Wednesday, September 8, 2010

$80 CSN Giveaway

First things first. Have you heard about this “little” fire outside of Boulder? It has now grown to over 7,000 acres, 3,000 people have been evacuated and 100 structures/homes have been burned. While we’re about ten miles away, we’re affected. Yesterday our kids were inside for recess and all outside after school stuff was cancelled. The air quality stunk (literally). It’s pretty eerie at night to see the foothills on fire. By day, the sun is covered by a thick band of smoke. Hopefully progress will be made today.

When I was 15 there was a forest fire that caused us to evacuate. My mom left uncooked ground beef in a pan and we grabbed the cat, the dog and the photo albums. We walked miles and spent the night in the American Embassy. Our house was spared with only a few bushes burned, but a house right across the street was charred to the ground. The smell of smoke in the air always reminds me of how scared I was back then. My thoughts go out to everyone affected by the Four Mile Canyon Fire. Here’s what it looked like on Monday:

Now – to the giveaway!!

Free money. That’s what it is. Money to dress up your home. Money to buy that new toaster. Money to spend on a new coffee table.

Those poor guys stuck underground in Chile* might not know about CSN Stores, but if you breeze in and out of the blog world, you certainly do. In fact, this is my second giveaway with these guys. CSN Stores has over 200 specialized online stores featuring a variety of home goods such as furniture, home decor, house wares, fitness equipment, shoes, bags and luggage. Plus, they provide free shipping and returns.

Want $80 in CSN bucks? Do this (a comment for each):

  1. Write about this giveaway on your blog - +1 entry
  2. Become a follower of my blog if you’re not already or if you are, tell me - +1 entry
  3. Tell me about the one thing you’d most like to improve about your house, apartment, condo, etc. – + 1 entry

Good luck! Giveaway ends Wednesday, September 15.

The fine print:

  • CSN Stores provided this giveaway. I did not pay anything for it.
  • Contest only open to US and Canadian residents
  • The winner will be chosen at random by Random.org
  • Check back September 15 to see if you won!
  • If I don’t hear back from the winner within 2 days after posting that they’ve won, I’ll Random.org another name

Thanks for playing and good luck!

*I’m not being glib or minimizing here. These guys are a complete testimony to how the human spirit can prevail. Stuck 2,300 feet underground until Christmas. I bet Oprah is trying to get a phone down there to set up their first interview.

234 comments:

  1. i NEED more storage space - maybe via some new small tables/shelves?

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  2. also, i'm already a blog follower via google reader :)

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  3. I need to reorganize our master closet

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  4. Here is my link: http://christy-goingthedistance.blogspot.com/2010/09/giveaways.html

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  5. So sad about the fires...was thinking about you Colorado peeps today while watching the news.

    I'm a follower

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  6. Our master bath needs some serious attention

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  7. I need to organize my laundry room, hoping it will motivate me to clean more!

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  8. stay safe! i'm a follower already

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  9. i'd like to improve the lighting in my apartment. it's terrible!

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  10. i'm linking to you in my next post

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  11. need some better storage items!!! badly in need of it at my apartment :(

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  13. Cool giveaway! I shall post about it today!

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  14. I am, of course, a follower. :)

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  15. I linked ya on my blog side bar!

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  16. I need so much in this house...but what I would probably do is use it towards either a rug or a small kitchen table...but that's assuming I don't come across another must-have item first, like a coffee maker or new pan or kitchen items...

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  17. We really need to improve our organization in the garage.

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  18. and, I'd probably get some things for the kitchen

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  19. The one thing I'd like to improve most about my house is my bedroom! It needs a revamp! A new bedset would definitely help with that!

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  20. I still really want a foam roller ... and other such fitness nonsense.

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  21. I thinking about my front-ranger friends today. I hope all goes well.
    um..yeah...I'm a follower... :)

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  22. I would like to improve my towel status. Why oh why can't I just buy new towels like a normal person?

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  23. YAY I follow you --- maybe even to Vegas. PLEASE tell me you are scared by NOW?! ;)

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  24. I want a foam roller. To hit the pita over the head with.

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  25. I would love to redo a few rooms in my house. The first would be the master bedroom and bath and then also the kitchen. The kitchen needs new floors and a new frig and a few other items.

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  26. I am a follower of your crazy journey...lovin every second of it!!!:)

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  27. Right now we are working on improving our sunroom. We laid tile this past weekend, and my husband is painting the room today. I would love to find some neat pictures or furniture to go in our sunroom off of CSN.

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  28. I already follow you!!
    jacksoncrisman@yahoo.com

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  29. Just one thing to improve??Well, the foundation is off at the house so my front door shifted and now it will not lock!!!I need a new door.
    jacksoncrisman@yahoo.com

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  30. I would like a new cabinet or something for my overabundance of bake ware. The kitchen is overflowing

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  31. I'm a follower. Thank god for Smokey and all those years of fire suppression, right?

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  32. The thing we've struggled for years to try and improve is the wall affectionately known as the 'Yellow Monster'. One long, large wall in our family room that is painted a yellow/gold color that we can't seem to find the 'right' thing to put on the wall for decoration. Thus, it sits in all it's undecorated splendor.

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  33. Not another entry, but in response to your comment on my blog .... "That's what she said."
    Couldn't resist.

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  34. Hi Beth, Follower of SUAR!! Deb

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  35. Beth, Lving Room is in shambles (literally under reconstuction), it will need help to finish. Deb

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  36. and I want a fancy mcpants blender! it would greatly improve the overall look of my house, trust me.

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  37. I have been thinking about you and worried about the fires near you - how scary! The smoke is not too bad here but I can definitely feel it in my eyeballs and lungs.

    Anyhoo, I am a follower :)

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  38. Since a have the daughter in college, I have no $$ for house remodeling, though the whole house needs a total revamp. I'd start with my family room, it's the biggest "stuck in the 80's" room.

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  39. posted a comment on my blog
    http://ctcupcake.blogspot.com/2010/09/wishlist-wednesday-and-giveaway.html

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  40. The walls of my house need more decoration. I don't like clutter at all, but some of my walls just look kind of bare.

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  41. And...what my house really needs is new kitchen appliances - I'm talking dishwasher, stove, microwave...if I win, what it will get is flatware to replace my missing spoons and forks - seriously, where do they disappear to?

    Bummer on the fire - always so scary. Hope it's put out soon.

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  42. my apt needs more comfy seating, am desperate for an armchair, so winning would help towards the purchase, since all I have is one couch and no armchairs

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  43. If I could change something about my home, I would put more then ONE outlet in my kitchen... then I'd get ALL new kitchenware...knives, pots, pans. All those wedding gifts must have had a 3-year lifespan, as they all went to crap at the same time a few yaers ago. And since I'm nice, I let my children eat food instead of buying new stuff.

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  44. I'm a follower!! AND....I'm dying for a new coffee table!!! The dog bed just isn't cutting it anymore :(

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  45. I am a follower!

    How could I not be. You ran with DEAN! We probably have his sweat covered towel listed on ebay by now. heehee

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  46. Linking you in tomorrow's post. You can check me on it. Linking you on Face book too.

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  47. My house. Well, the Pa house (kids and I) need our furance to work. It doesn't currently. That's not a problem in 80+ degree weather however the 40 something nights are reminding me that I probably should be at least getting some estimates. You think?

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  48. Opps, and the VA house (Hubbs stationed there but we have a house). We need the front porch made safer. (Older house.) and some more furniture would be nice. ;-)

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  49. i would buy a steam vac because our carpet is pretty gross and so far thats all i could think of that needs improvement

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  50. I'm a follower! Woop woop :)

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  51. I'll post a link to my blog tonight/tomorrow morning.

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  52. I could totally use a pressure cooker. Or, a crock pot. Either would be so lovely :) Thanks for the sweet giveaway!

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  53. I'd like to improve the mess that is my apartment. Not sure how one can correct their cleaning skills, unfortunately....

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  54. annnnd i could use some new bedding!! real bad.

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  55. I would love new rugs - mine are just worn out! Our home is only 3 1/2 years old , so we don't need a lot of updating, but I think rugs and new throw pillows would freshen things up a bit!!

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  56. i want to sell the current house and start from scratch at a new place.

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  57. i linked it in the sidebar of my blog

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  58. You're linked, in a post and on my sidebar.

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  59. I don't even know where to start with what I'd like to improve but since we're renting and I can't do the things I'd like (completely gut it and start from scratch), I think I nice throw rug or new curtains could do wonders.

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  60. We moved into our house more than a year ago and we have no decor on the walls. It's sad really.

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  61. That would have been a horrifying experience! No wonder you are still scarred. I hope they are able to make some good progress against those fires SOON!

    Count me in for the giveaway - I'm a follower!

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  62. We really need to work on our siding and paint the exterior of our house.

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  63. and

    its totally not in the "home improvement" aspect

    but

    If I won the gift card I would use it to get my kiddo (whose bday is next month) a plasma car. He has been wanting one and lo and behold CSN carries them.

    you dont want to let a little kid down, do you :)

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  64. If I could, I'd paint and decorate the kids bedrooms.

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  65. And one thing I'd like to improve in our condo is to add some interesting patterned wallpaper to a small strip of wall in our living area to give the room some color punch.

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  66. i'm a follower.

    hewella1 at gmail dot com

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  67. I would love to improve my kitchen and give it a Tuscan feel.

    hewella1 at gmail dot com

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  68. I just finished grad school, so just about everything in my apt could use an upgrade!

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  69. First and most important, prayers that you all are ok and that fire is controlled quickly.

    Second, I'm already a follower.. how could I not be?!! You're amazing.

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  70. and... third, I need a new ice cream maker. OK -not a home improvement but it would be a "mood uplifter" if that counts.

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  71. Closets! I would have all the closets redone with closet organizers, space savers, and anything else that would maximize the space.
    karenb1961(at)gmail(dot)com

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  72. We just bought our first house and we are trying to pretend we are real adults and get nice furniture. I am desperately trying to get a new kitchen table, and some new bedroom furniture.

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  74. I have added the give away to my blog. The link is here: http://livinginahayes.blogspot.com/2010/09/wednesday-september-8-201080-csn.html

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  75. I am a follower of you blog. LOVE IT!!!!

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  76. I really would like to draw up plans and completely re-work my backyard. make it more pleasant and usable for the family.

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  77. In Southern California, we get wild fires every year. It's really the only weather-related issue we have to deal with, aside from the occasional earthquake.

    Sorry about the fire in your neck of the woods, though. It's BEAUTIFUL out there.Hope I get to travel out there to do a race some day.

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  78. I really, really, really, really want a vitamix mixer - and having $80 to put towards it would make my hubbs very happy!
    I've entered for this so many times! I have to win!

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  79. So sorry to hear the fires are so close - out here in California they are a regular occurance. Hope you are all staying safe!

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  80. I'd put the money towards a new sofa/futon - the one my roommate and I have now is so uncomfortable that I don't think anyone's used the living room in at least a month (no exaggeration).

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  81. I would put the money towards a table. I have no table :(

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  82. Cool! I am already a follower. I would like something to decorate my bedroom, something that I would not normally spend money on!

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  83. Sad to say, that we have accumulated a lot of papers to be filed. I would really like to get a nice filing system down and throw out everything we really don't need or want

    mmatt624 at gmail dot com

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  84. google friend connect follower

    mmatt624 at gmail dot com

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  85. blog entry
    http://mbf-babble.blogspot.com/2010/09/80-csn-giveaway.html

    mmatt624 at gmail dot com

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  86. I am a follower.

    hillaryanna at yahoo dot com

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  87. I need storage containers big time for all of our stuff!

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  88. I'm a follower! And would looove to make my bare walls more interesting.

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  89. Got your Give-a-way on my blog.
    www.imafitnessjunky.blogspot.com

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  90. Improvements - We are building a new house in a few months and I could go crazy with some CSN $$$!

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  91. I still live at home so i have one room to myself lol... i would probalby get some sort of storage or shelving :)

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  92. I would love to tile or put in wood floor. Our carpet is gross with 3 kids!

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  93. Yuck. Hope the air is getting better.
    I'm a follower.

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  94. I'd love to get rid of my crappy cabinets. But I don't think an $80 gc will do it. Bummer.

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  95. i wish my kitchen was bigger, that's what i'd like to improve

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  96. I'd like to decorate more with vases, paintings, etc.

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  97. i'm a blog follower too - evil_eva12

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  98. Holy, my thoughts go out to anyone affected by the fire as well.

    I am a follower.

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  99. Hmmm, as for improving my apartment, I'd invest in my bed - new sheets!

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  100. It is hard to narrow down just one thing to improve on our house (we moved about 4 months ago) but I could really use some better organization? I'm sure I could find something @ CSN to help with that....

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  101. i'm a follower! google reader, baby! :)

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  102. i'd love to redecorate my living room. the pillows on our couch are gross and i'd love some coordinating decor for the walls!

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  103. I would love to declutter! Having 4 kids makes time a little short.. but I *will* do it :O)

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  104. Get rid of PAPER!!!! It seems like as soon as I get rid of a stack the next stack is already starting - just can't keep up.

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  105. Hope that your place stays safe and that they are able to get the fires under control - I LOVE Boulder - it is a great city. It actually reminds me of Madison . . . except for the foot hills and mountains and weather. But otherwise they are very similar. ;-)

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  106. i want some tables and some lamps in the apt... my bf hates lamps... all the more reason to get one... or five!

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  107. The one thing I would change about my bed is I would love to get a headboard/new bed brame!

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  108. I need lamps/lighting and some new bedding!

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  109. I've got a good feeling about this one this time. I follow!

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  110. Sorry about the fire. Been hearing all about it from my peeps in Erie. Hope they get it out soon.

    I'm a follower

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  111. I would love a big huge screen TV for my bedroom. You can get that with $80 can't you?

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  112. I blogged about this giveaway and posted here:
    http://thespanglyprincess.blogspot.com/2010/09/csn-stores-gift-certificate-giveaway_08.html

    lyndadawinda1074 at yahoo dot com

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  113. I’m following you publicly via GFC. ID: lyndadawinda1074
    lyndadawinda1074 at yahoo dot com

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  114. I am currently trying to reorganize my closets.
    lyndadawinda1074 at yahoo dot com

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  115. Google Friend Connect follower

    quacklynn at gmail dot com

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  116. I'd love to get some new bedroom furniture. I hate my dresser!

    quacklynn at gmail dot com

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  117. blog posting
    http://babyonthemind.blogspot.com/2010/09/80-csn-stores-gift-card-giveaway.html

    quacklynn at gmail dot com

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  118. I would love to take out all the carpet and install wood floors ....and then put glorious rugs everywhere. :)

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  119. Blogged!
    http://vintagefabulous.blogspot.com/2010/09/shut-up-and-run-80-csn-giveaway.html

    heatheranne99 at gmail dot com

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  120. I'd like to improve my dining room furniture. They're falling apart.

    heatheranne99 at gmail dot com

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  121. i just became a new follower
    andrea d
    drea8685@yahoo.com

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  122. Posted to my blog sidebar: http://soskinnyontheinside.blogspot.com

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  123. I need to better organize everything in my house - getting there, but not done yet!

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  124. I would LOVE to tile my house. And, to get rid of all the toys from my 3 kids - but that'll be about 6 years or so.

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  125. What I'd most like to do is get a new house!! Otherwise, some new storage would probably make this one much more livable. We need to move! :)

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  126. Yes, I hope everyone's okay in the Boulder area...such a beautiful place & hope the fire gets under control.

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  127. wow, what a scary childhood memory!

    i'm already a follower and i need to improve my general decorating. we've lived in the new house for over a year and the walls are still bare. i suck at it.

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  128. This Fire business is awful, I'm sorry you all are so close to the actual thing - it's hard to remember how bad it is over here because the skies are clear and the smell of smoke hasn't reached us just yet.

    If you need somewhere to run, smoke-free, I can show you around my 'hood! :)

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  129. I would LOVE to buy a new poofy bed for my dog! He has just about worn out the one he has in the living room!

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  130. I still can't believe that fire! We landed in DIA on Tuesday and driving down I-25 we were like "Where did the mountains go? Is that FOG?".

    I'm a follower!

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  131. Our house is sparse and white. I would love to spruce up the walls with some bright paints and nice decor.

    A new coffee table might be nice too...

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  132. the one thing i would like to improve would defiantly be the clutter. i need more storage ideas to de-clutter our apartment, especially before baby gets here

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  133. My house desperately needs something to organize my garage, get some of the clutter out of the house and into its own place!

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  134. I want to remodel my kitchen....VERY BADLY. (BAD?)

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  135. I'd like to redecorate our bedroom - it's just kind of blah.

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  136. Organization - please more organization! I really hate clutter.

    alanna

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  137. In my home, I would like to improve my closet space, which means more organization and more organizers :)

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  138. My house is new and still has the contractor paint on the walls. I would like to repaint every room!

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  139. Here via Tall Mom. I'd replace the nasty carpet in our dining room with hardwood flooring.

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  140. I'm a follower. And I want a well-stocked applianced kitchen for all my baking ventures!

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  141. I posted this giveaway on my blog runzoerun.com.

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  142. Dude, I hate hardwood/linoleum floors, and my entire downstairs is covered in it. So, eventually I would love to put in some carpet.

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