Thursday, February 17, 2011

Chili's Restaurant: Are you Wild or Mild? {Review & Giveaway}

Chili's logo{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Megan!}

Lately I've noticed that the majority of times that my husband suggests that we head out to eat at a restaurant that I shrug him off and either cook something at home or tell him to pick up take-out instead. With two children who may or may not sit still and be well-behaved, it's just hard to find a place that will have food that we all enjoy as well as an atmosphere that is family-friendly.

Fortunately, there's Chili's. Priding themselves on great food and the same genuine service that they began with back in 1975, this is one restaurant that we know can be depended on for a good meal, a casual environment and everyone leaving full and happy.

Chili's restaurantAs well as the burgers, fajitas, ribs and more that Chili's is known for, they have recently added a great new promotion that is making it even easier for everyone to have exactly the tastes that they prefer, whether sizzling or not.

These new menu items, dubbed Wild or Mild, give you the opportunity to take the original recipe and ramp up the spices... or cool down the flavors, whichever you prefer.

So, looking to keep your quesadillas classic and delicious? Then stick with the Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadillas. But if you're more in the mood for something hot with a kick, then try the new Jalapeno Chicken Quesadillas instead and give your mouth something to talk about! Chili's has definitely found a way to not only give you choices but to customize them just right for your taste buds.

Chili's menuAfter browsing... and browsing some more... my husband and I narrowed down the kids' meals and then turned to our own. Some of the new menu items like Blazin' Big Mouth Bites or Sweet Maple BBQ Chicken Crispers had caught our attention, but we couldn't pass up the variety and savings found with the $20 Dinner For Two section. An appetizer and two full-size entrees for $20? Sounds good to me!

Since we knew the girls were going to take over the appetizer, we went with the classic Tostada Chips and Salsa to start us off. Our friendly server appeared with the basket almost immediately and there were little (and big) hands digging in right away.
The chips were addicting! Light and airy and extremely crispy... I had to be sure to move the basket further away on the table because otherwise I wouldn't have had room for dinner.

And when I saw the size of my dinner, I realized that there was still no way that I was going to be able to fit it in!

The Quesadilla Explosion Salad made me wish I hadn't eaten so many chips, it really did. The combination of the cheese, tomatoes, corn relish, cilantro and tortillas strips went just right with the sweet and creamy citrus-balsamic dressing. Yum! This salad also comes with grilled chicken (that I had put on a separate plate to give to Little Sister B) and four pieces of cheese quesadillas. So, so, so good!

At the same time that I was digging into my salad, my husband was chowing down on his Half-Rack Baby Back Ribs with Homestyle Fries and Big Sister E and Little Sister B were enjoying a Grilled Cheese Sandwich. With all of our mouths full of flavor, everyone was quite happy about their selections.

After getting a good laugh when our server asked if we had saved room for dessert, we packed up (I got to take home half of my salad and enjoy it again the next day - extra yum!) and headed out, cheerful about the experience. The girls enjoyed the food, the kids' menu activities and the fun of being out to eat where no one minded if they talked too loud or dropped french fries on the floor.

My husband and I left pleased that we all were not only full but that we had been treated so nicely from the moment we walked in the door. Friendly staff, tasty food and happy kids? Definitely a successful restaurant trip!

But the fun of Chili's extends past what you can find within their doors. Right now the Wild or Mild menu has turned into a really fun contest called Shout Out To Eat Out - Wild or Mild with daily prizes as well as a grand prize at the end of April.

A fun and interactive promotion, all you have to do to participate is upload a head shot of yourself and turn it into a wild or mild avatar with clothes and accessories for the world to see. The ones that people have come up with are pretty funny!

Each day one winner be will randomly drawn to receive a $20 Chili's gift card and, as the public can vote on their favorite creation, at the end of the contest on April 30, 2011, the Wild avatar with the most votes will win a Vacation Prize Package for four to Las Vegas and the Mild avatar with the most votes will win a Vacation Prize Package for Four to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

So (if you are over 18 and live in the U.S.) head over to Shout Out To Eat Out - Wild or Mild today and start making yourself wild or mild today! And, thanks to the generosity of Chili's, one person will be a little more excited about this fun and tasty new menu as well, because...

One lucky person will win a $20 gift card to Chili's Restaurant!

Chili's gift cardTo enter to win: Tell me what makes you or your family Wild or Mild. There's no wrong answer, be creative!

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Chili's on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a $20 gift card to Chili's to check out the delicious new Wild or Mild menu! #thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/faO1Eq #win #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on March 11th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

A big thank you to Chili's for providing a $20 gift card for me as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

1450 comments:

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Callie said... 1

I think we are wild--b/c we like to have fun and be spontaneous!

catherine(dot)alley(at)gmail(dot)com

Callie said... 2

I follow you on twitter @lovemymrmason

And I tweeted!

Callie said... 3

I follow Chili's on Twitter @lovemymrmason

Callie said... 4

GFC follower of your blog!

Callie said... 5

GFC follower of your blog!

Callie said... 6

I get your emails
catherine(dot)alley(at)gmail(dot)com

Callie said... 7

I get your emails
catherine(dot)alley(at)gmail(dot)com
2

Marianna said... 8

I'd have to say we are wild well, because we have 4 boys under 6 and that in itself is insane! :)

Callie said... 9

I entered your Infantino Savvy Bag giveaway
catherine(dot)alley(at)gmail(dot)com

Callie said... 10

I entered the Happy Me Skincare giveaway
catherine(dot)alley(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said... 11

We are pretty wild simply because we have 4 boys and a girl..those 4 boys make us pretty crazy in our house.

kissyjensen at gmail dot com

Unknown said... 12

I follow Chili's on twitter as @stickyprints

kissyjensen at gmail dot com

Unknown said... 13

I like Chili's on facebook

kissyjensen at gmail dot com

Unknown said... 14

I am a feed subscriber #1

kissyjensen at gmail dto com

Unknown said... 15

I subscribe to your feed

kissyjensen at gmail dot com

Unknown said... 16

I follow in GFC as Chris

kissyjensen at gmail dot com

smdrm said... 17

Our family is mild as we sit together talking and using our laptops! But we love Chili's!!!!

kg4rmt at arrl dot net

smdrm said... 18

I like Chili's on Facebook as Selene Montgomery.

kg4rmt at arrl dot net

smdrm said... 19

I follow you on Google Friends Connect.

smdrm said... 20

I follow you on Google Friends Connect #2.

smdrm said... 21

I subscribed to your RSS feed #1

smdrm said... 22

I subscribed to your RSS feed #2

Anonymous said... 23

We're mild because we like to stay home - we're kind of like hermits :) LOL

nov231973 at gmail dot com

Mami2jcn said... 24

We're mild. Wild is too adventurous.

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

Mami2jcn said... 25

I follow Chilis on Twitter (@mami2jcn)

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

Mami2jcn said... 26

I like Chilis on Facebook (Mary Happymommy)

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

Mami2jcn said... 27

I follow you in GFC

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

#1

Mami2jcn said... 28

I follow you in GFC.

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

#2

Mami2jcn said... 29

I subscribe to your emails.

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

#1

Mami2jcn said... 30

I like you on Facebook (Mary Happymommy)

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

#1

Mami2jcn said... 31

I like you on Facebook (Mary Happymommy)

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

#2

Mami2jcn said... 32

I entered your Outback GC giveaway from The Bag Holder.

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

christina said... 33

i'm going to have to say we're mild, for now. i'm sure after #2 is born in a few months things will get wilder, and more so with every new addition!

we LOVE to eat out together as a family!

Mami2jcn said... 34

I entered your Big G Cereals/ Hot Wheels giveaway.

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

Jenn said... 35

We love Chili's too. It is such a family friendly place and the food is good!

What makes us wild or mild??? I'd have to say at this point, a day where the temp is over 32 degrees gets me pretty wild. I live in a really cold part of the country and until the last few days our temps hang at around 4 degrees (-15 with the windchill) so the latest warm snap has been VERY welcome turning us into some wild folks around here. lol

Bethany C. said... 36

My family is wild because of my little 16 month old monkey. I'm sure if we took her to Chili's she would do what she's best at- blow raspberries at complete strangers.

b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

Bethany C. said... 37

follow chili's on twitter bcardo79

b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

Bethany C. said... 38

like chili's on fb bethany cardone

b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

Bethany C. said... 39

gfc follower

b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

Bethany C. said... 40

gfc follower
2

b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

Bethany C. said... 41

subscribe to rss feed in google reader, bradley dot bh at gmail

b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com
2

Bethany C. said... 42

email subscriber

b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

Bethany C. said... 43

email subscriber
2

b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

Bethany C. said... 44

like you on fb bethany cardone

b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

Bethany C. said... 45

like you on fb bethany cardone
2

b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

Bethany C. said... 46

entered infantino bag

b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

Bethany C. said... 47

entered comfy sacks

b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

Bethany C. said... 48

entered guidecraft sort and stack

b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

Bethany C. said... 49

entered hallmark book

b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

Kaye said... 50

We're quite mild. Some people might even find us boring. But we love us, so that's what matters, right?

Kaye said... 51

GFC 1

Kaye said... 52

Entered Hot Wheels

Kaye said... 53

Entered The Popcorn Factory

Kaye said... 54

Entered Guidecraft Blocks

Kaye said... 55

Entered Comfy Sacks

Kaye said... 56

Entered Happy Me

Kaye said... 57

Entered Gummy Lump

Savvy Addy said... 58

We couldn't be more mild if we tried - We LOVE to be at home on the sofa, together relaxing. Mild to most - perfect for us!
savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Savvy Addy said... 59

I follow Chili's on twitter as SavvyAddy
savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Savvy Addy said... 60

I subscribe to the RSS Feed in my Google Reader - entry #1
savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Savvy Addy said... 61

I follow on twitter as SavvyAddy - entry #1
savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Savvy Addy said... 62

I follow on twitter as SavvyAddy - entry #2
savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Savvy Addy said... 63

I entered the Hallmark Recordable Book giveaway.
Savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Savvy Addy said... 64

I entered the Comfy Sacks giveaway.
Savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Savvy Addy said... 65

I entered the Infantino SavvyBag Changing Clutch giveaway.
Savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Savvy Addy said... 66

I entered the Pear Tree giveaway.
Savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Savvy Addy said... 67

I tweeted about the giveaway here:
http://twitter.com/#!/SavvyAddy/status/38271797765865472
savvyaddy at gmail dot com

Unknown said... 68

Following from Thirsty Thursday Blog Hop. You can follow back at www.pickfamilynonsense.blogspot.com :)

BK said... 69

Now I'm hungry lol. New follower GFC.

Happy Thursday,

BK

bkwalkerscafe.com

Emily @ Baby Dickey said... 70

I think we used to be mild.. but now that we have a 13 month old little boy, we're definitely wild! All the time! Haha.
erdickey at gmail dot com

delaney's mom said... 71

i'd have to say we're mild. even though from an early age my daughter loved spicy foods - we're really home-bodies!

delaney's mom said... 72

i follow via GFC (1)

delaney's mom said... 73

i follow via GFC (2)

forever&andalways said... 74

we are wild you never know whats going to happen next with us
cecc4ever@yahoo.com

Unknown said... 75

we are totally mild- if we won this, we would probably even get it to go and eat it at home in our pj's :)
dawn
theflipoutmama@gmail.com

Unknown said... 76

I like chilis on facebook (dawn spickard)
theflipoutmama@gmail.com

Simply Being Mommy said... 77

I'd have to say my family is wild because we have 3 children 7 and under and boy are they WILD!

Yours Truly said... 78

We are wild, but only because we like flair to our food!

Trudy
onlyjustine at yahoo dot com

Yours Truly said... 79

I entered the Pear Tree giveaway.

Trudy
onlyjustine at yahoo dot com

Crystal said... 80

I think we are wild because because we always grow habaneros in our garden every year

cyclona66 at aol dot com

Crystal said... 81

email subscriber

cyclona66 at aol dot com

Crystal said... 82

email subscriber #2
cyclona66 at aol dot com

Unknown said... 83

My family is definitely wild. It is crazy. These people never stop entertaining me or driving me nuts! lol

shopgurl101 at gmail dot com

Unknown said... 84

like chilis on twitter @shopgurl

Unknown said... 85

like chilis on fb evelyn d

Crystal said... 86

blog follower
cyclona66 at aol dot com

Crystal said... 87

blog follower #2
cyclona66 at aol dot com

Mamawj's Moment Away said... 88

main entry
I am a Chili's Mild while my hubby is a Chili's Wild person, we love Chili's awesome food & atmosphere thanks
sewitupjulie at gmail dot com

Mamawj's Moment Away said... 89

I follow Chili's on Twitter as itsallnew2me
sewitupjulie at gmail dot com

Mamawj's Moment Away said... 90

I Like Chili's on Facebook as julie cutshaw
sewitupjulie at gmail dot com

Mamawj's Moment Away said... 91

I follow you & tweeted
http://twitter.com/itsallnew2me/status/38309036147347456
sewitupjulie at gmail dot com

wigget said... 92

we are mild all the way because we're cautious, but every now and then we like to venture onto the wild side

wigget said... 93

subscriber

wigget said... 94

entered LeapFrog Alphabet and Numbers DVDs Giveaway

wigget said... 95

entered Build-A-Bear Workshop giveaway

wigget said... 96

entered The Bag Holder giveaway

wigget said... 97

entered Dinosaur Train Make A Match giveaway

Unknown said... 98

gfc follower, Eve

Unknown said... 99

Rss subscriber

wigget said... 100

entered The Popcorn Factory giveaway

wigget said... 101

entered PJ Greetings giveaway

Unknown said... 102

like u on fb evelyn d

wigget said... 103

entered Big G and Hot Wheels giveaway

wigget said... 104

entered Pear Tree Greetings giveaway

wigget said... 105

entered Happy Me Skincare giveaway

wigget said... 106

entered Gummy Lump's 300 Crafts for Kids giveaway

Unknown said... 107

have your button http://sweetqt.wordpress.com

Unknown said... 108

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3

Unknown said... 109

gfc follower, Eve

2

Unknown said... 110

Rss subscriber

2

Unknown said... 111

email subscriber

2

Unknown said... 112

like u on fb evelyn d

2

amber said... 113

JackieO1234 (at) yahoo (dot) com
we are pretty mild, dinner and a movie is as wild as it gets!

amber said... 114

JackieO1234 (at) yahoo (dot) com
follow Chili's on twitter

amber said... 115

JackieO1234 (at) yahoo (dot) com
i like Chili's on FB

Unknown said... 116

blogged: http://sweetqt.wordpress.com/2011/02/17/chilis-thanks-mail-carrier/

Unknown said... 117

blogged: http://sweetqt.wordpress.com/2011/02/17/chilis-thanks-mail-carrier/

2

Unknown said... 118

blogged: http://sweetqt.wordpress.com/2011/02/17/chilis-thanks-mail-carrier/

3

amber said... 119

http://twitter.com/Callie1981/status/38312695543373824
i follow u and tweeted
JackieO1234 (at) yahoo (dot) com

amber said... 120

JackieO1234 (at) yahoo (dot) com
follow u on GFC #1

amber said... 121

JackieO1234 (at) yahoo (dot) com
follow u on GFC #2

Unknown said... 122

enterted outback steakhouse giveaway

amber said... 123

JackieO1234 (at) yahoo (dot) com
i subscribe to you via email #1

amber said... 124

JackieO1234 (at) yahoo (dot) com
i subscribe to you via email #2

amber said... 125

JackieO1234 (at) yahoo (dot) com
i'm your fan on FB #1

Unknown said... 126

Right now, we are more on the mild side. Hubby is always at school and/or working so it's just me and the baby boy :)

mamavresale@yahoo.com

amber said... 127

JackieO1234 (at) yahoo (dot) com
i'm your fan on FB #2

Janet said... 128

The kids make our family wild and unpredictable!

i_luv_lordcyan@yahoo.com

Janet said... 129

I like Chili's on fb

i_luv_lordcyan@yahoo.com

Janet said... 130

I follow you publicly with GFC

i_luv_lordcyan@yahoo.com

Janet said... 131

I follow you publicly with GFC

i_luv_lordcyan@yahoo.com

Janet said... 132

I subscribe to your RSS feed

i_luv_lordcyan@yahoo.com

Janet said... 133

I subscribe to your RSS feed

i_luv_lordcyan@yahoo.com

Janet said... 134

I am your fan on fb

i_luv_lordcyan@yahoo.com

Janet said... 135

I am your fan on fb

i_luv_lordcyan@yahoo.com

Tina said... 136

Mild!!
merleandtina@yahoo.com

Tina said... 137

follow Chili's on Twitter
merleandtina@yahoo.com

Tina said... 138

http://twitter.com/#!/HappyTina0115/status/38321768267661312
merleandtina@yahoo.com

Tina said... 139

follow you on GFC
merleandtina@yahoo.com

Tina said... 140

follow you on facebook
merleandtina@yahoo.com

Tina said... 141

follow you on facebook
merleandtina@yahoo.com

Tina said... 142

subscribe via email
merleandtina@yahoo.com

Kristen said... 143

We're wild because we like spice in life and we like to try new things.

Kristen said... 144

I follow on GFC.

Kristen said... 145

I follow on GFC (2)

Kristen said... 146

entered Build A Bear

Kristen said... 147

entered Hallmark

Kristen said... 148

entered Big G/Hot Wheels

Kristen said... 149

entered Guidecraft

Jodi Faye said... 150

I have four kiddos...can you say wild?! ;)
joditrinklein @ gmail.com

Jodi Faye said... 151

Like Chili's on FB

Jodi Faye said... 152

Follow with GFC

Jodi Faye said... 153

Follow on GFC 2

Jodi Faye said... 154

FB fan :)

Jodi Faye said... 155

FB Fan 2

Jodi Faye said... 156

Email Subscriber 1

Jodi Faye said... 157

Email Subscriber 2

Jodi Faye said... 158

Have your button at http://www.makesmamasmile.blogspot.com

Jodi Faye said... 159

Have your button at http://www.makesmamasmile.blogspot.com

Jodi Faye said... 160

Have your button at http://www.makesmamasmile.blogspot.com

Tracy R said... 161

I have a wild sense of humor, but I am mild when it comes to my food.

Nebraska Hockey Mom said... 162

SUGAR gets my famiy hoppin'!
jtfilleman@cox.net

Tracy R said... 163

I follow Chilis on twitter @tracylr233

Tracy R said... 164

I follow you on twitter @tracylr233 and I tweeted
http://twitter.com/tracylr233/status/38329927308677120

Nebraska Hockey Mom said... 165

I subscribe to you!
jtfilleman@cox.net

Nebraska Hockey Mom said... 166

I like you on facebook!
tonya stutzman filleman
jtfilleman@cox.net

Nebraska Hockey Mom said... 167

I have your button!
jtfilleman@cox.net
www.nebraskahockeymom.blogspot.com

BethElderton said... 168

We are mild and quiet...but we LOVE spicy Tex-Mex!
bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

BethElderton said... 169

I follow Chili's on twitter as mbm218
bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

BethElderton said... 170

I follow you on twitter as mbm218

bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

BethElderton said... 171

email subscriber
bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

BethElderton said... 172

I entered your Popcorn Factory giveaway
bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

Kas said... 173

We are pretty wild because we like to travel a lot
Kas

Kas said... 174

I follow Chili's on twitter
KAs

Kas said... 175

I like Chili's on fb
Kas

Kim said... 176

Some are wild and some are mild. Some of us are just goofy and funny while others are laid back but when we are all together we are loud.
Molino7atmsndotcom

Kim said... 177

Daily tweet http://twitter.com/#!/memamemepapa/status/38339544885637120
Molino7atmsndotcom

Kim said... 178

Follow chili's on twitter
Molino7atmsndotcom

Kim said... 179

Like Chili's on facebook
Molino7atmsndotcom

Kim said... 180

Follow you via GFC #1
Molino7atmsndotcom

Kim said... 181

Follow you via GFC #2
Molino7atmsndotcom

Kim said... 182

Subscribe to you RSS Feed #1
Molino7atmsndotcom

Kim said... 183

Subscribe to you RSS Feed #2
Molino7atmsndotcom

Kim said... 184

Subscribe to you by email #1
Molino7atmsndotcom

Kim said... 185

Subscribe to you by email #2
Molino7atmsndotcom

Kim said... 186

Like you on Facebook #1
Molino7atmsndotcom

Kim said... 187

Like you on Facebook #2
Molino7atmsndotcom

Kim said... 188

Entered LeapFrog giveaway
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Kim said... 189

Entered Cool Care Curling Iron Holder giveaway
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Kim said... 190

Entered Sterling Silver Jewelry Gallery giveaway
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Kim said... 191

Entered Build-A-Bear giveaway
Molino7atmsndotcom

Kim said... 192

Entered Remington Style Curling Iron giveaway
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Anonymous said... 193

I say we're mild because we are all grown ups.
MCantu1019 at aol dot com

Anonymous said... 194

Entered Comfy Sacks giveaway.
MCantu1019 at aol dot com

Anonymous said... 195

Entered Happy Me Skincare giveaway.
MCantu1019 at aol dot com

Anonymous said... 196

I'd say we're wild because we are very spontaneous. We love running with the ideas we come up with.
valkayries@yahoo.com

Anonymous said... 197

I follow Chili's on twitter (@Lydia102866)
valkayries@yahoo.com

Anonymous said... 198

FB fan of Chili's
Kim Mager
valkayries@yahoo.com

peg42 said... 199

We're more on the wild side, because with young kids, they like to have a good time and we all laugh often.
Thanks so much.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said... 200

follow you on twitter & tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/Lydia102866/status/38360937186467840
valkayries@yahoo.com

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