Ok, it's time for me to make a confession. Over the years that I've been blogging, I've also been extremely jealous of all the bloggers who seemed to be raking in the free stuff, getting the free trips and all the publicity some seem to get.
I've wondered why I didn't get the same. I mean I work my ass off on my other blog. I spend as much time on it as I would a full time job. Yes, I make some money, but I still always wanted a free trip...or something. ;)
Then last summer, my free trip invitation arrived, but it came at a terrible time. I'd just had surgery and it was a surgery that left me in quite a bit of pain and I knew that I just couldn't commit to a trip. I had to say no and it was sooo hard.
Disappointing.
Not long after that, however, I was approached to run a contest on myblog for GE. It sounded fun and because I honestly LOVE to give things away they really didn't have to ask me twice. The winner got to choose a GE appliance and the kicker for this contest was that the blog the winner clicked through would also win an appliance.
I didn't hold out much hope because I have trouble winning $5 on a scratch off lottery ticket!
Seriously. I'm just not a lucky person.
I promoted the contest, but really had no hope of winning. Then, not quite two weeks ago though, I got a very surprising email!
Congratulations! You are the potential winning BLOGGER...
That's about as far as my eyes got on the email before I began to scream bloody murder, waking my husband and causing him to race to my office in a panic.
I finally read the rest of the email and learned that the winner from the Strong as Steel contest had clicked through my blog. That meant that I was also a winner! I got to choose from a new refrigerator, stove, microwave or dishwasher --all stainless steel!
Excitedly, I printed out the paper work. I filled it out, got it notarized and sent it back the next day.
The papers were sent back on Wednesday and I chose the refrigerator.
On Saturday, Mr. Polka Dot and I were lounging in bed(yes it was 10am) when The Girl yells through our door that there's a big truck outside. Mr. Polka Dot goes out and then yells to me "Honey, when were they supposed to deliver the refrigerator?"
What? HUH? WHAT DID YOU SAY?
I was flustered because the paperwork couldn't have even reached them yet! Not only that, but it said I'd get a phone call to arrange delivery, so I sure wasn't expecting it for a few weeks at least.
GE is certainly prompt!
I spoke to the delivery people in my pajamas and found out that they had an old telephone number for us. It had been disconnected for a few years and we hadn't even lived in that state in ages.
So then the dilemma became what to do. We weren't prepared for this refrigerator.
Here's the problem. I have a tiny kitchen. By tiny, I mean tiny. I'm not exaggerating. My current refrigerator was not large. It was only 18 cubic feet. Yes, seriously.
This new, giant stainless steel refrigerator is 25 cubic feet! It's also a side by side, so it's wider.
Possibly regretably, I had them take the fridge back to deliver again later. They said they'd call me.
After they left, I got nervous. I didn't even know WHERE they came from!
I called the number on a card they'd left on Monday and they didn't know anything about my situation or my redelivery. They wanted me to call Home Depot at first until I explained the situation! Finally, the redelivery was scheduled for TOMORROW -- MONDAY. Phew! At least I knew it would be delivered again.
But that didn't end my drama.
As I said above, this fridge is about 3.5 inches wider than the old one. That meant we had to do some kitchen demo. Ha...yes, we are remodeling cabinets.
As I type this to you, the spot is clear in the kitchen for the fridge. I have two large coolers on my front porch full of food. I feel like I'm living in the pioneer days! Thank goodness we just had a blizzard! At least the food will stay cool.
I'll post more when it's finally delivered and I have ICE and WATER flowing freely through the door!
(Yes, I'm excited, so you'll have to suffer through another post or two about my new refrigerator! Did I mention that I've never won anything before? ;))
Let's hope this is a precursor to what 2010 will bring!
