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 ... 



Tuesday, December 7, 2021

A Couple of Wins

 I was notified Monday that I won a Planters Peanut Nutstologia Gift Box worth $200.  It did not say what was in it but I assume, other than a large can of Planters Peanuts, something like a baseball hat with PP emblem or possibly a stuffed Mr. Peanut. Since it is a take on nostalgia, who knows. 

The second prize was a bit unusual.  Buddy won a photo contest and a $100 Visa card from BarkWiki.  Not too bad, Buddy.

My poor cut finger is still killing me.  Yes, Shirley, I should have gotten that tetanus shot. You know that kind of stuff worries me. Because the cut was across the first bend/knuckle, every bend bothers it.  And, since this is a major contest time, I am doing my best to enter without using that finger. 

More later ...

  

Friday, December 3, 2021

A Small Injury

 This will be a short post as I have injured my right index finger and it is very hard to type without it. 


Of course, Buddy had to check out the smell of blood and bandage and ointment on the hand meant for scratching him.  

How did I manage to be so clumsy?  I slammed the iron gate to the front mailbox center on my finger.  Not sure how I managed that but I did. 

The cut is short but right at the first bend so I tried to apply plenty of bandages to remind me not to bend it and open the cut.  There is also a nice bruise on the other side of my finger.  

I think I could have used a stitch or two but I just couldn't muster a visit to a medical quick stop as I don't have a regular physician, just my endocrinologist.  

As a diabetic, I am particularly careful about injuries.  My diabetic BIL has had some awful happenings to his feet and I don't want anything cut out or off.  

Long story short, I won't be typing comments for a short while but I will be reading, so keep me informed.  

More later ... 




Sunday, November 7, 2021

Comparison of Old and New Apartments


Tom's post "Is Your Home Retirement Ready" got me thinking about the difference between my apartment in a Senior Complex and this new apartment.  

First of all, this apartment is on the ground floor. Some seniors like the second floor because they think it is safer from break-ins.  I haven't had any fear about that.  After all, I have the guard dog, Buddy, that can hear a leaf drop.  Like me, however, he might not always have good hearing so those window clips are in place.  

I love walking straight out the door and not down two flights.  The last house I owned was a rancher and I think if I bought another house, which I will not, it would be one level.   

Handrails in the bathroom. I really do miss having them. I only used them for their intended purpose once and that was the time my knees just would not lift me out of the bathtub so I used the slanted handrail to wrench myself up hand over hand. I think they are worth the money, or if you are of the opinion, the unsightliness.

I love my patio which is larger than my balcony at the old place.  No more moving plants in and out.  I'm going to have my son staple heavy plastic around the frame when it gets cold - which is only three days in Texas.  I do miss having a yard though.  I think yard work was my only physical workout.  After the kids were out of the house I would change into my garden clothes when I got home from work and dig and rake and plan to my heart's content.  I've always been attracted to nature whether walking or photographing.  The weather is just right for both now. So I think I would lean toward having a yard with the hope that I could just hire a lawn boy when the time came. 

Speaking of walking, Buddy and I do quite a bit of walking around the complex.  We have our little trails we follow and he trots ahead of me with the pleasure of a plantation owner.  But we try different routes also.  He is starting to get used to having different people than the seniors at our old place.  Like his owner, he is not big on new people.  It is interesting to see him when he thinks he knows somebody.  Ears down and tail-a-wagging he goes running to meet them.  

Parking is fairly decent. There are three parking spaces very near my apartment and that is so nice to bring in the groceries.  Beats the heavy bags and two flights of stairs. 

Only the bedroom is carpeted here.  The vinyl flooring is nice but I forgot how much Buddy sheds.  I am kind of grossed-out thinking how much dog hair must have been in my old carpeted apartment. I have a few rubber-backed throw rugs by the doors now but the larger room rugs I purchased are too slippery - and yes I did forget to get the non-slip backing.  So rugs are on hold for now.  If the floors get too cold this winter I may reconsider. 

My kitchen cabinets are too high, as most are for me.  What is the answer to that?  Not too high but not too low so I have to bender over and dig in the back. Luckily I do not cook a lot so do not have much that I have to stand on the stool to reach.  

Since I fell again the other day while standing on the couch and nailing pictures up, I have come to accept that my days standing on ladders and couches are over.  I feel sure that kitchens will be redesigned for seniors in the coming years. 

So no to stairs, yes to lawn.  Yes to bathroom handrails, no to slippery rugs.  Door knobs, not sure yet. I've always had a lot of lamps but now they are all on.  All things I never took into consideration before.  

More later ...