Blog Contest False Start

I honestly thought i was going to be able to launch my blog contest on Thrifty Maven today but as of right this minute it doesn't seem like this is in the cards. You see I already have about 90 or so people signed up for that blog and once i have 100 people registered I won't be able to allow anymore. Darryl is supposed to fix that for me but the program he bought to do that didn't work. Now he is working on getting that fixed.

That Nyquil we bought yesterday did wonders for me. For the first time this week I've begun to feel human.

I heard about a new movie that I'm interested in seeing. It's called a Haunting in Connecticut. We had seen it on TV as a very frightening TV show. Now it's been made into a movie. Supposedly is a true story but I hear that was debunked a long time ago on the Sally Jesse Raphael Show. Gosh remember that show? Turns out the boy had mental issues and was allegedly groping the girls.


blog contest:
Prize: Fairytale Brownies Easter box.

Prize: Rice-A-Roni.

Prize: Keurig Platinum Coffee Brewer (ARV $169.95).

(3) Fiber One Fiber Friend Gift Basket

Prizes (2): Air Bud DVD.

Prize: Pair of glasses from EyeBuyDirect.com.

Prize: Book club edition of Intent to Kill: A Novel of Suspense by James Grippando.

Prizes (2): Pair of Keds Green Label shoes.

Prizes (2): Pair of Keds Green Label shoes.

Prizes (3): Pair of Keds Green Label shoes.

Prize: TurboTax Deluxe online (ARV $65).

Prizes (8): Australia DVD.

Prizes (3): Fiber One gift basket.

Prize: Box of personalized My Fruit Roll-Ups (ARV $30).

Hoping To Launch Contest

You knew it would eventually happen. I spent some time last week talking to my students about how everything they post on the web can impact them in some way. I warned them about posting suggestive photos and TMI (too much information).

Some of the kids think that only their friends find out about their stuff on myspace. This is not true. I told them to check out addictomatic.com and put their information in the search and they would be amazed what others can find out about them. I also told them about mydeathspace. What is that you say? Well I found out about it several years ago on a news show. At first I felt it was pretty creepy. If you die they put your myspace link on their site. Some people send notes of encouragement or support but others are evil and post with malintent.

Then what happened was periodically I did check out the site if a news article mentioned that a victim had a myspace account and police were looking at it. OK so I'm a news junkie, I'll admit it. For me the site was like an obit page only filled with young people. When people get my age they often read the obit page to see if they made it through the day. So far for me I have.

I hadn't checked it out in awhile but I did today because I wanted to get some clue about what possessed the Joker to do what he did. You'd be surprised to discover how explicit some people plan things leaving behind the details on their myspace. Then today I noticed this account.


http://www.mydeathspace.com/article/2009/03/12/Daniel_Kemp_(17)_killed_David_Esslinger_(19)_behind_a_Kmart_during_a_late_night_altercation


I teach the victim, David's brother. this has been very difficult for the family. From all accounts David was a special young man and didn't deserve this. The last I heard there would be more arrests forthcoming but then I didn't hear anything else.

David's brother, James is even mentioned in the article:

"He was a good kid," said his brother James King Jr. "He's probably laughing right now watching us out here in the cold."

We just started season Five of Dallas. Season Four ended with Kristen dead in the Ewing pool. Just in case you don't remember Kristn, she was the one who shot JR and then claimed she was pregnant with JR's baby. Oh and don't forget that's Sue Ellen's little sister.

We went to the house in Acworth today and packed some boxes. I was so sick I just needed a nap. I was able to persuade Darryl to cancel our get together tomorrow because I'm just way too tired.
blog contests I entered:

Thom Filicia’s new book, Thom Filicia Style

OhMiBod (a $69.99 value) and a $10 iTunes gift certificate

Necklace/earring set

Win Fairytale Brownies

Win a copy of H&R Block's Tax Cut Premium Federal + E-file.

One lucky reader will win a coupon code good for one free pair of prescription eyeglasses (not including sunglasses and designer frames) including any upgrade up to $100 and 100% free shipping.

Prizes (2): Five Clorox Decor Canister free product coupons.

Prizes (20): Clorox Disinfecting Wipes Décor canister free product coupon (ARV $5.49).

Prize: Pair of glasses from EyeBuyDirect.com.

Prize: Insignia 7.0 megapixel digital camera in pink (ARV $75.99).

Prizes (3): Spa Break gift basket from Fiber One.

Prize: Hoover Platinum Collection Lightweight Bagged Upright with Portable Canister Vacuum (ARV $399.99).

Prize: JVC Everio GZ-HD320 Camcorder (ARV $800).

Prizes (2): Beverly Hills Chihuahua DVD.

Prizes (10): Clorox Disinfecting Wipes Décor canister free product coupon (ARV $5.49).

Prizes (3): Spa Gift Packs including a coupon for 1 free box of Fiber One bars.

Prize: Two bottles of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce.

Mike Made It To Mosul In One Piece

Mike emailed me to tell me that he made it to Mosul in one piece. I'm thankful. I worried about him being transported because of IED's.

last night was pretty rough for me. I'm still sick with all this new carpet smell. I was up and down all night long. At one point I turned on my computer to write Michael and that's when I saw this crazy news story. It involved a solider stationed at Ft Eustis where Michael was stationed.

A soldier dressed and wearing face-paint like Batman villain The Joker was shot and killed by police in the Shenandoah National Park after he pointed a loaded shotgun at them after a chase, an FBI affidavit says.

Army Spc. Christopher Lanum, a suspect in the stabbing of a fellow soldier at Fort Eustis, was killed hours after the attack when officers attempted to stop the minivan he was driving, according to court documents filed Wednesday that first disclosed the weekend shooting.

Lanum's girlfriend Patsy Ann Marie Montowski, a passenger in the van, was hit by gunfire and treated at a hospital. She was arrested Wednesday evening and charged with being accessory after the fact to assault, authorities said.

Joker outfit at the time of an argument early Sunday with his Fort Eustis suite mate, Spc. Mitchell Stone. Montowski told the FBI that Lanum idolized the character.

Stone told emergency workers that Lanum stabbed him and used a stun gun on him, authorities said, adding he was taken to a hospital for serious injuries and later released.

Stone told emergency workers that Lanum stabbed him and used a stun gun on him, the affidavit said. Stone was taken to a hospital for serious injuries and later released.

Lanum and Montowski fled in her van, which a park ranger spotted about 200 miles northwest of the base, according to authorities. The ranger called for help, and Lanum led police on a slow-speed chase before running over a spike strip laid down by police and crashing, they added.

The FBI said Montowski told them that Lanum handed her the shotgun and asked her to kill him, but she refused. The affidavit says Lanum pointed the gun at police, his finger on the trigger, and refused commands to drop the weapon. A trooper fired through the driver's side window, Lanum's shotgun discharged, and police fired several times.

Michael didn't know anything about it.

Today was teacher work day. Thank God because, as I said earlier I was miserable I was able to bunker down in my classroom most of the day. Next week is testing and the week after is spring break.

Darryl might have a job interview. He received a couple of calls from different recruiters. Keep your fingers crossed. One of the jobs would be back up in Virginia. Darryl thinks it's Northrup Grumman. Wow. That would be cool. I won't get too excited though. So far things haven't played out too well.

Blog contest:

Prize: Green Toys Cookware and Dining Set made from recycled milk jugs.

Prize: Gorilla onesie in size 3-6 months (ARV $30).

Prize: $50 Petit gift certificate.

Prize: Bottle of Nature's Source Natural Glass & Surface Cleaner.

Prize: Dress-up costume in choice of style and size from Sugarplum Dreams.

Prize: Copies of I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak and How Do I Love You? by Marion Dane Bauer.

Prize: Pair of See Kai Run shoes.

Prize: $40 Gift Certificate to Cottonseed Clothing.

Prize: Itsy Bitsy Hearts onesie or tee.

First Prize: Twilight prize pack (ARV $150)
Second Prize: $25 Twilight Walmart gift card.

Prize: Combo blu-ray and dvd package of Pinocchio's 70th Anniversary Platinum edition from Walt Disney.

First Prize: Twilight prize pack (ARV $150).
Second Prize: $25 Twilight Walmart gift card.

Prize: Rachel Getting Married DVD.

Prize: Bumbleride 2008 Flyer stroller (ARV $359.99).

Prize: 6-month supply of Pampers diapers, 3-month supply of Pampers wipes, five One-Pack = One Vaccine bodysuits, and One Pack = One Vaccine bear with branded bodysuit.

Prize: New Native Inc. baby carrier.

Tootsie Pop Conspiracy Day Two

This morning I appologized to the student about the tootsie pop misunderstanding. She sat there looking confused. "Why are you apologizing? You didn't do anything wrong." I told her that I heard that some students were hurt by this whole thing but I wanted them to now that I appreciated everything. Still confused she asked me where I heard that anyone's feelings had been hurt. I told her that the club sponsor had let me know that I'd upset some kids and I hadn't meant to do it. At this point the student rolled her eyes and said, "Look you didn't say anything wrong. I simply asked someone what they wrote and when they showed it to me I said that some of the messages seemed inappropriate. YOU didn't say anything wrong." Well, I still apologized again and said please tell everyone that the cookies and all the other things you've all done has been absolutely wonderful!!!!!!!!!

I saw that cat today. I think I mentioned it before. Someone abandoned a cat over in Rome and I hadn't seen it the last couple of times I stopped at the gas station I didn't see it. I had this feeling today to stop there and low and behold there he was. This time he even let me pet him. Oh how great. I'd like to adopt him. I stopped by after school to get him but he was gone again.

Remember I told you that I would be having a giveaway coming up soon? Well another company contacted me and I might actually have TWO giveaways coming up soon on Thrifty Maven. One will be on this site and two will be on thrifty maven. AMAZING. I can hardly believe it myself. Keep your fingers crossed and if this all comes through then I will be letting you know about the contests soon.

Here are the blog contests I entered:

Prize: Spa Time Baby product.

Prize: Plantronic Discovery 925 (ARV $150).

Prize: Pair of Baby Leg Huggers.

Prize: One pound of organic fair trade coffee (ARV $9.75).

Prize: Mystic Wonders Complete Laundry System (ARV $49.95).

Prize: $25 in coupons for Laura's Lean Beef.

First Prize: $50 Target gift card.
Second Prize: $25 iTunes gift card.
Third Prize: $20 Starbucks gift card.

Prize: Personalized lovie blanket from Noodles and Milk.

Prize: Polka dot plate.

Prize: Calendar Girls DVD.

Prizes (3): Chocolate spa gift basket including Free Fiber one product coupon.

Prize: Parker Satchel (ARV $458).

Prize: Variety of ecoStore cleaning items.

Prize: Cotton infant bodysuit that reads "Together We Can Help Save a Life" on the front with the Pampers and UNISEF logos on the back.

Prizes (2): Plant A Maple Tree Seedling Kit from Child to Cherish (ARV $6.99).

Prize: JJ Cole Diaper & Wipes Caddy (ARV $30).

Prizes (3): Honey Kix Sweet and Simple prize pack.

Prize: $75 Tea Collection gift card.

Prizes (3): Fiber One spa gift basket.

Ungrateful ....Not Really

This is teacher appreciation week and every day they have been doing something special for us. On Monday they gave us a tootsie pop stuck in a piece of paper with a little note. The one I got was on white paper and written in a pale yellow marker. I could hardly make out the words but one of them was something lick. I felt a little unnerved at first. You see there's a teacher who has made passes at me from time to time and I felt a bit creeped out. How blatant how sick. What should I do. I really could barely read it and the pop blocked some of the message. I threw it in my pocket so I could figure out what was being said and what I should do.

As I walked down the hall another teacher said, "Did you see those pops? You'd think those honor students could have done a better job at writing a message." WEW so it wasn't sleezoid teacher. One of my student was an honor's student and I said, "Oh I got your tootsie pop." She had no clue what I was talking about. I showed it to her. Then I said, you know next time you write something on light color paper you should write it with a dark ink. This was really difficult to read. My old eyes really need help."

Well then it turned into a game of telephone. I said that then she told someone else who told someone else and then the teacher in charge of the group stopped me in the hall.

"I heard you complained about the pops. Some of those kids were really hurt. They worked really hard on them." I told her what I said and suggested that next time she should.... Well before I could spit out what would be helpful she said there might not be a next time. FINE.

The thing was several, not one, not two, not three, but four different teachers were kind of unnerved by the message but I guess I was the only one who said anything to anyone and I suggested that they used a darker ink.

Since student's feelings were hurt, I wrote an apology letter. I suppose I was wrong but it's hard to believe that it took on this much of a life on its own. I really didn't mean to hurt anyone's feelings. I didn't lecture the student about the appropriateness. I didn't say anything about how other people were unnerved by it. Just about the difficulty I had in reading it.

We had a Department Meeting after school and now we were told that if anyone leaves Rome they won't be replaced. AMAZING. I just don't know how we will do it.

Here's the blog contests I entered:

Prize: Svan high chair, seat cushion and tray cover (ARV $350).

Prize: Maya Wrap.

Prize: Room It Up Laptop Messenger Bag.

Prizes (2): Copy of Preacher Creature Strikes on Sunday Christian children's book by Mike Thaler.

Prizes (2): Copy of This is the Day children's Christian book by Nancy White Carlstrom.

Prize: $25 Gift card for Coco-Zen Fair Trade Chocolate Products.

Prizes (2): Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head (ARV $19.99).

Prizes (9): Coupon for a free can of Pillsbury's cinnamon rolls and one of the winners will win a Cinnabon prize pack.

Prizes (5): Escape to Witch Mountain & Return to Witch Mountain DVDs.

Prize: Hazelnut Designs clutch.

Prize: Two sets of 60 Pokemon Platinum Trading Cards: Rebellion and Flourish.

Prize: Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells.

Prize: ZoomAlbum kit.

It's A Top Down Day

This afternoon the weather was so beautiful I rode home with the convertible top down. Oh how wonderful. I used to dream of driving with the wind blowing through my hair. Who knew I'd have to wait until I'mm almost fifty.

Sorry I couldn't post yesterday but we have been moving out of our home in Acworth and back to Cartersville. Guess we got out just in time. Turns out someone kicked in the back door of a house in our block and stole some laptops and a flat screen TV.

Looks like I will be pretty busy this weekend because we will finally have that yard sale I've been wanting to have. That will be a lot of work but we'll see how that goes.

I received an email and FINALLY I will be hosting a contest on Thrifty Maven that I don't have to pay for!!!!!!!!!! In a couple of weeks I will be giving away something but I can't say what yet. As a matter of fact I can even select THREE winners!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh Yeah.

I didn't get to enter too many blog contests today but here's the ones I did enter:

Munchie Mug giveaway

ZoomAlbum Photo Kit

An Awesome Book' by Dallas Clayton

Prize: Bottle of Nature's Source Natural Glass and Surface Cleaner.

Prizes (5): Copy of Mrs. Meyer's Clean Home (ARV $19.99).

(1) Boxed set of two of Nicholas Sparks unabriged audiobooks: True Believer & At First Sight

I hope to have more blog contests tommorrow.

Moving Day - Part One

I received the following email this morning: You won a copy of The Perfect Baby Handbook. Please let me know where to send it, and the publisher will mail it out to you soon! Congrats and thanks for entering.

I hope to post more later