I've got a new hobby

Ah hello world, glad to be back. I know my post tonight is long overdue but I have reasons, good reasons. I injured my hand at work (I’ll save this for when I think it’s funny-it’s not funny yet) so typing has been difficult, although not impossible, and any extra time I may have had in the evenings has been committed to a newfound activity.

This is an actual picture of products from SmartKnit Kids

Things started out so innocently, fueled mainly out of curiosity-Tesa over at 2 Wired 2 Tired had a few unique giveaways this past fall that I took an interest in. One was for socks without seams offered by SmartKnit Kids, for kids who can’t stand seams on their socks, and my daughter is one such kid. (I finally gave up battling her about wearing her socks inside out because she was at least wearing socks!)

Actual Product picture from Healthy Kids

The other giveaway was for a musical hand-washing timer from Healthy Hands, and since everyone was worried about having to battle the big N1H1 virus, I thought this might get my kids washing their hands more often, and better yet, keep all of us from getting sick. I won both giveaways and fortunately (unfortunately?) the products were a hit-my daughter started wearing socks and both kids (and mom) enjoyed boogying down to the musical rendition of Real Gone from the Cars movie every time we washed our hands.

The products were so distinctive that I was hooked-I was just like Pavlov’s dogs, maybe not quite salivating, but just as thrilled at the prospect of winning more and more “stuff.” There was a giveaway for greener cleaning products and everyone needs to be more environmentally conscious so I entered. There was a giveaway for new age defying lotions and creams, and since I need to stop Father Time from marching all over my face, I entered. My closet of late is looking pretty sad since I haven’t added any new spring fashions, so why not enter a few giveaways that not only promise to outfit me in attire that will set me apart, but will also give me a coupon for future purchases? The chore of cooking will become the joy of cooking once I win that new cast iron pan, non-stick skillet, or Le Creuset Cookware. And maybe I would spend more time cleaning if I had the help of new vacuum cleaners or state of the art mops.

I entered over and over again, because at first I wanted more stuff, but now I need more stuff, my kids need more stuff, and my whole family could use more stuff. I mean that’s what makes America great-you can accumulate as much stuff as you want and everyone is ok with it, right? There is no way my sister can live without a stone teething necklace for her daughter, so I must win one for her. And to keep my dog from being the laughing stock of the dog park I just have to enter to win that dog grooming starter kit. Then there are the bellybands that promise you can still wear your normal clothes even if you are five months pregnant-my friend at work undeniably needs this and I am sure she wouldn’t be offended if I won it for her.

But I haven't won anything lately.  My husband claims I have become addicted, but if that’s the case, I am not alone. I googled “addicted to blog giveaways” and blog after blog popped up with blog names claiming the same thing! There are the giveaway addicted blogs, and addicted mommies, then there are other addicts like the yoga addicted blogs, the wrestling addicted, and the lip balm and crazy quilting addicted blogs-a bit bizarre but to each his own.

But an addiction isn’t a good thing-Merriam Webster defines addiction in this way, “to devote or surrender oneself to something habitually or obsessively.” Now while I think I have become somewhat obsessive, I can pass up a giveaway or two, especially if they involve putting my kids in some pretty ugly footwear. And I do recognize the fact that I really don’t need $50 worth of lip balm or a crazy quilt to be happy, even though it may be free. I just need to reign in some of my excitement at actually winning something-I know I must have won something else during my adult life, but the only other thing I can remember winning was a drawing contest in the third grade. So I promise not to live or die based on the latest giveaway, no matter how tempting, and I won’t enter another unless it’s something that will truly make my life easier. (The t-shirt giveaway I entered tonight doesn’t count…)