Five Iconic Horror Scenes

There is nothing like getting scared while watching a Horror film, and truly enjoying the fact that a movie actually scared the living daylights out of you. For horror film junkies, there are some horror genre movies that stick out the most. Included below are five film scenes that not only scare the heck out of you, but stick with you even after the film is over, when you have reminded yourself “It’s just a movie, it isn't real.”

Carrie's Grave

Even with it's release in theaters years ago, many people were petrified to go to any form of grave site due to this one specific scene. As one of the survivors visits Carrie White to leave flowers at her grave, she looks up at the sign that says Carrie White burns in hell. Right as she puts the flowers down, Carrie's hand reaches out from the grave and grabs her arm. As she screams with terror, her mother wakes her from her nightmare, and it turns out it is only a dream.

While it may be only a dream, it is still to this day one of the scariest movie moments in horror history.

Psycho – The shower scene

 Don't be frightened, it's only a beautiful woman in an eerie motel going for her warm shower. No need to be alarmed, or is there? Without knowing that there is a psychopath in the same motel, this innocent enough woman goes in for a shower to wind down from her eventful day.

As she's enjoying her shower all to herself, viewers see only a shadow behind the curtain. He pulls back the curtain and begins to stab her multiple times as she screams and tries to fight back. Unable to, she slowly collapses in the shower while it's still running, to the end of her life, but manages to pull down the curtain right before her death.

The Shining – The Twins in the hall

As far as horror clips go, this is one of the top five definitely. Little Danny is riding his bicycle throughout the hallway in the giant hotel and stumbles upon two twin girls who say hello. While he knows that there are no other children there, he is a bit frightened. They ask him to come to play, forever and ever. While they are asking him, the scene flashes between the "live" girls, and the girls on the floor massacred with a single ax lying next to their bodies.

Poor Danny is scared and petrified that there is nothing he can do except remind himself it isn't real and it's just like pictures in a book. One of the creepiest clips of it's time, The Shining is sure to frighten those who view it.

Paranormal Activity – Leg Pull

With the way horror films go lately, the supernatural or paranormal theme is very popular. In Paranormal Activity franchise, it is no different. Horror movie fans find themselves seeing a family that is being haunted by some sort of phenomenon which is out to do them harm. In this clip, viewers see as Kate who is sleeping in her bed with not a care in the world, finds herself being pulled out of bed by her leg, and out of the room screaming out for her husband Mikah to come save her and come to her aid. The scene itself provides chills and thrills for those who watch because it is something that everyone fears, that there is something under the bed, or that goes bump in the night.

This tale of the unknown follows through and provides even three more in the franchise to please and scare viewers even more.

The Ring -Samara

While this movie is also a paranormal type of film, it is a bit of a twist on ghost stories. The scariest movie clip from this entire film is when the man is at his studio apartment, and suddenly his phone rings, then the television comes on only as static. He turns off the television thinking it's a glitch, but soon the TV comes back on with the video itself that involves little Samara crawling out of the well as she comes closer and closer to the TV. Soon, Noah realizes that he's in for it now. Samara comes out of the TV still looking pale and pixelated to get him.

Who would think a little girl could cause so much trouble, but when they come out of the television right at you, you know you are in trouble. The ring brought the long haired little girl into the creepy girl, all within a few scenes.

Each of the above five movies were ones that will stick in the heart of horror movie fans everywhere. The five scenes may be different in essence, but from viewing each one, viewers are able to see that the horror scare truly has become that of an art.

Merci Beaucoup

I can't believe how blessed I really am. Today I looked online at my blog's performance to see how things were going with a specific post and low and behold, I've had over 20,000 visitors come to my site. I know that might not seem like a whole lot of buzz worthy for some, but to me it's huge

. I mean think about it, 20,000 views...that's a lot for a blogger like myself with only 2 followers. I mean, that means my blog is being hit from somewhere and BOOM more visitors. I can't believe it.

I feel so happy that people enjoy reading my blog. Thank you so much, this was the inspiration I needed today. 

Hats off to you friends and visitors. Thank you!

Mary O'Malley

NEXT GOAL: 50,000 views

Garnier Color Styler Product Review

Disclaimer: All products were purchased on my own and I have not been compensated in any way for my opinions.

Have you ever wanted to dye your hair a different color without all the fuss of it being permanent or having to go to a salon? Have I found the perfect product for us both! Recently, I wanted to put pink into my hair and I've been playing around with the idea of using a few different brands. I looked into Splat, Manic Panic and other various options. Then one time I went to +Walgreens and found an amazing product from Garnier. Garnier is one of my favorite brands because it isn't harsh on my hair and it always makes it feel so soft afterwards.

Garnier Color Styler (product info) was the perfect way for me to put pink in my hair without it being permanent. Now let me tell you, it's the best product I've found and I would gladly do my hair again. Because I've enjoyed it so much, I really wanted to share these before and after photos with you. At first I was a little hesitant on how much of the bottle to use, but I decided since my hair is thick I wanted to go ahead and use the entire bottle and do my ends.

BEFORE

My First Blog Hop

Why Hello Everyone!

I'm currently in the process of organizing my very first BLOG HOP. I was inspired by many other bloggers around the world that have seemed to follow the trend. I recently participated in one myself called Let's Be Friends Blog Hop and it got me to thinking, why not try creating my own?

Recently I noticed that there are a lot of posts on things that are not only important to women and men, but to our planet. I decided that with Earth Day coming up (April 25th) that the best blog hop I could host was on all things GREEN.

I'm working out the details now, but I hope that you will all get ready to link up your Green Living posts to share with all of my readers and yours. I would like this blog hop to be a success, so there will be a way to share the hop with your personal readers too. Until then, here's a sneak peek of the Mean Green Blog Hop logo.

~Scroll Down For the Image~

Raspberry Recipe Roundup

Thanks to +MasterChef Junior I'm wanting to make some delicious raspberry desserts. I thought I would look online and gather some recipes that sound not only creative, but delicious. I have to say a couple of these look easy enough that even I could make them. I think my first attempt may have to be the raspberry lemon mini cheesecakes or the raspberry oatmeal cookies.

THE RECIPES

One: Raspberry Shortbread Bars
Two: Raspberry Mango Ice Cream Cake
Three: Raspberry Salsa
Four: Chocolate and Fresh Raspberry Cream Napoleons
Five: Grilled Chicken Salad
Six: Raspberry Chipotle Turkey Pocket Thins
Seven: Vegan Raspberry Scones
Eight: Raspberry Fruit Chews
Nine: Roasted Peach & Raspberry Pops
Ten: Raspberry Crumb Breakfast Bars
Eleven: Raspberry Lemon Mini Cheesecakes
Twelve: Chocolate & Fresh Raspberry Cream Napoleons
Thirteen: Raspberry Salsa Bites
Fourteen: Raspberry Oatmeal Cookies
Fifteen: Raspberry Chocolate Tarts

Which of these would you like to try? There are a lot of these that I would actually like to make at some point, I think the raspberry fruit chews sound pretty good as well.

Do you like Raspberries? What's your favorite recipe?

No Good Deed

"No Good Deed" Movie Review

“No Good Deed” stars Idris Elba as Colin Evans, who is up for parole after spending five years in a Knoxville prison for killing a man in a bar fight gone bad. Even though Evans is in front of the parole board offering his changed and reformed behavior, a board member does not believe his story. The board member goes on to bring up five women that he allegedly murdered, to throw in his face a man like him is with the likes of Jeffrey Dahmer. 

While on his way back to Knoxville, he is annoyed with his denial, and fakes a nose bleed to get the attention of the guards. After receiving ‘help’ from the guard he overruns them and states to let him go and he won’t do anything to hurt them. While at first cooperative, the guard appears to pull a gun, and is killed and he escapes without a trace on a mission to see his fiancé, who unbeknownst to him, has moved on. In what becomes a gruesome confrontation, the man takes his fiances life, and moves onwards to another particular mission, which is not shared with viewers for the majority of the film.

With a terrible storm hitting the town, he tries to speed through and escape across state line. Unfortunately after a brief run in with a slippery road, he finds himself on the door step of Terri (Taraji P. Henson), a former prosecutor, who is not a stay at home mom who worries her husband (Henry Simmons) is no longer in love with her. While she worries, that’s nothing too much to deal with once her husband is gone off to a trip for his Father’s birthday. By being alone, not only is she vulnerable to the storm, but now there is a strange man at the door asking to use her phone. 

While most who watch any thriller movie or horror flick know, this is one thing you don’t do. You never let the stranger use the phone, or leave the door open accidentally so they can slip on into the house. However, of course, this does happen. Soon Colin reveals his true colors and “No Good Deed” takes a compelling twist in to a much darker road.

Director Sam Miller and screenwriter Aimee Lagos bring a wonderful take on the home invasion thriller. While there are the main characters in the cat and mouse, a beautiful, and confident best friends comes in to the mix. Leslie Bibb offers a fun character that brings a little more fun into the chase. 

Personally I feel that this movie did well for the type of genre it falls in to. I enjoyed watching the entire film from beginning to end. There wasn’t a point where I was bored, or wishing it would end. It was towards the end that I got incredibly intrigued as it all came together. I was shocked and did not see that ending coming at all. As far as I’m concerned this movie gets an 8/10 from The O’Malley Review.

No Good Deed MovieTrailer

Gift ideas for pet owners

picture credit: artur84

With the holiday season right around the corner and birthdays always coming up at any time of the year, a perfect gift for a pet owner can be hard to find. Though there are a variety of options on what to buy, included below are a variety of four ideal presents for the pet owner and animal enthusiast.
A pet store gift card or a set of gift cards from the pet owner’s favorite pet store is a simple and easy way to get the perfect gift.

With the cost and amount of pet food, toys, and treats and of course maybe a new pet, a gift card can come in handy. There are gift cards available at pet stores like Petco and Pet Smart, or even a local pet shop. Whatever amount of gift card that is chosen to be purchased, it Is a good idea to enclose the receipt with the gift. There may be an issue with the gift card when they go to use it, so having the receipt helps quite a bit.

A cute pair of salt and pepper shakers for the kitchen is a fun and unique gift for a pet owner. With a wide variety of animals such as kissing turtles and kissing puppies, these fun and novelty salt and pepper shakers are perfect. They are a unique gift that the pet owner can use at any time and show off to family and guests during special events such as birthday parties, or Christmas dinner.

The placement isn’t just for the humans any longer; get one for the family’s favorite pet too. The pet lover will love this place-mat for their loyal pet. With a phrase such as “meow” and “woof” on it, this will help the pet owner keep their messy eaters food on the mat, and help give the pet a nice place to eat their food. This perfect treat is found at a low cost that will help not only the animals but the purchaser’s wallet.

A calendar is an easy gift idea for the pet owner as well. This is something that any animal or pet owner can enjoy. There is a wide variety of animal calendars on the market. Whether it is for kittens, puppies, or even horses, the animal calendar is an ideal gift. Through each New Year a calendar may be needed by someone. These calendars can be large calendars or personal calendars for a woman’s purse or a man’s briefcase. No matter the calendar, the gift will be appreciated and enjoyed by any pet owner.

These four gifts are ideas for the pet owner in your life. Whether this person is your friend, a coworker, or a family member the gift of giving is something that everyone can do.

Teenage Safety for Halloween

Halloween is a time for fun, family, friends, and of course candy. Through the act of trick or treating, children of all ages everywhere will be out and about. This is one of the most popular days of the year where anyone of any age will be able to go out and get free candy and ‘treats.’ The importance of staying safe this Halloween is not only in the hands of a parent, but in the hands of an individual. Teenagers often go out trick or treating with their friends by themselves so it is crucial to help guide these teenagers through a safe Halloween.

*Safety in Numbers*
Teenagers often go out with friends during Halloween, it is one of the safest ways for them to be safe and have a good time. Make sure that teenagers know staying with the group is the safest thing for them to do this Halloween. Friends should go up to the houses together, and meet at the end of the same driveway before moving on to the next house. If teenagers plan on going to a Halloween party, again it is important they stay with the group.

*Reflective Tape / Glow sticks*
Depending on the costume a teenager is wearing reflective tape may not be an option to their liking, so give them another option, glow sticks. Glow sticks can be found in bulk at any Halloween store, craft store, as well as at dollar stores. The glow sticks can be worn on their wrist, ankles, or around the neck as a necklace glow stick. Think of when they were kids and the glow sticks that were purchased at theme parks such as Disneyland. These were there to keep them feeling fun and funky, and help to keep them safe.

If the costume is a Disney princess, or some sort of skirt or pant suit, the reflective tape can be placed on the bottom of the legs or seams. This will in some cases add to the appeal of the costume, causing it to glow in the dark.

Glow in the dark nail polish and hair spray is also a fun and exciting way to help teenagers stand out without giving them the appeal of a ruined costume by reflective tape. These items can be found at local Wal-Mart as well as party supply stores like Party city.

*GPS*
Through technology advances and phones equipped with GPS locating devices, a teenager may be monitored through this app if concerned as to where the teenager will be. These apps can also be found through the iPhone and Android telephone devices. This would be a good thing for younger teenagers to make sure that they are going where they said, and keeping an eye on them without keeping a physical eye out.

*Curfew*
As a parent setting a curfew for the teenager is the best way to know they have a good time and are home safely at a definite time. Halloween is no different from any other night; except for they may be able to stay out later. No matter the time of curfew set, make sure the teenager knows it means to be home specifically at the set time, with of course some leniency. If a teenager is a few minutes late, no consequences are needed. Keeping their cell phone and checking in is also a simple way to make sure that teenagers are safe and having fun.

For more tips on Halloween safety for all ages the CDC has some wonderful tips. Through the safety tips mentioned above and these other tips from the CDC this Halloween will be a safe one for teenagers.

Easy Diy Valentines Day Gifts for him

Valentine’s Day is full of romantic notions, love, appreciation and the joy of being with loved ones. If there is currently not a specific someone in your life, you may find that you would like to give something to your crush. Each of the gifts below will help you to give them something to show you care as well as something that you have made yourself.

Their favorite cookies

By marcolm

Baked goods are an excellent do-it-yourself gift for your special someone. Do you know their favorite type of cookies or candy? Find a recipe for it online, or in your Good Housekeeping cookbook and get started. Bake their favorite cookies and candies and place them in a plastic heart-decorated bag and tie with a red ribbon to keep closed.

If you’re going to be traveling a bit to give these goods to him, put them in a Tupperware box with a red lid, and decorate the lid with red and pink paper cutout hearts and tape to add decoration.

Date basket
Shannon Brown suggests placing 12 brown envelopes into a wicker basket. These envelopes will be labeled with the name of each month on the front, and inside will be a pre-planned date idea. These date ideas can be anything that you will both enjoy. Whether it is a day at the shooting range, a night out on the town, roller skating, or a retro date night, they should be fun and creative for the two of you.

“I Love…” trait book
In this fun and modernized do-it-yourself Valentine’s Day gift for him, you will be showing him everything you love about him in pictures and words. For each letter of the alphabet you will choose a trait about him you love. Look online or through pictures of the two of you and pick one for each letter. Put them all together in a photo album online or in a picture book that you have made from scratch much like a scrapbook.

This is a wonderful way to show him that you care and everything you love about him. Not only will he be able to see it but anytime he is missing you, all he will have to do is refer to the book and be reminded of everything you adore about him.

Love coupon book
Sometimes the simple gift of giving is enough. Rather than giving him a coupon for his favorite restaurant or store, give him the gift of love coupons. These can be made using simple colored pieces of construction paper, preferably red, pink and white. Using a permanent marker, write down things you would like to let him have. Whether it’s a “Go out for guys night without a fight” or “Good for a one hour neck rub,” each coupon will be valued and enjoyed by him at any time.

Make each coupon count by having them be worth something you know he will enjoy. Coupons can be anything that you feel is necessary, if you want to make it something sexy and fun then be sure to make it flirty and for his eyes only.

Each of these gift ideas is a fun and exciting way to spruce up this Valentine’s Day. A homemade gift is from the heart, takes time and effort and will bring a giant smile to his face when he receives it. Be sure to give it to him before or on Valentine’s Day to make it a special night. After all, Valentine’s Day is a day of love, devotion and matters of the heart.

The best Thanksgiving Seating Arrangement

photo by marin

Thanksgiving is not only a day for thanks, but it is also a day of lively conversation and laughter, as well as delicious and tasty food. Thanksgiving meals are a great way to celebrate with family and friends and enjoy their company. If hosting a Thanksgiving get-together, the seating arrangement is important and should not take too much effort. Included are some tips to get you started and get the table settings perfect and ideal for everyone.  

First thing make sure you have enough chairs and dining tables for every guest to eat and a place for the food to sit. Can all of the guests sit at one table, or will there be a place for the adults to sit, and then the children at their own table? Sometimes this can cause a problem as children may be different ages and not always get along. Teenagers can often want to sit at the adult table, and not with the younger kids.

If there are more than two tables being used have a head of the table or a close friend, someone trusted, that can be a counter host for those tables. Meaning if somebody wants an extra biscuit, then there will be somebody to give it to them.  The best thing to do is to make sure that there is a place where all food can be reached and put aside and stay out of the way.

Another thing to consider when having a seating arrangement are the couples, meaning husbands and wives, boyfriend and girlfriend, and of course, family members. Often people seat these groups together or next to each other. One way to do this to step out of the box is by splitting up the couple and having them sitting across from each other, creating an ability for them to mingle and speak to other relatives and guests

Ultimately the goal as a host and creating a seating arrangement is to make sure that all guests are happy and enjoying themselves with no limitations or constrictions. Make sure there is enough leg room and arm room so people don’t bump in to each other.

Now, the truth is, if you have a southpaw in the family, that too is important to take into consideration. Putting a southpaw person towards the head of the tables may be better. This will prevent them from bumping elbows with a right handed eater.

All in all it is important to remember to keep everyone happy and make sure everyone is enjoying themselves. The distant cousins that never got along, they’re probably not the ones to sit next to each other. Keep in mind what is best for everyone when making a seating arrangement. If needed get seating cards, and help your guests see where they will be sitting.

Wines Perfect for Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving dinner is not completely about the feast but also about the drinks and beverages that are served with dinner. No matter if the dinner is being held at home or an exquisite dining room, a bottle of wine can make the meal. For those younger guests there are also a variety of beverages. A few great beverage choices are listed below to have with Thanksgiving dinner this year.

Ali d'Oro (2009) is Italian for wings of gold, which describes the taste of this delicious dessert wine.  Made from a later harvest Traminette, this hybrid based on Gewürztraminer gives not only a delicious taste but a boastful fragrance to the nose. This wine is perfect to serve with dessert and runs about $30 for a 375 ml bottle. This can be paired with dessert or consumed on it’s own for a lustful apricot and honey taste to fulfill your sweet tooth.

Duckhorn wine company brings a delicious and aviary themed label including Golden eye to the spotlight this Thanksgiving for dinner however the delicious Rosé is the perfect zinfandel to have for this holiday season. It’s a vivid bright red that offers a strawberry flavor and a delicious tasting wine to be paired with dinner. A red wine can be served with the meal or consumed on its own.

A Col Solare red wine is not only a beautiful partnership between Tuscany’s Marchesi Antinori and Washington State’s Chateau Ste, but it too is a delicious wine. This vintage bottle is a full blended classic of cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. This wine will give a fruitful and acid taste that blends well together and pairs well with any type of foods such as the centerpiece of turkey and a deliciously rich cranberry sauce. It runs for about $75 whole sale, but may be purchased for less possibly online or at a local wine shop.

With only 150 calories per serving a delicious 100% juice, pomegranate and apple cider is the best bet for children and non drinkers at this Thanksgiving dinner. This is a great product as it has no added sweeteners or preservative and of course contains no alcohol content. With its pasteurized apple juice which is grown from fresh apples, filtered water of and course the luscious and bitter taste of pomegranate this product is sure to leave the taste buds popping.

So no matter the age group of the dinner guest there is something to drink for everyone. Between these four wines and the delicious cider, everyone is bound to have the perfect drink with their excellent Thanksgiving dinner.

Two Easy Make Ahead Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Side dishes are as important as the main dish for Thanksgiving dinners during the holiday season. Often people may be going to their families for these events or to a company Thanksgiving and be asked or offer to bring a side dish to go along with the turkey or ham. Though some side dishes require a lot of preparation some side dishes can be made beforehand and taken with. Below are simple recipe options that can be taken this holiday season to your Thanksgiving dinner.

Mixed Green Salad with Grapefruit & Cranberries
All that is needed for this recipe are some essential items such as cranberries, red grapefruit, minced scallions, and butter lettuce, and baby spinach. To add some spruces to this recipe add some hearts of palm sliced up in to bite size pieces and pine nuts. This recipe is rather easy to follow as it takes about a half an hour to prepare. This recipe can be stored for up to 2 days, so it is the perfect thing to make before Thanksgiving Day. To find all of the directions to this recipe go to Eatingwell.

Marinated Mushrooms are a great make-ahead dish for Thanksgiving this year. While many enjoy the taste of mushrooms by themselves these marinated beauties not only bring a fancy taste to an already great Thanksgiving dinner but also bring a bunch of flavors to the dinner plate. With only seven ingredients needed and forty minutes for prep and cooking, this side dish can be made up to a day before Thanksgiving. Throw it in a favorite decorative dish, and serve once needed.

 Pear and celery salad is not only a tasty and nutritious side dish, but also is a great make-ahead side dish. The items needed to make this recipe are honey, salt, ripe pears, cheddar cheese, chopped pecans, slice celery and cider or raspberry vinegar. Of course to make this salad butter head or romaine lettuce is needed to make this a true salad.  To see the exact directions to mix this salad together and make it a make-ahead side dish visit Delish.

These dishes are easy side dishes for Thanksgiving as they can be stored in the refrigerator for later, or used as a side dish during the main course. Both recipes are also healthy eating for those who are trying to maintain their weight and stay healthy during the holidays.

6 Steps to Decorate a Doorway

The door is the first thing seen when it comes to the home and that’s one of the first things that should appear the most inviting. With a beautiful doorway guests and salesmen alike will truly enjoy the walkway and doorway they are about to enter. Included are five tips and tricks on how to have a decorated doorway that is dressed to impress.

Address numbers are often located near the doorway, or on the side of the house. The best thing to do is find a set of hanging numbers that are catchy to your eye and you believe are easy to read from the street. Sometimes when mailmen, neighbors, or party goers are trying to find the house, they look for these numbers. Address numbers can be found from different places from Wal-Mart to a local home improvement store. Bigger chain stores such as Home Depot also carry a variety of numbers.

The doormat is another item that is often viewed at the first point of approaching the doorway. The entry mat or door mat can be simple, or have a fun and exciting design. There are also doormats that come with witty sayings such as this one from Target. No matter the doormat that is chosen remember to keep it clean and free of debris from weather and people’s shoes.

Solar lights are a wonderful addition to the outside of a doorway as well as the walkway to the door’s entry. Choosing fun solar lights in the shapes of butterflies or dragonflies can also be done. There are a variety of solar lights available on the market in shapes and sizes of many. The perfect solar light can be found through some shopping around, or by asking an associate from a home improvement store. It is important to keep these clean, and make sure that they are held down correctly to avoid ware and tear.

A new paint coat for the door and exterior walls of course will help the entire outside of the house. By picking a new door or finding a bright bold color like red to paint the door it will give the entire front of the house a solid look. The bright door will draw in attention and help the doorway to look classy and well put together. Try searching your local paint store for the perfect swatches, or find a new door at a hardware department store.

A plant in a decorative pot can bring an outstanding appearance to your doorway. Not only will a potted plant add some extra greenery to your yard but will help the doorway stand out. If there is a smaller entry way something such as a wreath for the door can be a perfect addition for decoration. These can be festive for holidays and the entire season. Check a local craft store such as Michael’s for already made or materials to make one on your own.

Remember, during holiday seasons such as Halloween and Christmas, the doorway can be decorated using special pieces that can be purchased or made at home by the family. Whatever the decorations are, the doorway will surely impress all those who come near or pass by.

How to Save Money for Home Office Costs

With the rise in start-up companies or an already at home worker, it is a well known fact that sometimes working from home can become rather costly to our pocketbooks. In order to avoid having too high of any bills or expenses for any business a few things can be done. The items below are examples of how to save money for your home office.

Turn off your unused electronics at night like you would for any other part of the house. An easy way to make sure that all of the electronic devices are off is by using a power cord with multiple plugs in spaces. This will not only help keep your cords more organized, but will allow you to easily shut off all items with a flip off the switch. These can be found from various stores that sell office electronics. Wal-Mart often has these items for a low cost.

Buying and using recycled paper to print on both sides for the majority of things is a great idea. If you find that you are often printing out quite a bit of reference material, start printing on front and back of pages. Some printers have the ability to print on reverse sides with the click of an option in the print options. If you’re unsure of your printer’s capabilities, refer to its manual. If you aren’t for some reason able to print on both sides, use the paper again by recycling it as note paper.

Often while working at home something else might wander into the thought train. Putting this down on a piece of recycled printed scrap paper makes it easy to reuse paper and still have somewhere for those important notes. Cut into small squares or leave as full sheets.

Another way to save costs is to start using Skype for your business calls rather than your cellular or land line. Skype is a way to use the phone over the internet without having to have a land line or cell phone number. Signing up for Skype is quite easy and many can use it with ease. All that is needed for Skype is a headset which is available in different types and styles from any electronic store.

Lastly the best way to avoid costs of replacing items, or needing to have a professional clean your electronics for you is by keeping a clean workspace. If you are like most people who work at home you would like to keep your workspace as clean as possible without having to clean it every day. Do you have a shelf or a file cabinet that is close to your desk? Start putting your files back in the file cabinet once you are finished with them rather than leaving them on the desk to put away later.

Another way to keep your area clean is by not eating at your desk. When you work outside of the home you often take lunch away from your workplace. Give your mind and your body a break by going to the kitchen table or outside to enjoy some sunshine and be sure to put your dishes away. A clean workplace is a happy workplace.

Aside from keeping the top of the desk clutter free, be sure to keep the top and sides of computer tower or laptop clean as well. Purchase a can of air for your computer to blow it free of dust and debris, which will in turn help it run better. Constantly run a virus scan and run updates on computer software and Windows as well. By keeping these items up to date you are helping avoid having to purchase a new computer.

With these steps it should be soon that you notice a change in the bills and your pocket book when it comes to an at home work expenses. This will not only provide you with more money for other things in your budget, but give you an achievement to feel proud of. Be sure to pass these great tips to your friends and family that also work from home. They may come in handy for them as well.

Have Fun with the Family this Winter Season

Winter weather have your family feeling down? No problem! With the following family activities the entire family can play together and avoid those winter blues. Each of these activities requires a family of at least two or more and a few around the home items. From an indoor sandbox to a cookie contest, members of the family at any age can enjoy the time spent with each other as well as have some fun without the sun.

Build an indoor sand box for the little ones in the family to enjoy. This is a fun activity that can be done inside the home with ease and only a few sensitivities. Fill an inflatable pool or plastic storage bin with oatmeal or rice and place plastic shovels and buckets inside. This is great for smaller children who really enjoy sand play. This will give them the idea of being at the beach and with the help of a older sibling or parents they can imagine they are at the beach.

Credit: stockimages

Have an indoor movie night that involves family movie favorites such as Toy Story and Mary Poppins. Make your favorite movie snacks for everyone, or try making some healthy movie snacks instead. No matter what the movie is gather the family together in the living room and have a great time. If the weather permits going out for a movie is also an option while there are many family choices that come out during the holiday season.

Another great option on how to enjoy the winter weather together and have a family activity is by hosting a cookie baking contest. Each member of the family or groups of two can make their favorite cookies, and they can be judged by an outside party. A trip to the store may be necessary to pick up essential baking needs for each set of cookies. If there are smaller children pair them with the older children so they have help mixing dough, and putting cookies in and out of the oven.

As it can be seen from the above activities, the sun is not a requirement to have fun with the family and enjoy each others company. Staying inside and playing with items that have been around the home since summer and warmer seasons makes it easy to bring the family together for bonding and give everyone their own special treats. Stay warm this winter inside and out and have fun with your family.

Retro Date Ideas Made Easy

Fancy dresses, nice attire, the perfect car, the best location, the perfect date. This is something that every person desires when it comes to taking their crush, a new person in their life or the significant other out on a date, however sometimes dates can get stale and boring and people get stuck in old traditional dates of going to dinner. Instead of sticking to the normal date, throwback and go on a retro style date and have more fun then you have had in years.

Roller skating
One of the best ways to have fun, be close and get exercise all during a date night is by roller skating. If there is a local skating rink that is in the neighborhood, find out how much it costs for an evening to rent skates and come to a session. Often roller skating rinks offer a couple’s night as well as other themed nights like black light night, and throwback sock hop nights. Whatever the night is, you and your date will be able to sit back and watch others skate, go on the skate rink yourself and couples skate, or sit back and enjoy the snacks that the snack shop has to offer.

If there is no skating rink in your neighborhood take a trip to one that is close to town, or find a local walking park that you can skate around and laugh, talk and play together while having a great date night under the sun or by the beach. Skating is a great way to hold hands and glide together getting to know one another for the first time, or all over again.

Picnic at the park
A nice romantic dinner inside can be great, but a meal outside watching the sun set together is even better. Pack your date’s favorite sandwich, or order some side salads and chicken breasts from your favorite restaurant in to go boxes to pack. No matter what the snacks and meal is, add some romance to it. Bring a blanket to lie down below the two of you and eat underneath the sky. If you are in an area that has a lookout peak to look over the city or town, take your picnic there and enjoy the scenery. If this is not an option, try having your picnic on a rooftop with battery operated lanterns and candles, and set the mood.

Your date will appreciate the time and effort you put in to the picnic giving a bit of romance and adventure all together. If you are planning a romantic evening to propose, this is a wonderful idea and will get you two alone and in a wonderful romantic setting to pop the question.

Vintage soda shop
Some towns and areas have a modernized building that is designed to have a classic soda shop design. For example restaurants such as Johnny Rockets or Joe’s have a vintage 50s soda shop feel and are the perfect setting to have your retro styled date. The soda shop will bring couples back to that feeling of great easy and fun times. Filled with songs from the 50s, 60s, and occasionally 70s playing on the jukebox radio, couples can listen to good music, and feel the soda shop vibe across the scene.

Ordering a burger and a favorite malt to share with two straws, a couple can have a great meal, sit in a over sized booth with their best partner at their side or across the table. A perfect hamburger and fries can make the best date ever. The soda shop is something that anyone of any age can enjoy, younger couples or older couples wanting to get back to their younger years. Share a shake, and boogie down on the dance floor at your nearest soda shop for a perfect retro style date.

Using these various retro style date ideas, make the next night out a fun and adventurous one that both you and yours will enjoy. Dating is meant to be enjoyable and something that will be remembered in the future for the time to come. If you are stuck for any dating ideas or how to plan the perfect date it never hurts to check out women’s magazines such as Marie Claire and Cosmopolitan.

Delicious Macaroni Salad Recipes

Barbeques, family dinners, and holiday season almost always have macaroni salad served alongside the main course. Rather than using the same old macaroni salad recipe this year, consider an out of the box macaroni salad. Included below are four spinoffs of a classic dish that will please all guests, with their taste buds dancing and craving more salad to have with dinner.

BLT macaroni salad
A fresh new take on a picnic favorite this BLT salad is sure to be a hit at the next gathering. It has all the favorites of a BLT plus the great taste of macaroni that everyone loves. Only needing a few extra ingredients, it is easy to make and will be sure to get everyone's taste buds popping. Much like a favorite BLT sandwich, it involves bacon, sliced tomato, and green onions (for the L in BLT). This tasty side dish only takes a total of 20-30 minutes to cook.

Taco macaroni salad
Much like the BLT salad, this delicious twist on macaroni salad is perfect for those who love tacos. This side dish can be served by itself with a fresh made cornbread, it's so hearty. While it might seem different to add hamburger to a macaroni salad, this is a great way to put a twist on a favorite and give everyone something new to try. Consider bringing this taco macaroni salad twist to a potluck at work, or serve as part of a buffet at your child's next PTA meeting. No matter where this dish will be served, it's sure to be a fiesta.

Garden macaroni salad
With people watching their weight and being concerned about eating more vegetables, this garden salad is a great way to get all those veggies and still get the macaroni salad taste people love. This salad is packed full of vegetables and could even have more if desired. Currently the recipe gives foodies; cucumber, broccoli, onion, peas, radishes, and even some Swiss cheese for flavoring. As mentioned, more vegetables can be added to this garden macaroni salad at any time.

Macaroni salad lettuce wraps
While macaroni salad might be a hit with the guests, sometimes it's nice to have it without a big meal. This spin off macaroni salad wrap is ideal for those whom are watching their weight, or simply have a smaller stomach. The vegan chicken and macaroni wrap is delicious and nutritious. The upside to this particular recipe is that it is a vegan recipe.

As another option for this meal, consider serving inside a pita pocket to make it more appealing to children, or to give a little something extra for flavoring.

All together you have been introduced to four new macaroni salad recipes that will get guests' taste buds popping, and give them something to ask you about after dinner. They'll be so interested in your new found cooking skills they'll want to know where you got the recipes. Now, a great chef often doesn't want to give out their secrets, but sometimes it's best to give them hints so they too can host great dinner parties and have awesome food the next time you might come around.
Bon appétit!

Stop Shopping Last Minute for Thanksgiving

Every year another Thanksgiving rolls around, and that means it is time to go grocery shopping to make sure all the items have been purchased for the ideal Thanksgiving meals. Whether this is for Thanksgiving brunch, lunch, or dinner there can often be an item that has been forgotten from the store. Included below are tips to avoid last-minute Thanksgiving grocery shopping.

Make an ideal grocery list before going to the grocery store. This might sound like an easy task, but even then sometimes items can be not written down or forgotten completely. So really sit down and buckle yourself to making the grocery list of your dreams. To start, simply think about what it is you plan on serving for Thanksgiving dinner.

Following a recipe for ingredients helps cut costs at checkout.

Following the recipes of the entrees being cooked will not only help give you an idea of what is needed from the grocery store but will help you to avoid overspending and having to go back for last minute Thanksgiving grocery shopping. Take a look at every one of the recipes, write down what items are needed (not measurements).

Once you have written down these items, take a look in the pantry and the refrigerator to see what items you already have. If you have any of the items needed for these recipes, cross them off the starter list you have created. Next take a look at what is left on the list, this is exactly what you need for your recipes this Thanksgiving, and only this.

If you plan on buying any pre-made items, place these on the starter list as well. Next place down any beverages that will be purchased, this can be great wines to serve, milk or soda pop for the kids. No matter what items are purchased pre-made, place these all here. Now that you have written down your first draft of the grocery list, it’s time to get it rewritten and organized. If you are a consistent shopper at your grocery store you know its layout. Make this grocery trip a short and easy one as well.  Put the items in your list into sections.

Putting the groceries into sections by frozen, dairy, packaged and produce will help to avoid running back and forth from aisle to aisle.

The final step of this process is going to the store and getting the shopping trip over with. So if you have a mobile app that will hold your grocery list, use that now. If not, remember to post your grocery list on your fridge to grab before you go. Stick a post-it on the horn of your car, so you don’t forget before driving away.

Now that you have your grocery list ready, know exactly what you need, go to the store. Not only will not have a single worry about having to have do any last minute grocery shopping for Thanksgiving, but the whole process will be eliminated and you will have nothing to worry about this holiday season.

What's your favorite Thanksgiving dish?

Tips to Promote Reading in School

R-E-A-D!

Reading is one of the most crucial skills that anyone can learn. If you can read, you can open yourself up to anything in the world. You can acquire new skills, educate others to read, and even become a better writer. No matter what age a person is they can learn to enjoy reading, or simply become a better reader. While reading is often done to children in their young age, it can be a forgotten pastime and become something they no longer enjoy. With the following tips, not only will reading become a more acquired taste, but it will fill the joy of elementary students everywhere.

Lead by example

We all hear that it is a good idea to lead by example in everything that we do. Children learn from adults and other children too. By reading out loud to your elementary students or children you are teaching them it can be fun to read. They will see you reading to them and realize you have this great power of telling a story. They too will want to have this power and want to know how to do it, if they do not already. So if you are in the middle of grading papers while your students are taking a test, when you are finished read a book of your choice. They'll see you reading a book for fun, not because you have to. This simple step will show them it is okay for them too to take out a book and read it when they have completed their school work. This is a way they can enjoy a book and still be getting an education with themselves.

Give students the option to bring a book from home, off an assigned reading list, or their textbook if they wish. This way they have more than one option and won't feel as if they are forced only to read educational books. How many times do you remember as a student where you were told to only read your textbook when you were done with class? Can we say b-o-r-i-n-g?

Give them something fun to read

Much like the above tip, giving children an option of something fun to read will get them revved up for reading. For example, the Highlights magazines are a fun and educational thing they can read that are also filled with fun trivia questions and puzzles. Aside from magazines that might be geared towards kids, try creating a small section in the home or classroom that can be their book nook. This section could have a small chair, a table, or simply some bean bags children can sit on and read when they are done with their schoolwork, or homework, or if they'd rather stay inside for recess.

The Library

Give children a new experience and introduce them to the local or school library. There are far too many books to choose from in a library and while this is true but imagine all of the possibilities and the imagination that can be created and heightened from children reading. They will be able to go into a world of far off places, princes, and people in disguises, alternate words, or even biographies about famous people. Children can read and learn all at once with their libraries. Get a child a library card and you have given them the keys to the world.

Often library cards are free at the local library as well as the school, however it is important to contact a local library and find out. Either way, the gift of a library card is a gift that they will cherish. The whole adventure of going to the library to pick a new book may get them even more interested in reading. The many benefits of a library are too hard to even put limits on.

Reading Contests

Often elementary teachers will come up with contests that can be held within their classrooms for reading the most books in a year. This is a great way to get children encouraged with reading and give them something to work hard for all at once. Not only will they be reading on a more constant basis but they too will be learning the value of determination and there are rewards for such hard work.

Create a contest by getting a sticker board chart or making one with items purchased from a craft store. This board can have each child's name, and then for each book they can have a star placed next to their name. At the end of the week / month / year they can receive special prizes. For example; first place: $25 Amazon gift card. Second Place; $15 gift card. Third place: $10. Whole class could receive a giant pizza party.

In order to get a star there could be stipulations such as a parent must sign off that a student read the book each time and also that the child must write a paragraph or two about the book and why they liked it. This too will teach the children responsibility and matters of trust. In the end, if a student did not participate in the book contest, they still should be allowed to celebrate in the party and encouraged to join for the next round.

Scholastic Rocks

Many young adults may recall going to the Scholastic book fairs during the school year. I remember them myself, getting the pamphlet from the teacher and going home and circling everything I wanted out of it. There was something about looking at the little magazine and being able to find my favorite Goosebumps books and even at a later time in life there was Harry Potter offered.

Now, while there are the book fairs and book trucks that come around the country there is also the more important book reading contests they offer. They often are running specials to promote reading in all ages. Recently there was a #SummerReadingSelfie contest on Instagram that was run, and there are always the reading clubs to get involved in. If you are interested in the reading club click the link at the bottom of this post. Check out the Scholastic website to find out more at the above hyperlink to get your kids involved in reading even more.

All of these are examples of how to promote reading within children in the elementary classroom, and outside of the classroom. No matter what age a child is in these years they should learn the power of reading and be able to have fun and enjoy it. Once they have begun to read and start enjoying it, don't ask them to put the book away, let them continue as long as it's not interfering with their schoolwork.

Scholastic Reading Club

How do you get your kids involved in reading?