CSN Stores Gift Code Giveaway (Closed 8/15/10)

Le Creuset is the world's leading manufacturer of enamelled cast iron cookware and makes many other types of cookware, from sauce pans to tagines. Cookware.com offers an amazing selection of colorful Le Creuset, including limited time offers, gift sets, free gifts with purchase, and exclusive cookware sets. Like any of the other 200+ online stores (and growing), you can find plenty of free shipping offers to stretch your purchase price. You can shop with confidence at CSN Stores for selection, low prices, service, and quality.

Wasted Wednesday

Wednesday was totally frustrating. I hope today turns out better.

I was awake until 8 a.m. making sure I got a few lingering tasks accomplished, plus two giveaways -- one of which I was far behind on posting. No problem. I'm tired all the time, but I've gotten used to staying up all night. It's cooler and it's quiet -- peace and quiet is something I crave and live for.

Kroger Add Up the Savings Giveaway (Closed 8/02/10)

As summer winds down, it's time to start picking up new supplies for the upcoming school year.

While you're out and about, be sure to stop at your local Kroger Family of Stores (which includes Kroger, Ralph's, King Soopers, City Market, Dillons, Smith's, Fry's, QFC, Baker's, Owen's, Jay C Food Stores, Hilander, Gerbes, Food4Less, Pay Less Super Markets and Scott's Food & Pharmacy) to take advantage of their "Add Up the Savings" Event and stock up on your favorite General Mills & Kimberly Clark brands. From August 8 through August 21, when you buy 8 participating items from any Kroger store, you'll receive $4 off of your purchase. Some of the great participating brands include: Cheerios, Yoplait Yogurt, Pillsbury Cookies & Biscuits, Kleenex, Huggies, Betty Crocker Brownies, Cottonelle, and Lucky Charms.

Lawry's Flavor Forecast Giveaway (Closed 8/01/10)

Nothing says summer like backyard grilling, and as the weather heats up, more families are heading outside to fire up the grill. This summer, savor the sizzle by breaking out of your "bore"-becue routine. Take a "cue" from Lawry's to help turn dull dinners into mouthwatering meals!

Lawry's newest marinades allow you to infuse your meals with exotic flavors without ever leaving your home. Inspired by the sun-drenched villages of Italy, the Tuscan Sun-Dried Tomato Marinade features extra virgin olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, sweet red bell peppers and the perfect blend of herbs. The Szechuan Sweet & Sour BBQ Marinade gives meat a delicious sweet and sour flavor with a touch of Szechuan heat.

Blog Giveaways Versus Online Sweepstakes

This afternoon I received an email from a well-known PR agency telling me I WOULDN'T be receiving a prize I'd won fair and square because I recently won the same prize at a different blog. I'm a Type-A rules kind of person and there was no such rule or I wouldn't have bothered to enter. Needless to say, I'm a little more than upset. It's not the first time it's happened, but last time I wasn't notified at all.  I only found out months later when I remembered to ask where my prize was.

Please don't try telling me I'm greedy because I won the same prize more than once. The blogger who cheerfully re-awarded the prize in question insinuated as much because she "never wins anything". I work very hard at winning, have a large family, and "extra" prizes make great gifts. It's not like I've turned them into an Amazon store or eBay business. We still haven't fully recovered from the recession and wins are my small contribution to our household.

I Hate Fireworks!

Plain and simple.  My dogs hate them, so I do too.  They're extremely loud and scary to a dog's sensitive ears.  Probably worst than thunder.  It's not like you can go indoors and not hear them -- you can still hear them as if the walls don't exist.