I joined ST April 2007. When my daughter went to sleep and I needed some down time, I would get on the computer and play mindless games until I got tired. Then I saw a banner for the HDTV sweepstakes so I entered. The next night when I sat at my computer and started my usual "gaming hour", I was bored and decided to look up what other contests or sweepstakes were available. I was lucky to stumble on to ST almost immediately. The first thing I won was an umbrella from AC Delco. I was totally thrilled. That was a lot more exciting than wasting my downtime on useless computer games. I lurked in the background of ST for awhile, reading the posts, but too shy to post my own. I eventually did get enough courage to ask the usually newbie questions...robo, taxes...how long till I win something big? 
Anyway, any win was a huge and exciting deal for me. Then in January I got the call that I won $25,000 in the Kimberly Clark room a day giveaway. It was completely surreal for me. Winning that money has changed my life. I am a stay at home mom, and most of the time it was quite difficult finacially to get by on one paycheck. I never thought it would happen, and I was content with the $25 gift cards or whatever, every bit helps. Sweepstakes today made all that possible, wheather it's small or large win......to me, I'm grateful for it all.
Since my large win I have had many other wins. I wanted to post and scream....I WON..I WON, but I actually felt bad about the people who question that they are wasting their time. Seeing someone win $25, 000 and then win this and that, I didn't want anyone to get down. How come she keeps winning and I haven't won anything yet kind of thing. I have to admit that I felt that way at times. Not unhappy for your wins, but down that it wasn't happening to me. It just seemed that some people were so lucky just winning all the time. I know differently now. To sum it up, Some times you're HOT, Some times you're NOT. If You just keep entering you will win. I hope from this, that someone may find encouragement to keep sweeping even when you stop believing, and to the people lurking in the background, plugging away and wishing it was you, I was you once...and it can happen. Keep sweeping and Keep believing.
My wins since my BIG ONE:
ipod shuffle from 3m
$500 Best Buy Card from HP
Blockbuster rental from Quicken
2 cans of Oust from Petfinders
M&M racing jacket from Mars candy
$20 7/11 card
Car kit (?) not sure even what it is yet as I haven't recieved it yet. But it includes installation. From Parrothead.
$50 Big Lots card
$50 GC from Kraft
Ear pods from Sisters of the Traveling Pants II
$100 from ConAgra
$5 Nationwide card
$10 To disney.com
A basketball from Pistaccio
$25 from Pepridge Farms
$575 CG for Laminate flooring from Shaw
$100 from ConAgra (second one)