When I was five years old, my entire family got the chicken pox. A Polaroid picture shows me with lop-sided pony tails, red spots covering every inch, drowning in a big Mickey Mouse T-shirt. I’m smiling gallantly like “wow. What an adventure.”
My mom warned me if I itched, I would have scars for life.
She was right. I do.
But you remember what it was like: you tried to ignore it, cover it in pink calamine lotion, and freeze it with ice cubes. But in the end, I itched. That’s just the kind of gal I am. It’s the kind of runner I am.
Marathoners fall into two categories.
Those that cross the finish line and vow to NEVER do it again. Every painful step reminds them they were crazy. They heard about black toenails, bleeding chaffing spots, and screaming hamstrings. But the difference between hearing and FEELING pushed them to cross it off their bucket list and move onto Skydiving and belly dancing.
Then there are the ones that get “the itch”. The itch might start before you cross the finish line of your first marathon when you realize you’ll have to run another one to meet your goal. It might be the weight of that medal hanging from your neck. But most often in comes in the post-race celebration. As you’re drinking a beer (you earned those carbs!) and re-hashing the race with fellow runners, the question pops up: what’s next? And in the post-race glow you make big plans to run another marathon. A better marathon. A faster marathon.
And you do.
OK, so it’s not always better and it’s not always faster. In fact, the best you can say is that it’s another one. But once you get the itch, it’s there. You try to take some time off. But it drives you crazy until you JUST DO IT.
Spending time with a group of runners with the itch is humorous. Sure, they’re limping, they’re icing, they’re barley walking. And already, they’re asking: “What’s next?” They can’t help it. The thought is there. And it’s driving them crazy.
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Facebook is a marketing mecca for thousands of companies and it is also a source for coupons, freebies and samples.
Nordstrom Beauty’s Facebook page was recently featured on The Today Show. Every week Nordstrom has what it calls Free Sample Saturday in stores, and you can log on to the Facebook page to see what each week’s freebie will be. This week it’s Smashbox Cosmetics Photo Finish Primer. 
Also on Facebook, free Cheez-Its. All you need to do is vote for your favorite kind on the Cheez-Its page.
If you’re headed to the Georgia Home and Garden Show in Gwinnett County next weekend, here’s where to get free tickets: sign up on the home improvement website Networx.com and get a voucher for a free ticket. The Home and Garden show is February 11th through the 13th.
Michael’s Craft stores have a free event on Tuesday February 8th. From 10 am to noon, they get to make free one of a kind Valentine’s day hand puppets. It’s open to children age 3 years old and up.
Bank of America and Merrill Lynch cardholders get free admission to the High Museum of Art and the Atlanta History Center on the first weekend of the month, February 5th and 6th.
And Fulton County residents get free admission to the High Museum of Art on the first Saturday of the month.
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It’s not too early to start thinking about Valentine’s day, especially if you’re looking for freebies.
Michael’s Craft stores have a full slate of free activities for the family. Starting February 4th there will be classes to make photo holders, puppets and more. Go to Michaels.com and click on “Classes” to see the schedule.
Here’s some free music from Sister Hazel: Amazon has an 11 song sampler album you can download for a limited time. And while you’re online, you can grab a free sample of Quaker Oatmeal Squares cereal, and even send a sample to up to ten friends. That’s at Quakeroats.com
And click here to get a free packet of Maggi Chicken soup. It’s good while supplies last.
For adults only: Miller High Life will send you a dollar when you sign up under the Get Sponsored Promotion on their web site. Even better, you can choose to donate your dollar to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
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I think the world can be divided into two kinds of people: those that make New Year’s resolutions (Type A personalities—we all know what the “A” stands for) and those that do not (I think the B in Type B personalities stands for “beer-appreciators”).
I don’t always keep mine, but I always make them (while sipping a beer). One of my 2011 resolutions is to start blogging again. My blog participation started with a bang, encouraged (perhaps demanded) by news management, then dwindled, then stopped. I blame the game of 140 characters.
Twitter killed the blog.
If I am constantly feeding anyone who gives a damn my witty thoughts, I have nothing left to say in a blog. .. Right?
Guess I need to turn up the witty.
That just sounds exhausting.
It’s made me re-think what I want to say, how I want to say it, and who I’m reaching. As I train for the Alaska marathon, I want to make you laugh, cheer, and come along for the ride. I’ll be posting pictures, video, and (of course) my random thoughts. One time, I compared blogging to standing in a closet and talking to myself. A very talented 11Alive photographer once said, “It used to be that boring people kept it to themselves.”
I’d make an eloquent argument to say that can’t possibly apply to me since I’m oh-so-exciting, but I can’t. There’s no outlet in this closet and my laptop is running out of power.
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Happy New Year! I took much of the second half of December off so Ways to Save has been on a bit of a hiatus with no Friday Freebies. Here are the top freebies for this weekend:
On Sunday January 9th, the first five thousand people who Like Tide Brand Laundry detergent on Facebook get a free stain removing pen.
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On January 12th, the first five thousand people who Like Coastal Contacts on Facebook will get a free pair of prescription glasses. The promotion starts at 9 a.m. There is a charge for shipping.
From AtlantaOnTheCheap.com: Theatre in the Square in Marietta is offering free acting classes for both children and adults on January 15th. Space is limited and you need to pre-register by noon on the 14th.
Paula Begoun is the author of the books, Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me and the Beauty Bible. You can join her Beautypedia website for two months free to get reviews on dozens of beauty products. A membership normally costs $4.95 per month or $24.95 per year.
If you live in Fulton County here’s a museum freebie: on the first Saturday of the month Fulton County residents get free admission to the Center for Puppetry Arts Museum. The offer begins January 8th.
Fulton County residents also get free admission to the High Museum of Art the first Saturday of the month. The next free date is February 5th.
Don’t miss Ways to Save at 11pm, 6am and on 11alive.com this week! We’ll have info on FREE tax preparation, how to plan your shopping around the calendar all year long, and lots more! I’ll answer viewer questions on 11Alive Weekend Morning News at 6am and tell you where my favorite clearance sales are on Sunday at 9am.
Have a great weekend!
V
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Black Friday is over, but the shopping isn’t. Cyber Monday is the official kickoff to the online shopping season.
Here are some ways to save money while shopping online:
Register at Swagbucks.com to earn points that appear on your computer randomly as you search the internet. The points can be redeemed for prizes and gift cards. 450 points qualifies you for a $5 Amazon gift card.
Compare prices at pricegrabber com. Once you find the item you are looking for, check ebates.com and shopathome.com for rebates. Both websites offer rebates that vary from one to 12 percent and vary by the store and by the day.
Before checking out go to retailmenot.com and promotionalcodes.com to find codes for additional discounts and free shipping.
Another way to get free shipping on many items is by joining Amazon prime. It’s $79 but right now amazon is offering a free one month trial membership.
Many retailers will be posting their cyber monday discounts at cybermonday.com. It’s the national retail federation’s official Cyber Monday website.
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If you want to save money on toys sometimes you’re better off staying out of the toy stores.
Aldi is a German based no frills grocery store chain that stocks a small assortment of gift and toy deals in limited quantities every holiday season.
This year Aldi has the popular kids’ toys Bakugan, Star Wars Lego and Barbie accessories at rock botttom prices.
For example, the Lego Star Wars Freeco Speeder set is $18.99 at Aldi. That is at least three dollars less than at Amazon.com or Walmart. Pricegrabber.com also didn’t find a lower price on the Lego items.
Another place to check for popular toys is at Tuesday Morning, which carries overstock and liquidated items or items that may have undergone logo or packaging changes.
Consignment stores can also be a gold mine and gently used toys aren’t encased in difficult to remove plastic packaging and wires!
Also keep in mind that Walmart stores will usually match a competitor’s price if you bring in a current ad. The Aldi sale runs through Tuesday November 9th.
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If you’re on facebook head on over to the Food Should Taste Good page. You get a free bag of all natural potato chips if you click on Like.
Oriental Trading Company is sending out free 2011 calendars that also include discount coupons. Register at orientaltrading.com 
Betty Crocker is also sending out free 2011 recipe Calendars. Just go to Betty Crocker.com to sign up.
Your pet can get a free rabies vaccination Saturday, October 30th at City of Refuge. The non profit group is teaming up with the Humane Society of the United States to give out free vaccinations from 10 am to 1 pm. City of Refuge is located at 1300 Joseph E Boone Blvd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30314. Free bags of pet food will also be distributed.
And if you like country music mark you Calendar for November 4th. Patty Loveless is giving a free concert at Discover Mills at 6pm. The concert is designed to draw awareness to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and free screenings will be available.
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You can get a free sandwich, a free session with an interior designer and more in this week’s freebies.
The Bare Escentuals Quickie Van is coming to Atlanta to give samples, coupons and what they’re calling makeunders to metro Atlanta women. The van will be at Decatur’s Oakhurst 
Music Festival Saturday and at the Sweet Auburn Festival Sunday.
You have till October 13th to grab a free box of Smucker’s Uncrustable sandwiches. You have to be one of the first 400 people to register at uncrustables.com every day till the promotion ends.
The Atlanta Wind Symphony is kicking off its 32nd season with free concerts. The first is Sunday, October 10th at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center at 3pm. Subsequent concerts are free as well, although donations are welcome.
If your home needs a makeover, interior designer Kraig Kelsey of Kraig Kelsey Interiors is doing free one on one sessions at the Kirkland’s store at Cumming Town Center from 1pm to 4pm October 23rd and 24th. Bring in photos, swatches and paint chips for free decorating advice.
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On Monday, October 4th the Concourse Athletic Club is opening it’s doors to the public for free from 11am to 7pm. The Whole Health Expo will have various complimentary health screenings for free as well as a cholesterol tests and flu shots for a small fee. The event raises money for breast cancer research. The club is located at 8 Concourse Pkwy, NE Sandy Springs, GA 30328.
Satuday, October 2nd is the first Saturday of the month so Fulton county Residents get free admission to the High Museum of Art. Bank of America cardholders get free admission to the High as well as several other museums on the first weekend of the month.
October 10th is Target Free Family Day at the Woodruff Art Center. There will be programs and events at the High Museum,The Atlanta Symphony and a petting zoo for the kids.
The Great American Cookie company is giving away a free cookie when you donate a used book throughout the month of October. (Participating locations only)
Best Buy stores are having Free Phone Fridays through the month of October. You can choose one of several smart phones on Fridays if you sign up for two years of phone service. Some of the featured phones, like the Blackberry Curve, retail for more than $200.00
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Flash sale websites are proliferating on the internet. The sites typically have deeply discounted items that vary from day to day.
OneKing’sLane.com has name brand cooking, houseware and décor items at up to 70 percent off regular retail prices. The store is having a promotion that gives newly referred members
$15.00 off a purchase. There are plenty of items that are only 15 dollars each, which makes them free after $7.50 shipping.
Click here to join and get a $15.00 store credit, then refer friends to earn further credits.
Families who are heading to the Mayfield Dairy pumpkin patch and corn maze can go it for half price. Just go online and buy tickets at HalfOffDepot.com. The tickets are available while supplies last, they’re four dollars each and kids under age two get in free.
The Mayfield Dairy is located in Braselton, Georgia about an hour from Atlanta.
Restaurant.com gift certificates are on sale again, and there is an extra incentive to buy them. Customers can buy a $25.00 gift certificate to one of many Atlanta restaurants for two dollars using the coupon code “AUTUMN.” After checking out you will receive an additional ten dollar gift certificate via email within 24 hours. The two certificates cannot be used together.
Most restaurants require a $35.00 dollar purchase in order to use your $25.00 dollar certificate.
The best way to save is keep your tab right at $35.00 so you’ll end up paying $12.00 total plus tip.
Participating Chili’s restaurants are giving 100 percent of their profits to charity on Monday, September 27th.
The money goes to St. Jude’s Children’s Research hospital.
Sign up for Chili’s email club and get a coupon for a free chips and queso appetizer.
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Every Friday I come up with a list of free items and events around the metro Atlanta area. I try not to include Free with Purchase freebies because in that case you do actually have to shell out some money.
Free after Rebate is another category I shy away from this one looks too good to pass up! Hershey’s is having a promotion called Moderation Nation. The company is offering individuals a free one-on-one nutritional consultation with a registered dietician in your area that’s worth up to $250.00. To sign up go to hersheys.com/moderationnation. Close to 2000 consultations are available nationwide. You will need to submit a rebate form to be reimbursed for your consultation. Thanks to Registered Dietitian Maria Spano for that great tip!
On September 30th Cold Stone Creamery is having the World’s Largest Ice Cream Social. Those who visit a participating Cold Stone Creamery store between 5 and 8pm get a free 3 ounce serving of Kate’s Creation, an apple pie ice cream concoction. Donations are encouraged since the event promotes the Make a Wish Foundation for children with life threatening medical conditions. That may seem strange coming after a free nutrition counseling item, but after all, it’s only 3 ounces!
September 25th Smithsonian Magazine is sponsoring free admission to museums around the country, including Atlanta’s High Museum of Art. To download a freeTicket for the 6th annual Smithsonian Museum day, go to htttp://www.smithsonianmag.com/
For more more money saving tips go to http://twitter.com/Valuesval and join me for 11 Alive Weekend Morning News at 9am Saturday and Sunday!
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Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital is holding an online Halloween sale. Children’s costumes are as low as $5.00 and some baby items are $1.00. The sale also includes decorations and party supplies.
Restaurant.com is having an 80 percent off sale. $25.00 gift certificates for local restaurants are available for $2.00 when you use the code “TOUCHDOWN” at checkout.
Most restaurants require a purchase of least $35 dollars worth of food, so out of pocket expenses will be $12.00 plus tip for a 35 dollar meal.
Buckhead Life Restaurant Group is giving away thousands of $25.00 gift cards. Like them on Facebook and provide your address to get the card. The gift cards are good for dinner only at Buckhead Diner, Blue Pointe and many other restaurants in the Buckhead Life corporation. Bistro Niko is not included. This offer ends on Tuesday, September 14th. 14th.
Cobb County Restaurant Week continues through next Saturday. Participating restaurants will provide fixed price lunches and dinners for $20.10.Those restaurants include The Grape and Soho on Paces Ferry, The Marietta Fish Market and Shillings On The Square. For the full list go to the Cobb Convention and Visitor’s Bureau website.
B.J.’s Wholesale club has another free trial membership available. Customers can activate the card any time before December 31st, 2010 and use it free for sixty days. Click here to get a BJ’s temporary membership.
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I’m headed to the Aquarium with my family this week for $25.00!
It would normally cost us about $75 to buy 1 adult and two child General Admission tickets and pay for parking (Adult General Admission Tickets are $26.00 and kids are $19.50)
I wrote about this deal last week but have gotten so many follow up questions and requests for information, I’m adding to it and letting you know about more deals as well!!
The Mommy and Me promotion drastically cuts the price: For $25.00, one parent and four children age five and under can visit the aquarium. The special deal also includes parking.
The promotion is not listed under the ticket page of the Gaaquarium.org but visitors can order tickets at this link:www.gaaquarium.org/acb/stores.
Aquarium Spokesman Scott Higley said the Aquarium circulated news of the deal on Facebook and Twitter as a way of rewarding it’s social media subscribers.
The Aquarium has more ways to get free admission coming up!
New this year is Pirate Days on September 24th through the 26th. Kids who come dressed as a pirate get in free with a paying adult. That deal is available for kids age 12 and under.
Halloween weekend parents who pay their own admission can bring up to two children for free as long as the kids are in costume.
You can also visit the aquarium free on your birthday, whether you bring a paid for person or not.V
olunteering is also a way to get discounted or free admission. Those who sign up for the Aquarium’s volunteer program pay a one time fee of $60.00 and receive a t-shirt, training class and a one year membership. As they accrue volunteer hours, volunteers receive free tickets and memberships for friends and family.
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Restaurant.com gift certificates are available at an 80 percent discount this week. $25.00 dollar gift certificates are $2.00 when you use the code: “CLEAR
ANCE. ” Many of the certificates require a minimum food purchase of $35.00 and do not include alcohol.
K and G Fashion superstore is having a Summer Clearance Sale. Men and women’s clothing that was already on sale is now 50 percent off the sale price.
North Georgia Premium Outlets in Dawsonville is having a Labor Day weekend sale. Many of the outlets will have big bargains from Friday to Monday, and some stores like Polo and Guess have already started markdowns.
And the Mommy and Me promotion has returned to the Georgia
Aquarium. For $25.00 one adult and up to four children under five years old can visit the aquarium Monday through Friday through November 12th. That price even includes parking. Without the special pricing a parent and four children would pay $115.00. Visitors who want the Mommy and Me deal must order online at Gaaquarium.org.acb/stores
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