I entered The Great State of Texas Sweepstakes Contest, which was sponsored by CMT (Country Music Television) and was won last year. I chose to take the trip January of this year however, and got to pick my top three cities in Texas that I wanted to go. The people were wonderful that set everything up. I probably entered this about five times total, as I don't usually enter for trips unless there is a lot of cash involved with the prize. But this one struck me as a worthwhile trip nonetheless.
When they called me, I thought it was someone trying to sell me something, but stayed on the line out of curiosity. The man introduced himself and asked if I remembered entering The Great State of Texas Sweepstakes Contest and after a couple of seconds... I did remember. That is when I started to get excited and tried to remember what the prize consisted of. He explained that I had won the grand prize and told me all of the wonderful details and then had a FAX sent to my husband's work number! WOW!
My prize, which I shared with a friend, since my husband couldn't go...included airfare to the city I chose, and I picked San Antonio, a limo from there to our hotel, La Omni Mansion, two spa gift cards in the amount of $300 each, dinner for two at Ruth Chris Steak House in the amount of $200 total, $150 cash and a limo ride back to the airport. Three days and two nights!
My friend and I had a ball, our hotel was on the River Walk and the spa was across the walkway from the back door of the hotel, marvelous! We chose ahead of time the spa package called, Girls Day Out, which included a full body massage, facials and lunch in the rooftop cafe. It was totally glorious!
Ruth Chris for dinner was a wonderful experience and they practically had to roll us out of the restaurant afterwards to get us in their bus back to our hotel...we had a great time. I ordered Banana's Foster for dessert just to have them light that fire by our table, woohoo!
We saw the sights on our own and enjoyed everything, worth mentioning of course was the Alamo, yes it really is smaller than you would expect, but so moving to be there. The market place was somewhere we went over and over, lots of culture and Mexican food, also gifts for people back home who didn't get to go on such a great trip!
I have entered contests for a long time, before computers (though I entered this contest online, and that's all that I do enter nowadays.) and have won many, many little prizes, but never one this big. It was valued at $5000. :)
I would say the biggest thing to remember about entering contests is this: Be consistent, don't give up... just keep plugging along. But don't spend too much time, that is so much time you don't have time for your life. Do it long enough and you are going to win something! You can't win if you don't enter... I still have high hopes for winning another big one someday!
Good luck and I hope this help inspire someone out there.
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