Today I'm celebrating and I invite you to celebrate with me! This is my 100th post on Off the Beaten Path, and I'm tooting my own horn by giving away two great prizes to two lucky commentors. One of them could be you!
I know for some folks it is traditional to post 100 facts about themselves on their blog for their 100th post, but I just couldn't bring myself to do that. I feel like this blog is too self-serving as it is. I get this wonderful outlet for writing and talking up a stream and venting and tossing questions into the universe and occasionally posting a photo of my kids or even rarely posting one of myself when I happen upon a trifecta of good hair, a somewhat normal facial expression, and a blessedly disguised waistline. You, on the other hand, just have to put up with it all. Amazingly, many of you do so willingly.
And I am indeed amazed...and honored...that you happen by here every now and then. I know some of you tell me you read daily even if you don't post a comment. And that, quite frankly, is what causes many a sleepless night. I feel obligated to folks like Patty and Tanya and Angie and others to get something on here each day so you'll have something somewhat coherent to read. If I happen to write something profound, then we're all just really lucky :)
I'm also honored by the fact that so many men folks read along, including my dad and occasionally my husband and my son. I'm sure my dad reads because he feels like this blog is at least some token of proof that his investment in my journalism degree did finally pay off (if not monetarily, at least in some small way). My husband and son probably read mainly to make sure I'm not embarrassing them in any way and to see if I've posted any more about board games, academic accomplishments or our hikes. But there are some men, even some stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, who read because they like what they find here. Thank you so much, gentlemen - even Daddy, James and Daniel - you honor me with your presence. And so, guys, I hope you'll enter this contest to win my give-aways too, even though they're fairly feminine in nature. You can always give them to a gal pal or wife (Give it to the wife if you have one, the gal pal if you don't. We don't want to get in trouble here!)
So today, in this 100th post, instead of celebrating my 100 ramblings, my 100 attempts to write something pithy or witty or inspiring, or my 100th picture, I'm celebrating my more than 100 friends who read what I write. Thank you, thank you, thank you. For reading, for commenting, for laughing, for crying, for stopping by, for coming back every day. Thank you.
And now.... for the good stuff!
I'm giving away two prizes in keeping with my blog's theme - off the beaten path:
The Chick-nic
(That's a Chick Picnic kit for those of you who haven't quite figured me out yet!)
Here's the wonderful, brand new Chick-nic thermal bag:
yet another view:
Inside:
Up close:
The bag is insulated for cold or warm food carriage and large enough to carry food for two. Thus, I've named it the Chic-nic because I thought it would make a great bag for a chick to pack a picnic lunch for her and a friend!
You also get all of this with your Chick-nic:
pretty spring paper plates and napkins - enough for several chick-nics!
pretty plastic containers to hold your pasta salad, fruit, or dip:
a collection of hot and cold beverage mixes:
a small Mary Kay satin hands kit (so you can do your hands while on your Chick-nic, of course!)
and the May & June editions of Tapestry (or Journey) devotional guide, for which I write devotionals. I'll even dog-ear the devos I wrote for you - what a treat!
And that is the total Chick-nic prize!
Want to win it? Keep reading. But first, here's the second prize I'm giving away:
An Off the Beaten Path
Spiritual Journey Trail Kit
Now that's a mouth full!
It includes:
the May & June editions of Tapestry (for which I write devos - see above)
a signed copy of my first Bible study, The View from My Front Porch:
one of my favorite things - a 4x6 photo album with index cards so you can memorize scriptures!
I made this one especially for you!
a set of three of my favorite highlighters:
a small bottle of Rainkissed Leaves body wash (which has nothing to do with anything else in this kit, but alas, I love body wash!)
and here's the clincher - a cute new spring coffee (or tea) mug with a $10 gift card to Starbucks!
So here's the total package:
Am I feeling generous and happy or what? I did the happy dance all over Target tonight as I put the final touches on these gifts and I'm thrilled to give them to two of my lucky readers. I wish I could give them to all of you...maybe one of these days.
"So how do I win?" you ask with baited breath. Here it is:
- You get your name entered once for just leaving me a comment. But here's what I want on the comment. I want to know five things about you! If I get at least 20 comments, that will give me 100 facts about you - my readers. That's so much more interesting than 100 facts about me. So leave a comment with 5 facts about you. If for some reason you have a hard time leaving me a comment, you can also send me a message through my "contact" link at the top navigation bar on this blog. And if you leave your comment as "anonymous" you'll need to give me your name in the comment itself.
- You get a second entry if you mention this give-away on your blog or on Facebook. Just include a link to this post on your blog or Facebook and tell me about it in a second comment. I'm assuming that those of you who aspire to do this second entry know how to do so. You just right click on my post title, select "copy link location" and then copy this link into your blog post or FB post. You don't have to write a whole post about this contest, just mention it!
- You get another entry if you become a trail buddy (follower) and you aren't already one. Just let me know in another comment.
- You get another entry every time you post a comment on my remaining posts this week! Woo hoo! I'll be posting Wednesday through Friday, so that's three more opportunities for you to enter.
Ok, that's it. And the contest goes through Monday, April 12th. So if you're checking in here anytime before then, get your comments in and cross your fingers!
Seriously folks, thank you so much for making this blog what it has become for me - a community of like-minded people encouraging one another on the narrow trail, keeping each other company off the beaten path...
blessings to you all...
Labels: 100th post, give-away
