I am the non-techy half of the SweepsU.com team. I work full-time in the IT department at a major university so I do know a few things. But all my years at the IT Help Desk couldn't prepare me for the glitch the SweepsU.com team experienced last week. (Scroll down to see the photos)

The techy half of SweepsU.com is Gerald Anderson, a genius in my opinion. Gerald has written almost all of the programs on SweepsU.com from scratch which is why you will not find them on other sweepstakes websites. We are in our final month and a half of Beta Testing and anxious to add more users to really put Gerald's programs to the test. That's when it happened...the BIG glitch...let's call it Sam.

Several CBS affiliates across the country were scheduled to broadcast an interview with Robert and I. We knew it was coming, thought we were ready, but we didn't count on Sam. You see, Gerald and his wife, Erica, have been expecting a baby and last week everything happened at once.

Erica goes into labor...a few weeks early.

A CBS station airs SweepsU.com information a few days early.

Erica requires surgery to deliver the baby.

300 people sign up to be SweepsU.com Beta Testers.

Samuel Gerald Anderson (Sam) is born

Gwen has a problem & can't get the Beta Testers on - non-techy partner...remember!

Sam is moved to NICU

Other CBS affiliates air the interview.

Gerald splits his time between 3-year old Maddie (at home), Erica & Sam

1,000 more Beta Testers sign up

Gerald tries talking me through the problems

More CBS affiliates air the interview

Erica and Sam are released from the hospital

Over 2,000 beta testers have applied

Hallelujah!

It has been a mad house, but Erica and Sam are finally home and doing well. Gerald is trying his best to work SweepsU.com into a very busy schedule...2am feedings...changing diapers...playing with Maddie! This is definitely the biggest glitch we've experienced since we started Beta Testing at SweepsU.com. But what can I say, Sam just couldn't wait to join the team.

Now for the latest report on SweepsU.com from Gerald. He is almost ready to start sending out email invitations, but we need to do this cautiously. Therefore, when Gerald gives the word I will start sending out invitations in batches of 25. We will wait a few hours, possibly more, and if all goes well send out another batch. This will continue until everyone has received their invitations and logged on to SweepsU.com. The invitations will go out in the same order as the Beta Applications were received. No cutting in line allowed! It will take us several more days, but this is what Beta Testing is all about.

Please be patient and keep an eye out for an email from SweepsU.com. We should be sending one to each of you very soon! Now scroll on down to see some wonderful photos of Sam.

Gwen Beauchamp

Who is that masked man?

Sam in NICU.

Finally at home where he belongs!

I don't watch much daytime TV, but once in a great while I'll be off work and able to tune in to shows I rarely get to see. On one such occasion, several years back, I settled for an episode of Judge Judy. Daytime TV...remember...not a lot to choose from. Besides, I gotta admit, I enjoy seeing that little woman  knock people down a peg or two. But in this particular episode it wasn't the judge who had my attention.

Two women were arguing...I know...happens every episode. But one of the women sent the other a certified letter which was never claimed. The U.S. Postal Service returned it to her weeks later. So Judge Judy asks the woman it was sent to, "why didn't you sign for the letter?" I'll never forget the response! "Nothing good ever comes by certified mail or special delivery."

Holy Cow! Had the woman never entered a sweepstakes? Was she doomed to never experiencing a thrill of hope when a UPS or Fed-Ex truck turns into her driveway? Never to do the happy dance because of a delivery slip in the mail box? Never to open an envelope, with a judging agency return address on it, with trembling hands praying that this is the BIG one? Talk about a Soap Opera!  How dismal her life must be with so little hope of something spectacular happening when least expected.

I've always known that sweepstakers are extreme optimists, but this episode of Judge Judy really brought it home to me. Sweepers see that  light at the end of the tunnel or should I say prize? We go the distance and keep trying when others give up. We don't win all the time, but we do not quit because of a few losses. Okay, six months (or more) with no wins will get the best of us down a bit. That's why we have support groups, clubs & forums where we encourage each other and remind ourselves that there is always hope of another big win! Maybe even tomorrow!

I could never go back to living my life like that woman on Judge Judy's show. How sad to think that she will forever be afraid to sign a delivery slip. (Sigh!) I think I'll go check my mailbox!

Gwen Beauchamp