Julie's Journal

So another year comes to an end, and we’re all looking forward to a new start and a ‘do-over’ from the things we didn’t accomplish last year. I’m fairly happy with the way last year went overall, but things can always get better, right?? I’m excited for the new year.

If you’ve been a regular reader of my blog for the last 5 years you’ve obviously seen a change here. This blog use to be my “journal.” I use to write about all things happening in my life, and more often, ‘over shared’ things that I should have just kept to myself. There were several incidents that happened this year that I did share on here, and in direct result lead me to not want to share here at all. So I stopped. I changed focus and direction and now you will only see product reviews and giveaways. I know I’ve lost readers, and that makes me sad, but I’ve also gained a lot of new readers, and that makes me happy.

I’m going to stick with Twitter and Facebook for sharing personal things in my life from now on, and quite frankly it’s just easier. It takes less time, and keeps me from getting long winded.

Sooooooo…with that HAPPY NEW YEAR and may 2010 be your best year yet!

How is your holiday shopping going? Are you able to get something for everyone on your list? Times are tough right now so shopping at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls is the best way to stretch your budget to include everyone on your shopping list. They carry the latest brand-name toys to electronics, beauty products, gourmet food and entertaining essentials–they are one-stop shops for all your holiday needs.

Do you need a little help getting in the holiday spirit this year? How about a little Carol-oke! One lucky person will win a $5,000 shopping spree – just for singing their favorite Holiday Carol! Check out the specially created YouTube Caroling Channel. There, you can select from one of three carols, create your own “Carol-oke” video and upload for entry into the contest. Additionally, for each off-price “Carol-oke” video that is uploaded, a charity donation will be made.

I have two (2) $25.00 gift cards (one for T.J. Maxx and one for Marshalls) to giveaway on my blog. That’s two (2) winners! Just follow the instructions below to enter to win.

T.J. Maxx & Marshalls $25 Gift Card Giveaway
Each one of the following is worth one entry into the giveaway – make sure to leave comments so I can include each thing you do!

MANDATORY FOR CONTEST ENTRY

1. Sign up to receive the T.J. Maxx newsletter by email. (top right hand corner of their web site).
2. Sign up to receive the Marshalls newsletter by email. (top left hand corner of their web site).

EXTRA CONTEST ENTRY

1. Follow @T.J. Maxx on Twitter.
2. Follow @Marshalls on Twitter.
3. Follow @JustJulie on Twitter. (I follow back!)
4. Subscribe to receive Julie’s Journal in your email
5. Tweet: Enter to win T.J. Maxx & Marshalls $25 Gift Cards on JuliesJournal.com http://bit.ly/4UAg2L

Contest ends Sunday December 27, 2009 at 12:00 noon PST. I will choose two random winner from all the entries and notify you by email. You have 48 hours to respond. First responder will get their choice between the T.J. Maxx $25 gift card or the Marshalls $25 gift card. Second responder will get the remaining one. I did not receive any compensation for this post. Special thanks to T.J. Maxx and Marshalls for sponsoring this giveaway.

I think I can pinpoint exactly when it happened. I vividly remember moving to Las Vegas from Southern California in 2001 and not having cable. It made no difference to me, I could care a less about TV. My mom would hound me to start watching Sex In The City. My dad would tell me, “You HAVE to watch The Sopranos!” as if my own life depended on it. I just had no desire to sit in front of the television except for the occasional airing Saturday Night Live or The Tonight Show.

After my divorce, I got my own apartment and decided to get cable for “the boys.” The guy at Cox talked me into getting a DVR. Although I didn’t think I would ever use it, I knew the boys might enjoy it, so I said, “Okay!” Well let me tell you…that little box of magic turned me into a TV junkie. I now have two DVR’s so I can get the full benefit of recording 4 different shows at the same time.

My MUST SEE shows: (in no particular order)

1. Ghost Hunters
2. Ghost Hunters Academy
3. Dogs 101
4. The Haunted
5. Whale Wars
6. UFO Hunters
7. Modern Marvels
8. Deadliest Catch
9. Cash Cab
10. Storm Chasers
11. The Big Bang Theory
12. Two And A Half Men
13. Lost
14. Desperate Housewives
15. V
16. Extreme Makeover Home Edition
17. The Office
18. Californication
19. Dexter
20. Weeds

INSANE huh? And I stopped at 20! I was too ashamed to keep going. I’m an addict. Are you? What shows do you watch? Do you have a DVR? Do you have two DVR’s? Come on people, I don’t want to feel alone in my addiction. Talk to me please!

So does everyone have all their holiday shopping done yet? Are your holiday cards all signed and ready to mail out? How about your holiday dinner plans? Do you know exactly what you are going to cook and serve yet?

It’s that crazy time of year again where us moms are struggling to get everything done to make it just the perfect holiday once again. Safeway understands the constant demands of motherhood, so they’ve created holiday guides that will save you both time and money this holiday season.

With Safeways budget-conscious recipes, weekly specials and email savings they’ve got you covered on everything you need to make your holiday dinner perfect. I like using the weekly specials page to check what is on sale at my local Vons before heading out to shop.

Safeway also has these helpful pages on their website, so make sure to check them out.

• Edible Gifts
• Kid-Friendly Entrees
• Leftovers Lounge
• Decorating Tips
• Gingerbread Man Game

I’d like to help out one lucky reader of my blog this year, by giving you a $50 Safeway Gift Card to help purchase your families holiday meal. Just follow the instructions below to enter to win.

WINNER – #145 Krissy

$50 Safeway Gift Card Giveaway
Each one of the following is worth one entry into the giveaway – make sure to leave comments so I can include each thing you do!

MANDATORY FOR CONTEST ENTRY

1. Visit the Safeway budget-conscious recipes page and tell me what recipe you’d like to try in my comments.

EXTRA CONTEST ENTRY

1. Become a fan of Safeway on Facebook
2. Sign up for Safeway’s email savings newsletter.
3. Become a fan of Julie’s Journal on Facebook
4. Add me as a friend on Facebook (I friend back!)
5. Follow @JustJulie on Twitter. (I follow back!)
6. Subscribe to receive Julie’s Journal in your email
7. Tweet: @JustJulie wants to buy your family holiday dinner! Enter to win a $50 Safeway Gift Card on JuliesJournal.com http://bit.ly/6b4pFs

Contest ends Saturday December 19, 2009 at 12:00 noon PST. I will choose one random winner from all the entries and notify you by email. You have 48 hours to respond. I did not receive any compensation for this post. Special thanks to Safeway for sponsoring this giveaway.