Christmas Music

I love Christmas music. I don't really know too many people who don't. Sometimes the songs make me feel a little sad and nostalgic--especially songs like "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." I may or may not have cried the other day when a fairly bad pop version of "I'll be Home for Christmas" came up on the playlist.

OK, I cried, but I still didn't hate it.

Anyway, I also adore getting good stuff for free. So, if you're interested in free music, I get it from two places:

Amazon 25 days of Christmas--Amazon gives you a free Christmas song each day. The best part is that you don't have to remember to download it each day--you can go back and get all the rest of the songs for the month too.

iTunes--they have new free music available for downloading every Tuesday. During December, one of the free downloads is always something Christmas related. You can also get free music videos, clips of TV shows, etc. Not all of the music is awesome, but it is all free. You have the whole week to get it, so if you forget on Tuesday, you can still snag it another day. The Downside? You've got to remember to download it before the next Tuesday, otherwise it's back to having to be paid for. To get it, open iTunes, go to the store, and scroll all the way down. There's a section that says, "Free on iTunes." Everything in that area is, well, free.

Enjoy expanding your collection...for free!

Then, One Time, I was Caller #2

Nate and I went grocery shopping on Tuesday night. We both love to grocery shop...it's like a hobby for us. As a result, dinners this week have been fabulous.

In case you're curious, if you love the Roasted Red Pepper Sauce from Brick Oven, this is a really close substitute. It works particularly well if you're over 2000 miles away from Brick Oven and you just desperately want some of that incredibly good sauce. Also, it's only $2.00 at Walmart, at least ours.

Anyway, we started at Giant, bought most of our things, and then headed over to Walmart for a few other items. These stores are about 5 minutes apart. Along the way we were listening to the radio, which happened to have a contest giving away tickets to "She Loves Me." This is the play that You've Got Mail is based off of, and it happens to be one of my favorites--Nate and I were planning on going and seeing it. I decided to call in, just for fun. Winning something off the radio has been something I've wanted to do ever since I started listening to the radio. I used to call in every morning on my way to work when FM 100 did their 100 days of Christmas. They were giving away $100, after all, and I like money. I never won though. I also attempted to win a love sac, but some guy named Steve won it for his 3 year old daughter. Anyway, I called, the line was busy, I decided to call again...the line started ringing. What do you know it? I managed to be caller #2. The radio guy says, "Hey, who am I talking to?" I tell him my name, he tells me I won. I say, "ArE yOu SeRiOuS?!?" He says "I wouldn't kid about a thing like that!" He gives me a chance to promote the radio station, at which point I quickly look over at the car radio and listen to Nate telling me what the station is that we're listening to, since I've never listened to it before that day, and then he tells me how to get the tickets.

And that, is how we got free tickets to a play we were already planning on seeing. This means that now, we can also go out to eat beforehand. and I'm so excited, because this isn't really a date we'll be able to do for awhile after the baby is born. Hooray for contests when most people aren't listening to the radio!

Or for just plain dumb luck. Either way, I'll take it.

A Wii and Wii Fit for $42.87?

Heck Yes.

Back a couple of months ago, I was reading this post, and I decided to give it a try. I opened up the site, I read the terms and conditions, and happily started on my offers for various levels. We ended up spending a total of $42.87 on everything, and we got some really great stuff in the process. I got a necklace, some make-up, we tried (and loved) netflix. All-in-all, these were great offers, and it all worked out. It only took a couple of weeks for everything to get approved (2.5 weeks tops). And then we mailed off our letter. Exactly 6 weeks after we e-mailed out letter, the wii and wii fit arrived at our door. Technically we didn't pay any money for the wii or wii fit, and we didn't pay for the shipping. All the money we spent went towards different offers--membership fees and shipping etc.

The Wii and Wii Fit

Further Proof...Since stock photos don't come with our dog.

The best part of this is the fact that no one else has to do anything in order for you to get the prize. You don't have to spam your friends, or scam anyone. It's just you, the offers, and the prize. I won't get anything if you decide to do it, and you don't have to get anyone else to do anything either. It's equal opportunity!

If you plan to do this--just be sure you're organized about it, and that you have all your information in one place. I just made an Excel sheet that worked really great for me. Good luck!

Be Crafty--for Free! Also, Other Promotions...

Hello Friends.

I just got word about some fellow on Oprah who is trying to help people to declutter etc. etc. As a result, snapfish is giving people coupons for free photo books. These are bound, and printed, and just lovely. And also, FREE!

The only catch is you have to redeem your coupon before midnight tonight, and you have to finish the book by Sunday at midnight. It seems a fairly worthwhile endeavor though. Click here for more information.

Also, through random recent connections, I've been the recipient of a coupon for 50% off from Chaco. Chaco makes the fantastic shoes at the top of our blog. The coupon is good for one order, and has to be used by the end of December. If you're interested in going in on an order with us, send me an e-mail (kobylka@gmail.com) and we can work something out. I'm hoping to send the order off before Christmas, so let me know by the beginning of December, if you're interested. 50% off for Chacos is a really, really great deal, in case you didn't know.

If you want to buy me these lovely shoes for Christmas with the 50% off coupon, I'd be ok with that too.

In other news, nothing much is new. Life is great at the Murray household. Nate and I have started exercising regularly at the rec center in Orem. I really like that place. There's basically zero pressure, because everyone there is just trying to be fit, and not trying to impress anyone.

Happy Thanksgiving Season!

Because I Like Free Stuff, and so Should You.

Check out this website: http://www.vinylwallart.com. She has a bunch of those vinyl wall things, and they're kind of cute. Then, go to this blog -- http://www.creatingcupcakes.blogspot.com/ -- and look under her entry titled "Everyone Can Win Giveaway" for more information. If you put something on your blog about her store, and email her your link, she'll send you your choice of

A) your color choice(s) for two small monkey decals or
B) your color choice for a set of bird decals (one color for 3)or
C) your color choice for a small rocket ship decal or
E) either olive green or apple green small fun leaf decals

Does it get better than that?! No I tell you. Hurry though, it ends today.