Monday, March 21, 2022

Another Type of Contest

This is an example of a good prize (2023 Ford Mustang) given away through AMOE (Alternate Method of Entry).  AMOE usually means a mail in entry.  

When I first started contesting, I received a paper booklet in the mail, and I picked from that pamphlet the contests I wanted to enter.  My children thought it was great fun to sit at the kitchen table with me while I wrote my info, like those requested in this contest, on a 3x5 index cards and addressed the envelope.  Then one child was in charge of stuffing the envelope and the other attaching the stamp.  Yes, there were many Catty Wampus stamps. I can't remember if I ever won anything that way.  

So here is the newest example, an AMOE contest:


Entered on:

For a chance to win enter the Ford Motor Company Mustang 5.0 Fever Sweepstakes. AMOE To enter by mail, send a hand-printed 3” x 5” card with name, address, phone number, email address (if any) to: Mustang 5.0 Fever Sweepstakes, PO Box 490, 3800 Greenfield Road, Dearborn, MI 48121. The Grand Prize consists of a 2023 Ford Mustang GT (maximum MSRP $45,000) with $5,000 MSRP in Ford Performance Parts. Ford Sweepstakes winner will be allowed to choose Ford Performance Parts, including installation, not to exceed $5,000.

Restrictions: 18+ US licensed
Limit: 1 Per Person
Added: 03-16-2022
Expires: 12-31-2022 11:59 PM EST
Hits: 878
 
Entry Category: One Entry Sweepstakes
Custom Category:


Saturday, March 19, 2022

What to Read?

Following Jean's post about her reading club, I thought about my Mom and her reading habits.  When Mom's knees gave out and she became wheelchair bound she was living in a small Texas town with limited tv access, I'm not sure she even had regular cable since she was still renting DVDs.  

Anyway, she became very focused on reading.  Her plan, which I thought was really good, was that she kept two books going.  In the mornings, she read a difficult or thought-provoking book and in the evening she read a fun novel.  Naturally, she went through the evening books much faster than the serious books. 

She became an avid on-line thrift shopper for book outlets, always looking for the next read.  I remember her telling me about one of her morning books that was lasting forever because she had to reread so many paragraphs to take in and understand the message.  

Some of these serious books she really disliked because of either the message or writing, but she kept on. Unfortunately, she did not have anyone to share these books with except my sisters and I.  I confessed, some did not interest me in the least but I admire her tenacity. 

Even though I do continue to enter contests for books, I have a stack that I just can't begin.  My preference is still audiobooks and luckily, I have a large choice from my library.  But, like Jean said, they are not always available when you want a certain book.  

After all is said and done, I still love the smell or an old library of fabric covered books and glue. 

More later ... 


Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Foreign Films

I've been watching a foreign tv program.  Apparently, there are a lot of Finnish folks who go to the coast of Spain to retire or in winter months. This program is a police procedural.  The female police lead is Finnish and speaks to the Finnish locals in Finnish.  The male police lead is Spanish and talks to the local Spaniards in Spanish.  When the Finns and Spanish are talking to each other they speak in English.   

Even though half of the program I am reading the closed captions, I still have a problem hearing some of the characters because of their accents and if I have to stop and think about what it is they said, I will be two lines behind in captions.  Hahaha. 

To add a little spice to that, the older Finnish woman and the younger Spanish man are having a little May-December romance, in English, of course.  

Just a bit of silliness in the mist of world troubles. 

More later ... 



Friday, March 11, 2022

Currently employed or retired as a Peace Officer, Firefighter, Volunteer Firefighter or be an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Here is a dozy for currently employed or retired as a Peace Officer, Firefighter, Volunteer Firefighter or be an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), a $10,000 contest.  See states eligible in description.  Hint: You can enter with that person's info.


Entered on:

( Quick Ending ) Enter for a chance to win a $10,000 Camping Giveaway.

Restrictions: Entrant must be currently employed or retired as a Peace Officer, Firefighter, Volunteer Firefighter or be an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Entrant must be 18 as of March 1, 2022 and must reside in one of these 44 states or principalities: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, ID, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MO, MN, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, WY. Residents of AK, HI, MA, ME, MI, NY, RI and WI are NOT eligible. In the following states, a resident must be a member of the associated group to be eligible: AZ, CA, CO, KS, KY, IN, IL, IA, LA, MD, MO, NE, NJ, NV, OH, OR, TX, WA and UT.
Limit: One Per Person
Added: 03-11-2022
Expires: 11-18-2022 11:59 PM EST
Hits: 25
 
Entry Category: One Entry Sweepstakes
Custom Category:

Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Example of a Great Contest

 This is a good example of a contest that is on my daily entry schedule.  The contest runs from 2/9 to 3/29/22.  It is easy to enter and offers a great prize - $10,000 - from a reputable source - The Travel Channel.  On this site alone it has been entered 8,554 times.  I wish I knew how to do the Laws of Attraction so I could get a leg up on this one.  You can see in the Category box it says Reminder. When you are a member of Sweepsadvantage Plus you can save contests to any category you want to create.  If nothing else, I try to enter my Reminder category everyday.   



Entered on: 2022-03-07 11:03 AM

For a chance to win enter the TravelChannel Best Vacation Ever Sweepstakes. The Grand Prize Winner will receive the following (the “Grand Prize”): Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) presented in the form of a check. Approximate retail value (“ARV”) of the Grand Prize is $10,000.

Restrictions: 21+ US
Limit: 1 Daily Sweepstakes Entry
Added: 02-09-2022
Expires: 03-29-2022 11:59 PM EST
Hits: 8554
 
Entry Category: Daily Sweepstakes
Custom Category:

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Brrr

 My phone says it is 46° in Houston.  I had the best sleep last night rolled up like a mummy.  To toast the cool weather here are a couple of pictures of a guy who really knows how to sleep.  Buddy.








Who's making all the noise?

More later ... 


Saturday, March 5, 2022

Gluten-Free Contest

 This one is for you gluten-free friends.  This sight has quite a few contests for gluten-free foods. I don't use gluten-free products so I don't enter, but judge for yourself if it interests you.  


Entered on:

( 2 Winners ) Two lucky winners will receive either:
1) A quarterly shipment of 4.5lbs of our all-purpose flour. The first shipment will include 1 dozen snack size coffee cakes. Retail value of $124+ shipping.
2) A quarterly shipment of 1/2 dozen coffee cakes and 1/2 dozen brownies. Total retail value $186.

Restrictions: 18+ US
Limit: Daily Sweepstakes Entry is allowed
Added: 03-05-2022
Expires: 03-31-2022 11:59 PM EST
Hits: 0
 
Entry Category: Daily Sweepstakes
Custom Category:

Thursday, March 3, 2022

Football Draft Pick

 Football is not my sport, but I know my son would love this, so I entered.  I did not read the rules yet, but some contests tell you that the win cannot be transferred and there are others that allow you to take a reduced amount as a cash payout.  If neither of these options were available to me, I would probably pas on the win, and they would pick another winner.  Again, don't forget you may owe taxes on large wins like this. If you look to the Hits  below you will see that 1224 have already entered from this site since Feb. 23.  It is hard to win the big ones but somebody does.



Entered on:

For a chance to win enter the Dallas Cowboys Make Liberty Tax Your #1 Draft Pick Sweepstakes. There will be one (1) grand prize package (the “Grand Prize”) consisting of two (2) tickets to the 2022 NFL Draft; roundtrip domestic airfare for two (2); one (1) night hotel stay, double occupancy; and transportation to and from the 2022 NFL Draft. The approximate retail value (“ARV”) of the Grand Prize is four thousand five hundred U.S. dollars ($4,500.00). Enter to win the Dallas Cowboys Make Liberty Tax Your #1 Draft Pick Sweepstakes today and go to Las Vegas!

Restrictions: 18+ US
Limit: 1 Daily Sweepstakes Entry
Added: 02-23-2022
Expires: 03-17-2022 11:59 PM EST
Hits: 1224
 
Entry Category: Daily Sweepstakes
Custom Category:

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Heavy Metal/Punk Rock Contest

 Heavy Metal and Punk Rock are not my genre but for those still love it, here's a contest that may interest you.  IHeartRadio has lots of sponsored contests.  Some I enter but most I don't.  Hahaha




Entered on:

For a chance to win enter the iHeart The Stadium Tour Sweepstakes. One (1) Grand Prize: For winner and one (1) eligible guest.

Domestic roundtrip airfare for winner and one (1) eligible guest between the major metropolitan airport nearest prize winner’s primary residence and (in the event of any dispute, airport shall be as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion) to destination airport of Miami, Florida.

2 front row tickets to June 18, 2022 show at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.

2-night hotel stay (one room/standard double occupancy).

Meet & Greet with Def Leppard.

Meet & Greet with Motley Crue.

Meet & Greet with Poison.

Exclusive tour merch package.

Prize provided by Live Nation.

Approximate Retail Value of the iHeartRadio Sweepstakes (“ARV”): $3,000.00.

Restrictions: 18+ US
Limit: 1 Daily Sweepstakes Entry
Added: 03-01-2022
Expires: 03-06-2022 11:59 PM EST
Hits: 258
 
Entry Category: Daily Sweepstakes
Custom Category:

Monday, February 28, 2022

Another Sweepstakes Example

 This sweep comes from Omaze.com .  This site offers fantastic sweepstakes as a draw for contributing to various good causes.  It also allows you to enter the sweep without contribution. From the research I've done this is a legitimate sight although their "administration" fee to the charity might be heafty.  I don't know. But I do know from my sweepstakes newsletter that there have been wins through both the donation and free entries.  This is part of the email I received today:  



I don't know how they got my name on this email with Arnold, but you're darn right I entered.  Just like they wanted me to do.  On the entry page there is a choice of how much you want to donate and how many entries you will get for that sum.  However, if you're very poor like I am, on the next screen where you fill out your name, etc., you can elect to donate $2.  That is the most I can usually donate.  

The total number of entries you are allowed is 6,000.  So, between free and/or donation entries, 6,000 entry points is all anyone can have. 

And no, I have not won - YET.

More later ...

Thursday, February 24, 2022

Sweepstakes Example

 

I saw this contest today and thought it was a good example of a nice sweeps that I wouldn't enter. 

The main reason I wouldn't enter this contest is that, even though I would love to have a fancy-smancy closet, since I live in an apartment it would not be something I could take with me.  Certainly, I could walk away and leave the closet fixings, like I do when I install curtain rods over windows, I would still have to pay taxes on the $10,000 worth of accessories and workmanship.  You have to be careful about which contests you enter because of taxes.   



Entered on:

The Maurices Ultimate Closet Refresh Contest prize consists of and is limited to (i) a professional closet reorganization from The Home Edit in an amount up to $10,000 (date, time, manner of completion, design, materials and personnel utilized, and other items, are all as determined by Sponsor or its designees (including The Home Edit) in their sole discretion); closet reorganization in anticipated to occur during March, 2022, and (ii) a shopping spree trip to Nashville, Tennessee, which consists of and is limited to (A) round-trip coach airfare for winner between the major metropolitan airport nearest to prize winner’s primary residence. The approximate retail value (“ARV”) of the prize is fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000).

Restrictions: 21+ US (48)
Limit: 1 Per Person
Added: 02-24-2022
Expires: 02-27-2022 11:59 PM CST
Hits: 830
 
Entry Category: One Entry Sweepstakes
Custom Category:

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Dumb things I do

 My grandson informed me that I talk out loud while I am typing.  Since he said that I have caught myself a few times.  When did this start?  Why did it start?  

On the other hand, I was very interested to read what Jean had to say about reading aloud. I'm going to start doing this.  I talk so little I'm sure I sound faint and weak.  Or, I could just start annoying the hell out of people standing in line near me.  Hahaha.  Nope, won't do that.  They may breathe cooties on me. 

Maybe, reading out loud while blogging will add to my 20 minutes needed. 



Buddy totally approves of the weather lately.  Several afternoon siestas have been scheduled in the warm sun. 

I had a terrible week last week with medical issues.  I had to get another c-peptide blood test.  Essentially, it proves that you have Type 1 diabetes as opposed to Type 2.  Medicare requires this for the insulin pump.  Like someone would lie and want to have an insulin pump when they didn't need it.  Ha.

Turns out I had to retake the test because my blood sugar was too high when I took it last time.  Hello?  So, I retook the test while fasting, again.  They had to stick me three times to get the blood.  I have rotten veins and especially after I have been denied my morning coffee.  My arms are useless so they have to take it from the top of my hand.  

I got my results back and I was three points over what the high mark again.  She hasn't called me to tell me if I have to retake the test again.  I am seriously thinking about giving up on the pump.  

The doctor changed my insulin dosage from a certain amount with each meal to counting carbs and basing my insulin intake on that. Brother, give a girl a break.

That's all for now ...



Sunday, February 6, 2022

Watching 1883

 I just discarded the last three unfinished posts which is why you haven't heard from me in a while.  That and the cold ...

I know Margaret's laughing at me, as well as the rest of you Yankees, but it has been downright chilly.  We've had a few days of <40, and the Buddy walks have had me looking like the Pillsbury Dough Boy while all bundled up.  

So, I've been contesting and watching TV.  Has anybody else been watching 1883 with Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and Sam Elliott.  It is a Western on Paramount+. In case you don't know how they are, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw are a real-life married couple who are  country/western singers.

We get Paramount+ on Amazon Prime as a paid add-on.  Growing up in the 1950s, television was all about the western (and Disney on Sunday night).  I still like a good western which I watch from time to time on Pluto's western channel.  

Does anyone else watch 1883?  McGraw and Hill are fairly good actors considering they are singers.  Tim McGraw is coming to the Houston Rodeo this year.  I'd like to go and see him (even though I am not up on country western, or any other singers), but I guess that would be dumb to be in a crowd like that.

I keep a selection of shows from different channels that I can watch/listen to while on the computer.  CSI (Vegas, the original) is another one I can watch and contest at the same time. I also like the new CSI:Vegas which they brought back with a few of the original actors. I don't know if it will continue.  I've seen something about the originals not wanting to continue with the project.


 


Truthfully though, I haven't been contesting as much lately.  I'm pouting because I didn't win anything during the Christmas/New Year sweeps.  When you enter as often and as many as I do it is very disheartening not to win something.  On the other hand, I have really been trying for the big-ticket items - cars and money. 

There are cycles to contests.  Some are aimed at holidays while others could run for as long as a year.   I've got to really want them to keep entering that long.  Others will be one entry no matter how long the contest lasts.  I prefer those.  One and done. 

The site I use (sweepsadvantage.com) has a free site or a monthly fee site (sweepsadvantageplus) and I used the fee paid because it has the ability to store a link to the ones you want to enter more than once. 

I've gotten pretty fast at entering but it is reading the description that takes the most time.  There are some contests I am not interested.  For instance, travel contests are out unless they have a use by date a long time in the future.  There are also sports contests for team paraphernalia or sometimes nice packages to go see games.  Again, no travel for me unless it had to do with the Houston Rockets and then I think I'd still pass for now.  

There have also been a few having to do with guns and/or hunting.  I am not interested in those although I do occasionally enter a fishing contest if it has fishing rods, as both of my kids like to fish.  

There are also contests that are only good if you live in that State or are limited to residents of multiple named States.  

I find there are more new sweeps that want you to sign up on Facebook.  I never enter those and only occasionally enter Instagram or Twitter sweeps.  I have, however, won a really nice necklace off Instagram. 

I guess that is all for a while.  My life is just so boring there is nothing much to write about.  Hahaha.  Better boring than full of woe.

More later ...




Friday, January 7, 2022

 I didn't realize I haven't posted since that dark cloud was over my life. I'm glad to say it finally dissipated in time for me to get one heck of a cold/virus.  

My Grandson and I both got it from my daughter whose step-son had it.  Dang.  I should have stayed in lockdown but since Grandson is working at Olive Garden and bringing home all kind of bugs, I imagine, I thought I could sneak through.  No luck.  

He and I have been locked in this house, so to speak, since Christmas Day when it started with a sore throat, and I had to cancel Christmas Celebration with Grand Girls.  So, we rescheduled for New Year's but no, we were worse by then.  

Today I got up and made myself go to grocery store.  Even though I have been walking Buddy throughout most of this, I still needed to build up my strength.  

So, I'm glad to let you know that dark cloud did not suck me up like a tornado and send me to the of Land of Oz.  Hahaha.  Maybe this virus really was a bad trip to Oz.  

Other than that, Buddy also got sick.  He had this huge knot in his neck gland.  Luckily it started going down pretty quick.  He didn't eat for about two days when it started so I was giving him all kind of fruit and baby aspirin to help his sore throat.  He did loose a little and weight and looks really good.  I wish I could miss eating for two days and be back to my fighting weight.  Yeah, man.

Got word that the Son and girlfriend are getting married in Las Vegas on 02/22/2022.  I don't think I'll be going.  The exposure to Covid or other bugs is too great for me. Thank goodness for videos.  They don't have live stream, but we will get to see the video.  

In other news, I got an early Christmas gift from my other DIL.  Socks with a real picture of Buddy, not just a chihuahua in general.  How cute!


Perfect present for me. 


The new and improved Buddy.  

More later .... 


 

Saturday, December 18, 2021

Hello Again

 



Hello again.  There has been a dark cloud stuck over my head for several weeks now.  I'll share some of the highlights. 

The car key for my dear old car is the worst made car key in the world. I have replaced it at least three times now. I'm sure most of you have never replaced the fob on your car key.  Mine breaks right at the top so that the metal key comes away from the plastic fob.
 
In the past, I have gotten a whole new key made.  The price has now gotten up to about $200 so I decided to do what my son has been nagging me to do - order the replacement fob off the internet.  The price for a package of two fobs was $8.95 on eBay so I decided I could afford to try it and waste the money if it turned out not to work.  



In between the break and before ordering the eBay fob, I order a replacement fob from the hardware store for $50.  The fob never came and never came and finally, we found out that the hardware store never placed the order.  This wasted a good 10 days of not being able to drive because of the hardware store's mistake.  

So now the eBay key comes.  We, Grandson and I, put it together and but now the car won't start.  So we jump it, but the motor still won't catch.  So I call AAA who comes out and tells me the battery is great so it must be the starter.  The next day I call AAA for a tow and instead of taking it to my old shop, I let them take it to a highly rated shop near me.  

The day I put the car in the shop they could not get to it.  I discussed with them what they thought a rough estimate on a starter would be and he said $500 to $1000.  I laughed and said it better not be a $1000 to let him know that was not going to happen.  Unfortunately, the next morning they call me and said it is the starter and it will be $950. Now keep in mind I am living on social security in my new more expensive apartment.  Anyway, I tell him to go ahead because I have been stashing money away to move back to the other side of town to the now-being-built apartments my old manager will manage. 

I let my children know it is in the shop for $950.  My son, protecting his Mom, asks me for the number and calls the shop.  Son insists they are over-charging me and he can do it.  Well, he can do it but he doesn't really like to work on cars so I say no to that.  

Long story short after what seemed like forever the car is home and working fine.  The anxiety I felt over all that time did not release me all at once and I walked around with jangly nerves for a couple of more days.  

During this dark time, I had also been scheduled for a certain blood test that Medicare required before I could get my insulin pump approved. I had scheduled and canceled several appointments because my car wasn't running or because my blood sugar had fallen during the night and I had to eat something which meant I had not fasted all night.  The doctor and the healthcare company handling the insulin pump had been calling and emailing me about the hold-up.  It takes two days for an opening but I got there as soon as my car was back. 

Looking back it doesn't seem like it was all that bad but wait, there is more.  My old laptop died just before I moved here in October so I bought a new one at the end of October but while this dark cloud was dogging me, I spilled coffee on my brand new computer and killed it.  Yes, a dead motherboard and the keyboard ruined and it could be fixed for $750 but I only paid $350 for it. 

This time I did not hesitate and my first outing the day I picked up my car was to buy the same new computer.  Shit happens, that is just life.  

Whew.  I hope things are back to normal now. 

More later ...