Still lovely and sexy, but the never moved from a two foot area of the dance floor. So she drops to the middle this week. I hope she can get back to her former level, with without being able to rest that particular injury, I think she’ll just be lucky if it doesn’t get any worse. Can’t see it healing.

It pains me, because I love him, but Warren/Kym’s rumba didn’t do it for me. I think he did well and totally got the groove of it, but….they’re sort of like a C grade for me this week.

Cheryl/Maurice’s Viennese Waltz was nicely done, but didn’t get me excited. They did well, just not keeping me engaged.

Bottom team:

Susan/Tony - yes, she did loosen up more, which is admirable, but she simply doesn’t have it in her to really cut loose. It’s just not who she is. At 62, she’s also been freaking amazing, but I think this is her week to go.

Sooo…..on to the results show. Did I peg it right? And who else made the bottom two, if Cloris doesn’t? Or does she?

Here we go….

So, the hip hop encore required slightly less brain bleach than last night, but mostly I’m glad it’s over. As, I am sure, is Susan Lucci. (Lance & Lacey rocked it, though.)

Pussy Cat Dolls and Missy Elliott as well as M Flatley perform. The former…wow, on a family show, too. The latter….went on and on and on, and maybe it’s just me, but I fast forwarded. Sorry, Mike.

Safe? Lance/Lacey, Cody/Edyta, Warren/Kym, Brooke/Derek, Cheryl/Maurice

Bottom Two? Susan/Tony & Cloris/Corky (see? Stop worrying Carrie Ann, she’s in the bottom, her time will come next week. And honestly, do we really need to see Susan dance again? Just sayin.)

Going home? On week six, heading out the door…Cloris/Corky. Somewhere, Carrie Ann is waving her arms in the air and woo-hooing. And the world is cheering. And yet, I’ll miss her. At least next week when I have to watch Susan. Twice. Think about it. Once she goes, I’m predicting next week, then this show rilly gets serious. Cloris actually makes a fairly dignified and sweet exit, along with being her wacky self…and remember, two Susan dances. Just sayin.

Tom says something about there being team dances next week, which I have no idea what he’s talking about, but it sounds interesting. As long as Susan does no hip hop, we’ll be okay.

Tune in tomorrow to see me smack Eddie around a bit more on Top Design, as I’m certain he’ll warrant the treatment. And don’t forget to enter this week’s contest. Anyone can guess…so do! See Monday’s post for the rules. See yesterday’s post for the latest booksigning info.

And? Well, DISH! I know you want to.

When? This weekend, Saturday November 1st from 1 - 3 pm.
Where? Turn The Page Bookstore & Cafe in Boonsboro, MD

Would you love a drive through the gorgeous fall colors? A chance to wander a historic Civil War town? Check out the Antietam battlefields nearby? And, most importantly, have the best frozen custard you’ve ever tasted? Well, come join us!

Signing books this Saturday: Nora Roberts/JD Robb, Mary Kay McComas, Ruth Ryan Langan, Mary Blayney, Mary Burton, Michelle Monkou & columnist Tim Rowland. Oh, and ME!

If you can’t join us, click the link above (the bookstore name) and join our “virtual” signing. Choose your book by one of the participating authors and place your order. They’ll get it signed for you that day and ship it right to your door.

Here’s a peek from the last booksigning:

Turn The Page Anniversary Signing!

Clockwise, me, my pal, Leah Kmetz, Nora Roberts, and her son, Jason. I’ll try and remember my camera this weekend and share new pics with you all next week!

And while you’re cruising the web, check this out. We, the very happening Blog Babes, have made the Top 50 Chick Lit Blogs! Click here and see who else made the list!

Tune in tomorrow for all the Dance MAC you can stand…I’ll recap the performance and results show all in one. I’m still bleaching my eyes after the group hip hop performance and need another day to process that hot mess.

Also - don’t forget to chcck out and enter this week’s contest. See Monday’s post for all the details!