Contests vs. Sweepstakes

Most people don't know the difference between a contest and a sweepstakes and use the words interchangably.  In fact, I do occasionally when talking to a sweepstakes muggle, because contest seems to not be as "sketchy".  Bottom line, though is they ARE quite different.  A sweepstakes is random and a contest is judged on skill.  So, I always prefer winning a contest because it shows I did something worthwhile as judged by someone else.  Also, I think people are more intimidated by contests than they are sweepstakes.  Anyone can put their name on a form or 3x5 card.  But when you actually have to write a poem, take a photo, or create a recipe, there's work involved and sometimes fear you won't measure up.

Last week I won a daily prize in a contest and then won the weekly prize.  (I won a package of cups and then $100 to Kroger).

This is the photo I submitted:

$2.61 shopping trip

Okay, so today actually cost me $7.61 out of pocket, but I'll get $5.00 back from a mail in refund making all the following only $2.61.  Not only that but I have $5 to spend at CVS from things I bought today as well as $5 to Walgreens next time I shop there. 

I bought:
2 Fantastic
2 Windex

2 glade plugins

2 small packs of M&Ms
2 small packs of Skittles

a three pack of Blistex

6 cans of tuna
2 big bags of Twizzlers
Always pads
can of Maxwell house coffe.

In total I saved $42.33

I've been bad about updating my blog recently, will try to do better, I have lots of stuff to post!

A Personalized Dry Erase Board

Recently I won a blog giveaway where I got a code for a dry erase board from Inspired Gifts.  Despite my following of a number of mommy bloggers, I don't have children myself, and there's only so many good pictures of my guinea pigs I can adorn on photo items.  And as most of you know, I'm all about photo items, such as the House Party I recently hosted where everyone got a free Shutterfly photo album. If you missed that post, you can see it here.

I decided to get this photo board as a Christmas gift for my cousin.  (Cathy, if you are reading, please stop now!  LOL!)  I try to get her a bit more unique gifts and seems like she always loves the stuff I give her.  I'm sure this year will be no exception.

I will say I was slightly disappointed in the backgrounds available for the dry erase boards.  I hoped to find something plain white with a photo at the top, but the best I could do was pink.  However, it was a much prettier pink than I had expected when I ordered it.  I know it will be loved.  It's a bit of an odd size for an adult, but still great for making lists.  (It's a locker sized 8" across and 18" down.)  But like I said, it would be great for a to-do list!

I was impressed with the packing, the corners were even protected by little cardboard corner.  There was no frame around the board, which I rather expected, but it's fine without.  Also, it came with velcro mounting you can attach yourself (great idea not to attach it because I'm sure some people would rather attach with magnet which wasn't included but would make it easy to put the velcro on the magnet if you wanted!)  And of course came with a dry erase marker.

I know my cousin will LOVE this for Christmas.  One other thing I want to mention is I thought the picture was great on it.  I swiped a photo of my cousin's dog off of Facebook, and used it as the photo.  I got a warning that the resolution wasn't high enough.  I ordered anyway because I didn't have a better picture and didnt' want to ask for one.  (One thing I love about Facebook is it makes it easier to make personalized gifts for people!  Just "steal" their photos!)  :)  Even with the "low resolution" warning, I think the photo turned out fantastic and I can't imagine what a "good" photo would look like as good as this one did!

I couldn't get a picture of the entire board, but here's part of it:

Also, a while back I mentioned a print I got of a local mill at a garage sale in this post.  I took a couple photos of it today and thought I'd share since I mentioned it in a previous post.

200 miles of yardsales

I certainly didn't plan on traveling a total of 200 miles for yardsale yesterday.  It just kind of happened. :)  I did plan on going about 80, though.  A town about 40 miles away has a fantastic town wide sale.  Then a friend said she had lost 100 pounds and was selling her plus sized clothing.  So I wanted to go to it and it was in the other direction, thus going there added a bunch more miles.  I spent $42.85.

My purchases:

skirt for me $2

flannel sheet (use for guinea pig bedding, then I clean it off, wash it, and reuse. My flannel sheets for them are getting pretty ratty so happy to find one.) $1
shorts for mom 50¢
shorts for me $2
sweater for me $2
Land's End sweater for me: $2
shirt for Mom $2
another shirt for Mom $2
yet another shirt for Mom: $2
still another shirt for Mom: $2
sweater for Mom: $2
nightgown for me: $2
Lands End sweater for me (with $39 price tag still attached): $2
(not pictured) brand new Cacique bra for me: $4

Visable man: $1 (these used to sell on eBay, but don't do well now as I found out doing a search after I got home)

vintage plastic basket with flower on it: $1.50 -- Christmas gift
set of angel picture frame ornaments $1 (new, original price tag of $19.99 still on it) Will use as a Christmas gift
3 new containers of Diaper Genie refills 25¢ each (for friends)

6 sets of Bible flannelgraphs 25¢ each

"Gay Decorations with crepe paper" book 25¢
Cross stitch magazine 25¢
2 Today's Christian Woman magazines 5¢ each

7 1980s records (I do love my 1980s Christian music)

Truth: Keeper of my heart 13¢
Praise Alive! 12¢
Leon Patillo 13¢
2nd Chapter of Acts 12¢
another 2nd Chapter of Acts 13¢
Mennonie Prison team record 12¢
local commemorative plate 50¢

In Search of the Proverbs 31 Man $1

A Victorian Rose $1

Praise Power (free)

A Woman of Significance 50¢

Kindling a Kindred Spirit $1

RevivalTime Radio Sermons 1982 50¢

vintage hand forged aluminum lazy susan $1 (gift)

NEW with tags decorative Gingerbread Man bottles $3 (gift)
bag of cookie cutters 25¢
jar of Amish made apple butter $3 (Mom looks forward to this at this lady's sale every year!)

Funny cartoon

My friend Donnie W posted this on Facebook and thought it was funny.  I'm too tired to list all my yardsale finds today, so this will have to suffice as my post for the day.  Note, it is not to be offensive, just funny.  :)  Donnie is a pastor's kid, so if you're offended blame it on him being a pastor's son!  LOL

Diaper Deal!

I had a great shopping day today. I went to CVS to get the Ban deoderant ($2.99 with $2 back in extra care bucks and  75 cent off coupon made it a total of 24 cents.)  Plus I wanted to get a package of the CVS diapers that were $5.99 and get $2 back in extra care bucks for a baby shower gift.  What I found was a clearance on diapers.  I spent $15 and got over 200 diapers and a stick of deoderant AND $5 back for next time I shop at CVS.  I know these are larger sizes, but I'm sure my friends won't mind when being given over 200 diapers!  This is almost $70 of diapers.

Then I went to Walgreens.  I had a $2 register rewards I used.  I also had a $1 coupon for Kotex and a $1 off 2 coupon for Lidsay Olives.   For under $9 I got:

tube of whitening toothpaste

box of U by Kotex

3 bottles of olives

2 cans of Arizona iced tea

AND I got $7.50 back in register rewards AND a coupon for a free package of Always maxi pads. 

Also, yesterday I got a coupon from Lowes where I got a free utility knife, so that is also pictured.  ($9 value.)

I also visited a yardsale today.  I bought eight sewing patterns of costumes, about half of them are Renessance costumes.  I also bought a plaque for a friend and to finish out my $1 since it was a church I didn't want to get change back at a church sale, I picked up a package of homemade seafoam candy and a Rice Krispie treat.  Spent at the garage sale:  $3.  Total spent for the year:  $49.