Guest Post: How to Drop Your House on a Witch!

http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org

Materials Needed

Knee High Socks
Stuffing
Red Heels or other Cool Looking Shoes
Rubber Band or Yarn

Step 1

http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org

Go to the Dollar Store to get some cheap knee high socks.  They don’t have to be striped… but a pattern would be great.  Or, go to a Department Store and get some socks on sale.

Step 2

http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org

Put stuffing in socks deep enough to reach the tips of the socks.

Step 3

http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org

Finish adding stuffing to each sock and tie off with rubber band or yarn.

Step 4

http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org

Add some cool looking shoes (from the thrift store) and then place them in a spot that makes it look like something landed on them… Like your house.

What we are doing is getting any color shoes (lighter the better) and then painting them ruby red and glittering them!

You are going to get some amazing compliments for this Halloween Decoration.  Mostly from kids trick or treating who are just going to be totally creeped out by the legs…. wondering what you did to get them there.  But, isn’t that what Halloween is all about?



Day 23 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge

Nearly 600 pets dead; still no source, FDA says: Jerky Treat Mystery

courtesy the Mawaka family

 

Toby, a 6-year-old Boston terrier, died in 2012 after his owners say he was sickened by chicken jerky pet treats made in China. 

 

From the Dog Channel to the stories being shared across the Internet, there is no clue yet in solving this problem.  But who do they name as the main culprit?  CHINA!   And I'll tell you why and what will be done about this mess further down in this article.

Some news reported by the Dog Channel (and other reports out there)  

"Most of the pet illnesses reportedly involved chicken jerky, but advisories were extended last year to duck and sweet potato jerky treats. Jerky-wrapped rawhide and jerky paired with dried fruit or yams have been flagged as well.

The testing of more than 1,000 jerky samples over the past two years has looked for the presence of everything from pesticides and mycotoxins to irradiation markers and toxic metals.

"Testing has also included measuring the nutritional composition of jerky pet treats to verify that they contain the ingredients listed on the label and do not contain [other] ingredients,” the FDA stated.

The agency stopped short of advising consumers to eliminate jerky from their pets’ diet.

"Jerky pet treats should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are intended to be fed only occasionally and in small quantities,” the FDA noted.

The agency asked veterinarians who suspect a jerky-related illness to document it on the FDA Safety Reporting Portal and possibly provide samples to the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN).

The agency recommended that veterinarians who submit a case conduct a routine urinalysis after freezing a subsample of 10 milliliters. In addition, veterinarians who suspect liver or kidney injury should obtain routine blood work for possible FDA investigation."

 

Please read MORE details of all of this HERE.   

 

 

What's the matter with CHINA and pet food?

"The jerky was sold as jerky tenders or strips made of chicken, duck, sweet potatoes or dried fruit. Most of the treats were made in China.

The FDA said the illnesses have been linked to many brand names of the jerky (none of which it named) and most commonly involve chicken or duck jerky treat or jerky-wrapped treats.

The FDA did not list brand names of the jerky or names of stores that may have sold the treats. The agency said there doesn't appear to be a geographic pattern to the case reports.
Within hours of eating the jerky, some pets exhibited decreased appetite, decreased activity, vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes with blood or mucus), increased water consumption and/or increased urination, the FDA said.

The illnesses involve many sizes and ages of dogs and multiple breeds, the FDA said.

Severe cases have involved kidney failure, gastrointestinal bleeding and a rare kidney disorder. About 60% of cases involved gastrointestinal illness, and about 30% involved kidney and urinary systems. The remaining 10% of cases reported various symptoms, such as collapse, convulsions, tremors, hives and skin irritation.

Since 2011, the FDA has tested more than 1,200 jerky pet samples for a variety of chemical and microbiological contaminants that may cause the illnesses reported in pets, from antibiotics to metals, pesticides and salmonella.
"To date, none of the tests  have revealed the cause of the illnesses," the FDA said."

The agency did inspect facilities in China that manufacture jerky products associated with some of the highest numbers of pet illness reports, but that did not identify the cause of illness."
 MORE:   http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/228820701.html
 

image:  http://www.pic2fly.com/Tainted+Dog+Treats+From+China.html

Well, tomorrow I'm going to share with you the importance of making your own treats.

I leave this book recommendation for you from one of our articles and tomorrow I will bring even more and some recipes!!

 Buy your copy and LEARN as much as possible at:                   

 http://www.dinnerpawsible.com/

Day 22 of the UBChallenge!

Clorox® Canisters for Healthier Classrooms and COUPON for you!!

Take the pledge to donate Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes to your kid’s classroom and receive a $1 OFF coupon.

With every pledge, Clorox® will donate $1 to Alliance for a Healthier Generation* and give one canister of Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes to a school in need.†
*up to $50,000

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation works with schools and teachers to create healthier learning environments for students and empower kids to develop lifelong, healthy habits. By donating Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes to local schools, you will help Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program supply teachers with the resources they need to provide the best learning environment possible this school year.

Take the PLEDGE and tell me what you received from Chlorox in the comment.

CLICK HERE!

Download ONE selection on the page and in the comments tell me which one you downloaded.

CLICK HERE 

Then I will select the first person who commented and add their name to this page as the WINNER and tell you what you are getting in the mail for the WIN!  :)

Fan of the Week Contest Winner for Oct. 14th - 20th, 2013 is

The FAN OF THE WEEK CONTEST winner for Monday, Oct. 14th through Sunday, Oct. 20th, 2013 is.....

Jayme Irving

and she did all of the following for the contest this past week:

LIKED and SHARED many notes on the page

COMMENTED on the PAGE and MY BLOG  (in the future though
   the winner will have commented at least 10 times on my blog
   comments.)

PARTICIPATED in contests and giveaways and SHARED them
   with others.

CHEERED on others who won either contests or giveaways.

     Thank you Jayme from Carolyn and Theresa!

Congrats on winning those coupons too!


   This coming week I'm also looking for fans to start new comments and frequently comment on Topic of the Week (Monday and Thursday). 

FOOD Bucket List turned into Food HORROR Story

credit: Pinterest.com

Why not start right at the number one FOOD GROUP, "Exotic Food" when creating your FOOD BUCKET LIST!  I have not made a regular Bucket List yet, so I thought that I would divide my Bucket List into categories.   Food, Restaurants, Travel, etc...

Maybe when you hear EXOTIC you go to the WEIRDEST or the STRANGE or even MOST EXPENSIVE food that is out there.  This is my list and so I am defining my exotic food list by foods that I have envisioned I would get into my most COMFORTABLE clothes and have brought to my home and served to me!

My mind doesn't go to THIS LIST.  I'm sorry but I'm not eating CAMEL, GIRAFFE or gross....  SHEEP BALLS!  That list (if you click on it HERE) is made up NOTHING that I would try.  I saw this complete list on tv on Nightline or some 20/20 show.   I just know that I could not get the DORIAN past my nose. (My apologies to my favorite chefs on Food Network who cook with this and don't use a clothespin on their nose.)

     INTERRUPTION!
I'm sorry but on Saturday afternoon I watched my recorded NIGHTLINE from Friday night and I was so disgusted that I stopped myself from going on with the food bucket list and I had to focus on what was before me.....

25

 
Jon Basso and some of his nurses at Heart Attack Grill [Photo: Susan Stapleton]

And then the WHOLE story that's been in the news about this "establishment" of HORROR (I think) of what happens when a self-loathing businessman takes one of the vices known to men, gluttony, and tells the media one story (of "healthiness") and then serves this "sin" on a platter and glorifies obesity.  And before I share this I want to point out that this past year with the death of my Mother In Law in February, I went to comfort food and sugar as my way to deal with Depression.  I'm working hard on breaking free of this extra 50 lbs. that I put on.  So I am preaching to ME before anyone else.  

"Nearly two weeks ago, owner Jon Basso went on Bloomberg to show off the cremated remains of a customer who allegedly died at the restaurant.
· I am an Ex-Employee of the Heart Attack Grill in Las Vegas, AMA! [Reddit]
· Ex-Heart Attack Grill Hostess: I Was Told To Film Passed-Out Customer 'So They Could Send It To The Media' [Huff Po]
· All Coverage of Heart Attack Grill [~ELV~]"


Questions for Commentors:
     What do you think about the Heart Attack Grill now that you've either reread the stories or are reading them for the first time?
     Do you get this sick feeling in your stomach (no pun intended) when you see this emphasis placed on the bigger you are the better?  For example, if you weigh 350 lbs. or more you eat free?

Day 20 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge!

Dare to ENTER! NO CARVING Pumpkin Decorating Contest End 11/2/13

image credit:  Plaid Crafts

Welcome to the 13 days of Halloween:  NO CARVING Pumpkin Decorating Contest.  This is not just a contest note, but a teaching note as well.  You have until 11/2/13 to enter as many as 5 entries (all no carving pictures) to califbeachgal@fastmail.fm at 11:59pm ET on 11/2/13.

I love love love this pumpkin decorated with jewelry that you could find at a dollar store or for on etsy or eBay or even my favorite, a thrift store! 

Now the RULES to this contest are varied....  read CAREFULLY.
This is an INTERNATIONAL contest!  3 winners this year, 1 in each category below:

1.  Most HUMOROUS pumpkin  (NON CARVING)
2.  Most SCARY pumpkin      (NON CARVING)
2.  The Best Non-Halloween pumpkin   (NON CARVING)

This is for ADULTS (age 18 and older) and you need to take a picture of your pumpkin with a NOTE in your handwriting that is your signature (first name is fine) next to the pumpkin.  We want to make sure that you are the creator and not a Pinterest picture.  Nor do we want someone else's contest entry on the Internet.

For something different this year, we are going with a NON CARVING CONTEST.  Just like the picture at the top of the page, you are DECORATING, not carving.

1. Must be your own pumpkin, please put a note with it that has your name.

2. EMAIL submissions to:  califbeachgal@fastmail.fm 

3. Include NAME, FaceBook Name, and how you heard of the contest please?

4.  All submissions must be turned in by Nov. 2. 2013 11:59pm ET

5.  Once the final top 2 are determined in each category, their names will appear here on this post and on Dragon's Blood Inc.
(Theresa, my contributor's website)

6.  You may only submit ONE entry (meaning you have to select one category in which to enter.)

7.  You must LIKE  both, Chatting with Carolyn  and Dragon's Blood Inc. on FaceBook in order to have won!



For more ideas we suggest you begin we share from the following article, http://www.ehow.com/list_6963439_decorating-ideas-non_carving-pumpkin.html

And going from there to:

 http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/halloween-ideas/no-carve-pumpkin-decorating#slide-1
    Be sure to go all the way through the slides to the end.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/36732553184221618/

More ideas from The Stir



And this great SLIDE SHOW from The Stir.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/359584351467828861/

And these ideas in 4 different articles here.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/25262447883036973/

My biggest suggestion is to go to PINTEREST.  By clicking that word, you will be taken to a collection of Pinterest pins that are all about non carving pumpkin decorations.

WINNER OF Freebie Friday IS...

#6 on the comment list on the blog.  The random.org did the selecting and the winner is:    

Jayme Irivng said...

Anything would be great!

October 18, 2013 at 11:18 AM

and your prize is over $100.00 worth of coupons from my collection in which every coupon is $1.00 and over in savings!   CONGRATS JAYME!!

each coupon is $1.00 or over in savings!

Instructions for winning:  PLEASE email me at califbeachgal@fastmail.fom or use the MESSAGE button on the fan group to give me your address for mailing!

 --------------------  CONTEST IS OVER!   --------------------

For the FIRST PART of this COMMENT contest is to SHARE one Freebie (can be Buy One Get One Free deal or any freebie deal) that you know about on the Internet or from a COUPONER's blog for TODAY's  use.  Please do not choose local grocery deals but you can use BIG BOX stores (like Toys'RUS or Amazon.com or even KINDLE books that are free today!)

Be sure that you share the TIME IT ENDS or qualifications (like USA ONLY or for the first 5000 people who enter)  per freebie entry in your COMMENT.   You may comment with a different freebie up to 5 times.  Each freebie deal should be one comment.  And then comment again with another one.  The WINNER is going to be drawn using Random.org from all the comments.

For 5 more extra comments that qualify for the WIN could you please tell me the kinds of prizes (not costly) that you like to win in contests and giveaways.  Be sure to use a new comment for each suggestion.

CATCH:  I may or may not use one of your ideas as the PRIZE of this FREEBIE FRIDAY (for those who are sharing contest or giveaway prize ideas as their comments).

HAVE FUN!   Any questions should be sent to me using the MESSAGE button at Chatting With Carolyn by clicking here and joining my group and then using the message button (private message from you to me) and I will share the answer here on this blog.

While I have your attention, there are many giveaways and contests at my FB fan page. 

$500.00 K-Mart Gift Card for a Halloween Giveaway Event

 

It’s a Halloween Giveaway Event

Organized by: Mom Powered Media. Co-hosted by: Capri's Coupons, My Silly Little Gang, My Dairy Free Gluten Free Life, Oh My Heartsie Girl, Giveaway Bandit and Growing Up Bilingual.

MPM Network Bloggers are super excited to share their Halloween Recipes, Crafts, Decor Ideas and so much more with you this holiday season. Make sure you take a peek at the fabulous posts below. Surely you will find something that makes you smile!

HALLOWEEN NAILS

I'm providing three looks that you can try on any "level" of Halloween nail art. 

Bloody Fingerprint Nails

   Beginner:

image credit: nailsmag.com

White Nail Polish

Red Nail Polish

1.  Paint your nails white

2.  Using diluted red nail polish, press one finger into the polish and then press the finger onto the dried white nail polish.

Hello Kitty Manicure

The various styles and hints can be found here:

http://www.becomegorgeous.com/nails/art/hello_kitty_nail_art_ideas-3098.html

You can search etsy, eBay, Amazon and nail stores online for Hello Kitty decals.  The dots are made with a toothpick or nail art tool. 

One lucky reader will receive a $500 K-Mart Gift Card!

Giveaway ends October 28th at 11:59pm, open to US, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Disclosure:Conversations with Carolyn is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. Please contact teri@mompoweredmedia.com with questions or to see your business or blog featured on the next big event!

Mail Manager from mail boss giveaway

Rubyblood is a guest here to bring you another awesome giveaway hosted by Life of a Mad Typer as part of our HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE!

Times are changing and chances are you have been a victim of mail theft. Read my review and story of my own mail theft here.

We have partnered with Mail Boss to give one lucky reader a Mail Manager of their own to protect their packages this holiday season and year round!

The Mail Manager is valued at $149 for the mail box itself. This giveaway is for the mailbox and does not include the post used with the mailbox.

DISCLAIMER:

18 + only. USA only Entries will be verified Winner will have 48 hours to verify or another winner will be chosen. This blog is not responsible for shipping or lost prizes.

Good luck!

The 500 FANS and SUPPORTERS GIVEAWAY! 10/18/31 Opens and 10/31/13 Ends

We reached 500 fans on FaceBook today (not to be confused with my old and defunct group that reached 500 fans a couple of years ago).  We're just starting all over again with a new group of fans (some the same and thankful for them too!) and now as of today I have a CONTRIBUTOR...  Theresa.  And my steady co-owner, my husband, John!  So happy for them.

Well I have some new goals now for today and with this group of 500.  I incorporated my (first goal of the plan the day I opened the group and that was to have the TOPIC OF THE DAY) and Theresa suggested that I do it a couple of specified days of the week and so we are.  Those days are THURSDAY and SATURDAY.  And what I would like to do is blog about the outcome of those topics on Friday and Sunday.  Along with anything else that I blog for the day.

Another item that is happening is the FAN OF THE WEEK CONTEST.  That actually started the other day and goes through Sunday and starts new again on another given Monday of the week.  It won't be every week because there needs to be time for me to gather up some prizes.  And I want to keep it FRESH and EXCITING!

One item to note is my Scentsy and Candle Making and More business that I have online.  Most of the posts concerning that will be done on my separate blog for that...  and the first thing I need there are some MORE followers!  Welcome to my candle blog at http://carolynscandlesandmore.blogspot.com/  I have an Etsy shop to go with that too and I hope to open that shop for the public one day before Halloween!  So for now you can join the CarolynsCandlesAndMore blog.  Thanks!

And now I bring to you the giveaway part of this.  There will be three prizes to be won.

1.  Sample size prize of some of the Scentsy fall waxes.
2.  Sample size prize of some of the Scentsy layer products.
3.  Surprise prize that isn't related to Scentsy.   (will depend if it's a man or woman what the prize will be)

Due to postal concerns this contest is ONLY for the residents of the United States (not Hawaii or Alaska).  You can expect to receive your prize within 2 - 2.5 weeks of winning.  If it will be later than that I will contact you!   GOOD LUCK!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer:
a. Here is the complete release of Facebook by each entrant or participant.
b. I acknowledge that the promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

13 Days of NAILS Halloween Contest ends 10/31/13 with Nail Art Information

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/56576539040394480/

INTERNATIONAL CONTEST!

The 13 Days of Nails Halloween Contest is going to be SPOOKTACULAR! 

1st place Beginner Winner, 1st place Intermediate Winner, and 1st place Advanced Winner:         
   Nail Gift Bag (USA, not Alaska or Hawaii)
   Online Gift Card (Hawaii, Alaska and other countries)


  (as to what is in each bag, that is to be determined according to contestant interest and participation)

Each contestant will determine which level in which they want to compete.  This is their choice since they will be able to determine best which level they are.   I will show a manicure that will best match up with the level in which they choose to compete. You can only enter in one level (beginner, intermediate or advanced) and you may enter as many as 13 images for the contest!

Send your photos to me at califbeachgal@fastmail.fm by 11:59pm ET on 10/31/13.

Here is the first MANI of the contest that I will post for an idea and directions with it.  Who doesn't love CANDY CORN? This is a beginner's level mani. 

image and directions credit:  GirlsLife.com

Tools:
Orange polish
Yellow polish
White polish
Thin paintbrush (or white nail pen)

Steps:
1. After applying a base coat, paint the entire nail orange. Let dry.
2. Paint yellow straight across the bottom of the nail.
Tip: To get a straight line without tape, start your brush on the outside of your nail and roll your finger outwards while keeping the brush straight.
3. Using a nail pen or paintbrush, paint white at the tip of your nail. Let dry, then cover with a clear coat. Voila!

(You can get the white nail pen at most any drug store or online, my online idea would be:   http://search.ulta.com/search?p=Q&lbc=ulta&uid=359921554&w=white%20nail%20pen&method=and&view=grid&isort=price)

You can buy it wherever you want, this was one of many online spots I found.  I bought the whole French Nail kit and the white nail pen came with that.  As you can see, it's worth it to get the whole kit and not just the white pen.  http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2239843&productId=xlsImpprod4160059&navAction=push&navCount=1&categoryId=cat80068

(I don't make any money on this entire blog at the moment or any of the links that I post.)

Also... you do not have to do this mani or enter the one you do like this into the contest.  These are mani's that are being provided here to give you some help for creation of yours!  


 Disclaimer:

a. Here is the complete release of Facebook by each entrant or participant.
b. I acknowledge that the promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

 

 

Wordless Wednesday: Nail Art of Halloween 2

ENTER IF YOU DARE! HOLD ON TO YOUR NAILS!

Easy!

Easy!

Easy!

Easy!

Easy!

Expert!

Intermediate!

Easy!

Easy!

Since it's WORDLESS WEDNESDAY the idea is just to show images and not include any words.  But this post is in preparation for the 13 Days of Halloween which begins tomorrow, Thursday and goes until 10/31/13. 

Day 16

One Way Love book Giveaway ends 10/30 USA and CANADA only

Hosted by Pea of Sweetness

Sponsored by One Way Love

Real life is long on law and short on grace — the demands never stop, the failures pile up, and fear sets in. Life requires many things from us — a stable marriage, successful children, a certain quality of life. Anyone living inside the guilt, anxiety, and uncertainty of daily life knows that the weight of life is heavy. We are all in need of some relief. Bestselling author Tullian Tchividjian is convinced our world needs a fresh encounter with grace.

Head over to Pea of Sweetness to read her One Way Love book review.

About the prize: One lucky winner will receive the One Way Love book.

About the giveaway: This giveaway begins on 10/16 and ends on 10/30 at 11:00pm (times are Central) and is open to US and Canada ages 18+. Please refer to the full terms and conditions in the Giveaway Tools. Simply enter the first question to begin and more entries will open up! All additional entries are optional. Good luck!

Entry-Form

  Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may be different than yours. CONVERSATIONS WITH CAROLYN is not responsible for prize fulfillment.

Nail Art of Halloween 2013

image credit:  polishpedia.com chalkboardnails.com

I can't see paying $25.00 - $35.00 for having my nails decorated for any event but especially not for Halloween!  I have the most fun throughout the month of October with doing my own nails.

I have to say that while I was an Avon Gal I became totally addicted to nails and nail polish and so I bought at all of the sales and have been adding different brands since then.  I buy nail art and get ideas from the Internet and FaceBook and Pinterest. 

I'm going to be sharing these various "keeps" that  I have for doing nails.  And today I bring you an article about the 25 Clever Halloween Nail Ideas from BuzzFeed!  I totally love that place!

Here is the article with the following pictures being shown and so much more!    http://www.buzzfeed.com/alannaokun/ween-nails

Cat Face Manicure

image credit:  lacquerologist.com

 

Bloody Fingerprint Nails

image credit: nailsmag.com

Created by diluting red polish and finger-blotting 

it onto the nail.

Some of these are so easy to do!  From amateur to pro.  Continue to the article about the 25 Clever Nail Ideas for Halloween to see all the pictures and directions!  

How many of you would enter a nail contest here for Halloween?  This would one of a number of pages of ideas for what to do.  The only rule is that you have to do it yourself and you only need one hand for your photo!  

This challenge will begin on this THURSDAY, Oct. 17th, 2013 for the 13 Nail Days of Halloween!  You can write to me at califbeachgal@fastmail.fm for the exact link that I will send on that day!

The 13 Days of Halloween Giveaway to go with the contest will offer 3 prizes in 3 levels: 

1.  Beginner Winner:        Nail Gift Bag
2.  Intermediate Winner:  Nail Gift Bag
3.  Advanced Winner:       Nail Gift Bag

Each contestant will determine which level in which they want to compete.  This is their choice since they will be able to determine best which level they are.   I will show a manicure that will best match up with the level in which they choose to compete.  More instructions to come on Thursday!

      Day 15 (1/2 way there!)