OK.  Is anyone out there as obsessed with this as I am?

I have been entering the HGTV Dream Home Sweepstakes for about as long as they have been doing it.  No lie.  I sent in 100 postcards for the first drawing they did back in 1997 (yes kiddies - that was before we could enter these things en masse by using that brilliant online form).  The 1997 prize was this gorgeous Log Cabin in Jackson Hole, WY.

You want to hear something embarassing?  I entered it because that's where Harrison Ford lives.  And yes, I was entertaining delusions of meeting him and having him fall madly in love with me and living happily ever after in that HGTV log cabin.

Ann if you're out there - I know you remember fueling that madness the way that good friends do.  I think you may have even addressed some of the envelopes.   And for that, I will love you always.  :)

I don't know why I still enter that dang thing.  But still I try -(Side note:  I did not win that log cabin in 1997) definitely not for the same reasons.  I am much happier with Dave than I am sure I would have ever been with Mr. Ford. (No offense Harry.)

Every January 1st I look at that form with giddy anticipation.  I set an Outlook reminder to enter every day (though now days I am lucky to enter a couple times a week), and then I drool over the house on TV and on the website.  Then, I watch as someone else gets awarded the fruit of my labor.  LOL

Oh well, such is life.  It's all in good fun.  And it's free.  Let's see...  What shall I do with a house in Vermont...

My family watched the Super Bowl last night just as many American families did.  Even though I was secretly hoping for Peyton Manning to do well (I am a huge fan of Peyton even though I am a Giants fan and root for his little bro), I was glad to see the Saints get their first Super Bowl win.  Newly transplanted in the Shreveport area, it was really cool to see all the Saints pride during the football season, and to see that pride swell once the Saints made it in to the big game.

The people in this area have been excited to say the least!  All the kids at my youngest son's school wore their Saints pride on Friday.  A neighbor painted a HUGE fleur de lis onto his yard.  There have been flags, banners, and all kinds of decor all over the city.  When we were saying good bye to our guests last night, we had to laugh...  We opened the front door and heard the neighbors hooting and hollering and shooting off fireworks - awesome!

But one of the BEST things about the evening?  This:



We had to rewind this commercial over and over again - we laughed so hard.  The kids laughed so hard.  Even better?  This commercial wasn't made by a high priced, fancy ad agency.  It was made by a regular Joe as part of the Crash the Superbowl Contest by Doritos.  I had no idea, but all the other Doritos ads that aired during the Superbowl were also the contest winners who won cash for their ads - how fun!

Those of you out there with film making skills should get on it for next year!

Using high tech methods (my youngest drew a name) we have a winner for our Disney Lithograph giveaway!  The winner of the Limited Edition Disney Lithographs is....

Mary Hunt in Massachusetts!


Congrats to Mary - I hope you enjoy these Lithographs - thanks so much for reading!  :)

As a military family, our vacations are few and far between.  It always seems we are using our vacation time and money to visit our families as they live in other states (which of course still count as vacations, but you know what I mean... LOL)  So when we do get to take vacations, it is always SOOO nice to find deals like these.  Disney usually has GREAT discounts for military families.  Here are there offerings this year:


Disney World Tickets: You can purchase up to (6) 4-Day Passes for $99 per person. With this ticket, you can visit one Disney Theme Park each day. For these special discount tickets, you can purchase them on base or at Guest Services at the front entrance to any of the Disney Theme Parks with your military ID.

Disney World Hotels: You can save even more money with special Disney World Resort discounts on a Military Package that includes room discounts up to 40% off. This discount package is available for vacations through September 30, 2010. These prices are normally less money than staying at Shades of Green.

Disney World Meals: You can then save even more money, by adding one of the Disney Dining Plans. The Basic Dining Plan is always the most popular meal plan including sit down meals that can be used at over 125 restaurants at Disney World including the Character Dining. The Basic Dining Plan is a saving of 30% off of meals at Walt Disney World.

Active and retire military can get 60% discounts on tickets, 30% of meals, and up to 40% off Disney Resort. These are great discounts!

Destinations Florida: As an added bonus, if you book with the Destinations in Florida aegency you will receive free Disney Merchandise and services to make your vacation even more magical.  How fun!  You can get a jump on your souvenir shopping! 

WIN Disney Merchandise!

The folks at Destinations Florida have generously sponsored a giveaway here on this blog.  Just leave a comment on this post and one winner will be randomly drawn to win this set of 4 Disney Parks limited edition lithographs featuring special attractions from each Disney Park (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park) and Mickey Mouse ($75 Value).


So leave your comments until Febraury 1, 2010.  We'll draw a winner on the 2nd.  And if you are a military family and are planning to visit Disney this year - be sure to check out these discounts - and Destinations in Florida.

I love to read.  I will read anything.  fiction, non-fiction, newspapers, textbooks, instruction manuals...  If it has the printed word, I will read it.  I love books.  I definitely get this love from my Dad (all hail his floor to ceiling computer room library).  Normally, my wonderful David is supportive of my interests.  This last move however, we were about 1000 lbs over our allotted weight.  Books aren't light.  So, I have really looked into starting to read more ebooks.  A handheld ereader would be AWESOME.


Vanessa at A Military Wife's Mayhem did a great review of the Sony Digital Reader Touch Edition.  What a handy little gadget.  It holds 350 books in a light little hand held package, with the capacity to store more with the purchase of memory sticks.  And even better?  She has partnered with Borders to generously give one away to a fellow military wife/active duty military member!  So if you are a military wife or active duty military member, click the link below to win yourself one!

Enter To Win a Sony Reader

Thanks Vanessa!

Yes it can!

I have always loved tools and technology that makes managing my life easier.  As a military wife and mother, my career has always had to be flexible, adaptable, and most of all - portable.  I need tools that meet these needs.  I need small tools that pack a huge productivity punch.  The perfect solution?  Winning this:



I want an HP Mini 311!

Now how can a simple little laptop help simplify my life you say?  Easily.  By putting everything I need in one, little, portable, powerful, 3.22lb package.  With this wonderful little tool I can:

* Blog anytime anywhere 
* Work on my (ever elusive) Masters Degree
* Communicate with my husband when he is deployed
* Keep sane while my kids are hogging the house PC
* Keep my life and business going the next time we PCS
   (ie. the next time the military moves us)
* Surf the internet for fun during my downtime
   (whenever I find any)
* Finish this book while at baseball/football/whatever
   sport my two boys are playing at the time and become
   an awe inspiring fiction writer

Ok.  I have lofty goals.

This beautiful piece of technological goodness can help me achieve them.  Really!  Have you seen the commercials for Windows 7?  You can leap tall buildings in a single bound with Windows 7!  I love that this laptop comes loaded with Windows 7 - I have been dreaming of ways I can use the snap, shake, and pin to help manage my crazy hectic day.  Just look at the way Dara Torres uses hers:





Are you a busy Mom?  Would you like to win an HP Mini 311 too?  HP, Windows 7, and The Mom Bloggers Club have teamed up to give away 3 of these to random comment posters on contest entrants' blog.  Just leave a comment on my blog for a chance to win your very own - good luck!

I thought I would share this fun giveaway that Yahoo is doing. Everyone could use $20K right? I know I sure could! It's easy. All you have to do is go to Yahoo Deals once a day until September 7th and answer the daily question.

That's it.

That's all.

Just answer the question and you are entered.

Have fun - and good luck! :)

This was a challenging subject to blog about - especially since one of my kiddos is the pickiest eater ever. Here are my 5 tips for making sure my kids get the vitamins and minerals they need for strong bones:

1. Make sure they take a multi-vitamin daily. They take good old fashioned Flintstones vitamins. Not very sophisticated I know... But they like it and it gets the job done.

2. Make sure they get outside. Since I am not going to put my beloved sons in a tanning bed (LOL) I try and get them outside in the sunshine as much as possible to soak up that Vitamin D. Every little bit helps right?

3. I make sure their meals aren't missing vibrant colors... Green veggies, yellow veggies, orange & veggies... Sometimes a balanced meal can be achieved just by looking at the plate. If there is too much brown or white, then chances are there aren't enough veggies on the plate.

4. I HIDE veggies in things whenever I can. I have a recipe here somewhere for ZUCCHINI brownies. Yes. zucchini. And they are delicious! I will have to find it and post it...

5. I make sure they get enough dairy for the day. I can't drink milk (ooooh my aching stomach) too much so I try and take a calcium supplement. I also buy vitamin D fortified orange juice.

I would love to hear your tips for making sure your kids are getting adequate vitamins and minerals. Feel free to leave a comment!

****

If you have a blog, you can blog about this subject too and enter the "Liquid Sunshine" contest being hosted by TwitterMoms and Wellesse. Just post your Top 5 Tips on your blog with mention of TwitterMoms and Wellesse, and Vitamin D. Then post a link to your blog here.

You can score yourself a free bottle of Vitamin D. I would love to try it out...

I love a good giveaway - especially when it is jewelry! :) This fun blog has some WONDERFUL giveaways:

MammaDawg

Right now her giveaway is this beautiful Bella Bracelet Watch by PoetSummer Charming Custom Jewelry. What a talented jewelry artist!



Isn't it beautiful? There are some gorgeous pieces in that Etsy store... Be sure and stop by MammaDawg and enter the contest - you may be the lucky winner! :)

OK I am really excited for this giveaway. LOL I love coffee. Alot.

And I have ALWAYS wanted one of these Keurig K Pod Brewers. Alot. :)

This awesome kitchen gadget from Keurig is a coffee lovers dream. It brews coffee, hot chocolate, tea, gourmet coffees (expressos, lattes, etc), and just about any hot beverage you can find a K-Pod for. I will own one. Someday.

But I thought I would share the wealth and the chance to own one NOW! :) Momstart and Momgiveaways

are giving away one Platinum Brewer to one of their readers compliments of Keurig. So read the review and enter for a chance to win! :) The contest ends December 31st.

Good luck! :)