Winner, Winner, Winner

I have been on a bit of a bit of a good luck kick winning things lately.  At night, before I go to bed, I enter a few online sweepstakes.  I like instant win contests like this one:  Mars Candy  Last week I won three candy bars, a $5.00 debit card, a $10.00 debit card and a $15.00 debit card.  Hey, that's $40.00 plus some candy!  Not bad!

Then I also entered this sweepstakes:  Thanksgathering You can win a $1,000.00 VISA card to be used to go home for the holidays (you can use it for anything, but that is the point of the sweepstakes) or you can win a $250.00 VISA to help you host the holidays.  It is an instant win contest, so you know right then if you have won or not.  And GUESS WHAT?  I won the $1,000.00 VISA card.  In the words of Gomer Pyle "SHAZAM!"  When the confirmation screen popped up that said, "WINNER" I just stared at it for about ten minutes like "Whut?"  I got the email and faxed in my affidavit and the VISA should be here in the next day or so. You guys really need to play!  I know many people online that have won - it is possible!!!

BUT WAIT, there's more!  

Friday I went out to all the Holiday Open House events out on the street where I have my booth. About a dozen shops were having an Open House with refreshments and drawings.  I, of course, signed up for those drawings.  I'm no dummy.  :)  I never pay attention to what the prizes are - I just sign my name, fold it up accordion style (more edges to grab when they reach in the bowl) and go on about my way.

Sunday I had a text with the photo of my entry on it saying, "You won!"  I texted back a big thank you and said, "What did I win?"

That's when they sent me a photo and a message that said, "A lot!" Apparently everyone in each booth had donated something and I WON THEM ALL!!!  Eighteen handmade and very nice things.  

This wooden sign is big - 3 feet across.  It's heavy and well made, but needs a bit of pizzazz.  I might have my buddy Lara fix it up somehow.  The French sign is on canvas.  

This is a gallon size vessel - super heavy - full of what looks like glass glitter with a Mercury Glass Candle holder inside.  It is incredibly fancy and really pretty.  

A very big handmade Santa doll, a set of fancy cheese serving tools, a fun coffee mug, a neat divided box, six primitive candles and a Joyeux Noel sign.  

A giant metal angel - I mean it's BIG, a nice handmade book page wreath, a pink vase, handmade brooch made just for the raffle, a barn board rack with bird hooks and a couple packages of hand-painted clothespins.

When I picked it up, they told me that the vendors had thought that each item would be given to a different person, so they were all generous in their prizes.  I think if they had KNOWN it was all going to one person it would have been a lot more smaller things.  And, it really should have been!  I mean, that is a LOT of stuff!  And, not to sound ungrateful or anything - but most of it is not my taste really.  But, it was a heck of a nice thing to win!  I'm keeping the divided box, the clothespins, the Joyeux Noel sign, the cheese knives and maybe the barnwood hook sign.  The other things I will give as gifts or they will make it to the booth in town.  I hope that isn't tacky.  I mean, it is mine now, right?

Anyway, I have to go buy some Powerball tickets.  IT COULD HAPPEN!!!!! 

*Thank you for all your nice words about our boy, Tiger.  He is surely missed.  I know everyone has gone through it and understands what it is like to lose a pet.  I can always count on you guys for a virtual hug.  :)