Saturday, December 20, 2008

Weekend Winners: A little quality time

I think I am still on my Disney high. And its so nice to know that you all share my love of all things Disney. And I love that I might have inspired some of you to finally get your Disney pictures in albums. And for those of you that are hesitant. To create a scrapbook does not mean a work of art. It's a work of heart. With your pictures. And your stories being the most important thing.

I can't wait to hear about Mama Dawg and the Light of her life creating a sparkly, purply autograph album.

Or about Heather taking her kiddos for their first trip to Disney next year. And making another small album of their trip. Maybe just for keeping their autographs.

Or about Darcy's big surprise for her Boybarians. And she can document her whole trip in the big Disney scrapbook package.

Congrats ladies! Email me with your addresses and I'll get your albums right out to you.

Vacations to Disney got me to thinking. About the family togetherness. Because sometimes with a vacation. You get rather sick of each other. And the whole togetherness thing. Sometimes a little one-on-one is just the ticket.

I love to go on dates with my husband. We try to go out once a week. Try being the operative word. We used to have a standing date every Wednesday night. After church, I'd leave my mom to sending the girls up to bed. And Michael and I would play triva. But. The girls were really slacking on the cleaning up after themselves. And with the housekeepers arrival on Thursdays. It made for a crazy morning before school. So now. We just keep trying. Whether it's just running an errand together. Or actually going out to dinner. Or to a movie.

Don't you just love date movies? Lula did a post the other day about one of my favorite date movies - "Love Actually." I love that movie. All the stories. About how women love men with British accents. Hugh Grant and his little dance. And really. What is a nativity play without the Christmas lobster?

And speaking of dates. And quality time. Do you guys go on dates with your kids? Michael is great about taking the girls on adventures. Like to go go-cart racing. Or bike riding. Or on a walk through the woods.

I usually opt for the sedate kind of date. Like getting manicures. Or shopping. Or even better. A movie. We saw "Madagascar 2" a few weeks ago. It was so much fun. With much popcorn. And a ginormous diet coke. And my favorite kid date movie was "Enchanted" from last Christmas. So much fun. So silly. And a great way to introduce my kids to song and dance numbers. Or making dresses from curtains.

And then one of the best dates of all. Is a date with your girl friends. Sometimes the ticket is to just escape from your family entirely. I've done girls night at restaurants. My book club does a road trip each year. And I am usually forbidden from blogging about it. Because there might be some praying to porcelain gods. And movies that were discovered that were labeled with numbers. And the statement that all the actors are over 18. You know. Actors is a very loose term.

And besides road trips. Where said events might not have ever happened. (I do have an active imagination.) There are always movies that are best seen with girl friends. Like "Sex in the City." Or "Twilight." Or my favorite "Mama Mia."

So...this week's Weekend Winner prize is a dinner and a movie gift card. It includes a $25 gift card for dinner at your choice of: On the Border, Chili's, Macaroni Grill or Maggiano's. And a $25 gift card for Regal theatres. And a second winner will receive a dvd of "Love Actually." And you can have a date night right at home.

Worth playing for? Here is what you need to do:

1. Post a comment here. Tell me who you would take on a date with your winnings. Do you have regular dates with people in your life? Is there a movie coming out that you want to see? What is your favorite date movie?

2. For another entry...follow me. Almost to 200. I am ready to sing Pop-U-Lar again! If you already follow me, you also get an extra entry.

3. Blog about this week's contest.

4. When you comment you get an entry. When you follow, come back and leave another comment saying you follow me. If you are already a follower, post another comment saying that you are already a stalker follower. When you post about it...come back and leave a third comment saying you did it. Then I can truly use random number generator and I won't have to type in all those names!

5. Contest ends Friday (Dec 26) at midnight. Winners have one week to email me to claim prizes. All unclaimed prizes will be added back into the pot. Winner will be announced next Saturday. Along with the week nine prizes!

post signature

Theme song: All I want for Christmas is you - Love Actually soundtrack

104 comments:

Amy B said...

Okay...I would love a date night. I think as moms we forget what it is to get dressed up, put on some makeup and a little smell good and spend some grown up with your special person time. That is something VERY important to me lately.

Amy B said...

Oh BTW I am now a follower and I would love me some eggnog bread..Yummy.

Aubrey said...

Oh! I LOVE Love Actually. Such a great movie. And I finally saw Enchanted (yes, finally LOL) and it is one of my faves now.

I would take my hubby of course! We try to do date night at least once a month. We have been really good about making it a priority. It has done wonders for our marriage.

I have been wanting to see The Changeling. And my fave date movie...any that includes a giant bucket of buttery popcorn and a LARGE soda!

jori-o said...

What a great prize? Where do you get all these prizes to give away Kt? You are awesome? I would LOVE to go on a date with my hubby (it's been far too long!) and a girls night out would be fun too!

jori-o said...

PS--I've been following for awhile now, girlie!

Denise @ Sunflowers, Chocolate and Little Boys said...

I already follow you.....so add me to the drawing.
And I just had a date night with Hubby so I would rather have a Girls night out. I cant remember the last time I had one of those.

Unknown said...

Hiya from SITS. :)

I miss my date nights too... 10 months into my baby's birth, I & my hubby have gone for a date for a grand total of ... 6 times (i think!).

My fave date? Hanging out with him, catching a movie and a cuppa! :) Doesn't matter where, doesn't matter how long - so long as we are ALONE.

Dates with baby? Nah... Not really counted! :)

Lea said...

Ohhhhh I would LOVE to have a date night with my 13 year old boy. Of my 3 kids, he is the one that likes to spend time with me the most and taking him to the movies is fun. We crack up together and really bond.

I really really want to see Seven Pounds, but for date night I'd take the boy to see Marley and Me, after of course a visit to the Macaroni Grill which is both of our favorite places to eat at.

Yay you for a great giveaway!

Lea said...

Second entry...

I already sta.. follow you!

Lea said...

And for a third entry, I blogged you're giveaway..
http://wisprnsoul.blogspot.com/2008/12/great-giveaway.html

Anonymous said...

I would definitely use this weekend winner prize for a date with me and my husband. We try so hard to get time alone together. But financially it hasn't been possible lately.

Our favorite stay at home date movie is either Princess Bride or Across the Universe.

Anonymous said...

I blogged about this giveaway.

Anonymous said...

I am a follower, do you twitter? Because I can tweet this giveaway too!

Kori said...

Congratulations to the winners.

If I one I would definitly be going on a date with the Hubby. I mean hello I can't tell you how long it has been since we have actually left the house and went somewhere just the two of us. I really want to see Yes Man with Jim Carey.

Kori said...

And as always I am a stalker.

Oh and aren't you proud of me this week I didn't wait till the last minute to enter.

Anonymous said...

I love love actually!! its a great movie!!

congrats to all the winners!

Unknown said...

I would take my husband of course. We need to get better about date nights (or date days) and this would be perfect for us.

Janelle said...

I would take my hubby of 19 years, since with three kids and an extremely tight budget we almost never get date nights anymore! I kind of want to see that movie coming out with Anne Hathaway about the two weddings - I can't think of the name, but it looks funny. Thanks for the chance!

Janelle said...

And I'm already stalking you. By the way, how do you DO that with the line through the words in the font? I've been wondering that for awhile now.....

Becky W said...

I love date nights but they rarely happen. We do have lots of dates with the kids though. We love that time together. I love the song of the day, too. One of my favorites!

Becky W said...

I'm a stalker!

Rhea said...

You have the BEST giveaways, Kat! LOVE em.

I rarely get dates with Texas Homeboy. I love dates with my boys. We go to movies or bowling or something fun.

Michelle said...

Okie dokie ... love the prize. I would take my husband. Gotta do that right? And ummm I haven't seen a movie in so long that I don't even know what's out right now. So I'll go so ANYthing.

Michelle said...

And yes, I stalk you :)

Lula! said...

You know how I feel about date nights. With just me and Scott. And dates with just Scott and the girls. And dates with the 4 of us. And dates with my girlfriends.

I love date nights.

Scott and I go on a date nearly every week...thank God for my in-laws and Bill & Kim who make it possible--we have great babysitters.

What movie do I want to see? I have 5 more months, but STAR TREK. I'm practically holding my breath.

Favorite date movie? Harold & Maude. It's such an untraditional love story. And the soundtrack--all by Cat Stevens--is brilliant.

p.s. You know I don't follow anyone...'cept Mama Dawg. Really. I follow no one. I'm being a rebel that way. But I still stalk you and call you and eat Mexican with you, so all's forgiven. Correct???

Elena said...

Pick me, pick me! Oh how I could use a date night! We used to try to go out weekly, but I don't what the heck happened with that. We did go out last weekend and saw 4 Christmases. Huh-larious! And we tried to alternate taking each kid on a date once a month, but again, don't know where that went. We've got to do better. Your road trips sound very... exciting. :)

Jill said...

I can't believe all of your amazing giveaways! For obvious reasons I can't join in on a lot of them... though for once I can as I'm stateside for another 2 weeks. Yippee!

My husband and I try to enjoy a date night every Saturday night... try being the operative word. If we can't make it out of the house, we usually bring in Chinese food (my favorite) and rent a movie.

For a date night right now... I"d take out my best friend, the one who signed up for Skype so we could talk online...

I'd have someone watch the kids so we could go to dinner and gab all night... boy do I miss that!

Finding Normal said...

I already stalk you.

Mama Dawg said...

Holy freakin' crap! I WON! That's the second contest I've won in like a month. The other was for a Christmas present for my mom.

You don't know how timely this win is. We're going to D'World in May of 2009!

I LOVE YOU KAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks!

Oh, and Light of my Life is here at the library with me and she about jumped out of her shoes she was so excited to see what we won! You're her new favorite person!

Cassie said...

I love that movie! I hadn't seen it in a while, and it was on television about a week ago. I was so excited to see it again! As for date night....that's a real thing? ;)

Cassie said...

I'm a follower!

Cassie said...

I've blogged about your giveaway on my "giveaways post".

Finding Normal said...

Shawn and I are doing more regular dating now, although it's hit and miss since he's gone so much. It's fun to have dinner and actually talk without someone whining. I'm not much for the movie theater because I hate people. Random people in crowds, that is. I always end up stuck by the most annoying person or group. The tall guy in front of me, the cell phone gabber, the whining kid. Haven't been to the theater in 5 years but going this weekend with some students.
I would probably take my friend Michelle on a date. Because we have yet to sit and talk (and cry) without kids around or not in the copy room at my school. And we have a lot of talking to do. And we could both use some time away from our families.
Great giveaway!

Kelsey said...

I love Love Actually! Such a good movie (and the fact that I got it for $5.00 makes it even better).
My fave date movie is Bridget Jones Diary. I love that the main character has flaws and her guy can still love her, "just the way she is." Yeah I just quoted the movie. Does that make me a bit of a dork?

sassy stephanie said...

How fitting! Can't think of a better Disney freak to win the prize!

Shannon said...

Still following ya...


Seriously, I don't think you'll be able to get rid of me...

Shannon said...

It's been awhile since Shane and I have done a dinner/movie date. So I guess I'd take him if I were to win!

I'm not a Brad Pitt fan, but "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" looks good.

And I am soooo gonna see "Defiance" when it comes out. We should make that a Mommy Blabbers event!

The Joye of Teaching said...

I woud take my handsome husband on my date. Yes, Buddy and I know the weekend means dinner out and maybe a basketball game, play, casino night something to get us out and having fun together. I have 2 movies I really want to see- Australia and Benjamin Button. Fav date movie The Notebook!--hot, hot, hot

The Joye of Teaching said...

I already stalk your blog :)

Jen said...

I love date night but they don't seem to happen as much as I would like around here. I wonder why? Could it be that I have triplets, nah? Anyway, Jeff (he would be my date) set a side one night a week where I don't blog and he doesn't play games and we spend time together. We don't go out, we are home and just be. Its kinda nice. But going out would be a great thing too.

And I am SO a follower!

Brandy said...

I want to see Bride Wars...it looks funny. I dunno if it will be "date movie" material or not, but I still want to see it.

Swirl Girl said...

I would take Hubby of course - there are so many movies I would like to see - as there usually are around this time of year-

We never go to the movies - too expensive if you include babysitter, too.

We would love a grown up evening !!

Swirl Girl said...

and i'd follow you anywhere!~

Firefly Mom said...

I don't really "plan" time alone with my kid - since we homeschool we're constantly doing stuff together anyway. As for friends, my friend in California and I have a standing phone "date" every week, and my two closest friends and have a bakery that we go to while our kids are in outdoor school together.

Favorite date person: my hubby ;)

Firefly Mom said...

I'm already a stalker ;)

Teri said...

Hey it's me. Longtime follower. Back from the dark caverns of school. Ready to win.

Teri said...

Okay, so I'm back now to tell you about my date night with Doug. We try really hard to go out at least once a month, twice if the stars are aligned correctly. We really want to see Religulous, that is, of course, if it is still in theaters. We are WAY behind. We seriously NEED this date night. Seriously.

Just Lisa said...

I'm all for date nights. But the effort of coordinating a babysitter, and then paying her $50 to watch the kids sleep... not always worth it. Easier to leave the husband at home and have a girls night out!

Kimmy said...

I would LOVE a dinner/movie night with my hubby. WHY you ask?! Because we NEVER get time together alone and it is much needed for us. We have a 6 year old daughter and she is the highlight of our life so we take her everywhere with us. So this prize would be fantastic for my hubby and I.

Kati said...

the hubby and I could really use a date night. We have 2 small kids , 2 and 1 month, he works full time during the day and I go to full time in the evenings.

We don't get many opportunities for date time as a family. My hubby is going to take our daughter to see the Tales of Despereaux...

Kati said...

Yea! I am now a follower!

mub said...

I can't decide if I would use this to take my husband out or if I would give it to my parents so they could have a date for themselves!

Safire said...

Great contest! I always take my hubby on dates. We have not had one in almost a year. (sigh) It was a hard year. I was on bed rest for 4 months, then twin boys and new baby craziness. And I'm not really comfortable leaving the twins and their big sister in the hands of a teenager. It's a lot to handle! So no dates for us. I have been talking about maybe getting 2 girls to come over...but then that takes out all of my date money. This would actually make that possible. Good luck to everyone!

jennifersusan said...

Love Actually is such a cute movie! Hubby and I used to have a standing date night (where we actually leave the house) every week-- just go out to a movie or go to lunch. Now our date nights are Fridays and we stay in and watch the SciFi channel with the kids. Before I got married the boys and I had date nights all the time. Now getting them to be seen in public with me is painful. Rose is starting to get special "girl" time-- we went, last week, and got her ears pierced and tomorrow we'll go to the mall for her birthday (just the two of us) and she's going to Club Libby Lu to get her hair done and then for pictures. I'd love to use my winnings to do girl time with my mom, but what I'll probably do is send it to my mom to use with my sister or her friend while they are all home at Christmas (and I'm stuck in Chicago). :) I don't really have any "girl friends" here-- but I did manage to still see Mama Mia (Sam took me!). :)

Beth said...

I would love a date night. Alas, I have no idea who I would take. It would either be my kiddo or my mom.
Unfortunately, the closest Regal theaters are in Kansas City and St. Louis, which are both 3+ hours away. A bit far to travel for dinner and a movie! POOP!!!!

I don't have 'regular' dates. Sad, no? Maybe when I get a job...



But I would SO love the Love Actually DVD!

Beth said...

And, I already sta...er...follow you!

Off to blog!. Be right back!

Beth said...

3rd entry!! I posted! I posted!

Go here!
http://blissfulblunders.blogspot.com/2008/12/dinner-movie.html

Have a blissful Sunday!

c said...

I love date nights, but they don't happen that often. They usually consist of going to an even we have to go to (like DH's Christmas party @ work, for example). Movies are my absolute favorite date... I think the last one we saw was Juno, and that was pretty fun. But that was quite awhile ago! Thanks for doing a great giveaway!

Knit Purl Gurl said...

I would LOVE to win this package!! I would take my hubby to the movies and dinner. We often have family dates. I go out for Moms' Night Out with the local moms group. But dates with my hubby sans children is so very nice! At this time, I wouldn't care what movie we saw as long as I got a little time with him! :)

Oh - and I LOVE 'Love, Actually' as well! I'm such a CHick-Lit and Chick-movie fanatic!

Knit Purl Gurl said...

Oh ya - I'm a follower!

Lorie said...

Congrats to the winners!

said...

I'm too late to enter the drawing but just wanted to say hello from SITS and Love, Actually is a great date movie! I loved it.

DiPaola Momma said...

With four kiddies,DH and I don't get out.. well EVER. I'd take him on a date nite. Yeah it sounds cliche, but don't under estimate a mom who NEED a night out! I'd call in on of the two bazillion favors from friends who know I have trouble saying no. I'd drive into the city all dolled up with a bunch of flowers in hand. Arrive at DH's office ala Richard Gere in "An Officer and a Gentelman".. and sweep him away for our first date nite in forever!

This isn't to say that I'm a house marm completely. After reading this post I called my BFF Carolyn whom the Navy stole away from me last year, to fondly remember the THREE times we went to see Love Actually together. The flask of hooch we smuggled into the theater and how her Scotish brough grew deeper with each refill. I'm a SUCKER for sexy ugly guys like Allan Rickman and Collin Firth (aaahhh). So I told her if I won she'd have to put her butt on a plane and we'd have our own date nite. More like I'd buy it for her two and we could have phone girl time.

Even if I'm too late for this contest THANKS for making me think about something other than kids, wrapping, baking and credit card bills!!!

PowerSweepstaking said...

date night what's that?... a concept in this house, we talk about it, but never act on it... we'd love to find the time, money and energy but none of them ever seem to be there at the same time..

PowerSweepstaking said...

I'm now following you!

DiPaola Momma said...

oooh I'm your follower #199 ONE MORE BABE!!

Anji said...

How perfect this is, just last night I messed up one of my hubby and I's date nights. We rarely get to go out because of the kids and then I went and had a terrible headache. So if I won I would take my darling hubby!

Anji said...

Start singing Pop-U-Lar I am your 200th follower!

Linda said...

If I don't take hubby, I'd probably take my oldest daughter. She babysits the little one for the times that hubby and I do go out, so she deserves a treat!

We want to see Marly and Me. What fun.

Linda said...

I'm still following ... !!!!!!!!

Kaycee And Russ said...

I would love to take my husband on a date. Unfortunately, we can not do a lot of things because of a lack of money. I would love to take him to see The Day the Earth Stood Still. He loved the original! Oh, and I follow you too!

SuZ said...

Ah, date night... what is that again? :) We've been on one date in the past 21 months, so this would come in handy. My favorite date night is dinner and a movie. Followed by some time at a bookstore that doesn't involve me chasing a child all over the store! :)

And I already follow you, so does that mean I get two entries?? :)

Cathy said...

My husband and I try to go on a "date" at least once a month, so this would be wonderful! I love the movie "Love Actually"...it was on tv last night, but I just could not watch it with all the commercials!

Cathy said...

I am a follower!

The Joye of Teaching said...

I blogged about it!

Debie Napoleon said...

Too funny - I just posted on Saturday morning about a date night with my hubby and asked the same questions!

And Love Actually is one of my most favorite movies.

Debie Napoleon said...

And now I am follower #202

Erin said...

I watched Love Actually last nigth and cried for the millionth time.
Hubs and I are dinner date fans!

Ann On and On... said...

I would take my nieces and nephews the the movies. I have not seen them in a while, this would be a great way to "hang out"..... They will pick the movie. :D

Ann On and On... said...

I am a follower! Yippy!!!!

Ann On and On... said...

I linked this post to my blog! Check it out...

jennifer57 said...

My husband and i havn't had a date night in years.

Trish said...

Pop U Lar, I wanna be Pop U Lar.......did I mention that I got tickets???? It's only 3 months away!

And unless I win this contest, that is going to be the ONLY date night Dave and I have for a very long time, cuz I blew the budget on tickets to see WICKED!

My bookclub is going to the beach next month for a weekend, and while this is my first time going I have heard that there is more wine consumed during this weekend than should be humanly possible. I'm looking forward to it!

Mrs Anne said...

I love how you gave away the Disney one! So cute!

As for my date? My J of course! We have been saving for our wedding so much that we aren't doing anything for each other for Christmas, and we aren't doing any "extras" until after our wedding (March)... so this would be great!

I think my favorite date movie was RENT, only because it was our first date :)

I'm a follower (and gladly so!)

and i'm adding this to my bloglist of giveaways!

xo

Anonymous said...

Oh, I would L.O.V.E. to go on a date with the hubby! We adore the movies and an actual date...just the two of us...where we could eat a HOT meal together??? WOW! Exciting! :)

Brandy said...

Kat, you are such a doll for always doing these great contests. So THANK YOU.

As far as a movie date, I would actually take my sister. She and I don't get to spend NEARLY enough time together. And she is such a giving person. She deserves something for her!

Brandy said...

And I am now a follower. Which I'm actually surprised that I wasn't before...because I read your blog a lot!

Shalee- Be Speechless said...

It seems that I have made a great discovery! You have a wonderful blog!
Anywho..
I would love to go on a date with my husband. We are recently married but are staying with his parents to save money for our house we are building. Since we are saving money, we often don't want to go out on dates specially not to a movie. It being almost 25 bucks for us to go in all. It would be a wonderful present to be able to go out!

Shalee- Be Speechless said...

Oh and PS I am now a follower! What a lovely treat your blog is!

Shalee- Be Speechless said...

Oh PPS
I have now blogged about this!

Lianna Knight said...

I'd love to enter...my hubby and I have seriously not seen a movie in over THREE years. Pretty bad, isn't it?

Mama Dawg said...

I already follow you.

Mama Dawg said...

This is my official comment for this post.

I'd take my kid on my date. We love the movies. And dinner!

Light of my life and I used to have a standing Friday night dinner date but that had to stop w/the economy taking a sh*tter. Now, we just have a game night.

The next movie I'm waiting for is next year. The next Harry Potter installment.

Rachel Ann said...

I would love to have a date night with a single, 30 something, gainfully employed guy! Anyone will do at this point! :) Just joking (well, kind of!).

I love movies and try to go on a regular basis; however, I'm also trying to watch my dollars right now so I haven't gone for awhile...I want to go see a good Christmas movie on Christmas day...we'll see!

Megan R. said...

Ohh, I would LOVE a date night!!! I have an 8 week old baby--yikes, he is 8 weeks exactly today, where did the time go--and DH and I have yet to go on a date since he was born! Our favorite dates are going to dinner and a movie! We both would really like to see Four Christmases. We love Vince Vaughan! I would love to go out, get dressed up and NOT have any spit up on me, and have adult conversation!!

Megan R. said...

Oh, and I already follow you!

Preston said...

Your contests are so popular. I'm single right now and note dating anyone. My friend, Linda, is also single so I would take her.

Jenners said...

If I won, I would definitely go on a date with my husband. We don't get many date nights out because we don't have family locally so I'm wondering if you could provide a babysitter as well! HAHA!

I found you through Blissful Babe's post about this contest.

Jenners said...

Jenners again. I am now your follower...and not just because of the contest (though that is cool too) but it seems like you have a lot of cool stuff here and I want to check it out! I'll be back when I have a little more time to poke around!

Lo said...

girl you've got a HUGE following!!!!! i love you, and i love that you love disney. i am a DIEHARD DISNEY FAN. no joke. am going this may!!! yippie!!! for like a week. how LUCKY am I??? ahem. anyway. :)

i (stalk)follow you already. love your blog. love the scrapbooking giveaway! wish i had more time to blog! ce la vie. anyway. love reading you and super duper hope i win this.

oh and also, who to take on a date? although i do love my husband dearly, it would be my mom- she ALWAYS pays when we go to the movies and to eat, and dangit, i'd like to take her out for a burger and a chick flick. :)

Michelle said...

I love date night with one of my kids!

Michelle said...

I am already a stalker!!! I don't think I will get a third entry this time as I am not posting again until after Christmas, just stalking, but I will take my chances with two.

Anonymous said...

I take my self out...I need some ME time!! Happy Holidays!

Heather
yahwhatever@hotmail.com

Tulsi said...

I'm not really lucky with give a ways, but I keep trying. I am following your blog.