And winners are....

Wow! That was a lot of work! There were 243 entries by 118 people! I used Random.org to sequence the winners, and then I attempted to match winners' choice with prizes.

Everyone won something! If your name isn't on this list, see the end of the note. Please read and follow the directions for contacting me. This is going to get confusing! If your name is on here, please send your mailing address to Mom2Ways@yahoo.com. NOTE: This is not the address I usually use. I want to keep them separate so I don't get lost! Winners of prize #1 and the everyone prize (marked with # sign) do not need to send your address. I will send your e-mail address to the sponsor. Prizes marked with a * will be coming from me. (Please be patient!)

Please include the Name/Number of your prize in your e-mail!! And you need to send your information by Thursday, October 8th (my real birthday!).

First, I want to share my picks for extra prizes. They will be receiving a surprise from me.

Funnies : Deb K. and Garner5

Sweet words: (L)

Master Tweeter! (A total of 22 entries!!): sweetpea08

Visited lots of sponsors: roseannepm & Stacy

And now the big prizes!

1. Debt Collection Answers#:sweetpea08; Nicole;. Linda; (L);Carol El

2. Halfway to Each Other: roseannepm; rebecca

3. If Tomorrow Never Comes: HaydensMommy05;

4. Veil of Fire: BombasticBelle

5. Handmade Journal*: Ruth in the Desert & Anne J

6. Worship Guitar Class: Jinxy and Me

7. A is for Admission: missydawnrox;. paula h; packerfantimmy; checkers; Marina

8. Nature's Notebook: Shelly

9. High Heel Cake Server: Jenni Saake; Garner5; cdzuiba; Tracey

10. Take Out Menu Box: Deb K

11. Right on the Wall: dispatcher_kristy

12. Taffy Tree: Baby Chaser

13. RuvaCards: Erica G

14. Beau-Coup: Michele

15. Tiny Prints: Mverno

16. I AM possibilities: Andria

17. PakNaks: mom2anutball & Stacy

18. NOBODY noticed that there was no #18. (But 5 of you chose it as one of your prizes! So I guess you all won NOTHING! )

19. Pocket Doodles for Kids*: kngmckellar

20. Charm Bracelet: Lim

21. Bra Barette: Molly K

22. Inner Beauty Girlz*: mtlgrl4ever

23. Crystal nail file*: Shooting Star mag

24. John Deere apron*: Tammy

Everyone else....you still won! You will recieve the e-book: Reduce Debt, Reduce Stress: Real-Life Solutions for Solving Your Credit Crisis# (ARV $15)

Birthday Bash is almost over!

Hey all! It is the final push! I will accept entries until I check e-mail in the morning. (It will still be today somewhere!) Then give me a few days to sort it all out. I'll be posting the winners ASAP.

40th Bash: Another winner!

Okay, someone else made me smile today! :)

Marina (who is hosting a bunch of giveaways right now) at Energizer Bunny Mommy's Reports said:

Forty isn't old, if you're a tree ~ Anonymous
I'm not 40, I'm eighteen with 22 years experience. ~ Author Unknown
(source:http://www.bdayquotes.com)

First Blogger's Choice Winner!

I told you all I would select some posts that made me laugh, smile, or otherwise feel good. My first winner is:

Deb K

Who posted:

Fine Chardonnay!

It's hard to believe I'm 39.
But am I aging like fine wine?

They say 39 is the new 25
Could someone please tell my thighs.

My make-up free days are a thing of the past.
I just hope my concealer lasts.

What are these grey hairs atop my head.
Tell me Miss Clairol, should I go red?

These lines on my face are beginning to furrow
Soon they'll be deep enough for a rabbit's burrow

But joking and silliness aside
This has been a wonderful ride

So 40 I'm ready, bring what you may
I've decided, I'm a fine Chardonnay!

(Credits I found: www.special-birthday-poems.comBy Lella Dal Ferro)

Birthday Bash: The Giveaway Post

The Party is over! But there will be lots of prizes. Stick around for an update!

It is time for the great giveaways to celebrate my 40th birthday! This post will be the central point for entering all of the giveaways. Full rules and details can be found here.

For your first entry, look over the list of prizes and indicate your favorites (1, 5, or all of them!) For additional entries, see the rules post.

Entries must be received by September 30th.

Books/Media:

1. Debt Collection Answers: How to Use Debt Collection Laws to Protect Your Rights ebook fromUltimate Credit Solutions (ARV $15) 5 winners!
Review of Debt Collection Answers

2. Book: Halfway to Each Other: How a Year in Italy Brought Our Family Home fromPhenix Publishing (ARV $22) 2 winners!

Review of Halfway to Each Other

3. Book: If Tomorrow Never Comes (signed!) from author Marlo Schalesky (ARV $13)

4. Book: Veil of Fire: A Novel (signed!) from author Marlo Schalesky (ARV $14)

5. Handmade Journal from Ex Libris Anonymous (ARV $13)

Review of Handmade Journal

6. Worship Guitar Class or Junior Worship Guitar Class for Kids DVD from Worship Guitar Class

Review of Worship Guitar Class

7. A is for Admission by Michele Hernandez (ARV $15) 5 winners!

Review of A is for Admission

8. 8 x 10 Live Love Laugh print from Nature's Notebook (ARV $20)

Review of Nature's Notebook print

9. One of 4 High Heel Cake Server from Cool Party Favors (ARV $4 each)

10. TakeOut Menu Box from Tatutina (ARV $28)

Review of Tatutina's wooden letters.

11. $40 gift certificate to Right on the Walls (ARV $40)

Review of Right on the Walls

12. 1/2 pound bag of Taffy from Taffy Tree (ARV $5)

Review of TaffyTree

Gifts:

13. $50 gift certificate to RuvaCards (ARV $50)

14. $25 gift certificate to Beau-Coup (ARV $25)

15. $50 gift certificate from Tiny Prints (ARV $50)

16. Cheers To You! CD+ the I AM POSSIBILITIES token + (for your pet) the I AM A GOOD KISSERtoken from The Good Cheer Company (ARV $28)

Possibilities Review

17. PakNaks (6 of your choice) (ARV $24) 2 winners

Paknaks Review

19. Copy of Pocket Doodle for Kids by Bill Zimmerrman (ARV $10)

Review of Pocket Doodle

20. Charm bracelet with 8 charms (winners choice) from Charm Factory (ARV $50)

Review of Charm Factory Bracelet

21. Conceal and Reveal Kit from Bra Barrette (ARV $35)

Review of Bra Barrette

22. Gift Bag from Inner Beauty Girlz Blog with Affordable Mineral Makeup and Gurrlie Girls products (ARV ?)

23. Small and medium painted crystal nail file from Classy Nail (ARV $16)

Review of Classy Nail

24. Pink John Deere Apron from my friend Joy (ARV $15)

I will also be selecting a few comments to send a special surprise. I'll be looking for comments that make me laugh, smile, or feel good.

Birthday Bash Time! The Rules

After weeks of waiting....it is time! My HUGE 40th Birthday Bash! Rather than quietly turn 40, I decided to share my birthday with the (blog) world!

I have debated on how to present the giveaways. I considered an individual entry (and thus separate blog posting) for each contest. I considered grouping into 4 weekly topics. But in the end, I decided to post all of the contests into one post.

To enter, visit the Contest Page and read over the list of prizes. Post a comment with your favorite prizes in order. (Pick one, pick 5, pick them all!) This will be your first entry.

I will select some comments that make me laugh, smile, or otherwise feel good, to send a surprise.

Additional entries are available for doing the following (leave a comment for each):

Visit a sponsor and tell me something you learned (one entry per sponsor)

Follow me on Twitter

Tweet about this contest including @Mom2Ways (up to once a day)

Blog about this contest

Put my button on your page (see code on side)

Submit contest to a sweeps page

Follow my blog

Subscribe to my blog

Restrictions:

Limited to US

Entries must be received by September 30th.

Note:

Be sure to leave your e-mail address in the post, or make sure your e-mail address is attached to your profile. If I can't find you, I will have to pick someone else. Winners will have 3 days to respond to e-mail or another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer:

Some of the sponsors have sent prizes to me, and I will send these as soon as possible after the end of the contest. Other prizes will be sent by the sponsor. When I receive winners' contact information I will send it on to the sponsor. I take no responsibility for sponsor's inability to follow through.

Ex Libris Anonymous Review

I came across the coolest journels! Ex Libris Anonymous takes old hardback book and converts them into spiral bound journals. These unique journals range from $12 to $15--including shipping! The title change constantly. Currently you can find Heidi, Lassie, and one called Kendell of the Coast Guard (which I may need to get for my friend Kendell who used to be a ferry boat captain--licensed by the Coast Guard!) There are entire categories for Little Golden Books (remember The Tawny Scrawny Lion?); Cookbooks (The Crockpot Cookbook); and Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys.

These journals are a great gift. Or to keep for yourself! I was surprised to find that the journals included some pages of the original book, but I thought it was kind of neat! One of the books I received was Amelia Bedelia. This is one of my favorite books from growing up. (For the unfamiliar, Amelia did everything exactly as told: when told to draw the blinds, she pulled out a sketch book; when measuring rice, she pulled out the ruler; etc.)

Ex Libris Anonymous is one of the sponsors for my 40th Birthday Bash!

Taffy Tree Review

When TaffyTree offered to send me a bag of salt water taffy to try, I was thrilled. Since I am supposed to be dieting (remember my diabetes scare?) I asked for the Sugar Free mix. Honestly, I was a bit hesitant. Often sugar free translates to "flavor free" or "yucky aftertaste". (That is why I drink real Pepsi, not diet!) But I digress. TaffyTree offers 9 flavors of sugar free taffy: Licorice, Orange, Lemon , Vanilla, Chocolate, Huckleberry, Blue Raspberry, Strawberry, and Green Apple

After spending years in captivity sugar is finally being released from 9 spectacular taffy flavors. Freedom never tasted better

I was pleasantly surprised! The taste is wonderful! The texture is perfect! And there is no aftertaste! And, since they don't use aspertame, my husband was able to enjoy them too!

-All the taffy is Gluten Free, Nut Free and Kosher Dairy.

-The taffy is made in a Gluten Free and nut free facility.

-They offer Sugar Free options (9 flavors)

-There are over 80 flavors of Taffy

-Every order receives 1/4 pound of taffy for FREE. (TaffyTree.com chooses the Taffy Mix)

Great news! TaffyTree has offered my readers a discount! Actually two, but choose only one per order.

First - buy two pounds of taffy, receive one pound free. Add 3 flavors to the cart and add Coupon Code: ENJOY

and Second - FREE shipping on orders over $25 Code: SHIPME

But wait! There's more! (I've always wanted to say that!) TaffyTree is one of the sponsors of my Huge 40th Birthday Bash! Watch for a giveaway!

A is for Admission Review

A Is For Admission; The Insider's Guide to Getting into the Ivy League and Other Top Colleges by Michele A. Hernández, EdD, on your blog. Your first instinct might be: sorry, but my child’s only achild! That may be true, but applying for college will come sooner than you think, and it’s never too early to start thinking about their future.

The admissions process of top colleges has been cloaked in mystery and myth. Now Michele Hernandez, a former admissions officer at Dartmouth, finally breaks the ancient code of silence to reveal the inner secrets of how the world's most highly selective schools really make their decisions. This newly updated and revised guide contains all of the latest “inside information”.

Michele A. Hernandez is a native of New York City, graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Dartmouth College in 1989. She earned a master's degree in English and comparative literature from Columbia University. For the last four years, she has been assistant director of admissions at Dartmouth College.

Hatchette Books is a Sponsor of my 40th Birthday Bash

Right on the Walls Review

Apologies for the dark pictures. I used my phone, and it was dark under the bunk bed!

I had the opportunity to try out Right on the Walls vinyl wall art lettering decals. Right on the Walls is sponsoring a giveaway for my 40th Birthday Bash.

It took less than 10 minutes (just like they said!) And that was with the help of my 4 year old and my 11 year old!)

One of the trains tore a little bit when I wwas removing the backing (I rushed it a bit) but you can't tell once it was on the wall.

I misplaced my smoothing tool, so I used a credit card and it worked well. My best advice is to take it slowly.

My kids love the way it looks. (Crunchy asked what she and Chewie were going to get by their beds! There are so many great one to choose from! I love the Scripture ones. And the selection of kids saying is great! I could see my entire house decorated this way!

Remember to check back during the HUGE 40th Birthday Bash to win a gift certificate to Right on the Walls.

Remove the backing and place on the wall.

After rubbing the top piece, slowly remove the paper. (If it doesn't stick to the wall, top sheet down and rub again.)

All done (big view)

All done! (Close up!)

Tatutina Wooden letters

I had the opportunity to check out the wooden letters from tatutina. Wow! I was surprised at how big they were! And how heavy they were! In the pictures below, you can get a good idea of the size. (Most of the items on the wall are standard 8 1/2" by 11" papers.) The nice people at tatutina sent me my initials: J and D. I didn't really have anywhere to put both letters, so I decided to share. Remember the friend at work who bought me a new salad plate? Her name starts with D. So I kept the J and gave her the D. You can see our work spaces are much happier n0w!

But tatutina doesn't just sell wooden letters (which also come in pastels!), they sell recipe boxes; achievement medals for kids; and even fun products for pets. But wait! There's more! (In honor of the late, great, Billy Mays!) tatutina is sponsoring my 40th birthday bash and will be giving away one of their take out menu boxes.

Karaoke: Don't give me a mic....

or you might regret it. One of the items on my 40 before 40 list is to sing karaoke. I marked it off in December because of my Leadership Roswell Christmas party. But I really wanted another chance. Yes, I sang at the party, but it wasn't the same. Nobody really participated.

Last night we had a women's ministry conference with some optional activities. I had to supervise Bunco to start with. But the last half of the night I spent in karaoke. Not everyone in the room sang, but they played along. I am not sure if I can remember all of the songs I sang. But I'll try.

Solo:

Rock Around the Clock

Material Girl

The Unicorn (my best!)

New York (yikes! Didn't work at all!)

With a group:

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Conga

My Boyfriend's Back

Celebration

I can't wait to try it again!

Birthday Bash: Book Week

Welcome to the second week of my my HUGE 40th Birthday Bash. Each week, I will post a theme of giveaways. (Home; Books; Gifts; and Fashion). Each giveaway will last about a week (give or take a couple of days!) I will post one theme giveaway each week. Entries will be via a Google form. Extra entries will be available for joining my communities Twitter, Facebook, etc. or sharing the contest: Twitter; blogging, Digg, etc.

Giveaways for the week of September 14th through 19th

Monday, September 14th

Debt Collection Answers: How to Use Debt Collection Laws to Protect Your Rights ebook fromUltimate Credit Solutions (ARV $15) 5 winners! (Total ARV $75)
Review of Debt Collection Answers

Tuesday, September 15th

Book: Halfway to Each Other: How a Year in Italy Brought Our Family Home fromPhenix Publishing (ARV $22) 2 winners! (Total ARV $44)

Review of Halfway to Each Other

Wednesday, September 16th
Book: If Tomorrow Never Comes (signed!) from author Marlo Schalesky (ARV $13)

Book: Veil of Fire: A Novel (signed!) from author Marlo Schalesky (ARV $14)

Thursday, September 17th

Handmade journal from ex libris anonymous (ARV $13)

Review of handmade journal

Friday, September 18th

Worship Guitar Class or Junior Worship Guitar Class for Kids DVD from Worship Guitar Class

Review of Worship Guitar Class

Saturday, September 19th

A is for Admission by Michele Hernandez (ARV $15) 5 winners!

Review of A is for Admission

40th Birthday Favors

If you've been reading my blog, you know that I am about to hit the big 4-0. Forty. When I was looking for party favors, I found Cool Party Favors and their huge selection of favors. The have showers and sweet 16 and other fun stuff. But, what I am looking for is 40th Birthday Favors. And they have quite a few choices: playing cards; wine tools; candles; cookies and more!

These look fun!


The mint come in two sizes and half a dozen choices of colors, fonts, and font colors. You submit a picture and they put it on the label. They even offer 3 different candies.

Cool Party Favors is also sponsoring my 40th Birthday Bash and will be giving away 4 of their High Heel Cake Servers. Watch for details.

40th Birthday Bash Details

The party has started! Go here to enter!

The Giveaway Post

I am thrilled to announce the list of sponsors for my 40th Birthday Bash. I will be posting a schedule and telling you how and when to enter later. Also, my husband made a button that you can post on your blog to help spread the word (and get extra entries in the contests!)




<a href="http://mom2ways.blogspot.com/2009/07/40th-birthday-bash-details.html" target="_blank"><br/><br/><img border="0" width="150" alt="Mom 2 Ways" src=" http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a380/Mom2Ways/B-DayBashButton001c.png" height="150 " /></a>



<a href="http://mom2ways.blogspot.com/2009/07/40th-birthday-bash-details.html" target="_blank"><br/><br/><img border="0" width="150" alt="Mom 2 Ways" src="http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a380/Mom2Ways/B-DayBashButton002c.png" height="150 " /></a>




<a href="http://mom2ways.blogspot.com/2009/07/40th-birthday-bash-details.html" target="_blank"><br/><br/><img border="0" width="750" alt="Mom 2 Ways" src="http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a380/Mom2Ways/B-DayBashBanner001c.png" height="100 " /></a>


# of Sponsors: 15
# of Prizes: 126
Total ARV: $1965+
Note: Subject to change at any time

Sponsors

$50 gift certificate to RuvaCards (ARV $50)

Conceal and Reveal Kit from Bra Barrette (ARV $35)

Debt Collection Answers: How to Use Debt Collection Laws to Protect Your Rights ebook from Ultimate Credit Solutions (ARV $15) 5 winners! (Total ARV $75)

Charm bracelet with 8 charms (winners choice) from Charm Factory (ARV $50)

8 x 10 Live Love Laugh print from Nature's Notebook (ARV ?)

High Heel Cake Server from Cool Party Favors (ARV $4) 4 winners! (total ARV $16)

$25 gift certificate to Beau-Coup (ARV $25)

Gift Bag from Inner Beauty Girlz Blog with Affordable Mineral Makeup and Gurrlie Girls products (ARV ?)

Book: Halfway to Each Other: How a Year in Italy Brought Our Family Home from Phenix Publishing (ARV $22) 2 winners! (Total ARV $44)

Book: If Tomorrow Never Comes (signed!) from author Marlo Schalesky (ARV $13)

Book: Veil of Fire: A Novel (signed!) from author Marlo Schalesky (ARV $14)

$50 gift certificate from Tiny Prints (ARV $50)

Small and medium painted crystal nail file from Classy Nail (ARV $16)

Cheers To You! CD+ the I AM POSSIBILITIES token + (for your pet) the I AM A GOOD KISSER token from The Good Cheer Company (ARV $28)

PakNaks (your choice) from PakNaks (ARV $24) 2 winners! (Total ARV $48)

Apron from my friend Joy (picture when we get her Etsy shop up!) (ARV $15)

I will also be giving away some of the items I've collected and reviewed this past year. Watch for details!

Up to 100 entrants will receive e-book Reduce Debt, Reduce Stress: Real-Life Solutions For Solving Your Credit Crisis (ARV $15) Total ARV ($1500)
This page will be updated as sponsors are confirmed and details are arranged. Check back!

100 Days 'til 40

My 40th birthday is getting closer. 100 days to be exact. And I have some big things planned for my 40th birthday. I've already started lining up some sponsors for a

HUGE BIRTHDAY BASH.

Some of the sponsors are RUVAcards, PakNaks, The GoodCheer Company, and Bra Barrette.

Watch for more sponsor announcements. And if you would like to become a sponsor, just drop me a line at juliesweeps at hotmail.com.

I'll be creating a button to share on blogs soon. Be sure to follow my blog to hear about all the details!

Birthday Bash: Gift week

Welcome to the third week of my my HUGE 40th Birthday Bash. Each week, I will post a theme of giveaways. (Home; Books; Gifts; and Fashion). Each giveaway will last about a week (give or take a couple of days!) I will post one (or more) giveaway each day. Entries will be via a Google form. Extra entries will be available for joining my communities Twitter, Facebook, etc. or sharing the contest: Twitter; blogging, Digg, etc.

Giveaways for the week of September 21st through 26th

Monday, September 21st

$50 gift certificate to RuvaCards (ARV $50)

Tuesday, September 22nd

$25 gift certificate to Beau-Coup (ARV $25)

Wednesday, September 23rd

$50 gift certificate from Tiny Prints (ARV $50)

Thursday, September 24th

Cheers To You! CD+ the I AM POSSIBILITIES token + (for your pet) the I AM A GOOD KISSER token from The Good Cheer Company (ARV $28)

Possibilities Review

Friday, September 25th

PakNaks (your choice) from PakNaks (ARV $24) 2 winners! (Total ARV $48)

Paknaks Review

Saturday, September 26th

Copy of Pocket Doodle for Kids by Bill Zimmerrman (ARV $10)