Free Flowers From Lowes

I have no idea what sort of flowers might be given, this picture is just for illustration

I love flowers and free flowers are even better. This year Lowe's is giving mom flowers. You have to sign up on the web site below starting April 30th and ending on May 12th to get your flowers. The company said as a thank you to the moms everywhere, it will be giving away free 1-pint flowers, while supplies last. In order to snag this deal, you must register for your free flowers beforehand, which you can do on Lowe’s website here starting April 30. Registration for submissions will close May 12. Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 14.

Winning Wednesday #4

 

Had a better week. Won several great prizes

1. $20 Paypal on twitter from a company called 412Tickets. They paid fast, got my prize within 2 minutes of giving them my contact information.

2. Won a gift card from a company called Vevor for a contest on Facebook

3. 4 Cans of Pringles - this is my first ever Instagram win. 

Winning Wednesday #3

 

I met the nicest young lady yesterday and she does the marketing for Texas Roadhouse. She is a very driven lady with goals all laid out. Her job currently is to take free rolls and cinnamon butter and give out to businesses and pass out cards for free appetizers. Now thats a nice job because I am sure everyone always wants to see her coming. 

Winnings have been slim pickings this week. I won one contest but it did have a fast turn around because I already got my book and candies. 

1. I won a copy of a book called Eggs and some egg candies. I haven't started the book yet but the candies are pretty good. They are gummy and marshmallow flavored. 

55 Books

 Here are the 55 new to me books I have read as part of my 55 goals at 55

1.  Courting the Rancher- Kit Morgan  historical romance liked it so much I read the whole series
2. Kissing the Sheriff- Kit Morgan
3. Charming the Widow- Kit Morgan
4. Wooing the Undertaker- Kit Morgan
5. Enchanting the InnKeeper- Kit Morgan  I feel there should be more in the series because there are other characters I want to see how they get married off and I want to solve the mystery of the Captains life and see Agnes get her come uppance. 
6. Blizzard -A Story of Dakota Territory Cindy Rinaman Marsch turns out was only a short story but I didn't really like it because I didn't like the spoiled wife in it. 
7. Long Black Stockings - Ethel Bensen Soper was a good book but mostly it was a collection of memories instead of a life story. 
8. The Ragged Orphan - Lindsey Hutchinson  I quite liked this book. I like books that the person is down on their luck but through hard work and a bit of luck they perserve. Wish I could find more books like this
9. The Runaway Children- Lindsey Hutchinson- I read this one because I liked the other one listed above. It was a good book but not as good as the first. 
10. Spirit of Deadwood - Sherry A Burton- Been waiting for this to come out. I have read the entire Jerry McNeal series. Love this book and can't wait for the next to come out. 
11. A Sister's Bond - Ivory Fields- was a good book but was broken down to 6 books, I am only counting it as one though because they were only a few pages each. I think each one took less than 30 minutes. I didn't time them though. 
12. Coming Home to Hideaway Bay- Michelle Brouder- it was ok but I don't enjoy books that jump back and forth between timelines. I think Grandma's life could have been a seperate book instead of going back and forth. 
13. As the Light Dies- David Saylor- Was an ok book but as usual in the post apoc fiction all the women are drop dead gorgeous and the men are in amazing shape and rich enough to buy millions in supplies. Would be nice if just once in a while it was a regular person putting a bit back day by day and trying to survive. Guess all us poor people are going to die off
14.  Haunting Stephanie- Heather Sage- Wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be. Boring death and never explained the anxiety that the main character suffers from. The supposed connection was a weak plot line.
15. The Peddler's Widow- Faye Godwin- Was ok
16. The Scullery Maid's Salvation  - Emma Hardwick- was ok a bit predictable
17. Lady Helena Investigates -Jane Steen- This was a very good book. Wasn't your typical mystery. 
18. Beside Golden Irish Fields- Ava Miles- predictable but still a good read.
19. Pilfered Promises- M Louisa Locke- I love this series. I have read 8 of them so far and have enjoyed each one a lot
20. Trouble Has A Tail - Victoria L.K. Williams- this was a short read but quite cute. 
21. A Mother's Shame - Rosie Clarke- I liked some parts and some parts were annoying but overall it was an ok book
22. If the Creek Don't Rise - Leah Weiss- This was a really good book with quite a bit of unexpected story lines. I am hoping its the beginning of a series and there are more to come because there were a lot of threads for other stories started and not finished in this one. 
23. Silent Revenge - Landon, Laura- A regency romance and a very good one at that.
24. One Day With You- Shari Low- A lot of activity for one day. Good book
25. Flight Through the Darkness: Powerless: Book 1 - Leslie Grace- Really like this one but so far there is no book 2 YA Post Apocalyptic
26. Collapse: The Death of Friendship -Angela D. Shelton - was ok but not as good as the one above this one. YA Post Apocalyptic
27. Psychic Whispers- Arial Burnz
28. Two Lies someone Must Die- Kaylie Hunter - This was a good series, can't wait for book 6
29. Three Free don't Look For Me- Kaylie Hunter
30. Four Fears Behind the Mirror - Kaylie Hunter
31. Five More Lock Your Door - Kaylie Hunter
32. Familiar Spirits- Sara Christene
33. Death Walks a Dog- Tess Baytree
34. Hecks Valley- John Deacon - Part of a western series but got bored before book 5 so gave up on it. 
35. Heck's Gold- John Deacon
36. Premedicated Murder- Erica J Whelton
37. A Wallflower for the Marquess- Dorothy Sheldon
38. Murder and the Mortician - Marian McCarthy
39. Murder and the Ghost Hunter- Marian McCarthy
40. Wish Book- Laurel Veil - Haven't we all wished we could have a do over.
41. The Making of a Matchmaker- Tess Thompson - The next 4 are part of a series but I wish the series were longer. I want to know about the rest of the town. 
42. A Match for a Reluctant Bride- Tess Thompson
43. A Match for a Willful Bride- Tess Thompson
44. A Match for a Disgraced Bride - Tess Thompson
45. Independence: Collapse Book Three- Angela Shelton - Ok but didn't' seem that believable to me. 
46. The Trouble with Secrets- Jean Grainger
47. What Divides Us-Jean Grainger
48. More Harm Than Good- Jean Grainger
49. When Irish Eyes are Lying- Jean Grainger- I was loving this series until this book and I hated this one and now won't finish the rest. She ruined it for me with this one. 
    

55 Movies

 Since I am tracking the songs I figured I best track the movies also for my 55 goals for 55 .

1. Jerry and Marge Go Large- I liked this one quite a lot although I wish I had known about the lottery rolldown when it was going on LOL.  This movie came out last year but I didn't get a chance to watch. If you haven't seen it then I recommend it, its a good family type movie. 

2. Book Club - Had a lot of the older stars that I grew up with. Nice to see them in a movie again. Had some funny moments but I wouldn't watch with kids in the room. 

3. Alex and the List-  Had some funny moments but really wasn't my cup of tea. I would have dumped the girl and moved on. 

4. Christmas Karen- Was pretty funny as a take on A Christmas Carol. Ending seemed a little weak but there were a lot of laughs in it. 

5. Mrs Harris Goes to Paris- absolutely loved this movie. Just a heart warming show all the way around.

6. Abe & Phil's Last Poker Game- a bit more graphic than I expected a movie about old people to be. Seemed more like a geriatic porno than what the tagline made it out to be. Supposed to be some woman looking for her birth father so not sure why these 2 old geezers are running around having sex at random. Not a good movie

7. The Girl Who Believes in Miracles-  A faith based movie. This was a really good movie and so touching, but it will rip your heart right out of you.

8. The Hammer- Reba McEntire movie. I like everything she plays in. This was pretty good but not as funny as I expected it to me. I would have preferred her to be a bit more kick ass in it. I wish they would make it into a series. 

9. Moving On- Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin- had a number of funny parts but was had a serious theme to it. 

10. Mack & Rita- this was an ok movie but just a dumb premise. 

11. Black Adam- I haven't watched many of the marvel movies but did like this one but then again its the Rock, whats not to like.

12.  Wonder Woman 1984- my word this was a long long movie and just wasn't nearly as good as the original wonder woman. I was disappointed after all I had heard. 

13. Monk's Last Case- I love Monk and this was a good but I just wish that even one of his friends had noticed he was planning to kill himself.  I know that is a personal thing but he kept giving clues over and over and no one picked up on it.

My 55 New Songs

 I thought I would do a blog post about my 55 new to me songs that is part of my 55 goals for 55 post. Otherwise, I know at the end I won't remember a single one of the new songs. Obviously this will be an ongoing post

1. Thank God We Broke up -- Julie Cole  funny catchy tune
2. It's Ok- corook  a different song but I did like it
3. Lemon Tree-- Post Malone  it was a good song but not a favorite
4. Blessing Offer-- Brighter Offor  just not a song I liked
5. In Hell I'll be in Good Company- The Dead South- weird song no idea what its about but I liked it
6. Wish I didn't Miss You- Eminem and Miley Cyrus- this has to be one of my least favorite Eminem songs ever. Won't need to hear again
7. Mine- Kelly Clarkson- I liked this song.
8. Make You Mine -MaRynn Taylor- it was ok 
9. Sparkle - Harper Grace- it was ok, reminded me of Tanya Tucker
10. That Girl Don't Live Here Anymore- Courtney Hadwin- I liked her on Americas got Talent and still like her but she sure seems grown up now
11. Its Hard Out Here- Lily Allen it was a bit explicit for sure
12. I Need You-Ronn Moss-  omg I didn't know Ridge Forrester was singing. How did I not know. 
13. Left Behind- Plush- I am not a metal music fan but I did love the song itself. 
14. Blue Jeans and a Rosary- Kid Rock- loved it but then again I like most everything he sings. Don't know how I missed hearing this all these years. 
15. Pretty In The Dark - Ashley Sienna & Ellise - its different but I did like it. 
16. Last Train to Nowhere- Ghost Hounds - liked this one 
17. Whenever You Call- Con Brio- I liked this song, I went to listen because of something I read but I have no idea still what the person was talking about.
18. In Your Love- Tyler Childers- Song was ok 
19. Flowers Wilt- Senora May- I liked her voice but I just didn't understand the song, but that might have been my mind whirling around.
20. Relapse- Chase McDaniel- Accidently came across him thru Facebook reels so went to look him up. Hes so pretty and he sings well too. 
21. She- Jelly Roll-  I like about everything he sings
22. Rich Men North of Richmond- Oliver Anthony-- love this song
23. I wanna Go Home- Oliver Anthony- another good song
24. 
    

Winning Wednesday Week 2

 

    I am not really sure why, but I seem to have found fewer contest so far this month than I usually do. I did get a number of prizes that I have won in the past this week. I got the pain relief cream I won from Blue-Emu which was perfect timing because one of my legs has been really paining me, I got my personalized mug, a bar of 7th Heaven dairy free chocolate (it was peanut butter and cornflake-odd combo but it did taste pretty good), I got $25 paypal and an audio book I won, Good thing I got all these prizes in the mail because I didn't hardly win anything this week. I know there are lots of people who never win contests but it always makes me feel sad when its been ages since I won something. 

1. I won a year long key to a software program called Driver Booster Pro. Not sure I know how to use this one and so far from what I see its just a lot of bloatware installed on my computer. 

2. I won a $10 amazon gift card from a fellow blogger. 

55 goals for 55

 

Yesterday was my 55th birthday so today I was thinking and thought I would come up with 55 things I want to achieve while I am 55. Apparently these days I am without dreams because this was way harder than any of the other goal lists I have made before. I spent hours coming up with these 55 things. 

1.  As usual I want to lose weight. I want to lose 100 lbs by the time I am 56.(7/100)
2. I want to get both my knees replaced
3. I want to get a vehicle. (currently driving my daughter's)
4. I want to go for a walk in the woods (can't do until I have new knees)
5. Grow a garden and be able to save my own seeds from it
6. make my own soap
7. learn to crochet
8. try 55 new recipes
9. go for 55 hikes
10. start composting
11. replace the light in my bedroom
12. win 55 contests(31/55)
13. go fishing
14. explore 55 new places in West Virginia
15. complete 55 craft ideas
16. start writing a book
17. read 55 new to me books (49/55)
18. complete a 55 photo challenge
19. listen to 55 new to me songs (19/55)
20. watch 55 new to me movies (7/55)
21. take a class at the votech
22. write 55 blog posts ( I tend to forget to blog after a while and sometimes skip a year or 2)(34/55)
23. help raise $555 for the animal shelter
24. identify and photo 55 birds (6/55) so far I have gotten a house finch, cardinal, blue jay, robin, crow and a hummingbird
25. go to a local race track
26. attend a murder mystery event
27. watch a meteor shower
28. have 55 game nights (2/55)
29. take my picture with 55 people (1/55)
30. 55 random acts of kindness(7/55)
31. get my hair streaked
32. lower my A1C to less than 5.4%
33. Create a photo wall for my living room
34. make a quilt
35. Stay at the Greenbrier
36. compliment 55 people (12/55)
37. go to a book signing
38. 5 self care days
39. go on 5 picnics
40. Unplug completely for 5 days
41. Perfect a 5 minute daily face routine
42. go to Renaissance Fair
43. Go to at least one Friday in the park this summer
44. decorate my bedroom
45. actually put up decorations for Christmas
46. make cookie candy platters to give to friends for Christmas
47. Go on a date
48. save $555- basically $21 a pay day
49. make a will
50. set up a desk area
51. watch all the Star Wars movies. I think I have only seen 1 of the newer ones
52. visit an escape room
53. go to a play
54. make a list of 55 things I like about myself
55. can 55 jars of food

Winning Wednesday week 1

 

If you have read my blog for any length of time you know I love to enter contests. I have posted links to enter to enter contests before and I might again but I thought I would start doing a weekly post of what I have won since the last week on Wednesdays.  I think its nice to know that people actually win prizes and they aren't just a scam.

1. I won a $10 Amazon giftcard from #MomentumInfluencerNetwork but I have no idea of the blog because other than the person sending me the gift card I never was notified that I had won anywhere.

2. I won a $25 Paypal and an Audiobook of Finding Joy with an Invisible Chronic Illness I can't wait to listen to this book. I use paypal to pay my Hulu bill so this was a nice win

3. Over on Twitter  I won a prize from Blu - Emu. I got to pick what I wanted to try and I choose Blue-Emu Lidocaine Pain Relief Cream for Numbing Relief. I have a lot of body pain so am really looking forward to getting to try this product. 

4. I won $20 Paypal from a Budlight March Hoops Pick game.

Cherish the Dream

 

I have loved every book I have read by Gemma Jackson and this was as good as the others. I was waiting impatiently for this book to come out. This is book 3 in a series so please go read book 1 first if you haven't. I hope and pray there is another one soon. You can't help but become involved with the characters lives. Only one character was a disappointment to me and that was Bridget's mother.  I love how some of the people are from the Ivy Rose series. 

Blizzard Special

I love to go to Dairy Queen . One of my favorite menu items is the DQ Blizzard.  They have a wide variety of flavors. I usually like to get at the flavor of the month to try something new. April's flavor of the month is the very popular S'mores flavor.  In honor of the year the Blizzard debuted, 1985, the ice cream chain announced it is offering its signature frozen treat for 85 cents between April 10-23. Those interested will have to order online as the deal is only available through the DQ mobile app.