Originally Posted By mickeynewe Here I am again..... Questions, questions for you MsLindanne! Have you ever tried using a database program for organizing your sweepstake entries? Just been thinking about that for myself. Secondly, if it says a "plain" card...does that mean your entry will be disqualified if you decorate it? Thanks for your input! LOL..I think my 13 year old is going to help me with this new "hobby", especially after I told her about all the cool Disney sweeps available! Yes, one more bonding project for us!!
Originally Posted By MsLindanne Hey Mickenewe..... First off...my old Mickey printer software does work on my new HP printer, so I am perfectly ok there. But thanks for the tips on loading it in, or possibly even buy new ones. I wish they had a store at Disneyland where all this stuff was available. I'd go nuts!!!! Otherwise, what I have is working just fine. Did I tell you that I buy #10 envelopes from Office Depot too? Well I do and they have two colors that I like...one has the sky on it, so I put Mickey flying an airplane on it, or Goofy, as I have one of him flying a plane too. They also have one the colors of the flag, so I put Mickey dressed up as Uncle Sam on those. For October I found Mickey holding a pumpkin, so the contests that need to be mailed for the month of October, get Mickey with the pumpkin. It may seem like a lot of trouble but its working! You probably don't think I have a life huh??? ha..ha... Yes, I have thought about the data base thing, but frankly that was just to much organization for me...but I know some people do it. What I do have is a brief case, with pens, papers, post cards, envelopes and all of my sweepstakes newsletters. I write on each contest that I enter with a number of how many entries I send in. Then where the stamp goes on the envelope I put the date that it has to be received by or post marked by and I have a stack all ready to go but in date order. They travel with me everywhere and I am constantly checking the dates to be sure they are mailed in on time. This works for me.... You can do what ever works for you! Try different things to find out what's easiest and go from there.... As for the "plain card", just about all contests ask for either a 3x5 card or 3x5 piece of paper. Some say just a 3x5 and then you can use whatever you want to. I rarely ever decorate the 3x5. That reminds me...you will find some 3x5 cards that have lines on them, don't use those...just the 3x5 cards that are plain on both sides. Now, on post cards, I might put a little sticker on it but that's about as far as I go. Also, if it doesn't reference a USPS post card, I will use just about any kind of post card, like the ones you buy at Disneyland to send to your friends. Know what I mean? That reminds me....I recently went to the Disney discount store in Vegas and they were selling post cards of the Mickey ears for 49 cents each. I bought 10 and I am waiting for just the right time to send them. So when you find a deal on post cards, buy them as you'll be able to use them too. I am so glad you and your 13 year old are starting this little hobby together! It is great fun. Just don't get discouraged if you don't win right away. Because it will happen. There are a lot of sweepers out there and were all winning...but like with any hobby, it requires patience and a little money. I tell my family, for Christmas, a box of USPS post cards and a couple books of stamps is a great gift!! They always laugh at me too! But not much anymore. If I win the 50,000 on Thursday, I'll have a lot of believers don't ya think? ha..ha.. To bad your post office doesn't carry all these items so you can go on the weekend....but come tomorrow, I know where your going to be don't I? Have fun!! Feel free if you have more questions!! It's great to be able to help you and anyone else that wants to know!! I probably know more about this stuff than Disney...I'll leave that up to Darkbeer!! ha..ha..ha.. ºoº
Originally Posted By mickeynewe I just downloaded some pdf files from a free trial I subscribed to. I liked that it was in a pdf file so that way I can save/print it versus just web printouts that never seem to line up properly without cutting something off or adding jibberish. Thanks for all the tips! Your envelopes sound adorable! I was just worried if I decorated my "plain" 3 x 5 that they would discard it for breaking rules. LOL..I don't know how "technical" they get! I also read somewhere that said DO NOT use printers or stickers for ANY entry on any sweeps as it can cause your entry to be discarded. I think to save any chance of getting into trouble I will just decorate my cards and print everything else out! Thanks for the offer to help! I'm sure I'll have lots more questions!!
Originally Posted By MsLindanne Hummm...ya got me thinking. About not using printers or stickers on the sweeps...Now your referring to the envelopes? Or the actual 3x5 pieces of paper/cards? On the 3x5, I never use labels. Everything is printed out exactly how they request it. Sometimes they request your year of birth...like this 09/24/2006 - versus 9/24/06. When they ask for it this way, be sure to do it this way. Now on the envelopes, pictures of Mickey do appear on the left side of the envelope. I also include my return address printed at the same time. Then I hand address, usually in blue or black ink on front. Be careful, when filling out post cards, use a regular ball point pen because if they get wet from weather etc, they are less apt to run. If you use felt, well, the ink might run and they won't be able to read your address. Amazing little bits tid bits...ha..ha.. I should write a book and just send it to you!!! ha..ha.. Congratulations on downloading the newsletters! I am proud of you! You are one step closer to winning something! Isn't that exciting?? You betcha!! ºoº
Originally Posted By mickeynewe No, they were referring I believe to the postcards for automating. For example, the Disney Sweeps, don't use label stickers to put in their address even if you are handwriting your own information. Do you think my Pooh postcards would get tossed out because its not "plain"? That is what I am getting the most confused about! Not necessarily in the Disney sweeps, but if I used a similiar design for another sweep.
Originally Posted By SDmom Lets all promise to list any winnings from the Dreams giveaway here on LP.
Originally Posted By MsLindanne Ok, now I understand....I looked at your Post card with Pooh and that is so cute and very clever! I think the picture would be ok...but the greeting might be confusing for the Post office to scan. In otherwords, there shouldn't be any words below the city and state....could you put Pooh and your greeting on the back below your name? That might work and keep you in the contest. If I do any decorating of post cards, it is usually right below my name (on the back. Sometimes the judges can be so darn particular!! ºoº
Originally Posted By mickeynewe Okay, I get it! Perhaps I should just not do any decorating of the post cards themselves and only worry about the envelopes. Thanks for the advice!!
Originally Posted By MsLindanne Good idea Mickeynewe! I am going to do the same. Just thought of another tip for you...ya know when you go into, for example, a grocery store and you see the little giveaways and a box with some blank entries? Be sure to enter these contests. But instead of just putting your entry in the box, fold it like a fan. Remember how we learned in school? The paper is folded on one side, then flipped over on the other side etc....I don't quite how to explain it, other than when your done, it looks like a fan. Then after you've done that, you can put it in the box. I read this somewhere, but so far haven't been able to put it to us. But when you think about it, it might be a good idea. Anyway...it is late and I've got to get my beauty sleep. Remember, I have a big party on Thursday! ha..ha.. I must look good for Mickey! Or is it Pirate Jack Sparrow? ha..ha... ºoº
Originally Posted By Tinkerbell819 What day do you leave for DL? (You may have already mentioned it, but I can't find it!)
Originally Posted By mickeynewe Oh, you are going to have so much fun! I know exactly what you mean by folding it like a fan! Great idea!! My hubby always does that with raffle tickets (well folds them, not fans them) and we do really well with raffles. LOL..one time we had to go to a big union dinner and everyone got so mad at us. Our table just kept winning and winning...we won a LOT that night. LOL..we started sending up our daughter to get the prizes...I mean, who can give a little girl a dirty look when she has this great big beaming smile on her face?! LOL...we even won a tv that night! Of course, hubby and my dad had to go get that one as it was a big 36". As far as beauty sleep goes, I am sure you will be *beautiful* for your big date...with either Mickey or Jack...but better watch out for Minnie if you flirt too much! *silly grin*
Originally Posted By nemopoppins I keep checking back on this thread because I'm rooting for Darkbeer. I'm hoping he gets in and not only for selfish reasons (his reports). How's that going so far?
Originally Posted By marshmallow I agree with Nemopoppins. If Darkbeer goes it's almost like we all got to go! I really enjoyed all the information on this thread. I cannot enter the Disney contests but who knows what other contests I might try!
Originally Posted By MsLindanne ha..ha...ha...No pressure here is there???? I guess Darkbeer has his fans huh? ha..ha..ha.. Well, I am going to do my best to get him in to the party of the year! And your all right, he does know his busines and Disney reports are right up his alley. I don't quite know how he does it either, but he seems to know just about everything. Tink, our flight takes off at 7:15 AM on Wednesday, 9/27. Just day after tomorrow! And we come back at about 7:15pm on Friday. We will have just about 3 full days there so that should be quite enough time to go on all the rides and enjoy ourselves. Tomorrow I'll receive via FED EX, all of our flight information so I've already warned our FED EX Driver that I might attack him when he walks in the door where I work. ha..ha..ha.. Our suitcases are packed and ready to go. Just hope I don't oversleep like I did today! ha..ha.. I gotta get up at 4:00am and that's tough, but then I'll remember why I am getting up and get all excited! Yeah!!!! Congratulations Mickeynewe on all of your wins at your union dinner. That is awesome! It is so much fun to win things and I know exactly what you mean about other people giving you the "eye" when you keep winning and they don't. My co-workers are very understanding about my contesting and figure they will benefit by it with a lunch everynow and then. By the way, today on one of our bay area radio stations, they started a contest for $1,000 when you hear the song of the day, just be the 9th caller and you got the money. I won this last year on the very first day. But today...no such luck. But I haven't given up! If they play the same song twice in a row, then ya win $25,000.00....ooh...doggies! Now that would buy some Disney collectibles wouldn't it? ha..ha..ha.. Marshmallow, why can't you enter the Disney contests? Hummmm...are you affiliated with Disney somehow?? Well, if your into contesting, there are tons out there and having the internet available makes it so easy to find them. I am constantly on the hunt and enter nearly everything on line or by sending in a 3 x 5. Your so sweet Mickeynewe for the compliment on my beauty sleep! That was cute. Your right about Minnie though, Mickey is her guy and I certainly wouldn't want to interfere. Now Captain Jack Sparrow is another subject. Personally I think Johnny Depp is better looking dressed up like Captain Jack than when he isn't. lol.... Boy, I've watched to many Pirate movies...ha..ha.. ARRRRGGGGGGGG.....ha..ha..ha.. ºoº
Originally Posted By Tinkerbell819 I'm so excited for you, less than a day left! You know, you probably won't oversleep, because you more than likely won't sleep at all! lol You'll be so excited! The time I won my 1st trip to WDW, I was so nervous about getting everyone to the airport on time that I slept about half an hour. Then, when we were all leaving early in the am, I was the last one to leave the house. (I like to make sure the cat is safely inside, we have all of our bags, timers are on, all that stuff.) I had dressed up because we were getting picked up in Orlando by Disney escorts and I didn't want to look like a slob. Anyway, as I was going down the back steps, I fell right down them! (It was early and the steps were wet.) I just kind of lay there afraid to move figuring, just my luck, I finally won something and now I won't get to go b/c I broke something! lol I was okay, just had a wet dress and was a bit sore! But, boy we had the best time ever! Disney goes all out for these events and I hope yours is as much fun as ours was 10 years ago! (I hope Darkbeer gets to go, too, so we can all feel like we were there!) Of course, you'll be getting good vibes from all of your LP buddies hoping you win the $50,000!!!!
Originally Posted By marshmallow MSLindanne, I am so excited for you! I hope you have a really great trip. The weather here in So. Cal is great right now. A little cool in the evening, but that is relative to what you consider cool. Yes, my husband works for THE Mouse. He is an engineer on the Disneyland Railroad. If you have the chance see if you can get a tender ride. If you see the Mexican George Clooney ( hee hee married 31 years and I still think he's handsome... my kids think I am deranged.) that's my honey. HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!!!!
Originally Posted By MsLindanne Thank you for all of your good wishes!!! That is so sweet. I do feel like I am bringing all of you with me, ya know that? Hey...I just found out today, that we have to be at the airport 2 hours early. I was hoping an hour would suffice, but not in this day and age....so I have to get up at 3:00am!!!! Holy CRAP!!! HA..HA... To many Everybody Loves Raymond shows! Anyway....we have to be there by 5:15am...5:30am at the latest...so I've got about everything packed, except my morning routine stuff. My son has his packing done and my girlfriend may not even go to bed at all! It is quite exciting!! Tink, I enjoyed your little story about WDW and what a sight you must have been falling down. But at least your trip turned out wonderful and you weren't seriously injured. Maybe your pride huh? Marshmallow, I'll be on the lookout for your George Clooney lookalike! How fun is that huh? Well if you can't participate in the contests, I bet you get some great discounts at the employee store. Now that just about makes up for it!! ;-) Thanks again for all your good vibes! I hope I win the super grand prize, but even if I don't, I've still won a wonderful trip to the Happiest Place on Earth. I just hope I can stay awake!!!! ha..ha..ha.. Ya all take care and I'll write when I get back!! ºoº
Originally Posted By mickeynewe Have a fabulous time! LOL..although, by now, you are long gone! BTW..FWI...You ARE going to win! *waves happily*
