Little Sweeper's Little Corner

Something Evil ...

2012-01-07T04:54:00.000-06:00

this way comes. Or least I think it's evil and it only comes if you fall for it. Whatever could I be talking about? Magazine Sweepstakes! That's right, you maybe sitting there thinking I'm a few bricks shy of a full load, but let me go into more detail and maybe you will get a better understanding of why I think Magazine Sweepstakes are evil.

One of the main reasons why I personally think Magazine Sweepstakes are evil is because most of the time, especially for a new comer to this hobby, it's very hard or tricky to see that they offer the signup page for the sweepstakes, and it's also a signup to order their magazine! Duping poor innocent people who only want to feel like a winner, into made to feel like a loser when the bill comes in. What? I don't remember ordering Redbook? (Or Martha Stewart, Allure, Lucky, Good Housekeeping, Better Homes and Gardens, etc, etc, etc)

But wait! Oh crap I did, did I? Sometimes when I get in a funk and I really want to get the prize train coming to my house faster, I like to enter sweepstakes that have a lot of prizes being offered. Well, unfortunately Magazines are one of the best ways to get that train started, in my opinion. However, you do need to be very careful when reading the entry page, to make sure that you are not agreeing to order a year (or two) of magazines from that particular company.

Why Magazine companies feel the need to do this, is beyond my true understanding. However, I have had one person explain what their personal thoughts were and I am incline to agree with them. As many of you are aware, print items are slowly going away like the dinosaurs. Newspapers, Magazines, etc. Well, one of the main ways a magazine makes money is not by the subscriptions that they sell, but rather by the revenues made by selling ad spaces in that magazines. That's the bread and butter of the whole thing. BUT they can't get top dollar for magazine ads, unless their subscription rate is high enough. So, one way to make it appear higher is to offer these sweepstakes and end up kind of tricking people into subscriptions. A lot of times people never even get in touch with them and let them know, because screw them because they screwed me. Or, they will either call the company and let them know an error was made, or they will write CANCEL on the first bill that shows up at their house. Regardless of what action you may take, it makes their subscription numbers look higher than what they really are.

I personally dislike this type of sweepstakes trickery. It's rude and crude and horrible on my pocketbook. So I thought I would take a few moments and let you guys (even if it is just my Dad) know that whenever you are entering a sweepstakes that is being hosted by a magazine subscription, please read the fine print very carefully. Redbook is my main gripe. BUT once you train your eyes to look for the link that they offer for you to enter without a purchase (Because by law, there is a No Purchase Necessary way to enter) it does get easier to enter.

I thought I would try and show you a screen shot (From Redbook of course) and also letting you know about a particular sweep that they are hosting right now, in case you may be interested in entering it. This particular promotion, Redbook is giving away (15) $100 Gas Cards.

This is the link for the 1st option, which if you don't look for the link to click to the "No Purchase Necessary" option, you will receive a Redbook magazine subscription.

Also, please note that you can not enter this promotion from this website. I am only using these as an example. If you are interested please feel free to go to their website, via the link I provided above and look for the link to take you to the No Purchase necessary form.

Example A:

As you can see there are two paragraphs above the entry form, along with a cover photo of the current month's Redbook magazine. Well on the second paragraph there is a link to take you to the No Purchase Necessary form. THAT's what you need to look for and learn to train your eyes and your brain, to go for whenever entering a magazine promotion, just to be on the safe side. The link actually says CLICK HERE. I tried entering the website link, that could directly take you to that form, but you have to click on the main page first, and then click it yourself. Once you do, you should see a photo looks similar if not exactly like this...

I hope this has been somewhat helpful. You just would not believe how many times I've ordered magazines by mistake and regretted it. In fact, I quit entering most magazine sweepstakes/promotions because of this. However, every now and then I find something that appeals to me, prize wise and I go back to it.

There is something that I've decided to do with all those magazines that's been delivered (I've been keeping them in a box) and that is to help me find photos to create a dream board. This is something of a craft project that sweepers sometimes do, and it's to help you visualize the prizes that you really want to win. Cars, Cash, Computers, Vacations, Jewelry, whatever.

I've never made one and I think I am going to finally do one very soon. Hopefully before the end of next week, so that I can look at it all year long. I am trying to be more positive in regards to entering sweepstakes and I think having a visual will help me stay on track and more motivated to keep entering.

Trying to change up my ways

2012-01-02T22:38:00.001-06:00

of doing things in regards to entering sweepstakes of course. :)

Note: This is a REALLY long post, so I warn you in advance. You can read the first two paragraphs and then skip down to the last six paragraphs to save you some time. I basically just go into more details about the various ways to enter sweepstakes. But if you are already a seasons sweeper, you probably already know most if not all of what I wrote.

I've been entering Sweepstakes for right at nine years. I've won some nice things and had some wonderful experiences and had several opportunities to travel. However, one thing you learn if you stay in this hobby long enough is that sometimes the game changes and you need to be flexible to change with it, otherwise you will be left a loser and wondering why you are no longer winning like you used to. Thus becoming depressed and thinking that once again all sweepstakes are rigged, even when that's not the case.

After my last post, which was all of yesterday (I know I can't believe I've made two post so close together either..back to back basically...will wonders never cease?) I've been thinking of how I should or rather *need* to change my method of entering sweepstakes. Especially if I want to continue to win and maybe win something Big for 2012.

Right now there are so many ways to enter sweepstakes and be a winner. A few of those methods and an explanation of what and how to enter them are:

Snail Mail - (My all time favorite..I know I am a little crazy and alone in feeling that way. But I've always been drawn towards repetitive things, like Data Entry). Snail mail entries is usually your NAZ and maybe other requested information written down on a piece of paper or card, usually a 3x5..sometimes they like to throw in odd sizes like 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 cards/papers..thinking that people won't use them and thus being disqualified. So it's always important to read the rules people! Then you place your card or paper into an envelopes (you will never go wrong when using a plain white #10 envelopes also known as a business envelope) and put a first class stamp on it, and hopefully, Lord willing it will go to the right address and be added to the collection of all the other entries.

Online entries - a fairly cheap way to enter, as long as you have a computer/laptop and an internet connection, which does cost money, but you could also go to a library and enter from there. However, I doubt anyone going that route would get a ton of entries in daily, unless they seriously loved going to their local library!

Contest - This usually involves more participation and it also usually means a lot less competition. This can be anything from recipe contest, video/you tube, essays, talent (singing/dancing) and more. (This is my least favorite..because I feel so totally UN-creative and boring).

Facebook - This is a very popular way for sponsors to advertise their products/services and Facebook has millions of users, so it only makes sense that sponsors are going the route of using Facebook to attract new customers. This is a social type way of entering sweepstakes along with ...

Twitter - This is what is also known as micro blogging. I am sure most people have heard of twitter, even if they haven't posted a tweet. I will be the first one here to admit that I am not very keen on twitter contest. I've been told that it's a good way to win, because a lot of people feel the same way about it as I do, thus meaning the competition is low. I have won one or two twitter promotions, and I have decided to give it another shot for 2012. It still confuses me, especially when there are "Twitter Parties". I will hopefully go into more detail at a later time about what a twitter party really is and what it involves so that you can have a better understanding of it.

Texting - I don't know of anyone, unless they are under the age of 5-6 years old and possibly over the age of 80, who doesn't know what Texting is. Now the older generation probably doesn't use this method of entering promotions all too much, so it can be a great way to enter and win prizes. I've found that beer companies use this method a lot and I've won several nice prizes from texting. One of those prizes was a Cruise! It does involve using a cell phone and if you choose to enter this way a lot, please also remember that texting cost money and to look at unlimited texting plan from your cell phone provider. But if you have a teenager with a cell phone under your roof, you might want to invest in unlimited texting just for that reason alone.

Drop Boxes - You usually see these at grocery stores, but you can also see them at Malls and other places of businesses. Now the ones at the mall, I personally never enter. Those usually end up being given to Time Share places and they call you, trying to get you to come and view/listen to their pitches to sell you a time share property.

Now some people can use this to their advantage, if they have the will power not to buy into the spill they give to you. I've thought about seeing if my husband might want to try this, as we know someone personally who does this and they've received airfare and sometimes even hotels, just to listen to a sales man try to hock their properties. I'm just not sure I would be very good at it. I think once I saw the properties being offered and hearing only the good points of it from the sales person, my eyes would glaze over faster than a hot Krispy Kreme doughnut and I would sign something before my good sense came back.

But not all drop boxes are like that. I especially like the ones that are found at the grocery stores. Or department stores. Even though I just mentioned above about not entering drop boxes at the mall, I don't mean the ones inside a department store. I've found most of them in the ladies department or the teens/kids department, like at Dillards, Macy's, J.C.Penneys, etc.

Blogs - Well, as you know by reading this website (which happens to be a blog) you know a little bit. A blog promotion is usually held by the person who writes/creates the blog. The blogger normally writes a review about a product that was given to them from a sponsor and they are told to either keep it and give away another exact product to one of their readers or just give away the product that they've reviewed.

The biggest blog sweepstakes/promotions are from what is typically called "Mommy blogs" This area has become highly saturated in my opinion and they usually want you to jump through a LOT of hoops to get your entries in. And the prizes are not usually for anything spectacular. Small amounts in Gift Cards like $10, DVD's, Cd's, books, etc. I don't mind entering these occasionally, but I don't spend a lot of time on them, because like I just wrote, they usually want the person entering, to do several different things, to make the entry complete.

Things that range from posting a comment, following their blog, making a tweet and then coming back and posting that status link to that tweet, to prove that you really did tweet about their promotions, and many other things. Sometimes they will give you 5+ entries for each action taken, but then I get really confused about how in the world they could possibly keep up with all the entries for it to be truly legit. Some people have also expressed their skepticism towards mommy blog promotions and think that they either don't send the prizes out, which are normally provided by the sponsor or they give them to their friends/family members, instead of their readers. I am sure some of their fears are correct, but there are honest bloggers out there and it is another way to enter and win stuff. It's just not for everybody. Personally I think it's you either hate them or you don't.

Snap Tags - This is probably the newest on the scene of entering sweepstakes/promotions. You may have seen some odd little black and white photo with a lot of pixels/dots. There are also colored ones too. Well, if you have something on your "smart" phone, called a "Tag Reader", you use that application and take a photo of that picture and it then normally takes you to a special web page on your *smart* phone so you can enter. I can't say that I've been impressed with this method of entering, but it's still in it's growing stages I suppose and I am going to try and be more aware of snap tap promotions around me, and enter. But it's towards the bottom of my list when thinking about entering sweepstakes. Basically, I'm not going to be losing any sleep over it, if I don't enter one of them.

Radio Call Ins - I know you know about Radio call in...The DJ's will announce at a certain time to call to either win something or be put in a drawing for an even bigger prize. These are hard to win in my honest opinion. Basically because you tend to get a busy signal all the time. But some people really really love them. I guess if you spend a lot of time listening to the radio, perhaps either at work or maybe being a stay at home or work at home parent, you can enter these more frequently than other people. I also think that if you listen and enter on the week-ends, you might have a better chance of getting through, since most people like to do things with their families and thus making the competition lower. Or at least, that's my opinion. So far I've only gotten through once to be put in a drawing, which I didn't win. It made me feel the same way inside like I do when I only have one more number left when playing Bingo! It's not a happy feeling either. It's more like I'm on the verge of having a panic attack...so not fun to me!

Radio Remotes - This is where a radio station is at a certain location and they mention where they are and for how long and encourage their listeners to come and visit them and try to win various prizes or get entries in for something great, like trips or a car.

Game Shows - These are harder and probably not a lot of people do these. But some of the Games shows that come to my mind are Jeopardy (which I despise), Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, Deal or No Deal, etc. There is usually a cattle call and long waiting periods and then you get interview basically. They are usually looking for people that are exciting or at least project excitement and that makes for good TV, even if it does embarrass yourself and your children for years to come.

I am sure there are few more ways to enter promotions and if you can think of anything that I might have missed please comment on this blog post or send me an email. I would love to hear from you.

So in answer to what I wrote at the beginning of this blog post, I am thinking about changing my way of entering. Last year I spent most time on snail mail entries and it really didn't pay off for me in the long run, which is most disappointing. My husband was the biggest winner and I think (although I am not certain) that most of his entries was from entering online.

The biggest change I think I am going to do is continue to enter my husband with online sweepstakes (possibly only, unless it's a local/restricted one) and just enter myself through the mail. I also now get to enter our child, since the birthday that was celebrated last year, makes her more open to more sweepstakes and contest! Whoo Hoo.

A couple of years ago it wasn't unusual for me to start my day entering online sweepstakes. I would normally take about 2-3 hours each and everyday (and yes I do mean every day) and enter online. I would later make time during the evening hours to do my entries for snail mail entries. Last year I tried really hard to enter 11 snail mail entries each day, but I didn't keep to it as well as I wanted to. What can I say? Life got in the way and I just wasn't going to make myself feel bad for not making my goal.

I guess I could make a goal of trying to enter 12 snail mail entries each day if I gave it some thought. I know I have a batch ready for tomorrow's mail and there are only 11 in it. My mind was still thinking 2011. So I guess I will end this post now and enter some more sweepstakes. Who knows..you might even get another post from me tomorrow. I don't want to say that's one of my new year's resolutions, which is to post each and everyday. I will say that I am hopeful that I will write more consistently on here. I mean that was the purpose of creating this blog space in the first place, right?

So bye for now and good luck to everyone that chooses to enter sweepstakes...because you will never be a winner if you don't enter!

~Cheers~

.

It's going to be swell in 2012!

2012-01-02T01:58:00.001-06:00

Yeah, that's my crappy motto for this year. I try to come up with a new one each year, and after 2012, I've got nuthin! I mean, what rhymes with 13,14,15,16,17,18,or 19? But if the Mayan calendar is to be believed, I am not going to have an issue with it either...so who cares, right? RIGHT!

I really should have written a blog post before now. I was planning on writing something on the last day of 2011, but eh...I didn't. What can I say? 2011 was the year of the lazy for this blogger. Oh who am I kidding? The last 44 years have been the year of the lazy for me! LOL Yeah, I know it's not really funny, but it's my blog and I'll bitch, moan, groan and make cheesy jokes and bad puns if I want to. I'm sure that could have been a song title, but it would have taken too long to print and sing to..so moving along.

Happy New Year!

and yes, I am actually writing this on day 2 of 2012...but it's still the first day of 2012 in California and probably some of western counties or states, like Hawaii, so it counts and it's all good! Right? RIGHT!

Last year wasn't anything spectacular for this little sweeper. In fact it started off pretty grim as my mother in law passed away on Jan 13. And even though we are still having to go through so many things that was brought on from her death, we are still together as a family of three and have somewhat to moderately good health. I pray daily for all my family to stay healthy, safe and happy. It's really more important than anything else, especially a prize....however! I am going to continue to enter sweepstakes and maybe even a contest here and there. I mean, I won't win squat if I don't enter, right? RIGHT!

I actually tried to keep track of my wins from 2011 in a spreadsheet like I've been doing for many years. I believe I am now entering my 9th year of being a sweeper. I still can't believe it to be honest. I never really stick with hobbies for very long, unless you count sleeping for longer than 12-14 hours at a time. That hobby I have always excelled in and probably will continue to do so. When you are a stay at home mom and are disabled, sometimes you get a case of what my husband likes to call "the case of the sticky mattress" which basically means, my fat butt doesn't get out of it until after about 12 hours or more. Yes I'm lazy..let's move on.

Even though I don't have the proper spreadsheet to look at or prove to anyone, I would have to state that it was my husband that was the biggest winner in this household over all of us! Even though we didn't win a trip or anything that made me wet my pants, I would still think or at least like to believe that we stayed in the black and not the red, as far as cost goes. I enter a lot of snails mail sweepstkaes and stamps cost money. I may end up switching my entering methods for 2012 and that will probably be the subject of my next post. Yeah! An idea...cool...something to think about and write...sweet!

I have realized something else...Voting contest are for the freaking birds! I know I never came back to give any more updates on the last voting contest I was in, but that's because it became very apparent that the people who entered that same contest, well...I hate to say it..but there were CHEATERS! I mean come on! Some of those photos had well over 12,000 votes (and no that is not a typo) in less than 24 hours. Even though the rules stated that it was unlimited voting..after 1000 votes, it wouldn't let you vote anymore. (I know this, because I clicked that dang vote button over and over and over and over, etc) At first they ( the people hosting the contest, which was a local news station) let the number of votes be seen, but they later changed it, so you couldn't see it. (Probably due to other people who entered, bitching about how a few entries had so many votes, so soon after the contest started. They should have stopped the contest and discounted every vote and started over...but they didn't. Well surprise surprise (NOT) that the photo that won, was also one of the photo's that had thousands of votes right at the very first of the competition!

I don't know what it is, but when you offer up a free trip to Disneyland or World, some of the worst can be seen in people! UGG. I am now just about certain I am done with voting contest, unless it states in the rules about no one using bots (computer programs that help cheaters win contest on the internet) and that it's either judged by a panel of judges and not basically a popularity contest. That's really leaves a bad taste in so many people's mouths and honestly, it makes the company (or local news station) look bad. I personally am very tempted to write a strongly worded letter to let them know, but I'm still shaking off the bad case of the lazies!

Soon after posting this blog post, I will be making my new spreadsheet for the wins for 2012. I have also been giving some thought as to what I want to write about here, in regards to this hobby. It's a wonderful hobby and it's given me and my loved ones a lot of pleasure. In fact, some of the wins (i.e. Gift Cards) came in really handy for Christmas.

I am also hoping that I will write on a more regular basis. I would love to be able to say I would commit to a weekly post..but I'm not so sure about that to be honest. But then you never know, so please continue to check back now and then. If you don't see anything new, shoot me an email and, well I was going to say write and tell me to get off my butt, but to write a blog post, I actually have to sit on my butt, so that wouldn't work. But you could say get on it and write something gosh darn it!...It's not like I have a job or anything to go to, right? RIGHT! Ok now I think I may be depressed...thanks a lot! oh wait..I'm probably just talking to myself again, so oh well...moving on...again.

I'm not really sure why I keep doing that right? RIGHT! thing, but it's working for me today, so just go with it, ok? OK! Oh crap...I think this post needs to stop now.

So that's it for today. Hopefully this post has made my Dad happy. (or just confused by his youngest daughter's mentality or personality disorder) He's basically my only reader, and maybe my sister, since it was her post on her personal blog that lite the fire under my butt to actually write...gotta go..two more minutes until 1-2-2012 in California. Bu-Bye

And the race is on...

2011-10-24T08:42:00.000-05:00

Yep, the contest for the trip to California for the Disneyland adventure for the best family photo just started, literally twenty minutes ago and runs until November 6th, 2011

I am trying to attempt to add a widget here for my webpage. Please vote us. I do also return votes, for any other sweepstaker that needs votes on their contest entry. Please just send me an email or make a comment here...it does come to me and I will get in touch with you, if you leave your email of course. I honestly do love to support others in this hobby. It's a wonderful way to make friends.

That should take you right to the voting and I will also add, that you may have to actually sign up before voting. I know that this can be a drag, and I hope and pray that this does not discourage anyone from voting. It takes a couple of minutes and then that's it..or at least it should be, and then you vote. Viola! Please pass this one to your family, friends, co-workers, anyone you can think of really. I have no shame, and I need a vacation, so that I am not tempted to embarrass my one and only daughter (and my loving husband) into another contest, just so we can get away from everything and get a break, so I don't break. Seriously, I so either wanna win this contest or sleep for a week.

Nothing else much to write about. It's the beginning of the week and I pray that it's a better one than last week. All I kept thinking was is this PMS or Grieving..kind of like is it real or is it Memorex? You remember those commercials for wait for it... cassette tapes? I know them young-ens have no clue what the heck I'm talking about, right? But last week was not one of my better ones and I am praying that I can focus on more important things, like how to up my votes and maybe clean my house..I don't know about that second choice...it's never one I like to choose...so I think I will be focusing on how to get votes for my wonderful, but scary family photo so I can go to Disneyland!

Can I Sink Any Lower?

2011-10-17T22:35:00.013-05:00

Is it even possible for a little person to go lower than what they already are? That's kind of a stupid question I know. What could I possibly be talking about? Well I went and entered another voting contest. You would think I would get it through my thick head that I don't do well in voting contest and never enter another one ever again...However, I tend to forget and do it again and again. Short Memory. It comes with the height, so what can I say really..except please vote for me when the contest starts on October 24th maybe?

This time it's for a local TV Station and it's wanting local people to submit family photo's..like group shots. Well, I looked through all my digital photos on Picasa 3 and do you know what? We only have about TWO of all three of us (My husband, daughter and myself) all in one photo. Pretty sad huh? Well, remember that sadness and take pity on me and vote..Please? Pretty Please? With sugar on top and topped with Chocolate sprinkles? (I hate cherries..that's why it's topped with Chocolate sprinkles)

The grand prize (and I believe only prize, but I could be wrong about that) is a family trip to Disneyland in California. Now my daughter and I did get a chance to go there this past summer to Disneyland because of attending the National LPA convention, which was being held in Anaheim, CA and we got to enjoy California Adventure park (I love the fact that it literally is so close from Disneyland, you can walk to it) and Disneyland itself. However, my husband was unable to attend and I would really love for our family to get a chance to have a break from everything that we've been through this past, well...almost a year now. I still can't believe that time keeps ticking on, when I think of it all...but that's how life is, right?

BUT I will say in advance two things. ONE: The photo that I submitted, please keep in mind I really don't have any other "family photo's", so I went with what I had and TWO: I should be the poster child for NOT taking AMBIEN and then entering contests. Because that's what I had done and then totally forgot about entering. When I got the email today that it was accepted and I clicked on the link, well...I kind of freaked out. But in a good way and I did have to fess up to my husband about it. Thank goodness he's a fun guy and doesn't let things like this embarrass him. Now our daughter on the other hand has made me promise not to link it to her friends, which are also my friends on facebook. So I had to create a group called "Youngsters" which includes all of my daughter's friends, in case I want to post something a bit more mature or embarrassing for her. :) i.e this photo.

I will also be posting it to the "TWITTER" when the voting begins. A few other Twitter people/family/split personalities will also be twittering about it too. Here are some of the names of their Twitter accounts, if you should so desire to follow them.

Angelspice25
Mommybird1998
HandHuggies
LittleSweeper
Mini_Mynx
jsmanning
ShortShopper
Wombatbear

Yes we have quite a few of us on the Twitter, don't we? The main one I've been posting for this blog is LittleSweeper, but I've also been known to post a lot under Mommybird1998. If you have any difficulties finding me/us/them with those names, please let me know your twitter name and we can follow one another and be BFF's! I promise I will be your best friend..HONEST!

So here's the link. I also want to say that I am not responsible if you have a drink in your mouth at the time of viewing and thus spewing your liquid/spit all over your computer/laptop monitor. You might not find it amusing at all. But compare it to the other people's entries and give me your honest opinion about it. I'm bored and I know I don't really update this blog a lot..but we wants more friends and someone out there's reading, right? btw..HI DAD!

Click HERE

Thank you again in advance for any and all votes. Please feel free to share that link on facebook/twitter/blogs/snail mail/ESP and of course the ever popular word of mouth. BUT no verbal Diarrhea. That would stink. No pun intended...well, maybe a little. What can I say, that's how I roll. Seriously..I roll..on a scooter..everyday.

Voting doesn't actually begin until October 24th and runs until Nov 6, 2011. I will also be trying my hardest to start posting more here, since I am now on some better medication and I don't feel like sleeping my life away, like I had been doing. Even though I will admit sleep is my crack and I do have a strong case of the sticky mattress.

In other news, which I will give more details later..but it seems like my husband is in the lead for wins this year in our family. Also is it bad that when my daughter turned 13 a short while ago, I was so happy...because it meant I could enter more sweeps in her name? I even bought her own address labels for the snail mail entries. I was so happy, I almost cried. I think I did actually cry. My baby is growing up. (And it also means that her entering Radio Disney contest/sweeps will soon be a thing of the past) HEY! What can you expect from me on this blog anyways? It's a Sweepstakes blog remember?

But please don't think I am criticizing you or anything like that and you suddenly think "WTF?" and not vote for us...I will totally kiss butt...I can be very good at it, and I think it may have something to do with the fact that I was born to be the right height to kiss your butt.

Back in the saddle again!

2011-08-22T22:03:00.003-05:00

Sounds like it could be song, couldn't it? Oh wait..I think it already is. Oh well! LOL.

Basically that's what today has felt like to me. My child started school today and is now in middle school. Soon to be a teenager (Lord help me) While we've all enjoyed the break from getting up early every morning to take our child to school, it's now been long enough to where we were all ready for school to start back. :) Our child wanting to see her friends and she also somewhat enjoys learning. Especially if it involves reading, which makes me so proud, as I was a BIG reader when I was her age as well.

For my husband, I think he's hoping that his pain levels can be sorted out or something, so that he can feel better again. If anyone who reads this blog believes in prayers, please keep my husband in your prayers, that his health can and will improve. He so wants to get back to cooking dinners for us again and he has told me that he feels totally useless, which is totally untrue. However, I do also understand that when you are suffering from pain and nothing you do or take seems to help, it's hard on your mentally. Stevie's been under a lot of stress as well and to be honest, I miss my fun loving, playful husband.

Now as for me, today meant that I am now trying to get back in the saddle of entering my sweepstakes on a more regular basis than what I have done recently. Not that I quit entirely, because I haven't. But I remember a couple of years ago, I used to enter 2-3 hours online sweepstakes each and everyday (including Sunday's) for over a year. I got plenty of small/med and even one or two large prizes during that time, but since I've slacked off entering, so have the prizes coming to my door. I haven't had that sense of excitement when the doorbell rings between certain times ( the times when I know UPS and FedEx delivers in our area) or when I check my mail or e-mail. I would love for that hopefully feeling to once again return in my life, so that it brights up our day, even if it's a T-shirt that we think is cute or make-up that I have to fight over with my daughter.

I haven't done much online entering today, but I did mail my 11+ entries (my # of entries that I decided to try and enter every day during this year, if possible) but I've also been concentrating on entering more Text Sweepstakes. I really enjoy winning those for some reason. But one of the reason's why I haven't entered a lot of online sweepstakes today is because this being our child's 1st day of school, plus we had Merry Maid's coming over to help clean our messy house. I can honestly say even though I hate paying the amount that we do, to have someone clean our house. It sure is a very nice feeling to look around and feel like we live in a nice/clean area and it takes stress that you didn't realize was on your shoulders, off. And in my opinion, that's really important for my husband to feel that right now.

BUT back to sweepstaking. Has anyone watched the TLC High Stakes Sweepstakers show that started on August 14th, 2011? If so, what is your opinion of it? I would love to know what other people think. So please feel free to leave me a comment. I love getting comments on this blog, even though they are few and far between. I am not your typical blogger I suppose. I don't advertise this blog, as some blogs are a dime a dozen and I don't want to be lost in the crowd or try to be something I'm not.

This blog was mainly created to share my love of this hobby. And boy do I love this hobby. It's helped not only us but people close to us, enjoy things that they might not otherwise enjoy or had at all. Especially during the Holiday season. I am also hoping and praying that My lucky sister will win another trip and take me with her.

She called me yesterday to give me some news. The first things she said is "I'm starting to get a little scared" of course, this made my heart skip a beat, as I have no clue what the heck she's referring to, but then the little snit said it was her third day in a row of winning instant wins. The 1st win was a $25 Gift Card to Sports Authority, the 2nd win was a $25 Gift Card to Macy's (I love Macy's and then the 3rd win on that day of her phone call, she won a $100 Gift Card to Sports Authority! That little snot!

Just kidding Sissy! :) I am actually truly happy for my sister, as she had stepped away from entering since our Mom passed away and she told me last week that she finally felt like she wanted to start back with entering. She only enters online sweepstakes and I think she's made a fabulous start and I can only hope and pray that she continues with her winning and maybe will even win a trip and will take me her TB (Travel Buddy)

I think in this week's mail brought a coupon for free skittles to my husband, even though it's our child that will claim it, as she has a big thing for skittles. I don't know if she really thinks she can taste the rainbow or if it's just a big sugar high, but we all have our vices and at least ones that involve sugar, I can handle. I just pray that while she is in her new school God continues to protect her and keep her away from any and all that might lead her down a bad road that she can't come back from. But I know that God does watch over all of us. I just have to continue to remind myself and to keep up my relationship with him, as it's so important.

Well it is now officially past my bed time..or rather my new bed time, and I am so very tired. I keep having acid reflux and I can honestly say..this crud is getting old! I go to my doctor on Wednesday, so if you could also pray that everything goes well for me on that day too, in regards to my health I would be most appreciative

Until next time, which hopefully will be sometime this week!
~Cheers~

Getting back into the swing of things

2011-08-07T06:13:00.000-05:00

Well, it's taken me sometime to come back to this blog, but here I am. I thought I would post an update on what's been going on in my life, as well as Sweepstaking news and information to share with those who might be interested.

The last time I posted on here was back on May 11, 2011. Since that time, my child is no longer in school and has been enjoying her summer off from homework, teachers, etc. The only negative thing is she's been bored on more than one occassion and has to suffer with watching Netflix, reading books, surfing the internet, playing World of Warcraft, facebooking, etc etc, etc..such a horrible summer, right?

Actually she really hasn't complained (much) and we even took time, just the two of us to take a trip to California for the National LPA convention. This year it was in Anaheim, CA and we drove out there. Yep! Just the two of us. Thank God my van didn't break down (it did give me a scare when the check engine light came on though) but my scooter charger did break and that caused some problems on the way back through Las Vegas, NV but all of it ended up well..except for a lost beanie hat that I refused to go back for at the 7-11, where my daughter dropped it, trying to pump petrol into the van. (but I plan on buying some love this week-end, when we go shopping for back to school stuff.

The LPA convention was wonderful and I did enjoy myself. I would have loved to have visited more with my many Diastrophic friend's which I've made recently on our facebook group, but when you have a preteen and your have no one else to watch your child, you have to make sacrifices like going to Disneyland and California adventure!

But we are now back at home, still trying to recover from the long drive. School will start very soon and now it seems like our lives are starting to pick up speed in regards of so much going on in our lives. I wish I could share some of that information here, but at the moment I'm not able to. But all in due time.

As far as my hobby of entering Sweepstaking, it's starting to get more press than usual. TLC is starting a series that is beginning on August 14th, 2011. Please check your local listing to see when it comes on in your area, if you are interested in seeing how us "crazy" sweepers are and how far some of us will go to enter to win a sweepstakes. In fact, 20/20 had ran a show last night (08/05/2011) and I believe also tonight and talked to about 4-5 different sweepers. I knew of three personally and the others I've only heard about or saw their post on the sweepstake sites that I read each day.

In case you missed it, I am including the link to see the segment that was aired last night. Click HERE You will see an area beside the video, on the right to scroll down and find "When entering Sweepstakes is a job". I believe the video is just short of 8 minutes. How long it will be posted on there, I am unable to answer. You may be able to do a search for it, in their search box, which is located towards the top of the page.

There is also another segment from 20/20 with tips on entering sweepstakes, that people new to this hobby might find interesting. The title is "Sweepstakes Club Pros Share Their Insider Tips to Winning Big"
I just now watched it myself and found all the information that they shared to be correct and I agreed with all of it. The only thing not mentioned is that you do have to pay taxes on ALL your winnings.

Now as far as my winnings, I've been trying to keep better records, but I have also slacked off this summer. My husband seems to be pulling in more wins than anyone else in this household. I plan on adding a bit more details on this blog regarding our wins hopefully in the very near future, like sometime next week.

Sorry to end this so suddenly, but I've been entering sweeps, while catching up on my favorite soap opera (and I still can't believe that AMC and OLTL got canceled) and it's now after 6 am. Tomorrow is suppose to be a day shopping for school items and my child isn't going to be too happy if I sleep the whole day away. Hopefully a few hours will be enough.

Until next time..keep sweeping...or you won't win nuthin! ;)

FireFox 4.0 Sucks!

2011-05-11T20:25:00.000-05:00

Well, I wasn't sure if I was ever going to come back and update this blog. Mainly because of the difficulty in finding the joy that used to be in my heart in regards to entering sweepstakes and posting here since my Mom passed away last year. Today in fact would have been my Mom and Dad's 47th wedding anniversary, so my Mom (as always) has been strongly on my mind to say the least.

I've wondered what my future holds and to be honest, I don't know. I know who holds it, and that God and I have to trust in him to take care of myself and my family. I tend to worry too much and over analysis a lot of things and I think that's one of the reasons why I suffer with my eating (acid reflux) and with my anxiety of late. It's been really, really bad! And in one way, they are both effecting each other. Mainly since I am having a lot of anxiety, especially lately, I take a Xynax that has been prescribed by my doctor. Then later on at night, I've been having acid reflux come up or at least a horrible, nasty taste, that now that I think about it, taste very similar to the Xynax when it dissolves in my mouth just a little bit. A very bitter taste that's way in the back of my throat and makes me go running ( or as close to running as this LP can go anyways) to somewhere where I can get rid of it quick! Water, Pepto, Gum..anything! I absolutely hate this! I've been having trouble enjoying even eating my "safe" foods and I am tired of them as well. So I know I should probably cut back on the Xynax, but each and every-time I do, something happens that makes me pop one of those puppies and try to get rid of the horrible throw up feeling/heart racing/yuckiness that I feel when I get one of my attacks. (Like today for instance.) I am concerned that tonight will be another night where I am miserable.

But this blog isn't for posting my problems. So I wondered if I would ever come back and figure that I might as well pop in from time to time. I finally got Firefox back to working like I used to like it (The new version 4.0...sucks!) and now my form fillers are working again with me in regards to entering online sweepstakes! Yeah!

For those of you who may also be having trouble with the newest Firefox and wishes they could go back in time and not have added the update? Well, you can go to this website and download the old version. BUT you do have to uninstall the previous version first (don't delete profiles, as it will get rid of all your bookmarks, etc) I have an I-Mac and to uninstall something, you click, drag and drop the icon in the trash bin...easy squeezy, lemon peezy! Here's the link for those that might be interested and also for myself, in case my computer goes kaput like it did two weeks ago, and I lose all my bookmarks, etc.

http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/questions/812572

They also have downloads for windows and Mac's..and possibly Androids? I can't really answer that last one because I didn't recognize the little icon and don't know what it belongs to..but check it out if you are having problems with Firefox working with your form filler, like I did.

As far as sweeps wins for me goes, I haven't won all that much. I won $500 from Rumba Meats and a $50 check from somewhere that I can't think of at this particular moment. Bad Little Lisa! My memory is shot and it's probably caused due to stress. I am also not entering like I used to. I still love to enter sweepstakes, but my desire has decreased. There is ton more competition, and that's fine. I do feel that there are enough prizes out there for all of us, so I don't really care who hears about whatever contest or sweepstakes is going on at the moment. But this year will be the first time in five years, where my husband and I didn't attend the national sweepstaker's convention! :(

I'm really bummed about it I guess. I am going to miss my friends and the chance to win stuff. I miss getting to go somewhere and break the hum drum of normal life here at the old homestead. But I guess I figure there is no way in heck we can beat last year's convention winnings and our baby girl wouldn't be able to stay at my parents during our trip, since my Mom is no longer there. I am sure my Dad would be more than happy to watch her and let her stay, but since he's at Dyalisis three times a week, in the very early mornings, I know it's not possible. My husband and I are hoping that next year, which is suppose to be in Atlanta, GA all three of us can attend.

This Saturday, I am hosting our local sweepers meetings and I'm not really into it. The person that was going to co-host isn't able to be there, which I can understand things come up, but it would have been nice to have hear it from that person, instead of someone else. I'm getting a vibe from the group, that it's not the same, and I haven't seen certain people in months if not a year. I am also still nursing a personal grudge against something/someone from last year, and it's not making it any easier for me being there. So after this month, I may leave and look for somewhere else to share my hobby with, or maybe start a new hobby. Who knows?

So that's it for now. I would love to hear comments if anyone actually reads this blog, otherwise I just might delete the whole thing. Not to be depressing. Blogging is so saturated right now and I know that deep in my heart, this blog doesn't really offer a lot to a lot of people. But we shall see.

I've been putting this off...

2011-01-28T01:24:00.004-06:00

I didn't even know what title to give this post because basically this is something that I've been putting off and dreading, as well as not even having much time to write. It is also hard to write since my previous post was about how my Mom rocked Thanksgiving. This is because just over a week later, my mother had a massive heart attack and ended up on life support, which was turned off four days later.

My dear, wonderful, lovely, passionate, feisty but hurting in ways I don't think anyone could truly understand, mother has passed away. My Momma who always listened to me and has been there for me, even if we were "fighting" always said that she would watch my daughter for my husband and I, because she never really trusted anyone else to do the best job that she could do. Someone that would jump on the bandwagon, when my feelings were hurt or if it looked like I was taken advantage of from someone. A person that made it all better, when I hurt. Weather it was with medication or just getting me a wet washrag and putting it on my forehead when I was sick. Someone that was there at the hospital after giving birth to my own daughter and basically *saved* my life, so I could be a mother today. Someone that I want here with me right now, but can't be. Someone that I know, is in a much better place, but it still sucks for those that loved her and are left behind.

I can't even begin to express into words on this blog how hard this has been. Not only on me, but my sweet Dad who loves her so much and doesn't know how to make it without her. (But you will Daddy, you will. Momma would want you to, and Theresa and I both want and need you) My sister, who even though they didn't always see eye to eye, it was her Momma too, and my sweet wonderful daughter, who thought the world of her Grandma and who was my daughter's favorite playmate when she was a toddler! We are all in a world of hurt even still.

I feel like I am in a walking hell at the moment and I can't find an exit route to take out of it. Because not only did *I* lose my mother, four weeks later, my own husband lost his Mother. We have only been back in the country not even a week, and during our time in England, my daughter and I came down with either food poisoning or a nasty bug on the plane. We were so sick in fact, that my daughter couldn't even get off the floor of the hotel room because of throwing up so much, and we both missed the funeral. Once returning from England, I also promptly came down sick again, this time running fever and now my daughter has it too. I am thankful to God that it wasn't nearly as severe as it was in England.

I just seems like it keeps getting worse. Once returning from home, I also found out that a game I play online called World of Warcraft got hacked into. I lost a lot of items in the game and it's not important to me. It's a game. BUT it does make me concerned about if I have a virus or a key-logger on my computer and if it can pose a threat to my financial accounts that I do online. So I had to promptly cancel credit cards as a precaution and money is so tight, it's not even funny. I am also concerned about all the photos that I have online of my Mom, taken in this last year. I lost my saved phone messages from Mom about three weeks ago, and it broke me down in tears. I don't want to lose anything else, especially if it's in regards to my mom/parents. Then to add salt to all these wounds, is the fact of how my MIL left her will, and it's left my husband feeling hurt, confused and wondering if his own mother even cared about him.

Then today in the mail I get a wonderful letter from my child's school about truancy. YEAH! What Fun! NOT!!! So now I am wondering about the sentence that said , "We could prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law..which I do believe includes a big fine a possible jail time! Something two disabled parents who both lost their mothers in the space of a month, needs! So basically when it comes to fund raising at my child's school, they can piss off!

Of course this letter comes the day my child comes home running a fever, that is about .2 points from being at the level of where they state that we are suppose to keep our child home..because Heaven forbid we give it to the rest of the students at her school. Even though they sure do like to give bicycles away to perfect attendance record holders. Their favorite sayings is.."when you miss school..you miss out!" Well I would really hate for any student to miss out on what my child has, and since we are on the edge of being sent to jail, my child will more than likely be hopped up on Tylenol and praying that she doesn't puke on anyone tomorrow! Times like these is when I wished like heck we home-schooled our daughter.

So right now little Lisa is pissed, mad, sad, depressed, angry, and Lord only knows what else right now. I keep having mini (ha ha) melt downs and I know it gets to my husband. He's been trying really hard to make me smile and do so much for me. He's hurting and grieving too. I am so very grateful for all that he's done for me and my family. Especially for my Mom, when it came right down to it at the end.

I am not sure when I will post again here to be honest. My heart and my life feels very broken at the moment. I want to go back to being the person that I used to be, but I am unsure if that will ever happen. When you say the final goodbyes to one of the most important people that's ever to be in your life (your parents, Your spouse, your children and siblings are included in that), it changes you. You finally are forced to grow up in ways you didn't realize you needed to. Or maybe it's just me, who was babied so much by both my Mom and Dad and now realize it's different and a lot harder than I ever thought possible.

I keep thinking about feeling broken and wondering if maybe being broken like this, is God's way of putting me back together in his way and his time, to be the person that he had planned for me all along.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

If I thought I could get up off my knees and not be in horrible, horrible pain ( I bad arthritis in my knees) I would be on them right now. But I will still pour my heart out to him. I will hope and pray that all of this will soon be a distant memory, but still a memory. Something not to be forgotten and cast aside, but something to be learned from and remembered. Something to share with others if the need arise. To somehow become a better person, a better Christian, because I know I am far from it at the moment. I want to learn how to pray better and praise him in the way he deserves. I want to murmur less, but it's hard when pressure keeps piling up. I want to get back into church and be surrounded around other believers. I want to get the joy back into my heart that came from him and goes back up to him in song. I pray I get that chance.

Does your Mom Rock the Holidays?

2010-11-27T08:40:00.002-06:00

I know my Mom does Even when she doesn't feel good, she tries very hard to make it a good one for her family. My mom is getting older and it gets to be more challenging for her to do as much as she once did. Yet she always tries so hard.

Well if you think your Mom rocks the Holidays, you are invited to share that with the good people of Rayovac. They are having an online sweepstakes that only has two more days to enter. It ends November 29th! The prizes are:

(3) Grand Prizes: $1,000
(20) Runner-Up Prizes: Paper Jamz Guitar, amp, drum kit, guitar strap, and 2 Rayovac Alkaline AAA 24 packs

Good Luck!
Disclosure “Followers who promote the Rayovac Mom Rocks the Holidays Sweepstakes may receive gifts from Rayovac.”

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T16:05:00.000-06:00

I thought I would take a moment today to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

At the moment, my daughter and I are at my parents place, celebrating with family. We are having it a little different this year and having our dinner later this evening. I know I am really looking forward to all the yummy foods.

This has been a good week as on Monday, I received an e-mail letting me know that I am a potential winner in the Visa I-Tunes Sweepstakes. The prize is $1,000 I-Tunes Song Credits and a check for $250 to help pay taxes. My daughter is really excited by this, as she loves music. I also will enjoy it, as now I don't have to feel guilty downloading my GLEE music. I admit it. I am GLEEK! :)

I hope everyone stays safe and warm and enjoys the Holiday.

:) and :(

2010-11-12T21:54:00.002-06:00

Well for some reason it's beginning to look like I only update this blog about once a month. I'm not sure why, as I've won a few things in this last month, but I just guess a part of it has to do with my new computer that I have. I went from a PC to a mac, and even though I love several things about my IMac, it's really actually a lot slower than my last PC. This is extremely frustrating to me, as I am so ADD/ADHD in my internet/sweeping ways.

I usually have about ten or more windows open in Firefox, and even though I can do that on my I-Mac, I continue to get the spinning beach ball of death all the time. It freezes everything for a short amount of time, and then I'm good to go..until the next SBBOD comes around, which usually is in about the next minute or so. This is really starting to get on my nerves to be honest, and I don't enjoy being on the computer nearly as much.

So far this week has been nice in regards to the wins, even though they are small. I also had a disappointment. It seems I missed a phone call on my cell, telling me that I was a potential Grand Prize winner in a Coors Text Sweep and the prize was for a $100 GC. I was suppose to call before 9 a.m. the next day, and I didn't get the message until after 4 p.m. the next day! I went ahead and called and left a message with all the information that was requested and it would be so great if they still honored it, but I am not going to hold my breath on that one. So let this be a reminder....check your voice mail!

Tomorrow is the second Saturday in the month, and this means Local Sweeper's meeting. This month we will once again have a small group, as about four or five members all won a text sweepstakes, and they are in NYC getting the opportunity to watch the Dallas Cowboy's play the New York Giants (I think it's the New York Giants...Can you tell I don't watch football? :)I so wish I was with them, even though I am not a football fan. I do support the Dallas Cowboys, even if they are playing like crap this year, from what I've heard. I haven't actually seen a game in years...but they are still the team I support in football! Go Boys!

It's been exactly one year next week, when I was in NYC on the Gossip Girl Trip Win with my friend Belinda. We both feel in love with that place and we feel hard! I know I want to go back so badly! I have been entering every sweepstakes that offers NYC trip as a prize. In fact, I even went to Sephora on Thursday because they were offering a NYC prize in a promotion that was only open for three hours! It was also only open to their VIB (Very Import Beauty Insider) members, which I am. So I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed on that one! I would imagine the odds on that one are good, because of only having a three hour window open to enter and also only being open to a select group doesn't hurt either. The only negative about that night? I spent *way* too much money on Benefit cosmetics! I just love their make-up and I enjoy collecting the different sets that they come out with.

Here is a listing of this week's winnings:

Monday - Snail Mail Entry - Super Foods/FOOD CLUB MILK GADGET GIVEAWAY -Solar-powered Charger
Tuesday - Local Online Entry - KXAS - Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest Ninetendo DS video game
Wednesday - Text Entry - Coors Lite (Can't find which sweep) $100 Gift Card (More than likely will not receive, because I called back past the time requested)
Thursday: McDonald's Monopoly Online Game - 30 My Coke Rewards Points
Friday: I received in the mail $5.00 HEB Gift Card from an online restricted sweepstakes, as well as a $25 Home Depot Gift Card from turning in 500 My Coke Rewards points.

So basically not a bad week, except for not calling and possibly losing out on a $100 win, which still totally upsets me...oh well, on to the next one, right? I also need to remember to use some of the free food coupons I won from the McDonald's Monopoly game. It ends on November 15th, so I only have a couple of days left to use them.

The holidays will be upon us soon, and that usually means "Holiday Sweeps!" Yeah! I don't know why, but I love these kind of sweeps, as it puts me in the "Christmas" spirit. So be on the look out for local sweepstakes, that also usually run during this time. This could be anything from local drop boxes at your local grocery store/Mall, Local Radio Station call-ins, and Newspapers.

Well that's all I have for now. I really should have kept better track of my sweepstakes winnings like I've done in the past in a spreadsheet, as it helps keeps me motivates when wins are slow. I am totally doing that next year!

Monday Monday

2010-10-11T00:57:00.000-05:00

Well it's early Monday morning and I am not in bed, which is where I should be of course. I went to bed early, yet kept tossing and turning. I'm not quite sure why, as I had a very relaxing Sunday. I spent the whole day entering sweepstakes! My kind of a Sunday totally!

I have won a few things since I last posted, yet I have gotten in the bad habit of not keeping track of what those wins where. Just off the top of my head...

$5.00 HEB Gift Card
A die-cast nascar car from a Tornado sponsored sweep (I have NO clue which one)
$200 Willy Wonka Gold Gift Card for candy! (who hoo..my butt's going to love that)
4 tickets to see Shrek the musical in Dallas (This was a local sweep that only went on for a week)

My daughter and I are really looking forward to going to see Shrek the musical! It will mean for a late night for her, but sometimes when things like this pop up, I want her to get to experience these things, so I let her stay up a little later. She a good student and I am so proud of her, so I am hoping that it's not too difficult to wake her up the next morning.

I've been busy today writing out snail mail sweeps but also mainly entering online sweepstakes. I believe I have entered 100 sweeps today! I really am hoping to win a really, really nice prize before this year is out, if possible. I have been very blessed to win what I have and I am very grateful. I guess I must sound like a greedy person by wanting more. I guess it's just that when I receive a win or a win notice, it makes my day! I like to share what I win, with those that I love as well. So it's not only me that benefits from this hobby.

Among other news, I went last week for a Mammogram, and if you believe in prayer please pray that everything comes back normal. I always stress out when it's time for these things to get done, and I honestly wish I didn't. Of course, I also stress out when I have the other "womanly" exam that needs to be done yearly, along with blood test. I admit it now...I am a BIG baby! :)

In this past month, I have also had a wedding anniversary. I've been married to DH for 9 years now!

Of course, he forgot it was our anniversary, so that didn't go over too well..but I am over it now. It was easy to let go of any anger and hurt feelings, as my DH broke his foot later on that night. (and no I didn't break it for forgetting our anniversary...ha ha ha) He's still hurting from it and is hobbling around the house. He seems to think that it would only take two weeks and then he would be right as rain. NOT! Of course with him out of commission so to speak, I have been having to get up early to take our child to school each morning. Since it's now the middle of October, the mornings are darker and much cooler. Two things I hate! I have never been a morning person, and it will never change. So I am looking forward to when Stevie does get all better, so he can start taking our sweetpea back to school. However, I will say that I do enjoy seeing my baby in the mornings and spending time with her as well.

My Saturday was fun, as it was time for our monthly local sweeper's meeting. This month I was up to do a "promotion" for the group. We actually had a small group this time, as several members were unable to attend. I believe including myself we only had 11 members. I *think* my promotion went over pretty good and to be honest, I am glad it's over. I get all jittery when I have to get and talk in front of a lot of people. This group has been good for me though, as it is getting easier. I'm just not totally over it yet!

I am also looking forward to our groups yearly Christmas party. We collect money each month from baskets that are put together by different members, and then raffled off. If we get $52 more next month, that means we will have $800 to spend on gift cards to give out to our members. Who Hoo. I believe we also decided to get Target and Wal-mart gift cards and if people want to trade afterward, then they can. I personally love, love, love Target! Perhaps a little too much if you want to know the truth. I should purchase stock options, as it seems like I am always spending money at that place!

Well, I guess I am off to enter a few more sweeps and then *try* to get some sleep.

Convention Updates - Long

2010-09-05T11:20:00.000-05:00

Well it's Saturday night and for the most part, the convention is about to wrap up. We have one session left, and that is for tomorrow morning for about three hours. I believe we have one more speaker and a few more prizes to be given away.

I truly enjoyed the speakers at this convention. I was amazed by a speaker that gave great details of a prize won from Mastercard, where she was given the opportunity to see the seven wonders of the world. She has been to places, where I know I wouldn't ever have the chance to go to, not because of bad luck, but because of having a disability and it would prove to be too challenging. Yet I was given the chance to see it through her photos and hear her experience, which was truly remarkable.

I got tips from Gwen Beauchamp about entering contest. She is also a remarkable lady and I can only hope to gain and retain the information which she so willingly shares with others about entering writing and cooking contest. Steve A'dolf also shared many great tips on entering sweepstakes and he has won over a 100 trip!

I wish I could share with you right now, all that I've learned on this trip. There is a gentleman by the name of Jeff Cosgrove that is making a video of the convention highlights and he will be offering it free to the people that attended this year's convention. I believe it a person did not attend, they can purchase a digital copy of it for a small price. If you've never been to a Sweepstakes Convention, consider buying one of these video's, as it's a wonderful way to get a little insight on what goes on. I can't wait to get my copy of this year's convention, as it will also include the speakers and their topics which they shared with us.

It's been busy this past week, what with attending sessions, visiting with old friends and making new ones. The time sure has flown by and I can't believe that I have been at this hotel for almost a week!

Tonight was the BIG night with the raffles. Not only do have great raffles with great prizes offered, but we also have a banquet, regular prizes in this sessions which are usually provided by donations, and also the vendor raffles. The banquet this year started earlier than I've ever remembered it starting. Even though that felt a little different, that's not a bad thing as these drawings and eating, can make for a long day.

The food this year was *really* good and both my husband and myself, enjoyed our meal. We started with a chicken and wild rice soup. It was really hot and kind of looked like something the cat left of the carpet, to be honest. I hesitated to eat it. Yet I think it was the best soup I've had in a really long time. In fact, I ate all of mine!

For our main course, we chicken breast, stuffed with mushrooms baked in a puffed pastry. It came with a nice rife pilaf and green beans. For once, I even ate some of those green beans. Usually at any type of banquet meal that I've ever been to, the veggies are not really to my liking, yet these were quite nice. Our meal also included a roll and butter.

For desssert we were given slices of cheesecake and chocolate cake. The chocolate cake was very rich and came with raspberries and blackberries on the side. I came close to taking my first bite of these berries, yet changed my mind. I'm very bad about not wanting to try new things. They smelled wonderful, yet after the taste of the rich chocolate cake, I didn't feel up to mixing a tart taste of berry in my mouth.

We were served coffee and had water at our table to enjoy with our meal. Now I'm not a coffee drinker, so my husband actually went down after dinner and brought me a coke. I drank water with my meal, and it's probably a good thing, as I never seem to drink enough of the H2O that God made.

When everyone was basically done with their meal, we had a Judy McCurdy as a speaker. Judy is an editor of Sweepstakes Newsletter, called Sweeping America! It really is a great newsletter, filled with snail mail sweeps. Judy is very entertaining and did a great job addressing all us sweepers.

After Judy's presentation, we were on our way to find out who the winners were going to be for that night. After a slow start, My husband won 500 pre-paid postcards! Who Hoo! Of course, they do all go to me, as I am the "Sweeper" in this family. The next drawing was for 1000 postcard stamps. My name was called! Who hoo again! I never really buy a lot of postcard stamps or USPS postcards, so I was very pleased with those two wins.

The next drawing was for 1000 first class stamps. My name was called yet again and I was tickled pink! The following drawing was for either the Minnesota Lottery Scratch off Tickets or for the $500 in Gift Cards! Well neither my husband, nor my name were drawing for the Lottery tickets. Yet someone I know pretty well, won 3 times on the Lottery ticket, and I am so pleased for him.

However, my husband's name was drawn for the $500 in Gift cards and also for $500 cash in the very last raffle drawing! You honestly couldn't have pushed me over with a feather with all of this! This has truly been a lucky year for us at a convention. The best every to be honest! Between the two of us, we won five out of six raffles! Now of course, we have not told our daughter that we won the cash, as she is very good at planning on how to spend that money. Especially since her birthday is coming up very soon. So Dad and Sissy...SSSHHHH! LOL This money will more than likely help pay the credit card that was used for this trip.

After the big raffles, there were names given out for the vendor raffles. The people that come to the convention and sell sweepstakes supplies, also have raffles which people can purchase tickets for. This year was no exception. In fact, I normally spend about $100 in raffle tickets for prizes given away by the vendors. I know my very first convention in Scottsdale, AZ the only prize I won was a vendor raffle, which was 100 postcards and 100 postcard stamps to go with them. Well, low and behold my name the last one drawn for an 8gb Ipod Touch! This is already going to my sister, as I had won a small ipod nano, which I gave to her yet it didn't work. So I had always promised her that the next Ipod anything would be hers! Hopefully she will get a lot of good use out of it!

That's pretty much a wrap up of all that's gone on, in the last couple of days. My husband and I, are both missing our daughter very much and are thinking about leaving a little earlier than we planned and going home. I am glad we came to this year's convention and Lord willing, we will get home safe and sound.

We have arrived!

2010-08-31T17:09:00.000-05:00

Hello People!

Well my husband and I are at the hotel where the 2010 National Sweepstakers Convention is being held in Minnesota. We are actually staying at the same hotel where the 2000 LPA National Convention was held, which is the last LPA convention that I'd actually been to, and the only convention that my husband has ever been to. This hotel (Sheraton) is a great hotel and so far we are very pleased with everything that they have to offer. The food in the restaurant is a little over priced in my opinion, but we ate everything on our plate this afternoon. It was VERY tasty!

Stevie and I actually arrived late last night. We were on the road for almost 12 hours and by the time we got into our rooms, I was dead dog tired and all my muscles ached! Even though the beds are comfortable, the pillows were a little too big and I had a sore neck when I woke up. I'm glad we thought to bring a couple of our own pillows with us. I am hoping tonight is a little better in the sleeping department. But the showers here were nice and hot, which helped eased my muscles!

We haven't done too much today, as the sweepstakes convention doesn't really start until Thursday night and officially on Friday morning. We thought that we would do best, if we arrived early, so that we didn't have to rush and could relax before everything begins. I am glad we did too, as we got a good parking space as well as small fridge for our room.

I am planning on writing more about the convention while I am here, as well as take some photos. I also brought my little flip mini camcorder which I won, from the Hotels.com contest, which I am still hoping that people are remembering to vote for me.

We are also hoping to attend the Minnesota State Fair before we leave. I've only been to the state Fairs in Texas and I would love to see how they compare with another state. I am also hoping to take pictures if we make it out there too. Plus, from what I understand there are lot of opportunities to enter for prizes.

Tomorrow, Stevie and I are planning on finding the nearest post office, so that we can buy the stamps which are needed for the raffles, which are held on Saturday during the banquet. This year's raffles include:

First Class Stamps
Post Cards Stamps
USPS Postcards
Minnesota Lottery Scratch Off Tickets
Gift Cards
Cash

I will be sure and write and let everyone know if we win any of the raffles. Last year, I won 500 first class stamps. The year before, I won Stamps and Lottery Tickets. No big winner on the Lottery tickets, but wouldn't that be something, if someone here wins one of the big ones from a scratch off ticket? This year, I would love to win Cash or Gift Cards. I will be a "little" broke by the time we get home, but that's ok as this is Stevie's main vacation for the year.

Well, I think I am off to rest a little bit more and to try and enter a few more sweeps. I know that once the convention starts, there won't be much time for me to do it. I will be spending too much time talking to other people that share the love of this wonderful hobby, while my husband enjoys his Guinness!

Take Care Everyone

Lisa

Thought I'd pop in

2010-08-21T02:10:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone,

I thought I'd take a moment and write a little bit. As far as my wins goes, I got a few to report.

2 movie tickets
Make up from Lord knows where
T-shirt from Facebook sweep
but my biggest win was from the Hotels.com sweep and even though it's not the big one from there (yet) I won the flip mini camercorder from the daily entry with the most votes. So thank you so much for all your help, and hopefully you won't mind continuing voting for me. I still would love to win the Grand Prize of $102,000! and i know that with the help of family, friends, blog readers, and more, I could. Anything is possible, is what I tell myself.

I am also no longer trying to enter 10 daily snail mail sweeps. After seven months of it, I began to get burn out in this hobby, and I even started back on another interest of mine, which is playing World of Warcraft! (btw..I'm on Echo Isles if anyone is interested! LOL) So now I am trying to get back into the swing of entering. I think I needed the break to be honest. Entering Sweepstakes should be fun...not a job! I had begun to think of it as a Jobby (Job/Hobby) and to be honest, I don't need to do that. I'm fortunate to have a situation where I don't NEED to win things, to have a good life. All my wins are basically "gravy", so to speak. Now of course, I do like to win, and I hope and pray a good one is just around the corner.

At the moment, I am also trying to make arrangements for our yearly Sweepers Convention, which is in two weeks! I'm so excited to be honest, as I love to see all my friends that share in this wonderful hobby. This year's it's in Minneapolis, MN and I am also looking forward to hopefully seeing the Mall of America as well as the State Fair! There is nothing like Fair Food, is there? I wonder if I will be able to get my fried Oreo's? Or Fried Twinkies? Or Fried Reese's? (Do you see the theme here?) Thank God the fair is only a once a year thing for most people and for myself, more like a once in ten year treat. Otherwise, I am pretty sure I would end up with a heart attack at some point in the very near future.

In other news, I've been out of sorts because I've changed my computer. I admit it now...I am now a MAC user! I went out and bought myself one of the new I-Mac's! I still can't believe I did that, and I *am* slowly getting used to it. The hardest part was trying to figure out my e-mails. I entered all my information for my favorite e-mail, which is with G-mail. This ended up being a HUGE mistake as it tried to download OVER a 160,000 emails! yeah, I basically froze my new Mac! So I've had to make some changes and I now get all my gmail's and old e-mail accounts on my laptop, which I've had a few years. It's now the only windows pc we have. We gave my old computer to my Dad, and hopefully he is now using it to read this blog! Hi Daddy! :)

Well that's all I can think of to write for now. What about you guys? Any wins? Please feel free to share. I love hearing about other people's wins, experiences, etc from this wonderful hobby. One of the things that I am hoping to do while at the National Sweepstakes Convention, is take some photos of the decorated envelopes that are usually submitted for a contest that they have each year. You will probably be amazed at some of the talent that goes into this. I know I am each year. I don't let it get me discouraged though, because most people don't go into that much detail when entering sweepstakes. Mainly because some people don't want the judging agencies to think that they might be considered a *pro* in entering sweepstakes.

Ta Ta For Now!
Lisa

Hard At Work...or is it hardly working?

2010-07-21T01:56:00.001-05:00

I'm wanted to take a moment and say Thank you for all those who have voted for me in the contest from Hotels.com. I sincerely appreciate it, and feel free to continue to vote until September 6th, 2010. I am slowly moving up and I would love to win this thing. But then who wouldn't love to win $100,000 right?

To find my entry for this contest, you would need to go HERE and look for Lisa Renea M. I am so hoping that I will eventually make it to the first page of Most Popular.

Being in a voting contest is harder work, than you might think. I am trying to repay favors, and vote for other people, in other voting contest. I am posting in sweeping message boards, calling family and friends, posting on facebook and twitter, and other various activities, to hopefully get more votes.

And to think there are some people that do this a lot! Some people have a real talent for contest, and to be honest, there is a better chance to win a contest, than perhaps a sweepstakes. That's because most people look at a contest, and either don't bother with it, or think they will come back to enter it, yet they never do. The pool of entrants are much smaller, so you odds of winning are much better. I just wish for this particular contest, I had entered when it first started, instead of when I did. But like the old saying goes..."Better late, than never".

At the moment, I am trying to update here on this little blog, enter sweepstakes online and through my cell phone, as well as taking care of various things around the house. It's hard to do some of the things that need to be done, as my scooter is in serious need of being charged. I really need to replace the battery on that thing, as I am having to charge it more and more frequently.

I am so grateful for having a device like my little scooter, as it makes getting around so much easier, as well as enjoying any trips I may go on, so I don't get all tuckered out. But other times I feel so dejected, because my butt keeps getting bigger and bigger from the lack of exercise. But whenever I try to do more, without my scooter, I end up hurting and then I get depressed. I hate pain!

One of the things that I am *trying* to do, is clean house. Why am I in the "cleaning' mode? Because we have Merry Maids coming. Yep! I'm cleaning the house for the maids. It makes absolutely NO sense, what so ever, does it? In fact, I personally think all of this cleaning for the maids, is a serious sign of a sickness or something. But at least once Merry Maids have come, cleaned and then leave, I will be left with somewhat of a nice looking home. For at least two days I reckon.

In "Winning" News, I've been fortunate to have won $10 Conoco gas card in the ConocoPhillips-Gas for Life Sweepstakes last week, as well as a Team Lowe's Racing drink coozie from Lowe's® Ultimate Man Cave for Dad Contest. I've added the link there, so you might want to check them out, if you haven't already.

I missed out yesterday, mailing my daily ten snail mail entries. I'm a bit bummed out about it, but oh well. (That's always been my motto, for not letting things get to me). In today's mail I have twenty entries ready to go to the post office. I'm trying to stay on top of it, but I am *really* longing for another wonderful trip win (NYC or Paris/London are my two top choices) In fact, I keep dreaming that I am in New York.

Have you ever been on a trip which you've won from Sweepstakes or a Contest? If so, please share where you went and where you would like to go to. I would love to hear from more people that also share this wonderful hobby as I do.

Last but not least, I am seriously thinking about having my own little promotion here. Now a lot of sweepers don't like blog sweepstakes, as it usually takes a lot of time to enter. Sometimes if feels like you have to jump through hoops to get entries into those drawings. I think if I do have a giveaway, I want to make it as painless as possible. I am trying to also think of what I could give away too. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to comment or write me an e-mail with suggestions. I look forward to hearing from you.

~Cheers~
Lisa

What I get up to when I can't sleep

2010-07-03T04:57:00.000-05:00

Well it's after 4 AM here and I am still awake. What happens to me, when I don't go to sleep like normal people? I go and look for and enter contest and sweepstakes. Now that isn't bad, is it? However, tonight I found one that is actually a voting contest.

I normally stay far away from voting contest. Mainly because they are just so dang hard to win. The people that do win, are usually either college kids, who understand the whole twitter/facebook a lot better than I, as well as staying up with their friends and keep voting, well into the morning. Then the other problem is that some techy person knows how to set up bots and rig it, so that they have the most votes. This will usually get the person disqualified, however someone else has to bring it to the sponsors attention. Plus, some sites don't really care, as they are thinking it's getting people to their sites and that's the main objective to them.

So I stay away from voting contest. Except tonight. I found a post on a local board that I belong to, and thought I would go ahead and enter it. Mainly because the prize is fantastic. The grand prize winner will recieve a check for $102,250 check. This is so that the grand prize winner can take a vacation every year for the next 50 years. Now granted, I seriouly doubt I will live to be 93..BUT I would travel so much more, if I had an amount like $102,250 in my checking account!

So I thought to myself after I entered this, how/what is the best way for me to get votes. Cause the winner with the most votes win. From what I've seen, you can't vote down someone else's entry, which I'm glad about. That's when voting contest can turn real ugly, real quick. So I started thinking and I first posted my request for votes, by the method the website suggested, which was e-mails, facebook and twitter. Now I don't have hundreds of friends that I coresspond thru emails with, nor do I have hundreds of friends on facebook, yet those friends have friends that I don't have, so I am also hoping that they will "share" this with their friends and on their facebook accounts.

The other way that I thought I could get votes, is by asking for them in various sweepstakes message boards and forums. That will hopefully bring in some votes. Then I also remembered "DUH" I have a blog for goodness sakes! So if you care to help this little sweeper/bloggie person, win a wonderful contest, that honestly would make a HUGE difference in my life, please check my entry out and vote for me.

The contest is being sponsored by Hotels.com and the web address is...

http://ineedavacation.hotels.com/Gallery.aspx

Just go to most recent and look for "Lisa Renea M" At the moment, I am the most current, but that will change...so you should be able to look for me by my name.

This promotion actually ends on September 6, 2010 and I am sure you guys will get sick of me mentioning this. So I am going to try and limit my request for votes on this blog, only at one a week..or maybe one every two weeks.

I am still trying to think of other ways to gather votes, and so far the only idea I've got is to take an ad out on Craig's list, but I'm not sure if that's allowed. LOL. I have no shame, do I? :)

btw...the photo on their site is a bit small, so I thought I would also post a bigger photo of it here, so that you can see me in my full glory! The idea is to submit a photo of yourself, and why you need a vacation. I personally feel like I need a vacation, so my eyes can return to normal from looking at my computer screen all the time. Sadly, they didn't let us add comments to our entries, but I hope I get my point accross in my little pictures...I mean, it could happen right?

http://ineedavacation.hotels.com/Gallery.aspx

If anyone reading this has any ideas on how I can get votes for this contest, please please, pretty please send me an e-mail or submit a comment. I honestly would appreciate it so very much!

Another thing I forgot to mention, is that there is a daily prize of a Flip camcorder for the people that vote, so think of it as an incentive to vote.

On to other news....

Not much has been going on with me. I actually got back from vacation with my daughter and my cousin Ricky. We drove up to Fort Collins, Colorado and met some wonderful people in our guild on World of Warcraft. We also drove all around Colorado and I now wish I lived there. Especially during summer. Texas heat and humidity is about to do me in.

While I was gone, my husband won a PS3 game, called backbreaker or something. I have no clue. We just bought a PS3 for my birthday and I don't play those kind of games. I am more of a cutesy easy, looks more like a cartoon, gamer. I actually want to get the new Toy Story game on the PS3. I actually play more with my Wii than the PS3. (I love Harvest Moon games)

Nothing else is going on with me. Which is so totally boring. That's probably why I haven't updated the blog that much. I have won a few things, here and there..like a facial mask and music downloads. I know the next fun/big win is just around the corner.

Now I'm off to contemplate if I should take an ad out in our local newspaper, wear a T-shirt asking for votes or getting a magnetic sign to put on my car, asking for votes...See how desperate I am? I really, really want to win this!

~cheers~

Lisa

Back on the Wagon

2010-06-03T13:44:00.000-05:00

That's how it feels to me anyways. On May 25th, 2010 I forgot to mail my 10 snail mail entries. I am so disappointed with myself. I think mainly because my husband has told me he didn't think I would be able to follow through with that plan for the whole year. It stinks that he was right!

The reason why I forgot to mail any snail mail sweeps that day was I had been feeling a bit under the weather and I ended up checking my blood sugar and it was on the high side. (164 for a morning test) but I have read that being under stress and being sick can raise those numbers up. Now, to my knowledge I am not a diabetic. Both my parents are though, so it keeps me concerned enough to want to watch it as well as my diet. I seriously don't want to have diabetes and it scares me. So for a couple of days after May 25th, I just didn't worry about my sweepstaking hobby and tried to get to feeling better, which I admit that I am feeling much better, compared to a week or so ago.

I've gotten back on track with my snail mail entries as of June 1st and I am going to try and continue onward, as I truly want to have a good year with wins, if at all possible and Lord willing.

Today is also the last day of school for my child and I will be picking her up in about an hour. She asked me if I could please please please, get her out early, and I said I would consider it. Yet the more I thought about how we now are going to have her home for the next 11 weeks, without school I figured a couple of more hours couldn't hurt her, right? :) What can I say? This little Momma wants access to her desk to do her sweeps. Mimi tends to take over my desk, so that she can play her favorite pc activity, which is The Sims! (2 is her favorite, but she also likes Sims 3)

I am hoping to look for a desk for her this week-end, since I haven't been able to score any gift cards to office supply stores or furniture stores, so that I could buy her, her own desk. This girl seriously needs her own desk/PC. Whenever I do manage to get my space back, it's usually littered with cups, soda cans, crumbs, and wrappers of some kind of food left behind.

So a quick question for anyone that might be reading this blog. Am I the only person that gets frustrated when my spouse is right about something? Probably just me, but dang I hate it that he so called *knew* I wouldn't be able to manage my goal for sweeping. Oh well, he's my Lovie, so I guess I will keep him!

Much ado about ...Nothing

2010-05-21T05:07:00.000-05:00

I really haven't had a lot of things to write about recently. My sleeping is totally messed up (as always) and so my days and nights are switched. At the moment, it's is almost 5 in the morning. Am I up early? Nope...I woke up at 11pm and I'm still up.

I am going to play around hopefully here, and add some photos from my trip to Vegas that my Sissy took me on. I think part of my problem with updating this site, is that when I was in Vegas I came across a new addiction for me. Benefit Cosmetics!

Before going to see the "Phantom of the Opera", I went to the Fashion Show Mall in Vegas, which was right across the street from our hotel, the Wynn! My husband and I have been to Vegas so many times, I can't remember them all. One of our favorite places to visit in Vegas happens to be the Fashion Show mall.

I thought I might get a little "pick me up" in regards to my face. I didn't really want to hurry back to the hotel to actually apply my own make-up, so I ended up stopping off at the Benefit Cosmetic counter and OMG, let me just say I have seriously found my all time favorite make-up!

The lady that actually got my hooked on it, was named Shannon and she had the brightest PINK hair, I've ever seen. It's looked like her real hair, so I don't know where in the heck she found that shade of Pink, but it worked for her! She totally rocked the look and she was awesome! She gave me loads of samples and I am hoping that my husband and I can go back to Vegas and I can run across her again, and tell her how much I love these cosmetics.

Anyhoo..Since I've been back from that trip, I've been re-finding my love of make-up. When I became a Mom, I guess you could say I took a little break from my daily make-up routines. Okay, a BIG break...more like ten years! Sad isn't it?

So since finding these new cosmetic's, I have been also watching you-tube video's of how to apply make-up and how to correctly use these new products, which btw, I've invested my child's education funds into, so that this little mama looks and feels good about herself. I don't feel too guilty, because my daughter is also now finding the love for these cosmetics and is also trying to snag them away from me. In fact, I am now missing three products and will be asking about them in about an hour, when I wake her happy butt up for school, as to where they are.

So that's what I've been up to. Trying to take some time out for me, to learn how to look and feel good about myself. I am still entering my ten a day snail mail sweeps. I was so worried that when I was on my last trip, that I wasn't going to actually keep up with my goal. However, I made them all out in advance and put sticky notes on them, for my husband to mail off for me each day. He is a trooper, let me tell you!

In fact, I occasionally make my entries up in advance. At the moment, I am about a week ahead of myself, which is nice as I can take a little break from it all. I love entering sweepstakes and I don't think that will ever change, but even I need to do something different, from time to time.

As far as wins, I think the latest things I've scored on is:

A 4 week Trial Membership to Blockbuster from "ampm Man Facts"
15 Pizza Cash Coupon from the "Huggies Enjoy the Ride" promotion
Ten (10) minutes of pre-paid telephone calling minutes!* by playing the " Colgate-Palmolive Mother's Day Instant Win Game".

and that's about it. nothing too special to be honest, but it all counts...a win is a win, right? I do wish I could win something a little bigger (I know it must sound greedy, huh?) but I would really love to go on a vacation with my family. Either to Disney or England. I haven't been to England in over 7 years and I am really missing it. Of course, I wouldn't turn away any cash prizes either, as I could use it to bankroll my benefit addition!

My First Twitter Party

2010-05-13T23:37:00.002-05:00

was tonight! It was Marshall & TJMaxx and it was kinda cool. I still don't understand it all that much, as it goes kind of fast. The website that I used for this party was TweetChat. There was several winners over the coarse of two hours. I, however wasn't one of them. But that's OK, cause I am still learning. Going to TweetChat helped me keep track of all the tweets coming from the host and the guest. The direct messages that came to me, from other guest, was in BOLD and made it easier to keep track, when someone spoke directly to me.

There is another place on the internet that does the same thing that TweetChat does. It's called Tweet Grid. I haven't used it yet, so I can't really comment on it. But you might want to save both those websites, and consider using them, if you ever participate in a Twitter Party. I thought tonight's party was fun and the time went by really quickly. I believe it was for two hours, only I got in at the last hour of it.

Have you ever participated in a twitter party? If so, please share your thoughts and/or experience with it. I am trying to learn more about twitter, cause it does seem to be one of the new ways to enter sweepstakes.

May's Sweepers Meeting

2010-05-08T18:37:00.000-05:00

Well today is the second Saturday of the month, which means "Sweepers Meetings!" I haven't been in several months (Actually this was my first meeting for this year..yikes!) but I did enjoy myself today. I have been a member of this club for probably four or five years, but I've made many friends and I truly enjoy the comradeship of it all.

Of course, it's always fun to participate in the drawings that we have. In case you have never been to a sweeper's meeting in your area, here is a little bit of how our club does it, each month. Most clubs follow a very similar pattern, I'm sure. (If I've already written about local clubs, please forgive me.)

We meet once a month, in a local eatery, that has a separate dinning hall, that allows us to hold our meeting with a little bit of privacy. The place that we go to, actually doesn't charge us to use this dinning hall, but does hope that we bring business to it, by eating their food and drink. This usually isn't a probably, as we have our meeting during lunch time, and I would say about half of us, if not more, eats something. They have really good food, so it's not hard at all to do.

We start our meeting around 1pm and it usually goes until 3pm. That's how long we have our room booked for. This same room is also used by other people for family reunions, other club meetings, or what have you. I like this time of day, since I am *SO* not a morning person. In fact, if it was later, it would only suit me better. But then I am lazy.

We have five drawings each month, which you can enter. You are not required to, but it is fun to participate. The five drawings consist of: 5 decorated envelopes, five first class stamps (.44 cents at the moment), $1 lottery tickets, $1.00 for the cash drawing, and 5 Picture Postcards. The limit that we have is one entry for everything, except for the lotto and the cash drawing. Those are unlimited.

It all depends on how many people are in a club, as to how they split the pot up. For us, we usually have two winners for each drawing. The $1.00 lottery tickets and the $1.00 cash is actually drawn only one winner, and the other winner is the club. The funds received from these two drawings, goes into our "pot" and is used for our Christmas party that we have at the end of the year.

Another thing that is done at our meetings is Promotions! These are fun little games for our members, to win prizes. Each month a different person hosts these promotions and sponsors the prizes. We've played games like Bingo, guess the number of ??? in the jar (jellybeans, candy, whatever you want), Blackjack, 20 questions (we did this one today and it was a lot of fun, I must say) and so many more. I must say, I am horrible at thinking of promotions. I think it stems from my experience of low self esteem. ( I am still working on it, what I can I say?)

Something else that we are doing is creating Baskets. They can be any size or theme. We sell raffle tickets and then draw a winner from that. I actually won one of this months baskets and I am thrilled with it. The person that put it together is so good at putting these things together and I know I will get a lot of enjoyment from my prize (which included various sweeping supplies) I might even take a photo of it, and share it with you guys. It wasn't in a typical "basket" form, but something else, that I thought was very creative!

The money that is collected for these basket raffles, at this time is going towards the National Sweepers convention. The National convention gives away TONS of prizes each year, and a lot of the prizes given away are actually given to the host, to giveaway. Our group usually takes the money collected and purchase a visa gift card or two, and gives it away. The National Convention always mentions who donated the prize, which I think is nice.

Another thing that our group does, which is nice is everyone donates something small to whoever is celebrating a birthday in that same month. It can range from decorated envelopes, 3 x 5 papers/cards, stamps, candles, candy, and whatever use you can think of. We had two birthdays this month and I think it's a really nice treat for the birthday person.

While we are at our meeting, we also share what we have won during the month since the last meeting, and we take turns and go around in a circle. After wards we share other sweepstakes related news. Weather it's a local mall drop box, or something seen in the paper. We bring Official Entry Blanks to the meeting, if we find any and share those. This is where some of us can find out new information. We share tips or tricks on entering sweepstakes.

Today has been such a beautiful day and I did enjoy myself. Of course, winning my prize didn't hurt either! :) The only downside, is now I'm pooped!

Crapola

2010-05-04T18:32:00.001-05:00

Yep that's the word that comes into my mind, when I realize how long it's been since I've last written on this blog. I can't believe that a month has almost passed and not one post from little old me.

What have I been up to, you may wonder?

Well, basically I went on a trip win, with my sister (who I call Sissy..I know, I know. Original, isn't it?) and have been back home for almost a week. My Sissy actually won the trip last year from an online sweepstakes. It was the only prize and it was a good one, if I do say so myself. (Which I just did.)

The prize included airfare, flight for two people, hotel stay for 5 nights/6 days at the Wynn (which is a swank hotel btw), up to $350 per person for show tickets, up to $300 per person for salon/spa services, a tour of the Hoover dam and a helicopter tour with champagne brunch at the Grand Canyon. I don't think I've left anything out. AVR $6,000! Whoot!

Now we couldn't actually take the helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon, because my Sissy is also a little person, like myself. Nowadays, no one wants to be liable when helping anyone on and/or off of helicopters, airplanes, whatever. Now my Sissy could have taken anyone with her and if she had taken someone of average heights, who is more able bodied than myself, then it could have been more possible to have done this Grand Canyon tour.

In fact, for many years Sissy has said that if she ever won a trip to Vegas, she would take our Mom. Mom loves Vegas as much as we do and it's been awhile since she's been out there. However, when Sissy won the trip, Mom wasn't feeling all that great and didn't think that she could handle all the walking that was likely on this trip. So Sissy extended the invite to me.

Sissy talked with the company that handled the arrangements of the trip and let it be known that we were both disabled. The company actually did great on most things and since we couldn't take advantage of the helicopter tour, we ended up getting another show added onto the itinerary and it was awesome! They also changed the Hoover dam tour to one that included the Grand Canyon, so we wouldn't have to miss out on that. I will go into more of how that went, later on.

So Sissy and I ended up seeing the Beatles "Love" by Cirque De Solei at the Mirage as well as Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian. They were both really good shows. I would probably have to say that I enjoyed the Phantom better. Not sure why, but since we were on the second row, that might have had something to do with it. But the music on both performances, where wonderful and thoroughly enjoyed.

I am hoping to upload some photos from our trip later on. I do have a flickr account, and might add them there. I'm still unsure of how to put them on here, without making it take forever for the page to load. I'm still learning, what can I say?

At the moment, I am tying this on my laptop and it's acting weird . So I will go ahead and post this, so that maybe my readers, if I still have any, will know that I didn't drop off the face of the earth. I am hoping to post again a lot sooner, than last time. Maybe in 21 day instead of 24.

21st Annual National Sweepstakes Convention

2010-04-08T20:11:00.001-05:00

Here's an article that I wanted to share with you guys. What's interesting to me is I actually do know more than half of the people mentioned in this article. I meet them through this wonderful hobby at a yearly convention for Sweepers. This year's convention is being held in Bloomington, MN and is being coordinated by Bob Mendell, who is also mentioned in this article.

If you are interested in learning more about the yearly sweepstaking convention, you can visit the website that Bob Mendell has put together for prices, information and other various things related to this. This year's convention is being held right before/during Labor Day. I believe that usually the Sweeper's convention is held in June, however the prices for the hotel was better during Labor day this year, so that's when they decided to hold it. I'm not particular, as I am disabled and I can pretty much pick up and leave for trips. The only stinky part of it, it's also the same time of year when school starts. So I have to figure out who's going to house sit and take my kid to school, while I'm off meeting old friends, renewing my interest in this wonderful hobby and Lord willing, winning more stuff. It's 3 days of fun for me. I look forward to it every year.

21st Annual National Sweepstakes Convention

It's my intention to share some photo's from this coming year's convention on this blog. I love to take photo's of the decorated envelopes (this is something that I will discuss at another time), my friends, my wins if there are any and I always hope and pray that there are, as well as photo's of the interesting area that we may be visiting for that particular year. This year's convention also happens to be during the same time as the Minnesota State Fair! I am also looking forward to going to that as well. MMMM Cotton Candy! My favorite Fair Food, next to the corn dogs, and fried Twinkies and of course there's the...wait..we were talking about sweepstakes convention.

Then of course, there is also the Mall of America. I've actually been there once before, for another convention. I believe it was back in 2000, at the Little People of America's convention. I'm not totally positive, but I think we are even staying at the same hotel!

Anyhoo, I just lost some of what I've just written down and I hate it when it does that! Ggrrr.

Oh well, basically I love the National Sweeper's conventions and I look forward to them each and every year. In case you are unable to make this year's convention, the following year's convention is going to be held somewhere in Indiana (I believe) I will admit, that I'm not sure if I will be able to make that one, as I have been to the last five conventions, but I would also hate missing out too.

There is also another convention that I would love to go to, and that's a blogher's convention in NYC in August. I won a trip to NYC and went last November, and I fell in love with New York! My best friend went with me and we had a blast! She is also a blogger and we are trying to see if we can go to that, if at all possible.

Of course, if I had enough money, I would also be going to the LPA (Little People of America's) convention in July. Then of course there is also the Blizzard convention for my husband and I, who both play World of Warcraft. I believe that convention is usually held in October, but I could be wrong. Man, I think I need intervention from all these conventions! or maybe find a convention for people that love to go to conventions? Yep, I need intervention! Or win the lottery and then go to all the conventions, to my little heart's content!

Do you go to any conventions? If so, which ones?

Hoppy Easter!

2010-04-03T22:31:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to pop on here for a moment and to wish everyone a wonderful Easter. I will be back to posting in a day or so, as I've been caught up visiting with family and doing things with my daughter.

Today we went to a bowling alley for a friend's birthday party and tomorrow, we will hopefully be joining some friends for some Easter lunch and an Easter egg hunt for the kiddo's. I am hoping to take some pictures with a new camera that I just won on April Fool's day of all day. It's charging up now and I am hoping that it takes good pictures. My favorite camera seems to be missing and I am hoping to run across it, as it is my personal favorite of any camera I've ever had. But it will be fun playing around with this new toy.

I won a Fuji Film Finepix Z70 camera from an online sweepstakes (Bloomingdale's Smile Sweepstakes). This particular sweepstakes you had to submit a photo or 60-second or less video of what makes you smile. Even though it took a little more effort than just entering your usual information for a sweepstakes, it was a random draw. They ended up giving away 264 of these cameras. So I just choose a funny photo of my husband. Of course he wasn't all that happy about it, but I love this particular photo as it ALWAYS makes me smile to myself. I even use this photo on my iphone, so that whenever he calls me, it pops up.

What can I say? He's all mine! :)

Here is a couple of photo's of the new camera I got!

On this particular sweepstakes, it was a 1 entry only sweep too! Whoot!

I had NO idea it was coming and that's a great thing about this hobby. Anyday it could feel like Christmas or your birthday. This camera looks to be a nice one too. It's 12 MP and also has a 5x optical zoom with a 2.7 LCD screen on the back. The only thing it doesn't have is a place where you put your eye and look at it through. A view finder may be what it's referred to, but I am having a serious brain fart at the moment and can't think right. I only got about five hours sleep last night and it's already after 10pm. I have to get up bright and early tomorrow, to help the Easter bunny at Wal-mart. (Sometimes I really slack off some of the mom duties and pay for it in other ways, like having to get up at the butt crack of dawn, so I can make my kid happy)

Anyhoo..I hope everyone is doing well and has a great Easter Sunday!

How far would you go for $25,000?

2010-03-30T00:28:00.000-05:00

It's funny sometimes what we will do for money. But how far will we actually go? Would you dig in the mud for keys to a new Jeep? Would you keep your hand on a car, to see if you would be the last person standing, to take away a huge prize? Would you eat 100 hot dogs in a short amount of time, to hopefully win $1000? What about $5,000? Do we have a price on doing things that most people wouldn't dream of doing?

The reason why I am bringing this up is because of an article that I came across, I believe on MSN.com and thought I would share it with you guys.

Check out this great MSN Video: Brides nosh on cake for cash

Personally, I'm always up for a laugh and trying something new. As long as it isn't illegible or immoral. However, I am not sure I could ever participate in an eating contest. I have a strong feeling I would be the person that vomits all over the place, while someone records it and later puts it up on youtube.com! (I think I've mention this fear before now that I think about it.)

But it takes all kinds I guess and that's what makes this hobby so interesting to me. There are many ways to win many different prizes. They are as different as the people that enter them. You never know until you try it, if you will like it. Also, no guts no glory, eh? Of course, after eating nine wedding cakes in that above contest, you would probably need and end up with, a lot of guts, huh?

A pretty GRAND week for me!

2010-03-25T21:40:00.000-05:00

In my previous post, I had mentioned that I had hopes that the week would be filled with more wins, as I had a win on Monday. I've talked before about the superstition that sweepers seem to have with this in this post here.

Well, after winning two movie passes on Monday, I got an envelope in my mailbox, with a vitamin water coupon. It was from a Facebook promotion with vitamin water. I can't really remember this one, and maybe it's not even considered a win to some people, but free is free, right? But that's not the only win I've had this week.

The next day, which was Wednesday I got a phone call, while on the phone with my sister. It was actually kind of interesting as I had both my cell phone AND my home phone ring at the same time. Now I've talked about how I am using Google Voice for my sweepstaking also in another post, which you can find here. Well now I know another reason why I like Google Voice for this hobby. Since I am only using this number for my sweepstakes entries, when they call me for a win (hopefully) it will send it to both phones, thus making them each ring. If I am at home while this happens, it kind of gives me a little heads up so to speak, that the phone call coming in, is from a promotion/contest/sweepstakes.

So when I heard both phones ringing, I got a little tingle, and hoped filled my heart that I was going to be a winner at something. Well, I can't give much detail YET, as I just want to make sure and double check that it all goes through, but I basically won a Grand Prize in a national sweepstakes, where I only entered one time through the mail and the prize is a $1000 American Express Gift Card! ~WHOOT~

Talk about getting your blood pumping! This is the kind of wins I LOVE to get. At the moment, money is really tight in our household, like I am sure it is for a lot of other people. If everything goes well, and I am praying that it does, then this money will surly come in handy. So if you can, please keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer that everything goes smoothly and I get this Gift Card quickly!

When everything is a done deal, I will post more information about this, as there is a bit of a funny back story to it. :) Later that day, after my winning phone call, I also got a ~~soccer~~ football delivered to me, that came from Budweiser. Actually my husband won that, but it's neither here nor there, right?

Then in today's email I got another win. Although it is a much smaller win. I was one of (100) first prize winners that won "The Ultimate Pet ID" value $20.

So for this week, I've already gotten 3-4 wins (depending upon how you look at it) Either way, I can't wait to see if tomorrow brings in anything. I am really hoping that it does, because that's what makes sweepstaking so much fun. Also, this win that I got notified of on Wednesday is the biggest win that I've gotten this year and it also marks my second snail mail win!

Nothing much happening on the home front. My daughter is preparing for the Taks test (which I hate) and will be taking sometime in the first of April. Easter will be upon us soon, and to be honest, I am not looking forward to it. Easter was a time where we usually shared it with my Aunt Evie, who recently passed away back in January of this year. We would go to her house to color Easter eggs, hide them and just have general family get together and eat and visit and Aunt Evie always made anyone and everyone feel welcomed. It hurts knowing that she isn't going to be here. On Easter, if I can I am going to see if I can find any old Easter photos that have my Aunt in them and share them here on Little Sweeper's Little Corner. It makes me feel like she's still with us.

But on a happier note, we have been invited to spend Easter with some sweeping friends of ours and I am looking forward to that, very much. This couple is an amazing couple and I love them to death. The lady, who has been involved in sweeping for many many years, is so interesting and also a wonderful cook. She won $5000 in 2008's Pillsbury bake off, so you know she's got talent! You can read more about her by going here. Their names are Gwen and Robert. They are very active with their own Sweepstakes Site, called SweepsU.com

Man if I only could cook like her, it would be a wonderful thing! And then maybe my family and I would be healthier. Who knows, maybe sometime this summer, I might actually try cooking again. Being short stature and trying to turn the oven on or off, without burning your boobs off, is a trick I still am learning. I've actually caught my hair on fire once, so I'm not really one to want to try and catch anything else on fire. But what can I say...at least I was HOT once!

~Until next time~

Spring Break Updates

2010-03-22T17:44:00.000-05:00

Well my little one (who isn't so little anymore, it seems) just recently had a week off of school for spring break. I love spring and I am so glad that it's here. Even though you couldn't tell that it was spring, as a couple of days ago we had SNOW! I am just amazed by the weather here, cause where I live in Texas, we never really get that much snow and this is the most snow we have had in so many years and on the official day of spring, it snows! Go figure.

So with my child being off of school, I felt that it was my Mommybird duty to give her some attention and make plans and keep them, and just enjoy being a Mom and a family. So I didn't blog. I missed it though and I should probably have checked in, as I was fortunate to have won several things from last week.

Starting with Sunday, March 12th through March 18, 2010 I won:

$50 Adidas Gift Card from a text sweep
Desperate Housewives Calendar - Online Sweep
$10 Dollar General gift card - Online Sweep
Trevor Hall CD - Online Sweep
$100 Kroger Gift Card - FIRST SNAIL MAIL SWEEP WIN
2 free movie pass - Local Online Sweep

and then in today's email I found out that I won

2 MORE free movie pass - From a different Local Online Sweep

another Monday win, so I would love to think that the wins will continue to roll on in, this week too.

During Spring Break I also had a delivery from a win earlier this year. I received A mini-helmet display case which is suppose to be worth $100! Now I am not a sport memorabilia collector, so I am trading this with someone from my local sweeps club for sweepstakes supplies, which I do love! The display case with the mini helmets did look nice though and I also thought I would share a photo of that win here today with you guys.

During spring break, we also had company. My husband and I allowed our child to invite a friend to spend the night, which turned into two night (ah the joys of childhood) and then later in that week, we also had two cousins spend the night. (However, we did learn our lesson and told our child that it would only be for one night). I even surprised myself by taking my child and her friend out for brunch on Sunday at I-Hop, as well as to the park twice in one week. We also rented several movies during this week, as my child was ssssoooo BORED this week, when her friends/family were not around. I now have a new appreciation for teachers and year long schools. I am seriously thinking about finding an all year school for my kid, as I am dreading this summer.

I will not only be driven nuts by hearing how bored my kid is, but also will probably have to declare bankruptcy from trying to find things to do, to entertain her. And before anyone mentions, I do realize that I shouldn't have to entertain her so much or spend much to do it, as it makes a child spoiled. I just remember how long and lonely the summer was when I was between the ages of 11-12. I was too old for toys, but too young for boys. (Of course, I had my older sister to aggravate when I got really, really bored and alas my child doesn't have any siblings) I also know that bored teens/tweens tend to get into more trouble. So it my hope for this summer to be filled with more activities than we usually do in the summer time. Normally, we just veg out for three months in front of the computer/TV/grandma's house. I just want something different this year.

What fun things do you like to do with your tween/teen? I am thinking swimming, library's (Thank God my child loves to read), dollar movies, park, arts & crafts,and maybe throw in Six Flags, if it's possible, money wise. I, of course, am also praying that I win things like Six Flags tickets,casa mañana tickets and things like that. It always help financially during the summer, to entertain my child and also myself. I don't know about anyone else, but I hate being stuck in the house all summer, even though I also admit, I hate getting out in the heat too.

One thing that I am hoping and praying that we get to do, before school is out is to go and see the musical Wicked. It's coming to our area and my daughter and I so desperately want to see this. I have a family member that went to the one in Chicago, and loved it!

Well that's it for now. I am hoping to get back into blogging more this week. Maybe every other day or so. I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the spring time weather. Hopefully no more snow! (I can't believe I just wrote THAT)

Until Next Time

More Twitter Information

2010-03-11T16:02:00.000-06:00

I just came across this article about how to use Twitter for entering contest and thought I would share it with you guys. I'm in the middle of reading it myself and even I am hoping to learn something from it, and Lord willing, win something. Click HERE to read more.

At the moment, I am personally feeling like crap! I don't know if it's the weather or what, but my arthritis is flaring up big time, and add to the fact that every time I take my arthritis medication, my chest seems to "lock down" when I eat (I have terrible acid reflux, hital hernia and a narrow esophagus) and I end up throwing up, I just feel like death warmed over.

I also know that I am not eating as healthy as I need to, and that's one of the sucky things about being a little person who can't cook. You end up eating all the wrong kinds of foods and I am being a very poor example to my child and that always makes me feel worse.

I am hoping to feel better very soon, so that I can update this blog and get back to feeling bouncy and happy again. I just wish my knee didn't feel like it's been hit with a baseball bat every time I lay down. I've been told I have spinal stenosis (sp?) and I don't have a doctor that can help me with that, so basically it's just a wait and pray that it will soon get a little better, more than anything else.

I will post again, hopefully when I feeling better.
~Later~

Are You Game?

2010-03-08T17:03:00.000-06:00

for trying out for game shows? This is an area that I don't really get into. Quite possibly because I don't tend to think quick on my feet, plus I honestly don't think TV producers or whoever is in charge of picking contestants, wants disabled people to be seen on their shows. Even though Little People are getting more and better public attention than in previous years, you just don't see that many disabled/little people on Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune, etc.

The one game show that I've always wanted to be on was The Price is Right! I don't know why, but it was just the one I remember with the most fondness as a child. I loved Plinko and the possibility of winning a new car. Plus the Showcase Showdown was great and exciting! Now that Drew Carey is the host, I still think I would really enjoy being on that show. However, I don't think anyone would see anything but the top of my head, trying to shout out bids when they called me to "Come On Down!" Hopefully I wouldn't have a bad hair day that day.

Another game show that was watched quite regularly when my mema was alive was "Wheel of Fortune". I like this show for the most part, but I'm just not that great at it. I would love to be on it, however can you imagine a little person, like myself, leaning over to spin the wheel, falling head first and go around spinning and spinning in a circle and then throwing up on Pat Sajak? That would live on forever on YouTube, I just know it!

Now my Dad, he loves Jepordy! I personally hate that dang show for some reason. I guess because I realize how little I truly listened in high school and how little I do know. I only have two answers anytime I watch Jepordy. It's either Abraham Lincoln or Gone with the Wind! Yes I know that stupid, but that's just me! :) (But I was actually right one time! Go figure.)

Now I also like Deal or No Deal. I have no clue if that's even still on the air, but I liked Howie Mandel and they did actually have a little person on their program, so they get a gold star from me for that!

The only thing close to a game show that I've ever been on was something that was done on the Tony Danza Show. He had a promotion on his show, called the Extravadanza or something like that. You either entered online or through the mail and you had to list something that you felt like an expert on, in regards to trivia. I entered a few times and I actually got called! Man was that exciting. I was on his second to last show before he got canceled.

My trivia was on Marilyn Monroe. I don't know why, but I've always loved learning about her. The question had to be answered in ten seconds. My question was, "Marilyn Monroe was in two movies that had the name "business" in the title. What where they?" I thought my heart was gonna stop that day, but I answered in time and I answered correctly. I won $5,000! Man what a rush! I did however sound like a dork on the phone, but I didn't care at the time. (BTW the answers were "No Business Like Show Business" and "Monkey Business")

One the reasons why I am bringing this up, is because an article was written on trying out for the Wheel of Fortune, by our local news station. You can find it here. You might find it interesting and learn something from it, and maybe it can help you prepare for an audition sometime. The auditions for our area has already passed, but they usually come around every other year or so.

Have you ever tried out for a game show? Have you ever been on a game show? If so, which one? I would love to hear about your experience. You can shoot me an email at LittleSweepers@Gmail.com. Or just leave a comment here, to share with everyone.

It's not as easy

2010-03-07T21:48:00.005-06:00

as I thought it would be, to enter ten snail mail entries a day that is. Like I've mentioned before, for this year I am trying to up my game a bit in regards to entering snail mail sweepstakes and figured I would enter at least ten snail mail sweeps each day when the mail went out, except for National Holidays of course.

But you know what? It's hard! Snail mail sweeps are slowly disappearing and I hate that. I understand why, since the internet makes it just so much easier and cheaper for the sponsor and whoever is involved with having a sweepstakes.

But I love printing my name and address over and over again. I'm sick in the head I guess.

I've actually been working on my spreadsheet for my Sweepstakes Wins for 2010. I came to the realization that all the wins for this year, have been won by only entering once! This is just amazing to me, even though I do realize that it only takes one to win. You can't win, if you're not in it!

So far, my family and I have won a total of ten sweepstakes/contest for 2010. That's not a lot so far, and I am hoping to have that number increase. We've also won by many different ways of entering. We've won by online sweepstakes, online instant wins, Twitter, Facebook, Game Pieces, Second Chance drawing and text entries. You know how we haven't won? By snail mail entries! Yep that right. It's making me wonder if I should rethink this whole thing, ya know? BUT I am going to try and continue onward with it for at least until the end of June. That means I've given it six months and hopefully I will have seen something from all my efforts. If not, then I will not worry about making sure I hit the post office each and every day.

I have also worked on a template to share with those of you, who may be interested in keeping track of your wins as well. You can find it by going here. It's a Google document and it's actually my first time in sharing anything with Google docs. I will say in advance that it's nothing spectacular, just a basic spreadsheet to help you remember what you've won and other important information regarding those wins. My next spreadsheet that I will be working on, will be something to help me keep track and remember to enter Twitter Sweepstakes.

I have all my entries made out for tomorrow and ready to go. I am trying to get a little ahead and have entries made out for the following day, and at the moment, I only have eight entries for Tuesday. However, I should be getting a new issue of Sweepsheet by sometime tonight. I am hoping that I can find a few interesting sweepstakes to enter by snail mail and revive my interest.

Early this morning (since I couldn't sleep of course) I entered a few online/instant win sweepstakes and actually got this...

It's been awhile since I've seen a Congratulations on an instant win game. My prize is a Mini Budweiser World Cup soccer ball! Since my husband loves ~~soccer~~ Football, then it's kind of a neat prize. I mainly entered this sweepstakes because the Grand Prize is a trip to South Africa for the World Cup this summer and I know my husband would love to go to that. So I will be keeping my fingers crossed that we win one of the ten prizes on this one.

Well, I guess I'm off to try and find two more snail mail sweepstakes to enter for Tuesday's mail day.

~Later~

Wanna Get Cozi?

2010-03-07T02:09:00.001-06:00

Okay, so my title to this entry is a little mmmm..interesting. LOL but it is relevant I promise.

I thought I would post something that could possibly help you in this hobby of Sweepstaking, or maybe just help you in general. And I promise you it's nothing to do with Google. (At least I don't think so. But give them time, as I am sure they will come up with something very similar)

What I am going to share with you guys today is something that I find helpful when I am trying to keep track of certain sweepstakes. There is a website that is basically an online calendar. It's called Cozi Calendar. This can come in handy to help you remember when sweepstakes either start or end. As well as it can be set up to send you daily/weekly/monthly reminders to either your cell phone as a text msg or to your e-mail in-box, to remind you of whatever it is you don't want to forget.

I used to be a big Yahoo Calendar user, but for some reason, when I switched over to the computer that I am using now (which used to belong to my husband) I kept getting error message and would have to log out and then log back in again. It really became a big pain in the butt and I got so frustrated, that I quit using it. I don't remember how I found Cozi, but quite possibly it was by doing a Google search. On Yahoo Calendar I would set it up, so I would know when to possibly enter a weekly or monthly sweepstakes, or remember when to be by the phone for any particular sweepstakes. Example: in case Val-Pak called my house (They are well known for calling you once, and if you don't answer, they just move on without leaving you a phone message on your answering machine) And that's basically what I do with Cozi, among other things.

Another neat feature of Cozi Calender is that you can set it up for family members. I believe you can have up to ten members on one account. This is great to keep all the family's important dates and social activities all in one place. It's also free, did I mention that? You can make list and color code them as well. You also are able to write down memories or "journal" your thoughts and even add photo's like a digital scrapbook. I believe you can also share those thoughts with anyone you choose, however I don't do this, so I'm not too sure how well that works.

Right now Cozi is also having a sweepstakes! So now would be a great time to join. All the information is there on the front page, so feel free to check it out. It doesn't run for much longer though, so don't dilly dally sally! I believe their sweepstakes end either March 10th or March 11th, 2010.

I actually thought to mention it here, because I just went to my own cozi calendar to put in a date that I don't want to forget, which is the open house at my child's school. (I have to have something to help me not forget these important parental activites). Then I realized that other people might not actually know about cozi yet, so why not share it with others.

If you have another use for Cozi, that you would like to share here, please feel free to e-mail me at LittleSweepers@Gmail.com or submit a comment to share with everyone!

In other news with this "Little Sweeper", I got a text message on Friday that I was a grand prize winner of a sweepstakes. It was a text message sweepstakes and it was with Coors Lite. Even though I am not certain, I believe I won a super bowl helmet collections. They were actually giving away 100 of these as well as 100 first prizes of $100 NFLshop.com Gift Cards. I was kind of hoping for the $100 Gift Cards, since I don't collect any type of sports memoriabilla, but that's ok. I am sure I can find a home for it.

In other non related sweepstakes news, I went to the movies today with my child and a couple of friends of ours. (Well, actually my daughter's friend and her friend's mother) We saw Alice in Wonderland. While it was an interesting movie, I guess I am just not a huge Tim Burton Fan. We saw it in 3-D and unless my glasses were defective or I just didn't pay good enough attention, I really didn't see anything that made me go WOW! I also honestly believe that whoever wrote the original story must have done some serious drugs during that time, as that story just kind of freaks me out a little! And then when you add Tim Burton's vision of how he sees the Mad Hatter and other things in this story, well let's just say that it's probably a good thing I don't want to go to sleep just yet.

It's now almost 2 in the morning and I am still having trouble sleeping. I do honestly hate being like this. The only good thing is when it's late like this and I am all on my own, I can post to my blog and not be interupted as well as enter sweepstakes. Which is what I am off to do now.

Until next Time!

Just had to share

2010-02-26T22:50:00.001-06:00

A print screen of my biggest swag buck EVER! The highest amount of swag bucks I've ever gotten before was $4.00. Well this one beat it!

They just changed the web design of Swagbucks.com, and it's taken me a little bit to get used to it. I am one of those people that does not like change. (I don't know why that is, I just don't.) I've recently turned in 90 Swagbucks that I've collected for two $5.00 Amazon.com Gift Certificates. You can only turn in two at a time, per day. I plan on turning in another 90 Swagbucks for two more $5.00 Amazon.com Gift Certificates, as I am wanting to purchase a couple of CD's for my little one, and since money is tight, this kind of makes it seem like I am getting the CD's for nothing. Whoot!

(Edited to add: I just found out that now swagbucks.com, has changed some of the way their program works. Now instead of winning 1 swagbuck, it's now worth 10 swagbucks. So I guess I didn't get anything special after all. But heck, at least I felt good! LOL. Oh well. It still is added to the pot, and will get to be spent on something, I'm sure. )

If for some reason I have any trouble getting my order processed or anything with Swagbucks, I will be reporting about it here. I feel that it would only be fair. But I am also really hoping and praying that nothing does go wrong with it, as I love getting stuff like this.

I haven't been working on much today, except for a few sweeps this morning. I got my ten snail mail sweeps put together and my wonderful husband took them to the post office for me today, while I got a couple of hours sleep. I suffer with insomnia extremely bad, and my sleeping hours are all over the place! So I've just been too tired to really do anything much.

Before writing all of this down now, I was just messing around with some of google's neat things that they offer people to use. I honestly love Google for the most part, and would love to work for that company. The only thing that concerns me is the fact that they seem like they are slowly becoming more and more like Microsoft and seem to be getting a monopoly on everything, in regards to technology and the other thing that concerns me is Google earth. While I am intrigued by Google Earth, I really worry about privacy and how small the world is nowadays. I will go more into that in another post, I'm sure.

BUT one of the features that Google has, that I love to use with my sweepstaking hobby is Google Voice! At the moment, it's only used by people that get invites. I am fortunate to have gotten one, as I had been a member of the company that they acquired, which was Grand Central. I actually forgot I signed up with Grand Central, until I received notice last year, that Google acquired them.

I am sure I won't be able to explain fully everything that Google Voice can do, but here are a few important features that they offer.

With Google Voice, you can also request a Google number and get some nifty additional features
Such as:

So for this year, I've decided that instead of putting my home number and cell phone number on all my entries for sweepstakes and contest, which can change at any time in my life, I would only put down my new Google number. It came with a local area code, and I love the number as it was easy number for me to remember. Now it no longer matters if I move, or have any other reason to change my phone numbers, my number for all my sweepstakes will never have to change. This is so great, especially when it comes time to move from one place to another and I don't want to miss any important phone calls.

I also love Google voice because you can also block unwanted callers too. Like Telemarketers, per say? Not that I've ever gotten any of course, as I am on the do not call list. But you can bet you bottom dollar, that if I ever got a phone call from someone I did not want to speak to, then I could block it. Plus when the person that calls that Google voice number, it rings all the numbers that I have linked to it. At the moment, it rings both my home phone number and my cell phone number. It is just *so* much easier to give this one number to anybody or anything, instead of my home, work, cell or whatever else numbers I have and I know I won't miss a call!

Now at the moment Google Voice is only by invitation. I have 2 invites left. The first two people that leave a comment here, get's them. First Come, First Serve! Only one per person, per email, per IP address please.

These invites are coming from me, and not anything to do with Google.com. I honestly believe that anyone that participates in entering sweepstakes, can use this to help them in their endevors. I wasn't paid or compensated in any way for my opinions on Google Voice. I truly love this service!

Twitter me this

2010-02-25T22:33:00.000-06:00

Actually I don't know what that means, but it sounded like a good title for a blog article. Mainly being because Twitter is a very popular social media interface that is being used in many promotions nowadays. Thus in turn, meaning more prizes to win for the people that actually learn about it and participate in it.

A couple of days ago, an article ran from msnbc.com on how to win prizes on Twitter. You can go to the article by clicking this http://tinyurl.com/ydd6a7r.

Now I will freely admit, that I don't really understand Twitter. YET! I plan on using twitter and learning what I can, while entering contest/sweepstakes and what promotion may come across my desk. I also have my own twitter user name and please feel free to follow my tweets. My user name is LittleSweeper :)

As you surf the internet, you will now see more and more often, big name companies that have Facebook fan pages as well as Twitter pages. Sign up for those if at all possible, as it can lead you toward new promotions and hopefully win lots of great prizes.

So far, I've won two prizes from twitter. One was last year, from a local Chrysler dealership and I won a stainless steel mug. The second win was about a week ago from Marshall's. In today's mail, I received a gift card for $50 to use at their store! Whoot!

Now this gc arrived at my house in a fedex envelope. In the correct size that an affy would/could be in. My husband opened the door to the FedEx man and showed me the envelope and my heart always seems to feel like it skips a beat whenever I see these envelopes! I mean, there's no telling what it could be, right?

I honestly forgot about my win from Marshall from using twitter. So even though it wasn't a huge win, it was a win. Plus this little sweeper can go and buy something new for herself, hopefully very soon.

So if you haven't hopped on the Twitter Band Wagon, maybe today is the day you should? You can always cancel your account, if you find it doesn't work for you or just ignore it. But there are so many contest right now on Twitter, that it's unreal. If you do decided to join Twitter or have already joined and would like me to follow you, please just comment here if you want, with your user name and I will follow you as well. If you are not comfortable putting that information here, please feel free to drop me an email at littlesweepers at gmail dot com. (I have written it that way, so that I hopefully don't get spam at that particular email address.)

Another social media platform that is really hot right now, is Facebook! I'm sure most of you have heard of it, and more than likely either have your own page, or have been told about it from someone you know. A lot of people are reluctant to join and have their personal information on there, in case of identity theft and/or other reasons for safety. Safety is a top priority for me, and I totally understand that. Maybe create a facebook account, just for you to enter promotions and keep in contact with big companies. Don't add friends and family to it, plus read up on the privacy settings. It makes a huge difference on what people can and can not see on your facebook page. If you ever have any questions about facebook, please ask. I've only been using it for about a year now, but I really enjoy it! I've had to really try and learn about the privacy settings, so that I can protect my family the best way I possibly can.

I am also now creating a facebook fan page for this blog. Now I will also freely admit, I have no clue what I am doing on this! :) But I look at it like this. I am taking a chance to learn something new and hopefully connect with other people that share this same hobby and interest as I do, which is sweepstaking! When I get it put together, you can be sure I will add it here, for everyone to check out.

I also haven't forgotten about my spreadsheet for my 2010 Sweepstakes Winnings. I was trying to make one using google documents, but I've hit a bit of a stubbling block on how to share that with people on this blog. But I am also going to hopefully work on it again tonight.

~Lisa~

This is what I won?

2010-02-25T04:43:00.002-06:00

Sometimes when you enter a sweepstakes, you can win a prize that might not be what you wanted or hoped to win. However, don't let that stop you from entering, if there is a prize that you do like, in the prize structure.

For example, let's say a big well known company was giving away an all expense paid trip to Australia for one week as a Grand Prize. The First Prizes consist of (10) flip mini cameras. Second prize is (50) stuffed Koala bears. Third prize is a (100) coupons off for their product. Well, you might not really want to go to Australia, because you either don't like to travel or have a fear of their big butt spiders they have over there. Yet, those flip mini cameras look pretty neat and a stuffed koala bear, you could give to your child or maybe you collect them. As far as a coupon goes, well it's money you don't have to spend, on that product, if you purchased it.

Well, some people don't enter, because they don't want the main prize, which is a trip. The truth is that you are more than likely won't win the grand prize, since there is only one of them being offered. So, with that in mind, if you win anything from the lower end, you might enjoy it. However, if your name is in the drawing, then you have a chance to win, so please don't be discouraged by what I just wrote. I am mainly talking about the odds of it all.

Also, most Grand Prizes that have a large ARV (Actual Retail Value) usually involved paperwork needing to be signed and even sometimes notarized. If you are fortunate to win something that you don't want, then politely decline. You don't get taxed for it, and the prize usually goes to the next person that they drawn.

The reason why I am bringing this up, is because today I got a huge envelope in the mail. In fact, this envelope was almost as big as I was it seemed! I knew it was too big to be an affy (affidavit), yet I still wondered what it could be. Well I thought I would start taking photo's of my wins, and sharing them on this blog.

My Big prize for February 24th, 2010

This is a poster from the New York Broadway Musical "101 Dalmatians". Now I was actually wanting to win the grand prize which was: 4-day trip for 2 to New York incl. airfare, hotel, ground transfers, breakfast, dinner, 2 tickets to The 101 Dalmatians Musical on Broadway, 2-day NY Pass and $275 spending money.

Now they also offered several other lower prizes. All ranging from 101 Dalmation branded jacket, free dog food, 101 Dalmatians Cast Album and hat and dog leash, T-shirts, Hats and posters.

Yep, I won the lowest prize in that particular sweep. But you know what? I won something! Because I took a few minutes out of my day, my name was in the running for a chance to go to New York. Granted, I only won a $3.00 poster, but I still love seeing in my mailbox, or at my front door a possible great win. Every day is a new chance to win and I love it!

Now my wonderful husband held up my poster, so I could take a picture of it for this blog. Now, for those of you who might not know my husband, well let's just say he likes to have fun. So I am also sharing a few photos of him goofing off for my camera.

My wonderful husband! :) Gotta love him. Well you don't per say, but I love him. Very much so!

Until next time!

Long time no post

2010-02-23T00:30:00.002-06:00

It's been over a month since my last post, and to be honest I just haven't been much in the mood to blog. Mainly because about a week after my last post, my sweet favorite Aunt Evie, passed away from Lung Cancer. She struggled with it for three months or so, and then it took her. I still miss her and when I think about her, I catch my breath, because it hurts to remember that she is no longer on this earth. BUT I do try and remember that she is with our heavenly father in heaven and is no longer in any pain.

this is one of my favorite photos of her.

I am going to try and get back into the groove of posting though. I've won a few things in this past month, but dang me..I can't remember them very well. LOL. I know I won a little clutch purse, I think from a magazine, which my daughter promptly took from me! Little Stinker. This is why I should have started my spreadsheet with my wins listed on them. I am hoping to make one tonight and it might actually encourage me when I am not winning consistently, and also to remind me to keep entering, because I do win and so you can you. All you got to do is enter, enter, enter!

While it wasn't a win per say, I did get a gift card in the mail today. I am so pleased too, as money is a little on the tight side for my family, and it stinks! I got a $50 Walgreen's Gift card from being a member at MyPoints! I've actually been a member there for probably five or more years. I've turned in my points, which I get from reading their e-mails and using their links, to purchase stuff from major Retailers online, like K-mart, Sears, Wal-mart, Target, etc etc etc. It really isn't hard at all...just a little time each and every day, when the emails come in and click a link. That's it basically. After a few months, turn in points (similar to Swagbucks) and you have earned yourself a Gift Card. They offer gift cards to well known places like Target, Walgreen's, Outback Steakhouse, and more.

Another great thing about MyPoints.com, is that they have sweepstakes! So it's kind of like killing two birds with one stone!

I am also going to try and add more photos here at "Little Sweeper's Little Corner". Even though I am not a great photographer, like my husband and BFF, I will give it my best shot. I will try to add photos of my wins, my friends and family and other interesting tid bits! I love writing a lot more, can ya tell? Actually, don't answer that! :P

Well, I am off to create my spreadsheet for my past and future wins. If I can make it possible, I will share it on here, so that you can get an idea if you would like to do it as well. It makes tax time that much easier, when you have to list how much you've won for Uncle Sam.

Until Next Time

Swagbucks.com and more

2010-01-16T22:23:00.002-06:00

Well it looks like I won't be getting my second win this week, after a Monday win. I write this because the mail has already ran for today, which is Saturday. The only way I could win something before Monday, is if I play instant win games, which I do enjoy doing sometimes, and get Congratulations You Won! pops up on my screen between now and Monday morning.

So I might be off to do some internet sweeps in a moment. I have already made out and gotten ready my mail to go out, with my ten snail mail sweeps for the next mail day. Usually this would be on a Monday since today is Saturday. However, this Monday is a federal holiday. (it's the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.) So for all you snail mail sweepers, don't expect your post man or post woman to come to your door to pick up your entries, or get any surprises of wins in your mailbox.
The only thing I like about this, is that on Tuesday, I might get more mail and more surprises to me.

Now the question my DH asked me today was, am I going to double up on my snail mail entries for Tuesdays? I don't know really. At the moment I have 13 entries made out. It remains to be seen, if I will add 7 more entries for that stack.

One thing that I am guaranteed to see a win from is from SwagBucks.com. I am attempting to add code to this web site/blog and see if I can actually add my own widget here.

I guess I will publish this post and view it in my browsers (which I use Firefox btw) and see if it shows up. I will be coming back and adding more thoughts to Swagbucks.com.

Who Hoo it worked! I am really pleased by this, as Swagbucks is kinda of cool in my opinion. You use it like you would google, when you want to search for things that interest you. However, ever now and again you win what they call Swagbucks! After you get so many, you turn in those swagbucks into real items, like Amazon Gift Codes, Resturant Gift Cards and more. At the moment, I am at 161 swagbucks. I haven't traded them in as of yet, but I am planning on doing so soon. I am really thinking and leaning more towards Amazon Gift codes, as I have a tween daughter who is really into music at the moment.

I can usually count on 1-5 swagbucks a day, if I use it consistantly. To my knownledge, they don't have a limit on how many searches you can do in a day. I am always using swagbucks. In fact, this last Friday I got my biggest Swagbuck of $4.00! I've never seen one of those before. I normally get only $1.00 and occassionally $2.00, but $4.00! Talk about feeling like I've hit a jackpot! I always love seeing "Congratulations" and Swagbucks.com never disappoints me. Please check it out, if you haven't already and let me know what you think?

I am really kicking myself in the butt for not taking a print screen shot of that, as I would love to just gaze on it right now!

You can also download a toolbar from them, for chances to earn even more swagbucks. I actually hate downloading toolbars from anyone. It seems like everyone has them now. Amazon, Google, Yahoo, Mypoints, and more. After awhile, if you have all these tool bars open on your browser, you won't have much room to read anything! BUT this toolbar I do actually keep open. I figure it never really hurts to try and win more from them whenever possible. I've had it installed for about three months, and that's about how long I've been using swagbucks.com for my internet searchs. I've never come across any problems with it or have ended up with any computer problems from it, to my knowledge.

Anyway, that's all for now!

SweepsU.com

2010-01-14T21:13:00.003-06:00

I am assuming that if you are reading this blog, then you probably share a common interest with myself, which is entering sweepstakes. A post or so earlier, I have mentioned a few places where a person can find sweepstakes to enter, so that they can also hopefully win great prizes!

I would like to talk a little bit more about one of those places, which I also have listed on the left hand side of this page in "Lisa's Fav Links".

SweepsU.com made their first public appearance at the 20th Annual National Sweepstakes Convention in Manchester, NH in July of 2009.

Right now SweepsU.com is accepting Beta Testers. SweepsU.com is a neat place where you can find all kinds of contest and sweepstakes to enter, as well as keep track of those sweepstakes, and meet other people that share the enthusiasm for this great hobby. One of the things that I honestly love the most about this place is how they have it set up to get entry notifications, which you can receive in your email in-box every morning, which reminds you which sweepstakes and contests that you may want to enter again. This is especially great for me, as I tend to get a little side tracked and it can help put me back into the game!

Another thing that I really like is how you can search for a variety of things on their website. You can search for sweepstakes by Prize, Eligibility, Frequency, Type as well as Custom Search. At the moment, I am enjoying looking for sweeps that have a trip to New York as a prize. That and any trip to Disney World is high on my list. :)

If you are also interested in becoming a beta tester, you can also send me an email with your name and email address. I can have an invitation sent to you! Please send me an email at LittleSweepers@gmail.com.

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this posting. I just like to share! :)

Another Monday Win

2010-01-11T23:47:00.000-06:00

I love Monday wins. I am hoping and waiting to see if it happens again this week, like last week where I won more than once that week. You can read about it in a post before this one.

Today I received in the mail from UPS a Digital Photo Key chain. I actually already have one, that my dear sister bought for me. My tween asked me if she could have it, and before really thinking about it, as always, I said yes. Damn I hate it when I do that, as she ends up with more crap in her room.

I have seriously got to stop doing that. I am hoping to get a friend over here to help me overhaul her room. I would love to do it myself, but it's really, really bad. In fact, it's so bad I should go and take a photo of it tomorrow while my child is gone, for the next messiest room contest or something. Because it really is that bad. Who knows, I might even post a photo of it here, to show you guys.

This is also making me think that I really should start my new spreadsheet for my wins. This is something that I do (because I guess I'm anal about it) because I love to keep track of my winning. It actually is helpful for two reasons. First, because I keep track of my wins, when I go through a dry period, I can go back and look at what I've won, and not feel like a loser. The second good reason for this is for Tax season. You would be surprised how quickly all the little things add up and need to be included on your taxes, because when you do win sweeps, you have to pay taxes on it...you know good old Uncle Sam has to get his piece of the pie, no matter how big or how small it maybe.

Another thing I am doing this year, is to work harder on entering my snail mail sweeps. I don't know why, but I really love entering my name, address and phone number over and over again. I did this crap back when I was a young girl and would write that information down on anything I could..mainly the TV guide or my books. I liked the way the ink flowed from my pen on that type of paper for some reason. But I also think I was getting practice for my hobby that was to come.

Anyway, I digress.

So for this year, I am trying to send in at least ten entries of snail mail sweeps each postal day of the year. I don't know how long I will keep it up. I can do anything, when I put my mind to it..but I do tend to quit a lot of things. Piano lessons, jobs, college, you get the picture. BUT I've been doing this hobby of entering sweepstakes for five or six years now. I want to say six years, but maybe it's going on seven. I really wish I had kept better records when I first started. I could actually drag out my old issues of Sweepsheet to see when I started subscribing, to see when I really started.

Sweepsheet was my first sweepstakes newsletter. I've learned a lot from the owners, Sandy and Dan Guillver. They sold the company to a couple called Patti and Kurt Osterheld and so far I think that they are doing a great job. I also subscribe to another sweepstakes newsletter, and I am not as crazy about the format, however the owners of that one, which is called Sweeping America, does seem to get sweeps out quicker, which can be very important. Especially if it's a short running sweep.

Since starting those newsletters, I also belong to a local sweeping club and also another "newsletter" type group, on yahoo group, which so far sends out an amazing amounts of sweeps. Sometimes it's really hard keeping up. But I like knowing that if I need to focus my attention on something, to get my mind off of something else that might not be as pleasant, then I should have lots to choose from.

Last but not least, I am trying to get back on track with my online entries, which OLS helps me with. I love the "check mark" sweeps and the ability to keep track of those, by checking them of for "My Sweeps" Even though all of these newsletters (except for the yahoo group)and OLS cost money, it's well worth it, to have such a rewarding hobby. Because not only have I won $$$, material items..I've gained friendships and made many memories.

Until next time...which hopefully will be before next Monday, I will post soon.

~Cheers~

I didn't have to wait long...

2010-01-05T21:35:00.000-06:00

for my second win this week. Remember my previous post, I believe it was yesterday, where I mentioned that I had won a pair of Jeans from a facebook sweepstakes and how sweepers are superstitious about if you won on a Monday, you should also have another win before the end of that week? Well I checked my regular post mail and I got another win!

"Congratulations! You are a winner in the Target Give & Get Sweepstakes". I won a $25 Target Gift card! Yeah Baby! I love Target. They are simply the best store and I choose them over Wally World almost any day.

This particular sweep ended back in Dec 2009. They gave out one Grand Prize (which I would have loved to have won as it was AVR of $ 10,000) and 1505 prizes for the $25 Gift Cards to Target. So lots of winners on this one. I only actually entered this one once, as it was only one entry per person. I love those! It makes the playing field a lot more fair.

So I guess I waited just a little more than 24 hours and I got my second win for 2010! I can only hope and pray that my winning continues for this new decade and I pray that I have a great year with my wins.

I actually thought when I looked at the envelope and felt the card inside, that it was a Credit Card from Target, cause I couldn't remember when my CC expires. So I almost didn't open it tonight. This is another good thing to point out to those who might be new to sweeping..always check your mail..weather it's snail mail (as in actual letters you can hold in your hands) or even your emails. Cause you never really know until you check, that you could have a win on your hands! There have been plenty of times I've gotten stuff that I've almost thrown away, cause it looked like junk mail. This drives me nuts, wondering if I ever did throw away anything good.

Sometimes the judging agency or whoever holds the promotion informs the person who won, that their prize is on their way. Other times, you just never know. You could come home with a FED EX stuff to your door, with a check for a big prize. I know back in 2007 I won a contest from being on the Tony Danza Show and won $5000! Man what a rush that win was! (I will tell more about that in another post I'm sure). I really thought that they would send it registered mail, or something..Nope! It came by regular USPS in a plain white envelope. In a gift card from Disney who owns ABC (which is the company that sponsored the Tony Danza show/and that sweep) I mean anyone could have taken it. I am just glad that I got it..man did that ever come in handy, when we were broke and stuff.

That's one of the reasons why I love this hobby. You never know what kind of surprises you might find or receive. I now have a $25 GC to one of my favorite stores, where I can buy almost anything. Food, Clothing, Medication, whatever I might need. It saves me money and if I combined it with coupons on a item that is also on sale, I reap even more rewards.

So now this makes me even more pumped to enter sweepstakes. I am trying something new this year, and that's to try and enter (snail mail wise) ten entries every day. I also hope to enter at least for an hour, online sweepstakes.

Cause you got to be in it..to win it!

1st win of the year!

2010-01-04T15:53:00.001-06:00

Today when I got up and checked my email ( which is what I do every morning..basically my OCD routine kicking in each day) I got this e-mail...

"Congratulations! You were chosen from Lee Jean?s 120-A-Day promotion on Facebook to win a free pair of jeans on us! Look for them to arrive in the next 4-6 weeks. It may be our birthday, but it?s definitely your party!"

Now I'm not really a jean wearing person. I use to love wearing them in high school, but when you are born with short arms like myself, it always makes it interesting to actually zip up and button those damn things. Especially if you are "cursed..oh I mean blessed, with big boobs. Talk about a pain in the butt!

BUT either these will work out or I will donate them to a charity of some kind. Either way, I'm happy. It starts the year off good for me, and I'm pleased with that. PLUS, as a sweeper, we are kind of superstitious and feel that any win on a Monday (which is today) is good luck and means that you are likely to win another contest/sweepstakes before the end of the week.

Now I have no clue how this got started or anything, but since it is Monday today and I won something, then I am so into thinking and hoping that I will win something else later this week. It puts a smile on my face and a little spring in my step.

So hopefully this will be a great year for me in regards to my hobby. I try to have a new mantra each new year. Last year wasn't very great, but I kept it..We'll be doing fine, in 2009. Yeah I know, pretty lame. But we came out on the other side of 2010 and we are all in one piece, so that's OK by me.

This year's mantra is "I'm going win, in 2010!" I think that sounds good, don't you? I am trying to stay more positive and happier than I was last month. I couldn't really wait for December to be over with. With worrying over my Aunt, who has lung cancer, my Mom's health declining, and other issues, I was just totally stressed!

But it's a new year. I'm not really into new year's resolutions or anything, but then maybe I am? I don't make diet plans. I have only one real memory of trying "hard" to diet, and I ended up sick. So now, I basically try to eat better (HA HA HA) and be happy with what I have.

I stand at 3'6" tall and no amount of weight loss will ever have me looking like Angelina Jolie, or Catherine Zeta Jones. Of course, I could look better, I do realize that. But I'm happy for the most part with my body. Except for the big boobs. I don't want cancer and pray I never go down that road personally, but I am interested in learning more about breast reduction. Right now my chest area looks like two huge utters off of a dang cow and it's not pretty people! I knew I should have worn a better support bra when I was younger.

Oh well, I am not going to think too long about that for now. I'm just pleased that I am back into my hobby and hopefully will get my game on, if ya know what I mean? Plus, I am also blogging more, which I am really enjoying. I know my followers are not many..(Hi sissy), but that's OK too. I'm going to continue to work on it, and see where I end up by the end of 2010. So stick around and see what happens with me. I will be sharing my wins, my disappointments, my funny stories on being short and other odd things with you.

Peace!

small win to end 2009

2009-12-31T20:06:00.001-06:00

I received a text today that I was a winner of a $100 Gift card from Bud Light. I am so pleased that I won something today, as I feel that it helped end this year on a positive note.

I've been debating on what direction I wanted to go in, in regards to my hobby. I haven't made any concrete plans yet, and I wish I have. It would be really nice to have a concrete idea of how I wanted 2010 to go in.

I want 2010 to be about ME for a change. Totally against what I've been taught and how I've lived the last 42 years of my life. But I need change and change starts from within.

What this means exactly I am not sure of. I just want to quit trying to over compensate in all my relationships. Weather it's feeling the need to spoil my daughter, so I feel like we have a strong mother daughter relationship, or stop spending money and giving in other people in my life, so I feel loved. I'm tired of feeling like I have to buy my family and friends.

So next year's sweeping might be more about me. Usually I try to enter for things for my family and friends. I figure it they won something, then it would be a blessing to them. But so far either it isn't working and they aren't winning anything, or they have and don't tell me.

If anyone that I know, that is interested in this hobby, I would be more than willing to share my knowledge and help them in that way. However, if they want to enter, then they can do it themselves.

The only person this doesn't apply to, is my child. I would love to win something really really nice for her and/or in her name. I know she would get a kick out of that!

So off with the old and in with the new. At midnight tonight, we will throw our coins out and make a wish. I will also be howling at the moon, as it will be a blue full moon tonight. We sweepers tend to go into all of that, because of the hope it gives us that a win might be around the corner.

Blessings to you and yours.

Goodbye 2009

2009-12-30T22:52:00.000-06:00

Well, there is basically only one more day left in this year (give or take an hour or so) and I thought I would take the time to just write a little bit.

When I first started this blog, it was to be about my hobby "Sweepstaking" However, it ended up being more about my pain and trying to get off of certain medications and the withdrawal. Bummer Blog Big Time! So I took it all down and now I am starting over.

So since New Year's is a perfect time for New Beginnings, I thought I would reflect about this past year. The last couple of days have been sucky for me, as I am totally worn out and feel drained. My Mom was in the ER/Hospital the day after Christmas and with my parents car out of commission, I've been going backwards and forwards, trying to help them. Yet, I have also spread myself too thin and I'm paying for it now, by sleeping all the time and trying to "shut down'

Mom is doing better, praise God. I am worried about the new year, and I want to shed my doubts and negative thoughts that continually go through my head, but it's so hard. I want to try harder in my hobby, and get better results from it than I got this year. Nothing bad, I'm in the black..but it just wasn't WOW, ya know?

So since the new year is upon us, I am thinking of a new mantra that I will say to myself, to keep me going. This last year's was "We'll be fine, in 2009"..yeah..nothing great, but it was true. We are all together and moderately healthy. Money is tight and for the next four months, unless I win something amazing, it will be the hardest starting financial year for us, since we've moved into this house. You would think ten years into it, we would be better off, but no.

So this year's mantra is "We're going to win, in 2010!" However, to do this, I do also have to do my part and enter sweepstakes. So I am trying to clean off my desk of all this old rubbish I have everywhere, as well as try and reclaim my desk back from my child. Since the Christmas holiday break from school, I have not had my desk as my own. My child seriously needs their own desk/space.

I am also trying to get more organized in my sweeping information. I subscribe to various places to get my information for entering sweepstakes. The first one I ever subscribed to, is called "Sweepsheet." I also subscribe to a smaller one called "Sweeping America" Even though I could find all the information that these two newsletter's provide for free on the internet, it is nice having it all brought to me, to my in box of my email.

I also belong to a local sweeps club, but have been giving it a lot of thought, as to change to another group. I love each and every person in the group that I belong to, however it's becoming more work, than an enjoyable hobby. I am spending more and more money, when I don't have it to spend, just to participate in this group. If I don't, I feel guilty and not worthy of being a member. The part that is hardest for me, is that the rule made by the founding person, I guess you would call it, insist that if you are a member at her club, you can not be a member anywhere else locally. It just really frustrates me.

I also have a membership on a group, called OLS which is short for Online-Sweepstakes.com. I love this group. I feel that I used to win so much more, when I focused more time on that particular website. I used to wake up and take my child to school and then come home and spend two to three hours everyday, entering sweepstakes from their website. This would result in putting my name in about 200-300 sweepstakes everyday. I usually didn't take a break either, unless I, or someone else in my family was sick...or we were on vacation. The only problem with all of this is, I got burn out! Even though I still visit this place many times, daily I don't enter like I used to. I've gotten sucked into their forums and get fascinated by all the flame wars and whatnot that are posted. Total time waster, if ever there was one. Yet I'm hooked.

So I am going to hopefully change my bad habits and get back into entering and enjoying my hobby. I want it to be fun again. I want that thrill of excitement back in my heart, when the mailman comes to my door, or when I see Fed Ex or UPS drive down my street.

I know I can win again, if I set my mind to it. Plus if I did start winning again, it could help us financially..especially if I won either $$$ or a trip, so we didn't have to spend our own $$$ on a trip, ya know? I would also really love to win another trip to NYC. I got to go for the first time back in November, and I love it.

Well, I guess that's it for now. I am hoping to add more to this blog as time goes by and not just let it sit gathering dust. So goodbye 2009....hello 2010!

Disclosure

2009-12-29T10:41:00.001-06:00

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