Advantages and DISadvantages

of being the winner of a giveaway AND living close to the give-awayER.

Last night, I met up with Stephanie, the winner of my giveaway. And here's what I made her do:

Here our winner, receiving her prize. And just so you know, she came through on her promise to deliver and an amazing exchange was had. She got tequila chocolate and I brought home kahlua chocolate - all from Mexico! In fact, I had one for breakfast this morning! Shhh, don't tell anyone. Thanks everyone for playing!

Now, my new computer:

She is gorgeous! A beautiful bronze color that matches my beautiful external hard drive. I didn't even plan it and it worked out... beautifully. I'm on a creative roll, look out people!

She's more than I need and I hope I don't let her down by not learning all the in's and out's of her smooth running system.

And, since our office computer is still waiting for parts to come in, we really needed me to have a running computer so I can get my work done! That being said, I am off to try and make peace offerings to the following institutions: Social Security, IRS, also pet named Iris since I report to her each month, and our local unemployed office to defend our employer rights. That's a lot to bite off today, so I'd better get a'crackin' or my higher up's won't be too happy with me since they are babysitting both boys this morning so I can get some work done.

Off to the races! Wish my luck. It's not fun making mistakes 2 years ago and then to be told to fix them. Ugh! Like I said, wish me luck!!!

Winner and New Computer!

Well, I promised you as soon as I had a computer working, I'd draw the winner for my Mexican Giveaway. Today is our lucky day! I have a brand spanking new laptop that I am trying not to drool over AND one of you won my giveaway; which includes my sacred tequila chocolates!!!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers: 2
Timestamp: 2008-11-10 23:03:47 UTC

Entry 2 is the weiner, I mean winner, and while I think she should have been disqualified, she is a faithful reader of mine and one of my dearest and bestest friends. How fitting that she should take some of my tequila chocolates of my hips, I mean lips, and add them to her hips....err. lips.

Her husband has told me for years, "Once on the lips.... ALWAYS on the hips!" Seriously, her husband actually says that to my face. The nerve.

Any guesses as to who won?

STEPHANIE, come claim your prize! Actually, I will bring it to FW tomorrow night.

I Miss Mexico - Giveaway

I miss Mexico. I miss the slower paced life we had there. I miss the tacos, tortas and limonadas. I miss the music, the heat and the sun. I miss hearing Spanish everywhere. I miss having to speak Spanish. I miss walking all over town. I miss staying up late and getting up whenever we wanted. I miss doing nothing and everything.... and it not mattering!

So, with grey sky looming around me and rain coming down and a fire crackling in the fireplace... I think of Mexico. Yes, it rained there. But it was warm rain. And it was in Mexico and as my children say, "Everything is better in Mexico."

Here's the prize: Orlando organic vanilla, Tajin spice to put on fruit, veggies, you name it, a cute little sombrero and three of my prized tequila chocolates. I'm hoarding them so you have no idea how generous I am being here, people.

I don't have a computer. My laptop has crashed. Our mainframe has crashed. My husband doesn't like sharing his laptop because, "I'm gunna ruin it goin' to all those blogs and shoppin' sites." (Do you like the fancy photo taken with my phone since I can't download the gazillion photos that are on my camera....grrrrr)

So, because I miss Mexico and I can't blog til who knows when.... a giveaway. One entry per person, please. Though if my commenting history is any indicator..... nevermind. ;) I'll draw the winner as soon as I have a computer. Maybe tomorrow maybe Wednesday? For sure by Friday.

Question - Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? I hope so, cause I am almost done!!!!

We Have a Winner!

I won't boo hoo about my commenting section...today.

Because we have a winner from My First Ever Giveaway!!!

I went to random.org and told it to spit out a number between 1 and 2 (think of it as great odds and not totally pathetic that only two people commented, one of whom was my mother!!!)

It told me that commenter number 1 is the lucky gal! Congratulations, Heather! I now have even more reason to come see you and pay you a visit!

Now, I'm off to cry in my pillow over how to get more people to comment - not just lurk around. Until then, sorry Mom, you should have been first if you wanted to win. But Heather is a great friend and will surely enjoy the goods.

A Few of My Favorite Things: Giveaways

For as much as I love gifts, I can't believe this is my first giveaway! I had a hard time choosing what it should be... so many ideas... so few dollars. The specialness of this giveaway is we're coming up on my second anniversary of blogging here! Wow, TWO years! So, I thought of what my heartstrings have been here.



My first blog post ever was on Mother's Day 2006. I celebrated my 5th sobriety birthday with you and am honored to celebrate my 7th birthday yesterday, still May 11th. I've brought you different hot topics of mine from time to time... from nursing to being green you've listened to me rant and rave over matters that you might care less about. (But you SHOULD!!! :) ) Good lands, I even brought you the birth of Javier here! And descirbed my no-meds birth with him. That's real, folks - real and honest. And I cried here. And you supported me. I won't forget that. We even moved and became homeowner's! And we traveled the emotional rollercoaster together!!! And that's when Roy and I launched Our House of Dreams. And have not done a good job of keeping that blog up to date... one can only do so much, right?!



And, you've been here for my cooking experiences... starting my own Pampered Chef business, experimenting on my children, family and friends and sharing yummy recipees with you.



You've learned about some of my favorite things and as I've scrolled back through two years, my giveaway is a cornucopia of my blog:

All the Goods!

A mug and little plate just for you!
with Burt's Bees Travel Foot Pack and a pamplet on a health issue close to our hearts. And a pin to wear from me to you.

and dark chocolate covered espresso beans to keep you hoppin', candles to remind you to relax and remember Who lights our path, Sustain Energy Drink in single serving on-the-go packs in Berry, Lemon and Orange flavors, a DREAM reminder...
A little book in Spanish on mama and papa, little spatula and bamboo spreader, Tough & Tender wipes just in time for summer..., gDiaper pamplet with coupons.. either try 'em or give 'em away, and to top it all off, a coffee hand towel. Because I like coffee and one can't have enough hand towels!

So, take a break, stroll back through time with me and read the rules:

One entry per person. You must leave a comment. If you choose anonymous, you MUST leave your name or else I won't know who wins!

The winner will be choosen using random.org on Friday May 16th, the exact date of my first post. The cut off time will be when I draw on the 16th. Who knows what time... I have six kids, remember?!?!

Have fun and remember: you have to comment to win.

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