Spreading a little SPRING ~GIVEAWAY~

Ahhhhhhh .... it's that time of year when your bursting at the seams to get outside and do something, dig around in the dirt, paint something, or just sit with a glass of sweet tea or lemonade and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.


Has Spring time arrived where you live? We have had many mild days. Yesterday temps hit 56 here... tonight through Saturday morning were are under a winter storm watch. Such is the life of a Mid-Westerner.Will we get storm? Who knows! Several times we have had winter storm warnings and nothing or very little has happened. BUT, there has been snow up North, so that's where we are headed tomorrow after work for a week-end of snowmobiling.


However, I wanted to share a "little" Spring before I leave. Spring in the form of a GIVEAWAY. Nothing super special, but hey, isn't it nice to get a package every now and then.


The RULES are:
1. You must make a comment on this post.
2. You must mention this giveaway on your blog and leave me the link to that post.


This GIVEAWAY will close on March 10, 2012


Anyone may participate.


What do you get if you are the winner?

A cute little basket, 4 cookie cutters (tulip, rabbit, egg, and chick), pastel sugar sprinkles, Easter Egg paper dessert plates and napkins.

I am linking up to "Hope in Every Season's " Spring Giveaway Jubilee.

                                                                 

Annual Cottage Charm Giveaway Event - May 1 thru May 29th!

I was so excited to see this event! Kim at The Twice Remembered Cottage is hosting it. This is the first time I am joining in on this event and I hope you will consider joining in too!

This is a multi-blog, month long event beginning Saturday, May 1st where bloggers give away on their blogs items they feel exhibit "Cottage Charm". Anyone can join at any point in May before the 29th. On May 29th, all participating bloggers will announce their winners and post it to their blogs.

There are 4 easy steps to follow. To get all the deatils, click on the Giveaway Badge below.

 I love the Cottage look! I love the freshness of it! I love the details of it! Roses, pastel colors, ruffles, lace all add to the charm of the Cottage look.Yes, there is a wide interpertation of what "Cottage Charm" is, but I think the best way to sum it up is... Cottage Charm = warmth, coziness, personality.
Here is what I am giving away~

10 inch round Quiche Plate

15 inch tall bear

9X9 inch 

Ribbon Embroidered Pillow

Magnets & Note Cards

1.2in X 2.5 in opening,Small While Rose Photo Frame
RULES~You Must leave a comment on this page of my blog.(1 entry)If you are a follower, make sure you let me know(2nd entry)You don't need to have a blog to enter. If you do not, please make sure you leave an e-mail address where I can contact you, in case you are the winner.
Make sure to check out The Twice Remembered Cottage blog page.

SHOUT OUT ... Long over due....

Several weeks ago ... April 18th to be exact ... I was named the winner of the CRAZY TOES GIVEAWAY over at Creative Cain Cabin. Dawn is such a sweetie! She has some fun giveaways, tasty recipes, and over all, just a cute little blog.

Here are the nail polishes at my home.

With a cute little note from Dawn. They came in a bright orange box.

Right now, I am spending a lot of time and energy hiding these. I have a teenage daughter who would just LOVE to wrap her toes around these fun colors.

Now that I don't hurt when I bend forward, I will be spiffin' up my toes!

Thanks Dawn! 

OOOO ... See what I got!!!

A couple of weeks ago I left a comment on Kathy's post for a giveaway.Kathy has a World Press Blog and was giving away some of her favorite things ... AND guess what ... they were my favorite things too! I know I have been telling you that I have been CRAZY, BUSY with work and I have ... I forgot all about that giveaway. Last week-end, when I finally had time to actually read some of your blogs and the posts you had left me ... I found  that I had WON Kathy's (@edshunnybunny) giveaway!!!

Yesterday I received my package.

It was just like Christmas or my birthday!

Kathy had several items wrapped in brightly colored tissue paper!

YES ... that is a wet spot that you see on the green paper.

My mischievous little puppy was nosing around in the box.

One of her favorites is in there too! 

Do you know what it is?

Thank You Kathy!!

I LOVE it all!!

The wind chime, the Bath and Body Works items, the photo album, the Word Search, the notepad, the cookie cutters, the candles, the socks, the sewing kit, and the gum!

What a generous giveaway!

17 years ago today ...

I was in the hospital, awaiting surgery. The month before, a mass had been found in my colon.
At first the Gastroenterologist   thought that the mass was an ulcer, but tests revealed that it was cancer. I was 36 yrs old, with 3 young children.

The surgery was considered a success. The mass, along with 28 lymph nodes, and 22 inches of my colon were removed. **At that time, the number of intact lymph nodes that had been removed was unheard of. Lymph nodes surround the tumor and usually disintegrate, causing cancer cells to migrate through the body.** I was given a 70% chance of living 7 years.

Isn't it funny (not funny  ... ha, ha ... but funny strange) how life goes. I'm sure if you look back in your life you will remember a time that changed the way you look at things. There was a 7 year period in my life (my family's life) where terrible, tragic things happened. The funny thing about those things is how different family members reacted to them. My reaction has been to enjoy life more and the people who are in it. Yes, sometimes that is hard, people in your life don't always want the same things you want. But I learned to value and appreciate those who are here for the moment.

An example:
After surgery, I literally did not have the physical strength to do normal everyday tasks. I could not pick up my daughter who was 2. I could barely walk up a step. I could not push a shopping cart. Pride is a hard thing to swallow, It was hard to admit to other's that I needed help to do the simplest of things. I am so thankful for gracious friends who did those tasks, who called to check on me, even if they just left a message on the answering machine. There were people who I barely knew who fixed my family meals, took me to doctor appointments, who sent me a note of encouragement, a bouquet of flowers, and shuttled my older children to sports practice and school events.

Many of the people who helped me have moved on to other places. Some, I still hear from.

The point is, at least for me, Blogging friends are like those friend's I had 17 years ago. I really don't know who you are, but most of you, if not all, have encouraged me in some way. I read your posts and see what you are doing, even if I don't comment. (Part of that is my weird work hours.) At the end of the day, I just want to relax. Checking in on you (your posts) helps me unwind.

My celebration today ... is celebrating you! Thank you for your comments ( I wish you would do more!!), thank you for your interest in me and thank you for for sharing your world!
XOXO
~Vicki~

OKkkkkkkkkkkkkk...
So working long hours is making me go crazy! I just read through my blog and realized that I did not give the guidelines for the Giveaway.

First , you MUST be a follower.
Second, you must leave a comment.

Because I am working more CRAZY hours this week ( have to be out the door by 4am), I am keeping this Giveaway open until Thursday, April, 21.

I'm sorry if this has caused any confusion!
~Vicki~

Also ... I'm linking this post up to Debbiedoos Newbie Party.

ANNOUNCMENT!!!

I know this is kinda last minute ... working 10-14 hour days makes me loose track of time. I had planned on posting this early in the week, but I'm sure you'll forgive me.

• Tomorrow is an Anniversary, of sorts, that I will be celebrating.   Well, not really celebrating  with hoopla or a party... more ... a quiet observation. I will  have a post up about this Anniversary, hopefully, tomorrow.

• I will also be having a Giveaway associated with this Anniversary. Today I went "looking" for just the right item to give away...of course... nothing jumped out and said "PICK ME, pick me." So I am still looking.

• Over the week-end you will have the opportunity to read and comment on my post. From those comments, I will choose the winner of the Giveaway. Hopefully, Monday evening the winner and Giveaway item will be posted. 
• So, come on back, read and leave a comment. See ya soon!!

I WON!!

YES! I WON a  giveaway!!


Imagine my surprise when Leslie @  Tranquil Acres of Alexandria  left a post on my blog that I was a winner of her giveaway. 
A giveaway?? Me?? I didn't remember entering a giveaway.
She went on to explain that she had a special giveaway for every 10th follower on her blog. I was number 140.
COOL!!
This past Tuesday I received my gift.

THANK YOU LESLIE!!

I love the flavor of lemon and have a great bunt cake recipe that I will be using this in. I also have a wonderful short bread cookie that calls for lemon flavoring that I plan on using this in.

This is such a perfect gift!

Giveaway # 2 Winner

Remember this cute little Bunny?

He now has a new home!

Congratulations to Karen @ Shabby Sweet Cottage!

                                  

Giveaway #1 WINNER

Here she is  ... that cute little Bunny!

She  now has a new home!

She belongs to ...

Congratulations to Pam @ Our Adventures in Home Improvement

Anniversary Giveaway # 2

 Last week I came across a blog that was having a Giveaway for their 1 year Anniversary. That got me to thinking and wondering about how long I have been blogging. I went back through all my posts and stats and realized that I have been blogging almost 2 years. 


REALLY??
WOW!


 If you had asked about my blogging before I looked, that certainly would not have been my answer. My first year (2009) of blogging there was a void of at least 6 months. Wonder what was going on then? Last year, there were week long gapes of blogging. For some, blogging comes as natural as walking and talking. For others, like me, it has been a conscience effort. As time goes on, it becomes easier. BUT ... what makes it easier is people responding. 
 Notice ... I did NOT SAY becoming a Follower. Yes, it is great to have Followers! BUT comments are just as much a motivator  as Followers, sometimes even more. So, PLEASE ... if you take the time to visit a blog ... take the time to leave a comment. I know, sometimes it may be hard to think of something to say ... BUT ... it really is a great ENCOURAGEMENT to that person.


NOW ... Let's get on to the fun!!
Because I didn't have a Giveaway for my 1st year anniversary, I am having 2 Giveaways. The 1st Giveaway is for my current Followers. 


This Giveaway  is open to anyone.


THE RULES:
FOR 1 CHANCE~
LEAVE ME A COMMENT


FOR 2 CHANCES~ 
YOU MUST BE A FOLLOWER ~ If you are a NEW follower, please be sure to let me know.


Isn't this little Bunny adorable? All dressed up for Spring  ... which hopefully will show up anytime now!

In a sitting position, this bunny measures about 11.5 inches. If you are already a Follower check out Giveaway 1 .
The winner will be announced on Sunday, March 6.


I'm linking up to Debbiedoos Spring-into-Scents-newbie-party

Anniversary Giveaway # 1

The month of March marks the anniversary of my blogging career. The actual date I started was March 8, 2009.Looking back, there were vast gapes between posts. While I enjoy blogging and looking at what my Blogging Friends have to post, I must say it has been hard for me. I'm one of those people who sits and thinks  ...
Why would anyone want to know that I did ... ?


The event of my first anniversary came and went without mention. (I just recently realized that I have been blogging for almost 2 years.) As a result I am having 2 Giveaways. The 1st one (this one) is open only to currant Followers. It's a special little "Thank You" and I hope you will post a comment and enter.


When you look at some people's blogs, you can tell their taste right off the bat.My taste is kind of  Eclectic. I like a little bit of this and that.


I LOVE THIS LITTLE BUNNY!!!


Isn't SHE sweet?!   Isn't  SHE Vintage looking?!


I may just have to go back and get one for myself!


THE RULES ~
YOU MUST BE A CURRANT FOLLOWER.


YOU MUST LEAVE A COMMENT  ABOUT THIS SWEET LITTLE BUNNY AND WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE HER.


GOOD LUCK!

This Bunny is 2 wooden pieces. When standing, she measures 11.5 inches tall.
The winner will be announced next Sunday, March 6.