Thursday, April 8, 2010

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…)

17 comments:

  1. You are too funny! I don't enter things cuz it usually takes forever to do it all...
    good for you though:O)
    Sorry about your hand...I had to laugh though when you said it wasn'tfunny yet. Can't wait to hear about it. Take care

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well, it sounds like we're both in good company. I just sent my husband to bed because he "looked tired." So now I'm off to check out some giveaways......

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have won giveaways that I didn't know I was entering! I have to give it a whirl, entering them with intent, but most are not open to international entrants, so I often miss out.

    Have a lovely weekend.

    Shelly

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wanting to win is not a bad thing :) I'm hoping to win a beanbag chair today. My kids want me to win too. We'll see...

    Hope your hand feels better soon Susan.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks Nicole-I will keep you posted!

    Molly, you too? I just wish there weren't so many...

    Shelly, oh I know what I am entering, but I do lose count on how many I have entered...

    Septembermom, yes, wanting to win isn't so bad, but these contests are taking up all my free time! Good luck with the bean bag contest!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I had that problem too. Now I just host them. Stopping by from the UBP! Please visit me too.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hope you heal quickly!!

    Hope you are having fun at the UBP!

    Jenni ("Miss Tutu")
    My UBP blog post: How to Make a Tutu blog - hope you will stop by and say hi! :) and Mom Blogger $100 Cash Contest

    ReplyDelete
  8. If it makes you feel any better, I have never won anything. I need to look into these giveaways...looking for a hobby!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love your blog and really enjoyed my visit.
    I think this is my 3rd year. Not sure but really enjoy meeting new bloggers.
    Great prizes this year! I hope you win one..or two.
    I was late too but fashionable late for the UBP 2010.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Just found your blog and love this post. I've won a lot of giveaways, great ones as well. Giveaways are way to much fun and there are some amazing ones out there. hint hint....I always try to find great ones with low comments!

    ReplyDelete
  11. You are cracking me up!!! I noticed you've been entering mine lately and I was like...hmmmm...this is new. lol

    I love giveaways too! I just wish I had more time to enter them!

    ReplyDelete
  12. The Girl with the flour, well I just won another giveaway, so this definitely doesn't help with my addiction!

    JDaniel4's Mom, I will hop on by...

    Jenn, I stopped by your blog. Cute Tutus.

    Areeba, yes, look into the giveaways. Wait, what am I saying? LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Rona, glad you stopped by. I will stop by your site too.

    Nichol, I will be stopping by your site as well. Thanks for visiting and for commenting!

    blueviolet, yes that was me... LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  14. That is super funny! I have entered like 2 giveaways ever!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Girl, how can you resist them? Please tell me your secret. LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hilarious! I don't enter a lot of giveaways, but it was really fun to win a couple!! It's funny how easily the demon of addiction rears it's little head though!! I'm an addict of almost everything that I do. But I'm neurotic like that in every way. Hee hee! Hope your hand is feeling better.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Organic Motherhood, I thought that writing this post would help cure me. It did not and has not-I just entered another giveaway today...

    ReplyDelete

Please make my day and leave a comment.