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Saturday, February 27, 2010

Goodbye Barbara Williams


I haven't done my songs for a couple of weeks. We had a very good family friend to pass away 2 weeks ago today and I just didn't feel like it. Barbara had been my grandmother's friend all my life. I grew up going with my grandmother to her house for a week or 2 at a time. Barbara fought a long battle with cancer and has now earned her crown in Heaven. I have never been able to read Proverbs 31 without thinking of her. I think she was a living breathing example of how to be a godly woman and wife. Almost 2 years ago I went to the renew of wedding vows for her and her husband of 50 years. Here is a picture of them.

I couldn't hardly see for crying as I watch Bobby hold and support her that day. They were such an example of a Christian couple. She was so weak then but God granted her family almost 22 more months of her loving presence in their lives. A few days after the funeral I was driving to work and heard this song. I am sure I have heard it before but that day it clicked for me. We are sad because we miss her but this isn't any of our homes. We are just passing through and need to never forget and keep striving for our final home. When someone we love dies we aren't sad for their sake but for our own. Barbara is with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords today and is praising and worshipping in all truth and spirit but we who are left without her grace and beauty are in pain. If we press on, then one day we will be reunited and she can take us by the hand and say come meet the One who made it possible to live in Heaven forever. I can't wait to be in the same place with my grandmother and Barbara again. I know we don't remember most of this life but it does say you will be known as you are known and I think that those two wonderful women embraced once again at the gates of Heaven and immediately knew they had been dear friends on Earth.



My grandmother and Barbara used to go to church together when I was growing up. I choose a different church but I still went to hot dog sales and the likes at their church. Here is recipe that I got from Barbara years ago. I usually take it to potlucks at my church and make it for holidays. On my job in NC, one of the big bosses fell in love with this pudding. I had to make it for him several times. Its the most awesome banana pudding I have ever had. I always make it in a big punch bowl and I don't think I have ever had any leftovers. I don't know where Barbara got the recipe but its awesome.

Banana Pudding
3 boxes of vanilla pudding
3 cups cold milk
8 oz cool whip
8 oz sour cream
1 box vanilla wafers
Bananas

Mix the pudding and the milk just as regular pudding. Add
cool whip and sour cream. Layer wafers, pudding mix and bananas
in a bowl, repeating until pudding mix is gone. top with crushed wafers.

This is my tribute to one of the newest members of that Heavenly choir. I love and miss you but know that you are in a better and happier place for you personally.

Entering Blog Giveaways

I took some great photos of prizes I have won that have already been delivered. I had to take 2 because I had so many great items but the camera wouldn't connect to the pc. Turns out that the little demon dog who lives with me and eats everything under the sun, chewed the cord into and I have to get another on. I won these prizes on other blogs and anymore its almost a daily thing for me to win something. It may not be a big prize but they are always fun and exciting. I consider the blog giveaways as enrichment to my life. Most of the time its something I haven't heard of or been able to buy myself. People are always emailing me about how lucky I am and how do I keep winning. Here are my tips.

1. Find sites that list blog giveaways. My favorite is Prizey for finding new sites. There are a lot of blogs that have link ups and list other sites that have giveaways.

2. Follow the rules and enter as much as you want. If it says to subscribe, don't lie and say you did. We do check. I personally love when they have an email update from feedburner like I do. I actually enjoy reading the other blogs and email is the fastest way for me. I will go make comments when a post appeals to me. Plus if they have one giveaway they will most likely have another and the email lets you know when to enter again. Only do the entries that you are comfortable with. I twitter, google connect, feedburner and facebook with the best of them.

3. I consider the prize and don't enter if its something that doesn't appeal to me. But now if its a prize I really like I will go search on Swagbucks and see if I can find other sites offering the same prize. I will enter everywhere.

4. I look at the number of comments. If they have several hundred and its not a really big prize that I want then I don't consider it worth trying for. I mean I have seen some sites have over 1000 comments on a prize that was worth $5. I know you can't win if you don't enter but I like to have good odds. Thats probably why I do win as much as I do. I normally enter giveaways that have less than 200 comments that offer multiple entries. If there are 10 ways to enter than its really only about 20 people in the mix so your odds are pretty good.

5. I like to enter short term contests. Sometimes people will have a giveaway for a month or more. I can't remember last week so I know I can't remember last month. Plus thats usually even more people who enter.

6. pay attention to how you are notified of the win. There are a few people (who I consider lazy) that won't email you to say you won. They make you read it on their site and then you only have so many hours to respond. Everyone is busy these days, its not going to kill you to send a quick email letting someone know they won. I usually won't enter these contests.

7. I try to go back and email the blog person once I receive the prize and I also try to comment on the blog itself once I know I have won. I will admit that isn't always true but I do try. We are all human and for the most part it thrills us when we get comments on the blogs. Its nice to know someone is actually reading it. Its so much nicer when their email includes a link to the site. I enter a lot of giveaways and I have had some emails that just say you won and I don't know the prize or even where at. I didn't do this on my one giveaway but its a work in progress and I will do better next giveaway.



Here are all the prizes I have won so far this year. (I think, lets face it I could easily miss one)
$5 Burger King Card have't gotten yet
Free Soft Scrub coupon got it in the mail but haven't redeemed yet. I can't wait to try it though because you can actually spray it upside down.
$25 gift certificate for Amazon.com got this in my email and added the code to my account.
Butter dish and coupons for free Grands biscuits OMG, you can't believe how good those honey butter biscuits taste if you haven't tried them. Its my newest favorite. I like the kind with layers. I peel them one soft layer at a time and eat. You just get a hint of honey butter flavor. My oldest daughter loves these and she normally won't eat biscuits except raw (shes weird, I know) but she is a honey butter fan and loved these.
Cupid Cookie Cutter I got this but haven't used it yet. I must confess to being a secret cookie cutter hoarder. There is just something about making cookies and cutting them into shapes. I think it goes back to when I was a little girl and would help my grandmother cut out biscuits. I don't ever remember cooking out cookies but I now collect cookie cutters :).
Playtex gloves I got both a disposal pack of 30 and one set of real keeper gloves. I hate nasty stuff touching my hands so these are so nice.
MystoryTimeFriend This bear is so incredibly soft. I love it. I am not sure I can give it up :).
California Cuties I haven't gotten these yet. Its only been about 2 weeks but I am wanting one so bad.
Sassafras Baking Kit I picked an Easter cookie kit (its got cutters, you know) so haven't tried it out yet. Its very cutely packaged which you could see if the dog wouldn't have eaten the camera cord.
T-shirt and Souvenior Coke bottles Ok, You have to know my family grew up on Coke. No matter what was wrong my grandmother gave you a bottle of coke for it. Myself, my girls and the grandkids are all still addicted, no nasty other cola drinks for us (you know who you are). These bottles are the bomb. They are from the 2008 olympics that were held in China. They are metal with 8 different designs on them. I am going to display these because its so cool. I wish you could see them. I have seen several more giveaways for them at other sites so google if you want a set.
Skin Authority Bath Soak This was very nice. Its a big bottle of bath soak but I would never pay $32 for it. I am cheap and while I love the feel of the tingles on my skin from the mint I also love lots and lots of bubbles. I am a kid at heart I guess. It was still a great win. My skin now knows what its like to soak in expensive bubbles :).
$15 gift certificate to Scrubz I haven't use this yet although I think I might today. I will confess that I am addicted to scrubs, soaks and anything in the pampering line. I love nothing better than to close the bathroom door, fill the tub with water and soak, smooth and lotion up to my hearts content. I love it even better when no one is standing outside the door talking to me or crying to be let in. Even the dog whines at the door and wants in anymore.
Bella Cupcake Couture These are cute little wrappers for cupcakes. I ordered brown and blue. I think the next hot dog sale or maybe a dinner at the church I will use them. I think they are adorable.
Ellie Pooh Paper This is the cutest little box you ever saw. I love the notepaper too. Its heart shaped and fits in the box.
Adding my Ing to your life Let's face it, my life isn't that great. (I'm below poverty level, can't find a decent man to save my life, I am surrounded by murderers and other assorted felons at work, the kids only come by because they want stuff, Lord this whining could go on forever) I need to read this book. Perhaps it will help.
Three Cups This is a Christian based book on teaching children how to manage money. We haven't read it yet so can't say more than that. I have gotten it but haven't had time yet.
Mcneill Designs Family Game Package This was my second win from this same blog. I didn't realize it was going to be such a big prize. I really love the wheel of chore-ture best of all :). A really neat thing was at the bottom of the letter from the maker was a post script from the inventor and he actually went to the same college I did. We love games so this is wonderful for us.
Eat Smart Digital Scales These came really fast. I won on the 23rd and got it in the mail on about the 25th. They are really nice scales too.
Shaun the Sheep Woolly DVD This is my latest win. I haven't gotten it yet in the mail cause I just won a day or so ago.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Winner of the blender

I did not pick a winner this morning as I have a virus and just wasn't up to it this morning. I went to random generator and put in the numbers of the first and last posting (I skipped 1 since that was my test post) and got the #7. I was going to do a print screen but it didn't work out for me. I started at the #2 comment and counted down 7 and got

Lisa Beth said...

Strawberry banana sounds delicious!
February 14, 2010 9:53 PM

Then I checked to make sure the winnner was a subscriber and she was. I was disappointed to see that some of the people who had claimed to subscribe didn't. It wasn't that hard. Anyway I have emailed the winner and am waiting confirmation. She has 48 hours to reply.

Thanks everyone and hopefully it won't be much longer before the next giveaway.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Sunday Freebies

I got enough swagbucks yesterday to order another $5 amazon gift cert. Thats 2 this month. Plus when I went to my account to redeem the first one, I had ordered I saw another one I got back in August right before I lost the Internet so that was really cool. I got my $25 gift cert code in that I won a couple weeks back so I am starting to build up for gifts. I have won a number of giveaways and I will post as soon as I can get up the energy. I am sick today. It finally warmed up and I guess that was a sign to my body that it needed to get sick.

Axe Shower Gel from Sam's club. You don't have to be a member to sign up for this.


If your 21 or older, you can click HERE to request a coupon good for a FREE pouch of Red Man Silver Blend Sugar Free Chewing Tobacco! This offer is prohibited in MD, NE, ID, MA, NY and UT.

if you join Mom's Meet you get a free years subscription to Kiwi Magazine. Plus who knows you might get some cool stuff throughout the year.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Midweek Freebies

Free Lemonheads There is a new flavor, tropical lemonheads. I used to not like these but as I get older I prefer more sour foods. I read once that as we age, our taste buds die and so thats why we crave foods that are sourer, spicier, etc.

Here is a pretty cool magazine. Its an entertainment magazine devoted only to shows on CBS. Its called Watch. My grandmother always loved Young and Restless and Bold and Beautiful. It is limited to the first 50,000 subscribers and lasts for 3 yrs. Hurry now to get yours.

Sign up for spring samples now at Quality Health

I have seen this offer in a ton of places. Tide with Febreeze Due to my children's skin allergies we mostly use Tide here.

UnderJams this is another Wal-Mart sample. We are currently potty training my oldest granddaughter so this is great for us.

Nestle Abuelita I have never heard of it but it looks to be a Hispanic type of hot cocoa

Sunday, February 14, 2010

freebies

sign up for a FREE Sample of Beyond BodiHeat Heat Wraps. Allow 8-10 weeks for your FREEBIE to arrive.

Free subscription to Rouge from Proctor and Gamble. Should have some coupons on their products.

samples and some shopping deals

Free Poise Kit one Poise Liner, one Poise Long Liner, one Poise Ultra Thin Pad, and a money saving coupon


I went to CVS and did a few extra care buck deals.
Aussie Hair Care $2.99 (limit 1) I just yesterday told my daughter I needed some good conditioner and I would wait for a deal.
-$2 ECB
-$1 from 2/14 RP
Final Price: FREE


Crest Pro Health Enamel Shield toothpaste or rinse $3.50 (limit 2)
-$2 from 2/7 PG – rinse
-$3.50 ECB
Final Price$2 overage!

I spent 5.59 and got $9.00 in extra care bucks. I was a bit upset though because the cash register tore my receipt right at the beginning of my ECB and the cashier handed me my receipt and said nothing. Normally I stuff it in my purse and wouldn't have known I didn't have my ecb but today I looked at it and went back. They had to tape it together. I asked them to sign them because they were torn but they wouldn't. They said if it wouldn't scan they just had to enter a number printed under the bar code. I still would have felt better if they would have at least initialed it.


Win a Wii- I want one of these so badly.
SheKnows

More winnings

I have won 3 more blog giveaways.

I won Well Being Retreat Bath Soak from Skin Authority from Silver Savings, Freebies and Giveaways.

I won from an IFST t-shirt and a souvenir Coke bottle set from the 2008 Bejing Olympics from Because I Must Review It

I won a Sassafras Baking kit (I choose an Easter cookie kit) from At the Fence

I have a ton of mail to get through and I am also busy due to family issues but I will write a blog post on entering giveaways since I get so many questions about it.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

new blog design and Smoothie Blender Giveaway

I was reading blogs this morning and found a link to a page with free blogger layouts. I absolutely love this one and so have even changed my blog name. I have wanted something more that what I had for a while now and this I think is it. I really love butterflies. This woman is so creative and generous to create these free layouts. She has a variety of them on her page but if you can't find what you are looking for check out this site. I am still going to be tweaking as I find the time though.


So to celebrate I am going to have a giveaway.
When I lived in North Carolina, I went out with a guy who was a bodybuilder. He was really big on the idea of smoothies and I got hooked on them. When MyBlogSpark offered me an opportunity to try Yoplait's Frozen Smoothies and gave me a Hamilton Beach 51101 Single-Serve Blender with it, I was thrilled.

Did you know seven out of 10 Americans do not consume the daily recommended amount of fruit? Every Yoplait Smoothie contains a full serving of fruit as well as real Yoplait yogurt pieces with live & active cultures. Yoplait Smoothies are a good source of calcium when prepared with milk according to directions, and an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin C.

Simply add milk to a Yoplait freezer package, blend, and in less than two minutes you can enjoy a nutritious and delicious smoothie guilt free! At 110 calories per serving, Yoplait Frozen Smoothies make creating the at-home smoothie convenient, simple and worry free. The whole thing is just 110 calories per serving, and each bag of Yoplait Frozen Smoothies has two servings. You can get Yoplait Frozen Smoothies in three flavor options: Strawberry Banana, Strawberry Mango Pineapple, and Triple Berry. Yummy! Find them in the frozen foods section.

In addition, you can visit brink's coupons to save $1.25 off one package of Yoplait Frozen Smoothies today!


We tried the strawberry banana and loved it. I like to make my smoothies with vanilla soy milk and it was great. My favorite thing about smoothies is they are quick to make and if I start the day with one, I don't get as hungry during the day.
MYblogspark has offered one of my readers a chance to win a Yoplait Smoothie gift pack (which includes a personal blender and a VIP coupon* for a pack of Yoplait Smoothie fruit) of their own.

1.) To enter to win, visit Yoplait and make a comment to let me know what your favorite flavor is, and sign up for email updates from feedburner on my right side bar. If you aren't a subscriber you won't win. You only get emails when I make a new post.

The coupon, blender, information and additional prize pack to give away were all provided by Yoplait and MyBlogSpark at no cost to me. Open to US residents; void where prohibited (states listed below). A winner drawn via Randon Number Generator. If your email address is not visible in your Blogger profile, please be sure to leave it in your comment so that I can contact you if you are the winner! You will then have 48 hours to confirm or a new winner will be drawn.


This giveaway will close on February 21st, 2010, 11:59 pm EST.


*This coupon offer is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Tennessee.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

pain relieve for free

I actually went to Wal-Mart this evening and bought some excedrin then came home and had this email. Answer one question (don't select excedrin as a choice though) and you will be mailed a coupon for a free bottle of Excedrin.

I won cuties and heres a freebie

I got an email saying I had won again. I won some California cuties from Jinxy Knows Best. I can't wait to try these. My grandkids I am sure will love these since they love oranges and other citrus fruits.

I am sorry that I haven't been posting a lot lately other than wins. I am taking a course for work and its been very time consuming. We are at an especially difficult level right now and I have been preoccupied.

Get a 6 month subscription to Thriving Family Magazine from Focus on the Family. This is a Christian magazine designed to help bring your family to more togetherness.

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

On a roll

I must be smoking hot this year on luck. :). I have won yet again. I just want to say how much I appreciate all the blog owners and companies who sponsor blog giveaways. This time I have won a My Story Time bear from here. I can't wait to get this one. My granddaughter is going to love this one. I don't just surf around finding blogs to enter giveaways. I love reading blogs and always have. I think that some of the most interesting people have blogs. I have learned some great new recipes, crafts and just how to enjoy the life I have from bloggers. I try to leave comments when something really strikes me because I know how much I love it when someone comments.

Monday, February 08, 2010

Winning strikes again

I have won another prize. I won a set of playtex gloves and disposalbe gloves from here. I love winning something and I really needed this today. I broke up with my boyfriend last night. It was for the best but still hard to say goodbye to someone you love.

Saturday, February 06, 2010

yet another win

I was sitting around this evening being sad and depressed and up popped an email saying I had won a prize.
cookie cutters I love making cookies with the kids. This is so perfect for us. Sometimes we even cut out biscuits with the shapes.

Then sings my soul Saturday



I was in a church a couple weeks ago and someone sang this song. I loved it. Everytime I am in a church service I have a little notebook that I write down what verses are being preached on and what the speaker said about them. That way I can study on my own. I have found it really helps me understand and remember more. Anyway lately I have started jotting down song titles of songs that are sung that really touch me. This is one of the titles I had down. I hadn't ever heard this song but it is so very true. Thank God for His mercy and grace but most of all for the love that reached out to us.

Friday, February 05, 2010

freebies

Here is sample that I can't wait to try. I just have the worst time sleeping anymore. It takes forever to fall asleep and then I wake up every little bit. This water is supposed to help you sleep. After I try the sample I will let you know how it worked for me.

Thirsty for a night of deep, quality sleep? Look no further, as we have the answer for you!

Our latest promotional campaign is delivering to each customer* a bottle of our delicious Lullaby Lemon Dream Water®. And when we say “free”, we mean 100% free of charge – no strings attached. We even pay shipping fees. Getting a great night’s sleep is easier than you think, and cheaper than you ever dreamed. So why wait – try us out now!

Send a friend a book called Shanghai Girls and you might win a Deluxe Edition of SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN

I had enough Swagbucks to get another $5 Amazon gift card. I have the toolbar at the top of my browser and everytime I need to know something I swagbuck it. It finds everything. And I earn gift certs to buy presents with. If you don't have an account yet, click here and start with 3 swagbucks.

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

freebie and another win.

A really cool freebie from Copenhagen its a multiuse tool. I already had an account so I don't know if this will work if you don't have one.

I have won another prize. Check it out here I have needed a butter dish for ages and now I have one. Plus we love biscuits in this family.

Happy Groundhog day

I sincerely hope that the groundhog doesn't see his shadow. I am so sick of being cold. Of course its supposed to be sunny today but cold. Here are a few fun things to do for groundhog day.
Toilet Paper Groundhog
Punxsutawney Phil's official home
Crafts and workbooks
More crafts, history and assorted

Monday, February 01, 2010

another win and Chinese New Year

In honor of Chinese New Years, I entered Kikkoman. You fill out a little form and they email you a pin #. There are lots of prizes. I won a set of stainless steel tongs.
2010 is the year of the tiger. Here are some fun links for you
Crafts
Variety of neat ideas
arts and crafts
Chinese horoscope for the year of the Tiger. I am a monkey. Good thing I am not Chinese as this wouldn't be a good year for me :).

Just a side note. I will have my very own giveaway in the next upcoming weeks. Stay tuned for details

Yet another win

This is shaping up to be a very lucky year for me. I have another win. Check it out
here. I won a $25 gift card for Amazon.com. That's one of my favorite Internet places to shop. I save up and buy Christmas or birthday presents from there. I am going to have to quit Facebook cold turkey because I am gotten totally addicted and its now interfering with my life :(
 
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