Son Jim got a call today from Doug Laughton at Sweeps Planners, the agency handling the Spike TV – Adventures for Life Sweepstakes. Doug told Jim that he (Jim) won the grand prize: a 2-night trip for two to NYC, $500 spending money, and the chance to win $250,000.

Of course, chances are slim that you’ll win the $250,000 because you have to pick the right two envelopes out of 20 or 25. But Doug implied even a loser wins: “You have a chance to win up to $250,000…with a ‘worst case scenario’ consolation prize of $15,000 (maybe more).”

Congratulations, Jim!

While in Chicago, I received a frantic call from my daughter, Ali, that Zoe Londen (yes, “Londen”) had called from Vincent Properties, saying we had until Friday to claim our First Prize in the “Lovewrecked” sweepstakes.

First Prize is four nights for four people at the all-inclusive Sun Village Resort and Spa in Cofresi, the Dominican Republic, where the Amanda Byrnes teen flick “Lovewrecked” was filmed. All-inclusive? We’re there! We have until June, 2008 to go. Five restaurants, lots of bars and, as Betsy inquired, is there a gym to work it all off?

Son Jim won First Prize in the L’Oreal Paris Golden Getaway Sweepstakes on March 16, 2007! Notice was delivered by FedEx the last day he lived in St. Louis, so how lucky is that? The First Prize is a catered dinner for ten people – NOT INCLUDING ALCOHOL – with an estimated value of $700.

This might prove to be better than the Grand Prize we thought he had won – a hair and beauty makeover plus trip to L.A. to attend the InStyle Awards Show in January, 2008.

Still, can’t L’Oreal tell the difference between “Grand” and “First”? Their first communication said “Grand”; the second, “First”! Who’s on first?

A voice mail on my cell Wednesday night confirmed that I won the grand prize in the (deep breath) “Clear Channel LOVELY by Sarah Jessica Parker $2,500 New York Shopping Spree Sweepstakes”.

Prize: 3-day/2-night trip for two adults, 21+, to New York City, NY; $2,500 shopping spree with Stylist Francine Taylor, limo for 4 hours, $1,000 spending money, and LOVELY by Sarah Jessica Parker gift basket (ARV $7,500).

The trip must be taken by June 30, 2007. Who is Francine Taylor and can she really help us?

The theme, in case you’re wondering, was “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”! Contest mom worked very hard on the decorations. That is why she dressed the part of Dorothy’s big sister or Little Bo Peep Without the Staff, as her friend Beth Robenalt called all good girl 70′s promgoers.

Two small victories to take the “blah” out of February: a $50.00 gift certificate to e-retailer Red Envelope and a $250.00 gift certificate to any Spafinder spa.  Etched glasses from Espain were what I ordered from Red Envelope (talk about overpriced!), and the Spafinder gift card will arrive in March. The only spa nearby that’s a member of that organization is Mario’s at Beachwood Place, which is definitely not my favorite, but I’ll take it!

Don’t enter any contests from survey networks, iwon or iwin.  They are too spammy.  Also, if you win a bona fide contest, you are usually notified via an e-mail with the word “fulfillment” in the re:line. 

We’re back home in (rainy) Cleveland from (rainy) Ireland.  The weather forecast over there EVERY DAY was rainy, with a chance of showers, or blustery with a slight chance of heavy rain.  Beautiful country, though.  While there, I received notice that I had won one (bummer) round trip ticket anywhere Northwest Airlines flies in the continental U.S.  Yippee!

Contest entrants can breathe easier until January 5, when I am off my contest entering to visit the Emerald Isle.  Farewell, losers!

No new wins have come in lately since my Sara Evans guitar, which is sitting wrapped in bubble wrap in the dining room.  If we get no nibbles on e-Bay, we’ll probably donate it to an auction and take a deduction. 

Aren’t my posts fascinating?

Jeff at Christmas!