A day at the beach?  Don’t remember the last time that happened… Currently I am a full time corporate trainer, full time undergraduate student in my final year, wife of a police officer, mother of 5 (3 at home) and grandmother of a three year old.  I am also the only child of my 76 yr old mother and care for her full time.  Currently I am trying to sell my home and move into hers to make that chore a bit easier.  In the last year my grandmother died, my oldest son was shot during his 3rd tour in Iraq, his wife miscarried their first child, my company was sold and now they are looking at eliminating my position, and my financial aid runs out 6 classes before I complete my degree.  Even my doctor has stated that I have to get a handle on my stress and find some down time!  Help me TBF!  Let me at least imagine I have enough time to sit on the beach unadorned by the stressful life we survive in daily…please???

I need a day at the beach because life is too short to just work, work, work! Nothing beats the sun, salt water and sand between your toes! I’m whiter than can be and this girl needs a tan!!!

I need a day at the beach to celebrate! I am a 31 yr old single mother of two, who recently went on educational leave from my regular job as an EC (Exceptional Childrens) Teacher Assistant to return to college. I’m doing this after a 10 yr hiatus..starting in summer school, of all things. I finished summer school with a 3.5 GPA..making 2 B’s the first session and 2 A’s the second session.  I give God all the credit and I am so happy that I was able to do it. One thing I’ve not been able to do is keep money, I exhausted my savings paying for school and books, but with this GPA, I’ll qualify for financial aid for the Fall Semester. (yay!) I am blessed to have children who understand what Mommy is trying to do for them, and emotionally supportive family and friends who look out for them. My personal goals this year are to maintain or exceed my GPA and to get off of hypertension medication. Before deciding to return to school, I was working 2 jobs in addition to my regular job, and it was killing me. Eventhough money is tight right now, I’ve never felt so peaceful…a day at the beach would just top off my elation. Thanks so much!

I need a day at the beach because I have spent my entire summer doing gymnastics 20 hours a week in a sweaty smelly gym! And as much as I love the sport….I need a break for a day!!

I need a day at the beach because I need time to relax! I am a student all year round, taking care of patients, and sometimes its just important to take care of yourself too :)

I could really use a day at the beach, since I have not had a day off since June, my mom was in town last week, my Mother in Law next week and I have two more gruelling weeks of working retail ahead of me before I can even think of spending a day relaxing!

A day at the beach would be a super treat for me, as this summer has been spent completing an international move, applying for various residency papers, and otherwise working on integrating myself into the culture. As that will be an ongoing thing for a while, it would be swell to have one day to do nothing but listen to the waves and music, reading, and watching the day go by with my new hubby at my side, without having to worry about any of the million things involved with starting life over someplace new.

The comment above are really making me smile. We ALL deserve it.

I just wanted to let TBF know that I recently bought her book. It wasn’t a very intentional purchase, I saw a book on related subject and wanted to buy from amazon. On one of the reviews on that book, a reader recommended your book and I bought it. From there I came to know about your weblog too.

I have to admit I did not now about you at all and since I recently moved to states, your book is HUGE help for my online and/or outlet shopping. Believe me there are a lot website which can tell you how to be ceapa$$ but none of them make a sensible fashionista out of wise frugality.

Best of Luck Kathryn!

I need a day at the beach because I have polymorphous light eruption. That’s a big, fancy name for “allergic to the sun.” The sun interacts with my skin to cause a painful, stinging, itchy, rashy, stubborn reaction, but I love the ocean. So, my rare beach outings have always included a huge umbrella, sun hat, long sleeves, pants, etc, etc. I am grateful, however, to be near the ocean. It soothes me. I like to see others having fun in the sun, and remembering when I was very small, before my allergy developed, when my daddy and I would build sand castles and sand alligators.

I need a day at the beach to be grateful that I had those fun times, and that others can still enjoy them. And also, to remember that one medical condition is otweighed by all the blessings in my life, and that being wrapped up like mummy is nothing compared to all the joy in my life. :)

I NEED a day at the beach! I just finished my six weeks of (unpaid) working at a summer camp. The kids were cute, but also loud, obnoxious, and hard to deal with. One hit her head against mine and made me bite my lip so now it is completely swollen. All I want is ONE relaxing day at the beach!

Wow, I really really need a treat like this to restore my faith in humanity!!!!!Please :)

defend giveaway

Simply because I DESERVE it!

JUST NEED TO GET AWAWY FROM THREE BOYS AND TWO DOGS AND A HUSBAND

I need a day at the beach - living in Kansas is as landlocked as can be!  I grew up on the beaches of Ocean City Maryland and Stone Harbour, NJ and I miss it sooo much.

I could really use thi summer prize package.  This summer has been one of the worst, most stressful ever!  I am a student in the university and I work.  My fiance and I just broke up after he cheated on me.  And on top of everything, I just found out I have cancer!  A weekend at the beach to forget all my worries would just be heaven to me!

I need a day at the beach. Not because I’m tired or because I deserve it, but because:

1. I’m about to embark on a whirlwind tour of liberal arts colleges all around the country.

2. And start the college admissions process and my senior year of high school.

3. Because this is my last summer vacation that will actually be a vacation, especially with my family (I’ll have to work overtime for the next four summers just to pay for school).

4. And because I need a glow for my school pictures.

Great contest btw, love the blog and the book!

I need a day ont he beach because I’m originally form the Caribbean and I’m such a Caribbean girl at heart. Living in NY is so different for me and I’m homesick! I need a day on the beach! Please help me!

OMG!!! I REALLY WANT A D&B YOU HAVE NO IDEA…PLEEEEESEEEE PLEEEESEEE I NEED IT!!!

Ohh….free garb. Hooray!

I need a day at the beach because I live in the Ocean State and I have only been able to get to the beach once this summer!!! I’ve been working 70 hours a week since last September and I need a break.

I deserve a day at the beach because I am a working mother with 3 little girls.

I’m a full time student trying to work my way into the pharmacy program annnnd I have two jobs.  AND my apartment doesn’t have a.c. The beach is my refuge.

I’ve been a military wife for 23 years (hubby’s now retired from active duty), mom of 3 children (15,13 and 12) whom I’ve home-schooled for the past 4 years.  Because of my husband’s and children’s busy schedules, I am usually on the run most day with errands or appointments.

I have always been an avid reader. Although these days, I don’t get as much time as I’d like to indulge that passion, I can’t imagine anything better than a day at the beach to relax in the sun, bury my toes in the warm sand and read a good book while the sound of the water laps against the shore ...  Sheer Heaven!

I’d love a day at the beach! I’m a mother-of-two, and haven’t had an uninterrupted day at the beach since 1998!  Before I had kids, it was a nice day in the sun, reading, sleeping, without the danger…now it’s just watching the kids every move, no time for reading.  This would be wonderful.