Luggage Has Arrived!

I created a Facebook page for the January 12 - 15, 2013 Marlboro Chill Off the Grid Winners - and have been reading, with plenty of excitement, about other travelers receiving their luggage.  

Despite my characteristic desire to be surprised with gifts and things, as soon as I found out about the trip, I started googling what "gifts" I would be receiving, so I knew it was VERY likely that we would get luggage.  The mystery, of course, was what that luggage would look like!

I was really surprised when the box arrived today at work, because the woman I spoke to at Marlboro had said it would be sent to my house.  It appears that our box has been through some times; it received a second set of tape at some point between Southaven, MS and here.  Don't tell my sister, but she's getting the bag that has a couple of little mud splotches on it.

When the box arrived, I was PRETTY sure it was the luggage, even though, as I said, I wasn't expecting it to come to me at work.  Because I win a lot of things (see my Incredibly Lucky 2012), I wasn't 100%.

Here is what arrived:

I'm impressed with my restraint - taking a picture before opening it!!

Inside the box was our luggage - two rolling "Vertex" Duffels, and two baseball caps.  

Sadly, I generally do NOT look very nice in hats, but, am totally excited about wearing this one when we're at the airport (specifically our Chicago to Bozeman flight, which will have a number of other travelers on it!!).

Here I am, rocking my hat (which, thankfully doesn't scream Marlboro - which would be okay, but not as classy looking):

Yes - that is a paisley shirt - that's how I roll

I'm not sure if I'll have time to blog anymore about my pre-trip excitement before it's actually Trip time!!!  We leave at 5:39 am on Saturday, and then arrive in Bozeman a little after 2:00 pm.  I can PROMISE that I will post PLENTY of pictures when I return!

To read all posts related to this win - go to my Marlboro Ranch Page!

Ticket Time!

I have been neglectful of the world wide everyone with my Marlboro Ranch Trip updates!!!

Back on Wednesday, January 2nd, I received our Airline tickets, in addition to information on what we need to bring, a $25 Visa card for myself, and for my sister, for us to check our luggage (which you can read all about in my next post).

Our Information was in these cool little folders

The letter was filled with great info on what to bring, as well as contact info for the ranch.  In the ticket folders are little handouts for folks back home - emergency contact info for us at the Ranch.

The most FUN thing (yes, I know, the plane tickets are super fun, and definitely added an element of reality to this dreamlike vacation) was the "Activity Confirmation." If you read my post "Paperwork II: The Fun Stuff" then you saw the form we got to fill out rating our preference for different activity choices.  The Activity Confirmation has our schedule of activities for days 2 & 3 of our trip!  Check it out!

I used my incredible office skills to remove our last names

I'm beyond thrilled at the Zip Line Adventure, and the Dog Sledding.  I am really interested in the Archery Adventure, and I'm actually kind of glad we got wait listed for the snowmobile; I was nervous that the posture you maintain on a snowmobile might not be beneficial for someone who had spinal surgery less than six months ago.  

All in all - this is, as usual, a total win!! 

Luggage arrived today, but I decided to make that a separate post!

To read all posts related to this win - go to my Marlboro Ranch Page!

Paperwork II - The Fun Stuff

Did you hear that?

I suspect folks all across the nation heard the squeal that I just let out!  It's wild, I just got the confirmation phone call, with my dates, and the FedEx guy delivered the second set of paperwork this morning!!!

This is the fun stuff - we get to give our sizes for hat/clothing (they provided a handy-dandy hat sizer, as I suspect I'm not the only person who has never thought about her hat size beyond infant-youth-adult. I'm not, am I?), and pick out our activities!!!

I'm going to scan all the paperwork that came, but thought I could give you a summary!

We get to rate our interest level in different activities:

• Archery Adventure - My one experience with this proved to me that I'm no Katniss
• Zipline Adventure - I have ALWAYS wanted to do this - and no flesh eating bacteria is going to dissuade me.
• Dogsledding - Even though I lived in Alaska for a winter, I've never even met a single sled dog!
• Snowmobile Intro & Trail Ride - I REALLY want to do this!  It's pretty crazy that I've lived in Maine for the vast majority of my life and have never been on a snowmobile.  My only concern with this is whether or not it's a good idea with my back (I had back surgery in July of this year - Laminectomy and Microdiscectomy in case you're wondering.  I feel FANTASTIC now, but am terrified of injuring my back again)

We provide our sizes for the following items:

• Boot Size (option of Men's and Women's sizes)
• Glove Size - this is unisex sizing - I think I might need to go try on gloves at LLBean or something to figure that out.
• Hat Size - as I mentioned, they included a hat sizer, but I think I'll need my sister's help using it, as my eyes are not on stalks like a snail.
• Jacket Size - I wish I knew what brand it is - I might try LLBean on this as well
• Thermal Undergarment Sizing - (aka Long Johns) - this is unisex, which I need to keep in mind, as I am not a very tall person.

We get to specify if we want to share a bed, or have two beds (and while I do love my sister a lot, I don't love her in a creepy way that would make me want to share a bed with her).

We specify our tobacco preference.  As I said before, I'm not a regular smoker anymore, it's just when I'm "out" or at a party or something.  The equation works like this: Jessy + Alcohol = Jessy + Cigarettes.  It's not a complicated equation.

The fantastic folks at Marlboro also provided a schedule of when everything else will happen, keep in mind that the trip is January 12 - 15, I'm sure these dates are specific to our trip date, but if you're going on the trip, you can probably math it out:

• Around December 3rd, I will get a call confirming my mailing address. I have until December 10 to change my travel companion (I guess that means Conni had better be on her best behavior!)
• Around December 31, I will receive the airline tickets, and a check for $600 (this should cover the taxes I will need to pay on the trip in 2014)
• From January 1 - January 11th - I will be consumed with my upcoming trip, and will have trouble eating/sleeping/etc.  

Tonight I'm meeting with Conni to do our hat sizing and paperwork.  I won't have access to a fax machine until Tuesday because of Veteran's Day on Monday, but will fax the info Monday morning!

I am over the moon excited.  I scanned in all of the paperwork I received - read on!

Descriptions of the activities & the Hat Sizers!

The Official Letter

Rating Activities

Size and Preferences

To read all posts related to this win - go to my Marlboro Ranch Page!

It's Official!!

I just got off the phone with a lovely woman at the Marlboro, and after over six weeks of waiting for the background check to go through - we are officially scheduled to go to the Crazy Mountain Ranch from January 12 - 15, 2013!!!!!

I am over the moon excited.  I feel a little bad because all of my election-related excitement has really faded into the background (although I must point out that my beloved home state is the FIRST state in the nation to legalize gay marriage through a popular vote - I am one proud lady!!!!).

This has been my morning:

• 2:00 am - finally turned the TV off, after Obama made his AMAZING speech, and the news coverage ended
• 2:30 am-ish - fell asleep
• 6:45 am - woke up for work
• 8:00 am - got to work 
• 8:01 am - talked with coworker about our excitement over election results
• 8:30 am - made car and hotel reservations for "Prospective Students Weekend" at the high school my daughter is hoping to attend (check it out - it's pretty amazing: The Maine School of Science and Mathematics)
• 10:39 am - got the phone call from Janet at the Marlboro Travel office, congratulating me on being an official winner, and telling me that the earliest date available would be January 12 - 15th (this was really exciting, because when I called last week to check on the status of our paperwork, they told me that it would probably be mid-February at the earliest)
• 10:43 am - sent the first of roughly 8,000 texts to Conni (my travel companion, and big sister) asking her if those dates work - I have plenty of flexibility at work, so it's not an issue for me, however, she had to have her days off for 2013 submitted by last Friday
• 11:02 am - Conni replied "Yes!"
• 11:03 am - I call back, and tell Janet we're good for those dates!!

As you can see, it's been one busy morning!!!  According to Janet, we should be receiving the "fun" paperwork in a week to ten days - this will have our gear and activity forms.  She suggested we fill it out as fast as possible, as activities are assigned on a first come, first serve basis, luckily, there's a faxing option!!!  After that, she'll be contacting me in early December to finalize all of the travel arrangements!!

I am over the moon with excitement right now.  There's one tiny bummer - my nephew Aaron (who is completely and totally cool and awesome) is turning 18 while we'll be in Montana, and Conni is freaking out a bit over missing his birthday.  I think that just means we have to throw him the swankiest birthday party ever when we get back.  

I promise I will update the blog with any news I hear, and as soon as the paperwork comes in!!!

Read more about my Marlboro Ranch Adventures

SPOOKtacular Giveaway Time!

Welcome to the SPOOKtacular Giveaway Hop hosted by The Review Wire and ME - Are You Finished?  With Halloween being only a few shorts weeks away, we decided that a Hop to help you get ready was in order! This event will run from October 1 through October 15, that gives you enough time to hop on down the list and enter all the SPOOKtacular Giveaways for your GHOULS and GOBLINS! Each blogger is giving away prizes valued $25 or more. The Review Wire is hosting the GRAND PRIZE, a $100 Gift Certificate to Halloween Express! Thanks for playing along and Happy Halloween!

I am really excited to participate in this super fun Halloween-themed Hop!  I do my shopping for Halloween goods at a number of different places: Walmart, Amazon.com, Jo-Ann Fabric, and some local shops here in Maine.  I was trying to decide where I would get a gift card, and then I thought - why not let you decide?  You can choose one of the three that I've mentioned, or another place that I can purchase for you online.  

Don't forget to come back daily for additional entries, and check out my other giveaways!

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My Spooky Ghost costume last year -a great coworker did my makeup. I made the dress with a king size white sheet I bought at a thrift store for $1.00, a pack of cheesecloth I got at Walmart for $3.99. I definitely spent a lot of time at the ol' sewing machine, but I think it was worth it!

SPOOKtacular Halloween Giveaway Hop

1.	The Review Wire {Grand Prize $100 : US}	20.	Mom in Training {$25 : WW}
2.	How Was Your Day? {$25 : US}	21.	Moms & Munchkins {$50 : WW}
3.	Simply Stacie {$25 : US}	22.	Dazzling Daily Deals {$50 : US}
4.	roastedBEANZ {$25 : US}	23.	With Our Best {$35 : US}
5.	Rita Reviews {$100 : US}	24.	Parent Palace {$30 : WW}
6.	BrideBlu {$30 : WW}	25.	Are You Finished? {$25 : WW}
7.	Mom's Tried and Tested {$40 : US/CAN}	26.	Laughing Vixen Lounge {$27 : WW}
8.	Funtober {$75 : US}	27.	Education of a Stay at Home Mom {$30 : US}
9.	Mommy's Moments {$25 : US}	28.	Our Share of Crazy {$25 : US}
10.	Cheap Is The *New* Classy {$25 : US}	29.	Coupon Queen of Texas {$25 : WW}
11.	Life in The Dollhouse {$50 : US}	30.	Dirty Truth Reviews {$55 : US/CAN}
12.	Still Blonde after all these YEARS! {$150 : US}	31.	Mom to Bed by 8 {$75 : US}
13.	Holyjeans CHic {$50 : US}	32.	Mom Blog Society {$45 : US}
14.	Deal Sharing Aunt	33.	Barbara's Beat {$25 : US}
15.	3 Partners in Shopping	34.	Baking Beauty {$30 : US}
16.	Just Say I Told You So! {$25 : WW}	35.	Mom Always Finds Out {$50 : US}
17.	My Photopage {$25 : WW}	36.	Practical Frugality {$25 : US/CAN}
18.	Emily Reviews {$25 : US}	37.	Two Little Cavaliers {$53 : US}
19.	The Family That Laughs Together {$30 : US/CAN}

Marlboro Chill Off the Grid 2012 - 2013 - Official Rules

I found it entirely frustrating that I had to be logged into the Marlboro website to see the rules, and then only scrolling through a teeny, tiny box, so I was overjoyed to receive a printed copy with the packet of paperwork!

I decided that it might make someone else's life easier to have them all posted here.  While I am not nearly kind enough to have transcribed the entire six pages, I did scan them as image files for you!!

To see the rest of my information about my adventure, go to my Marlboro Ranch - Chill Off the Grid Page!

Win $25 in Pampered Chef Products!

Hello, my name is Jessy, and I'm a Pampered Chef-aholic. Yep, I know, that entire statement is pretty dang tacky. The fact is, I totally love Pampered Chef products.  I'm a huge fan of all things baking/cooking-related (particularly the delicious results of my kitchen experiments).

Every fall, I do a Pampered Chef party.  This year, I'm doing my party online - feel free to browse and place an order: http://www.pamperedchef.biz/debbiescorner?page=products-main&showId=3801276.

I decided a fun way to spread the news about my party, and maybe get more orders would be to do a giveaway!  Entering is simple, and no purchase is required.  Just use the Rafflecopter form below.  You will dramatically increase your chances of winning by placing an order.  This giveaway will end on October 14th, that will give me time to connect with you for your address, and the products you choose, which will be shipped directly to you from Pampered Chef.

I'm hooked on the awesome stoneware, all of the different kitchen gadgets, and I LOVE to cook using the different spice blends and rubs.  If you've never tried Pampered Chef before, I REALLY recommend it!

Be sure to come back daily for additional entries!! Sorry out of the country folks, this giveaway is limited to the Continental US only.


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Check out my other giveaways!!

Banned Books Week Giveaway Hop

Welcome to my stop on the Banned Books Week Hop!

2012 is the 30th Anniversary of Banned Books week, an annual event celebrating ALL books, and the rights of authors and readers alike to color outside the lines.  I decided to participate in this event because I am a firm believer that people need to get out of their comfort zones, and often the reason a book will be banned is because of a refusal to do just that.

To prepare for this giveaway, I did some research into what books have been banned. Off the top of my head, the only book I could think of was The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger, one of my faves; like most people who read it in highschool, I saw myself as a modern, female Holden Caulfield.

What surprised me in reviewing a list of the most frequently challenged books from 1990 - 2001 (see the list) was how many of the books I would have listed as some of my childhood favorites and/or the most influential books I'd read.  Before you take a look at the list, make a list of some of your favorite books - you might be surprised how many are on the list!

Some books I would give two (or more if I had them) thumbs up:

• A Light in the Attic Special Edition - by Shel Silverstein
• How to Eat Fried Worms - by Thomas Rockwell
• Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. - by Judy Blume
• The Giver (Giver Quartet) - by Lois Lowry

There certainly are books that I have no desire to have my thirteen-year-old daughter read, and I can say that after taking a painful course in college on Toni Morrison's writing, I certainly object to me, personally reading any more of her books.  However, I certainly don't feel that I have the right to make decisions about anyone else reading them. It is ridiculous to think that one person should make that type of decision for another.

My prize for this hop is either a $10 Amazon.com gift card, which you can use to pick out your own book, as I feel that anyone literate enough to be reading this is capable of picking out their own reading material.

The Rafflecopter will be available starting September 28th, and will accept entries until October 6th.  After entering, be sure to check out the rest of the sites hosting their own giveaways in the hop.  And check my Giveaways page for more prizes!

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Marlboro Ranch - Chill Off the Grid

I think it would make life easier if everything was in one place!  Here are my posts about my upcoming Marlboro Ranch Trip *New Info* Trip Dates: January 12 - 15, 2013

• Finding Out I won the Trip!
• Yup, I'm impatient - some great links about past trips
• Best Letter Ever - the paperwork came! See the letter that arrived with all of my official forms.
• Official Rules - I scanned the six pages of rules
• It's Official!!! - I'm a confirmed winner, background checks are done, and the trip has been scheduled!
• Paperwork II: The Fun Stuff - The set of paperwork with activity requests, sizes for clothing/gear, a schedule for when we'll receive more info :)
• Ticket Time! - Plane Tickets and Activity Confirmation
• Luggage Has Arrived - Received our luggage, and baseball caps! Only two days to go!

Best. Letter. Ever!!!!

I am way beyond excited right now - my packet of paperwork arrived from FedEx this morning for my Marlboro trip!!!  I plan to scan it all so I can keep a decent record of everything here, but as I'm at work, I need to keep this short and tidy.

I did take the time to scan in my letter!!!  Read it and weep (with jealousy - or with shared enjoyment if you're going too!).

To read all posts related to this win - go to my Marlboro Ranch Page!

Marlboro Ranch - Chill off the Grid

If you're a regular reader, you most likely saw my post last week about discovering that I won a trip to the Marlboro Ranch for this coming spring.  I've spent a RIDICULOUS amount of time looking up blogs from folks who have gone on these trips in the past, and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my packet of forms from Marlboro.

Because I'm a bit of a nervous nelly, I have now called twice.  The first time was to give my work address to have the forms delivered; that was last Monday (I received the notification on Saturday), and they hadn't gotten my name in the office yet.  I called again this Monday (yesterday) to verify that they had the correct address, and received a message back that the forms have been FedExed and should arrive by the middle of this week.

In the words of a gal headed out west "YEEEEEE-HAW!!!!"

My sister, Conni, and I have been texting like crazy about our plans for the four days and three nights of awesomeness.  While I used to be a verifiable chain smokin' mama, I now just smoke if there's alcohol involved - which means that I will most likely be chain smoking the whole time we're in Montana, as there's an open bar.

If you're interested in learning more about the trip (including, like me, desperately wanting to know what the "gifts" will be) - here are some of the best sites I've found from people who have already been on the trip!

I PROMISE I'll be doing regular updates about this, as I am SUPER DUPER FLIPPING EXCITED!!!!

I like this one because the folks went on a winter trip, which is what we'll be doing: http://www.czarinanocon.com/web/Czarina_Nocon_MarlboroRanch/index.html

This site is great because they have detailed EVERY aspect of the trip, including the paperwork! http://thepodanys.blogspot.com/p/info-about-marlboros-crazy-mountain.html

Some super cool person out there made a facebook page for the trip!!!  https://www.facebook.com/MarlboroRanchJanMarch2013

To read all posts related to this win - go to my Marlboro Ranch Page!

The Stuck in a Good Book Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Stuck in a Good Book Blog Hop!

With this giveaway hop, each blog is supposed to have a giveaway based around a book they just couldn't put down.  For me, this is simple.  My absolute favorite book in the past ten years or so has to be Into the Forest: A Novel  by Jean Hegland.

If you're a fan of dystopian books, this will be right up your alley.  I don't want to give away anything more than necessary, but the plot revolves around two sisters who are surviving in a world that has fallen apart around them.  Please note: there is a big distinction between surviving and thriving, and these girls are surviving.

This is beautifully written, and really is just an amazing story.  I'd like to give one reader a paperback copy of the book from Amazon (US readers only), OR, you can choose a $10 Amazon gift card, and you can pick out your own book.  You can just let me know when you win!!

To enter, just complete the rafflecopter form below (it will be live starting on September 20th), and be sure to check out some of the other blogs involved in the hop below that! And be sure to check out my other Giveaways!


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Win a $10 Amazon Gift Card in the Under the Sea Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Under the Sea Giveaway Hop - hosted by  I Am A Reader Not A Writer & The Musings of ALMYBNENR.  My giveaway will start on September 14th, and you'll have the chance to win a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card.

Recently, I won the book "Wake" by Amanda Hocking from a different blog hop, and really enjoyed it.  This book is the first in the Watersong Series.  It's about a girl who has an unexpected connection to the water.  The Kindle version is $9.99, so you could redeem the gift card you win for it!

Be sure to pop over to my Stuck in a Good Book giveaway - where you have the opportunity to win a copy of Jean Hegland's book "Into the Forest" or a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card!

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Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids Giveaway Event - November 12 - 22

Pretend to be shocked when I tell you I love Christmas.  Come on, it's not that hard - maybe throw a gasp out for me.

I found a great giveaway opportunity with a Christmas Theme through Makobi Scribe (one of my absolute favorite blogs for wonderful articles and giveaways).  They are offering a really fun event this November called the Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids Giveaway Event.  Every participating blog will have a prize with a minimum value of $25, I'm not sure what I'll be doing, but it'll be awesome and very festive!!!

Check it out!

Win a Fandango Movie Pass!

If you're at all familiar with this blog, you know I'm hooked on movies.  Fact: I don't just love to watch them in my living room, I also like to watch them at a theater.

Recently, I won a code for a single movie ticket on Fandango - worth up to $12, and because there are no theaters in my area that sell tickets through Fandango, I thought I'd share it with one lucky reader!

Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below - come back daily - see if I've added any new entries, and get all of the available entries in!

*Note: I just had to adjust the form, I realized I'd put the wrong end date in - this giveaway ends on 8/31!


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