Back in full force!

I know some people are probably frustrated with me for lack of posts and winners and I apologize profusely. We are back in action in full swing and posting and blog winners resume tomorrow. Some of my sponsors due postings are entirely way too overdue but I have had family emergencies I am choosing not to share the details of... However, I will say that I have been out of town (in fact- 8 hours out of town) and dealing with these and it was not a fun trip AT ALL. Again- I am extremely sorry to those who are frustrated with me and hope and pray you understand that I cannot always be chained to this computer. To my readers and winners, you will be seeing a flood of posts in the coming week (and the week after that.) Thanks to those who are not yet complaining at me and to those who are I will be emailing you back soon.
Thanks!~

HELP!

Hey guys, I am trying to get a free banner on this site. I hope to have it for 2 months for the 20 members I refer. (if I can sucessfully refer that many is the question.)

If you don't already have an account there, PLEASE, make one and in the referral box type

" CaseyColette "  (one word)

What is this site?

It's a neat site that is not only 100% free, but hooks up bloggers with potential sponsors. You can make a BLOGGER listing or an ADVERTISER listing. Companies BIG and small all post there, in fact- it's where I found both my Channing & Co giveaway AND my Peanut Butter and Co review .

So, as you can see, several "Co"s. LOL!

In any case, there are various search parameters and ways to find clients, and even Etsy and stores that are barely off the ground and need your help and promotion!

I plan on using this as a giveaway task for numerous giveaways in the next month, so doing it now will earn you two entries into any giveaway I post, just type "Bloggerdise" in the comment TWO times.

Thanks so much to those who do this for me, it's why I love my readers so much!

~XO!~

So if your a blogger, or you know one.. share this post with them and/or you sign up!

I'd love to see this blogs banner ad featured there for 2 months.

Sorry Jesse,

Can't do it for less than that.

(Three actually sounds better!)  

:)

SIGN UP USING THAT LINK (below!)!

bloggerdise.com

A Little of Everything Fall Festival Giveaway Event

Introducing...

http://courteneybrianne.blogspot.com/2011/10/introducing.html

This is my first giveaway event- so please be patient with me.

I'm open to any and all recommendations.

Here is how it is going to work- I am going to put a linky up on 10/20/2011 and you can link all of your giveaways as long as you do the following:

• Put my Fall Festival Giveaway button in your giveaway posts that are in the linky. You can link as many giveaways as you want. I will add a grab code when I post the linky.
• Put #FallFestival in your title.
• Promote the event on your Facebook Fan Page or Twitter. (optional)
• Post the linky (when it goes live) on your blog. (optional)

I will be promoting the event on a lot of different sites including Facebook and Twitter (personal & fan pages). So I'm sure that we will all be getting a lot of traffic.

I will also follow all the blogs that are listed in the linky. You don't have to do that- unless you really want to. I know it would be greatly appreciated. :)

If you want to participate but don't think you will remember when the day comes, email me or leave your email address in a comment and I will send you a reminder when it goes live.

(Button code for blog post)

(Button code for your sidebar)
http://courteneybrianne.blogspot.com/2011/10/introducing.html

DISNEY AND DISNEY•PIXAR FAVORITES POISED TO RETURN TO THEATERS IN 3D

DISNEY AND DISNEY•PIXAR FAVORITES POISED TO RETURN TO THEATERS IN 3D

‘Beauty and the Beast,’ ‘Finding Nemo,’ ‘Monsters, Inc.’ and ‘The Little Mermaid’ Will Make 3D Theatrical Debut in 2012 and 2013 

BURBANK, Calif. – October 4, 2011 – On the heels of the phenomenal success of The Lion King 3D – which will cross the $80 million mark at the domestic box office today – The Walt Disney Studios has announced limited theatrical engagements for four of its classic films for the first time in 3D. The following titles from Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios will be released in 2012 and 2013:

·         Beauty and the Beast – January 13, 2012

·         Disney•Pixar’s Finding Nemo – September 14, 2012

·         Disney•Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. – January 18, 2013 (Monsters University, a prequel to the original film, arrives in theaters in Disney Digital 3D on June 21, 2013)

·         The Little Mermaid – September 13, 2013

“Great stories and great characters are timeless, and at Disney we’re fortunate to have a treasure trove of both,” said Alan Bergman, President, The Walt Disney Studios. “We’re thrilled to give audiences of all ages the chance to experience these beloved tales in an exciting new way with 3D – and in the case of younger generations, for the first time on the big screen.”

Originally released in 1991, Beauty and the Beast is a classic “tale as old as time” that follows the adventures of Belle, a bright young woman imprisoned in the castle of a mysterious beast and his enchanted staff, who must learn the most important lesson of all – that true beauty comes from within. Beauty and the Beast was the first animated film ever nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Picture, earning an additional five Oscar® nominations and winning two. It has grossed $380.4 million worldwide.

First released in 2003, Disney•Pixar’s Finding Nemo takes audiences into a whole new world in this undersea adventure about family, courage and challenges. When Marlin, an overly cautious clownfish living in the Great Barrier Reef, helplessly watches his son get scooped up by a diver, he must put aside his fears of the ocean and leave the safety of his coral enclave to find Nemo. Buoyed by the companionship of Dory, a forgetful but relentlessly optimistic fish, Marlin finds himself the unlikely hero in a seemingly impossible land-and-sea rescue.Finding Nemo won an Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature and was nominated for three others. With a total of $867.6 million worldwide, it was the second highest-grossing film of 2003.

In 2001, Disney•Pixar released Monsters, Inc. Lovable Sulley and his wisecracking sidekick Mike Wazowski are the top scare team at Monsters, Inc., the scream-processing factory in Monstropolis. But when a little girl named Boo wanders into their world, it’s up to Sulley and Mike to keep her out of sight and get her back home. Monsters, Inc. shattered every DVD-era home entertainment sales record when 11 million DVD/VHS copies were sold during its first week of release. It won an Academy Award® for Best Song and has grossed $526.9 million worldwide.

Released in 1989, The Little Mermaid, stars Ariel, a fun-loving and mischievous mermaid, off on the adventure of a lifetime with her best friend, the adorable Flounder, and the reggae-singing Caribbean crab Sebastian. But it will take all of her courage and determination to make her dreams come true and save her father’s beloved kingdom from the sneaky sea witch Ursula. One of the most celebrated animated films of all time, The Little Mermaid was nominated for three Academy Awards®, winning two. It has grossed $228.9 million worldwide.

ABOUT THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS

For more than 85 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under four banners: Walt Disney Pictures, which includes Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; Disneynature; Marvel; and Touchstone Pictures, which includes the distribution of live-action films from DreamWorks Studios. Original music and motion picture soundtracks are produced under Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records, while Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Broadway theatrical productions, Disney on Ice and Disney LIVE!.  For more information, visit www.waltdisneystudios.com.

Dark Before Dawn _ Ready for Halloween? Creepy!~

Excerpt from Dark Before Dawn by Stacy Juba

Now available for Kindle, Nook, & Smashwords with a paperback edition coming in November. The e-book edition is 99 cents throughout October for a special Halloween promotion.

Book blurb: 

When teen psychic Dawn Christian gets involved with a fortuneteller mentor and two girls who share her mysterious talents, she finally belongs after years of being a misfit. When she learns her new friends may be tied to freak “accidents” in town, Dawn has an important choice to make – continue developing the talent that makes her special or challenge the only people who have ever accepted her.

Dawn dug her fingernails into the seatbelt as Candace drove through Covington Center. Maybe she should forget the whole thing. What if she wasn’t good enough for Serina? What if Candace and her friends were into weird stuff? Dawn eyed a pewter dragon dangling from the rearview mirror. Bells tinkled on its curved serpentine tail at every stop light and turn.

  Who the heck attached dragons to their mirrors? No one Dawn knew, that was for sure.

  "What’s up?" Candace asked.

  "I was just noticing how neat your car is," Dawn said. She wasn’t lying, exactly. The Chevy’s spotless interior had surprised her, after riding in Ken’s mess on wheels.

  "I have to be neat or my psychic abilities go on the fritz. Organization unclogs the drains in your life. Serina says you need outside order to support inner order."

  "Really?" Dawn thought of all the storage baskets and shelves in her bedroom. Had she been acting out that principle subconsciously?

  As Candace parked in a driveway, Dawn gaped out the window at the cream cottage she had seen the first day of school. The cottage had spoken to her, sending out warning vibrations. She shouldn’t go in there. She really shouldn’t.

  Dawn regretted texting her mother that she was staying for extra help. No one knew who she was with, or where she was.

  "This is where Serina lives?" she blurted out.

  "Yeah. Why?"

  "It gave me bad vibes the first time I passed it."

  Candace shrugged. "I wouldn’t worry. You could have been picking up vibrations from the last people who lived here. It could’ve been from Serina, too. She’s had a tough life and sometimes bad memories linger. When you have abilities like ours, it’s easy to jump to conclusions. Serina can teach you to look deeper."

  Reluctantly, Dawn closed her car door. Veined yellow leaves stormed down from the birches, gliding across the grass. The wind, the ocean, the smell of salt water, everything seemed magnified.

  They trudged up the stone walkway and mounted the porch steps. Dawn examined the hand-painted sign she’d missed from the road: "Psychic Readings Here. Call 555-3990 for appointment."

  Candace pressed the doorbell. Shaking off her fears, Dawn pulled a lavender brochure out of a basket on a wicker end table. She skimmed the headings. Serina did tarot, palm readings, meditation sessions and past life regressions.

  The door swung open and Dawn blinked at the lanky girl in front of her. She reminded Dawn of a scarecrow, skinny arms and legs hanging out of her clothes.

  The girl adjusted her baggy sweater, the fabric slipping down her shoulder. Acne blotches reddened her chin and oily brown hair straggled from a rubber band at the top of her head. "Hi, I'm Jamie. Come on in."

  Dawn stepped into a narrow foyer, sniffing the sweet scent of burning incense. A strange sensation overcame her, as if a powerful presence inhabited this house. Dawn grasped the banister, reeling from the impact of whatever invisible force sheathed the air. She gauged how the sensation made her feel. Uncomfortable and a little sad.

Buy Links:

Amazon Kindle: http://ow.ly/6Hiyn

Barnes&Noble Nook: http://ow.ly/6HiC4

Smashwords:  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/91319

Bio: Although Stacy Juba specializes in writing adult novels, she has also authored books for children and young adults – she pursues whatever story ideas won’t leave her alone. Stacy’s titles include the Amazon bestselling adult mystery novels Twenty-Five Years Ago Today and Sink or Swim, the mystery short story Laundry Day, the children’s picture books The Flag Keeper and Victoria Rose and the Big Bad Noise, and the young adult novels Face-Off and Dark Before Dawn. Visit her web site at http://www.stacyjuba.com.

Monthly Rewarding Rafflecopter (LINKY!) 10/1/11 -thru- 11/1/11

RAFFLECOPTER ONLY PLEASE!

Thanks I Stock

Today I found out one bad bad bad thing about IStock. I was unaware when you paid 40 something dollars for a picture, it wasn't  yours and someone else could put it on their blog. Golly gee, that's freaking lovely!
Now I feel cheated and ordinary, average & boring. Like I need to change my header. But I don't want to! (Crosses arms huffily!) I don't know who had it first, but it doesn't matter because there is nothing I can do about it. Short of changing mine.. which is unique to my blog and makes it recognizable. Luckily, at least her blog is a Spanish blog. I signed up for this blog button promotion, I can't even remember the name.. But had it not been for that- and sheer chance.. I wouldn't have even known. Wonder how many of you reading this right now have someone who has your very same header. You are probably sitting there, thinking "NAH!" I am thinking, yeah right. The site is a banner exchange and you have to post the html on your sidebar and your button code, and the site has a flashing button that revolves through it's members. I don't know how many members, how often it cycles.. but I rarely pay attention to it. I was editing my "button love" box and noticed my blog button picture in it, and thought, "Yay!" (There's mine!) Then.. dismay... wait! No! That's got writing on it, mine doesn't! So I click it, and it takes me here: http://www.esposaperfecta.com/ On her twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/EsposaPerfecta and yes, even on her facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EsposaPerfecta

Here's the screenshot as I saw it this morning. Again, let me re-iterate how crazy it is that I chanced upon that. I am pretty sure they have a ton of members and that button changes frequently. How ironic is it she happens to be on the same site as i? Strange. What to do now? Advice? THOUGHTS? Please share them!

WOW!

Talk about a blog blowing up quickly. I really need to learn how to pace Locomotion of Expressions.
The growth has been fantastical. I am uber impressed with myself and oh so glad to have found something I am good at!
Usually people used to only call me when they needed small help with computers and social networks. Now there is something people can come to me for advice for! Yay!

It's funny, but I have never been to college. It's not that I don't want to go, it just keeps getting put on the back burner for the kids.

But I think I am good at two. Unless god decides to give us another. I would welcome it with open arms. It would be just as cute and smart as thew two I already have! :) I don't know how I would find time for it, but I would manage. I don't particularly want another though, right now. I want to get my education in order.

It's funny that I have scraped this blog this far. I surprised myself. Looking back there have been some really great products.. and some not so great products! I have gotten so busy I have had to turn down pitches to me. It was easier than I thought it would be, but still impressive. I started out with 4 followers in late Jan and have wrangled my way to over 1,000 in 8 months. My traffic and Alexa ratings are pretty darn decent. But I don't know when Google will update page rank. I admit, I do not understand a LOT of html, and a lot of it Google has been my best friend in deciphering and sometimes even my worst enemy. Sometimes, I can't figure it out to save my life.

A few websites have been essential in my growth and I wouldn't have made it this far without them. If you are a blogger you MUST check out Nina Say's blogger forum BFPR (Blog Friendly PR) it is a forum where PR emails are gathered with their permission. It saves them from paying a site to do it for them and really opens it up for us bloggers and gives us more selection to be picky, if you will. Everyone there is super friendly and it's not like a lot of the other sites I have been on where there are not many giveaway opportunities. In fact a lot of blogger ning and forums have so many bloggers, and so few opportunities, the smaller blogs don't stand a chance. I get reviews from Tomoson, and Mamabzz, and MomSelect and I really do love MyBlogSpark & Bloggerdise. There are others like SocialMoms and others too, but those are really more, you blog for us for free, and we MIGHT pick your post to win a  prize, which I honestly do not have time for.
I love BFPR's blogger forum. But you also have to pay to use it. I think its around 5$ a month? I can't be certain because I haven't had to pay to use it .... YET.  But when my review plate clears up.. if it does.. I will be joining. It's free to use her forum but not to view The Pitch List.
It is worth EVERY penny. This is the coolest thing since sliced bread.
That being said, I am certain that every post you are going to see from me in the next two months is all courtesy of Nina Say. Lets give her a big warm round of applause, because without her and her genius forum, we wouldn't have a chance to review these, and in turn, you wouldn't have a chance to win these.

Here is her blog: theonefantastical.com tell her I sent you if you join her forum because of this post, or visit her blog. Please let her know it's because of me. I want that- you give it to me!


Here is what I have in store for you guys soon.. (in no particular order except ones marked with an asterisk* and those will be very soon. Like next 7 days soon) soon as will be in (the mail) next week, and even as far as 2 months from now. :)
30+      & some sooner than others! That's great news for you! I am going to be so busy! :)
But it keeps me sane.

Here they are:

• Kathryn The Grape
• Scentsy
• Flat Iron Experts
• Lite Sprites
• "Angelina Dancing on Ice" DVD
• O.N.E. Coconut Water *
• "Barney A Very Merry Christmas" DVD
• Deborah Mix's Pet Pillows *
• Dora the Explorer: Celebrate with Dora -- DVD set of 3
• Kidorable
• Plow & Hearth
• Tony Bennett CD Duets II
• Zutano
• Naturalvitalitykids.com
• Smile Books Design Service
• Five Finger Tees
• Monte Carlo DVD
• Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer  DVD
• PetCakes
• Rothschild
• GoPicnic 
• FairyTale Brownies
• Kimmy shop *
• True Birds accessories *
•  CupCake Cuties
• French Toast (Hopefully) no commitment yet.
• SkinCare RX/ Apothica
• Crocs, no real commitment, just throwing around
• Assured Organics
• (Hopefully) no commitment yet for the above and below.
• Navoh Purses
• GIANTmicrobes Halloween *

https://www.facebook.com/blogfriendlypr <-- "like" that page!

Blogger pet peeve.. well this bloggers pet peeve at least!

Can I just say this without making you guys mad? 

Actually scratch that- I really don't care.

Some PRs rock!
Some suck..

Can we pause and take a moment of silence for the PRs who are not going to make it out of this thing alive?
I have a new respect for them. I know what they do is just as daunting as what we do. It's gotta be, responding to emails.. keeping up with what has been shipped.. what's been written, what has ended- whose prize has been shipped. I know how my head is reeling sometimes. I have to do the same, pitches, who has responded, who denied, who told me to wait a while, remembering to write them back.. Getting the stuff reviewed, some of it is not assembly and/or craft free, plus pictures.. don't get me started again on my camera issues.. then there is writing the post, sending them the link, promoting it.. moderating entries, picking a winner (or two..  or three..) and waiting for their reply. Forwarding their info, announcing the contests end.. This is a lot of work!  So I know my twenty to thirty companies I might be dealing with in any given month is nothing compared to what they have to deal with. Sometimes it can take me up to three weeks to get around to reviewing a product for them. I hope they do not get exasperated with me. But I always respond to emails.
Lets applaud the PRs who everyone loves to work with. You'll know if this is you:

1. They always respond to emails immediately.
2. They always respond with a nice word about the review, even if it was less than favorable.
3. They always respond when you tell them the winners info.
4. And lastly they even will tell you when they have shipped to winner.
5. Extra points- when the winner says they didn't get their product, they respond to that email, and re-ship!

What got me to thinking about this is a few in particular that have always been a pleasure to work with, like:  Nicole Egan www.rlapr.com !

When the PR takes weeks to email you back..
that is not fun.
When they say they will ship the review item.. and it never shows up.. and you email them- and they never and I do mean NEVER respond. What is up with that?
SO RUDE!
But sometimes, they do ship.. eventually. Some of them end up on my *** list because I write their review, and I spend a lot of time on it.. and send them the link (Just like I agreed to do/am supposed to always do) and they never acknowledge that they even read it. Which doesn't leave me with high hopes that the winner will receive their prize.

Once, long ago.. when I first learned of blog giveaways, there's a story here.. wait for it! I happened upon them on Online-sweepstakes.com and (That- btw- is the BEST online listing site for your giveaways!) I get tons of traffic from that site! Sometimes.. it will be the ONLY site I list on! If.. I am super busy (especially) anyway I am off track. Um, what was I saying? Oh yes- I probably wasn't entering them right. But for newbies, you can get a great idea on how to enter, by just reading other people entries on the giveaway comments...

It took me literally FOREVER but I finally won a few. Some of which never showed. One were going to touch on came from a blog called MamaNordy... anyway.. I kept emailing her it never showed.. and she never even emailed me back. My proof, look here! Apparently it was going to her spam? IDK, which she wasn't checking? Or she didn't care and kept the prize to herself, gave it to a friend. I don't know. All I know is I never got it. Granted, it might have been the sponsors fault. Perhaps they refused to ship another. She could have at least said that. And if it was going to her spam.. shame on her for that- I always check my spam. Even today- if you email me and I don't get it, you can always DM me on twitter or post a comment on my Facebook wall. Anyways point of this ridiculously long ramble... it's because of her that I am such a good blogger. So even though I despise her (and I really do) for never helping get my item, which I was soooooo excited to never receive. That was two years ago.. I am like an eleephant, I don't forget these little peanuts you see! WTH, right? I can thank her.. because I treat my readers so much better than that. So point is- some PRs do suck. That might have been her PRs fault. TO BE fair.. I did email her way more than once.  I was so new to blog giveaways I didn't know how to DM someone back then, and this was way before Facebook blog fan pages. So if the PR never replies that they got the winners info. It troubles me because I don't want someone hating on my blog like I do hers. I hope that ANY PR reading this can learn form this post, and please stop doing that.  I/we understand how busy you are.. we are too! But it only takes a few seconds to reply to an email.

Lets touch on the 2nd horrible thing I cannot stand that PRs do.
You have a whole inventory/webstore.. so why do you insist on sending me something I don't like?
If you have a whole selection of items, why send me the ugliest thing you have? Is it because you have a ton of them and want to pawn them off? Am I supposed to be nice about it? It kind of sucks. Again, not pointing fingers.. but I have been scratching my head about this for a while. You would think they would send you the cutest, and sometimes they do! Sometimes they are just oblivious I guess.

I wasn't going to throw a ton of PRs under the bus here.. and I should! But one has to be talked about. Because this was simply ridiculous.

I was so excited to find an email address online for KimmyShop's PR/customer service. His name i'll opt to leave out. Bloggers beware.
This guy- he takes the cake.
First of all. Keep in mind, you are working with a blogger. Even though my follower number may be small... those aren't the only people who read this blog. And even though 35,000 hits a month may seem small in comparison to some blogs.. that is an awful LOT of traffic. I think it is.
So why in the world would you want someone with that kind of KLOUT (another great website of course! Love them and been with them since the beginning!) to have anything bad to say about you?
Everything he could have done wrong he did.
 I tried so hard to be nice.. but in the end. I gave up and I might have been rude. But not without reason! I hate to send them traffic of any kind.. but take a look around their site. Some really nice stuff. Overpriced stuff, but nice, nonetheless. Kimmyshop is the go to for Calliou products. They have more than anyone. But that's not all they have! They have all sorts of kids products. So needless to say- I was ecstatic.

Giana used to LOVE Calliou. So on August 1st the day before my birthday- he tells me they are going to send me a Calliou lunchbox for review/giveaway. I was less than thrilled but agreed. I thought Giana would be glad. Nope. She came home from her new private Christian school a few days later saying that kids make fun of her Backyardigans lunchbox and she cant carry it anymore. So I tell her about the Calliou one (I was going to surprise her) and she is very upset. I show it to her and she says it looks like its for a boy, shes too big for Calliou (DUH mom,. shes is first grade now!) and that the kids at her new school make fun of her because of the spoons I put in her lunchbox have animal characters at the tip and she can't carry them anymore. *sighs*  So I think, I'll hang on to it, for Devonny (yeah- in like 3 years when she needs it. lol.. ) or give it to my nephew for Christmas. I wait- and wait- and wait- and wait-- it never shows up! On august 30th.. yes almost 4 weeks later...
I write to him. He says it was shipped and he will reship. UPS/FedEx this time. I say in not so few words " is there any way I can get something else? and I also explain to him Giana's less than enthusiastic response and tales of being teased about her lunchbox and spoons, and the lunchbox being "babyish and boyish" (I told him that, keep that in mind as you continue reading on)  He says and I quote: "Which one would you be interested in reviewing ?

--
name withheld
Customer Service"

I email him, and tell him about 5 things we really like. I keep them all under 20$ since he was trying to send me a 10$ lunchbox I should have never agreed to review anyway..
And he never replies. Shocker, right?
Then, when I finally get a response from him, I say;  "What item are you sending?" curious which one he picked from my list.
He says "A Calliou Backpack." Shaking my head- no really I am shaking my head.
So I tell you my daughter will get teased for a Calliou lunchbox, and you send her a Calliou backpack? That freaking great, according to him it was already shipped. Strange, because I still haven't gotten it. But I am glad, because honestly i was going to write return to sender on it.

Why in the world did he ask me what I was interested in reviewing then? Which (naturally) I asked him.
He acted like he never said that- so I forward him his message. Long story short. Me bringing this stuff to you- sometimes comes in frustration already laid as the groundwork for the post.

Just saying.

Have you had similar experiences?

I was graded!

Natural Cleaning Recipes for your Home, or just attitude?

 Essential Oils




 There was an OK guest post here about essential oils. Unfortunately it had to be deleted when she tried to be slightly controlling over my editing. In the future please know Guest Posters, I do not appreciate spammy looking links in my posts, anything that say FREE AMAZON GIFT CARDS as the link, is not ok to be on this blog. Even if the link wasn't spam, to my readers, who are scared to click it because of spyware, it LOOKS like spam. She got upset because I removed it without asking. I didn't ask because she was unresponsive about other issues. Before I even saw the spam looking link, she had written in her email, if you need images let me know. HAVE YOU SEEN MY BLOG? I think there might be two posts without images.. YES! I need images. I responded to her email literally within 5 minutes. But no response. 3 days later. I email her, Hey- I still need a picture. Nope. No reply. Email her again that I am waiting on a picture... I just posted it and added pics myself! I understand being busy. (She says she is moving) I am a military wife. I move around constantly. I respond to messages on my cell phone, just as I would a text message, especially if it is pertaining to this blog. It is total chaos at my house 99% of the time. I have 3 hermit crabs, two dogs, 1 cat, 1 infant/toddler, who has been snotty and was feverish yesterday in fact-- 1 six year old,. a husband who has to sleep on the "boat" (Submarine, they call it a boat.. I still don't know why) plus be there for 36 hours straight every 48 hours. Until he deploys. I'm left here, with the kids, the animals, and this blog. THANK GOD I DON'T WORK! Then there's me, driving my kid across town everyday for private school... All while dealing with crap like this. Lets throw in the little drama mama April who moved in down the street and decided to go all Kim Basinger on me. Yesterday I had been dealing with her crap. I was in no mood for her smart attitude about her SEO.  I am sorry that I do not appreciate Guest Posts with links in the first few lines. I am the owner of this blog, therefore the final editor. In her email, she states that if it needs to be edited to just let her know. I was in no mood to wait another week for a response. The thing is, she took the time to write back all this, but she told me she would get me a picture within a week. It doesn't take that long to get a picture. She spent more time arguing about this- when in her email she said, "let her know and she would change it" if that's the case, then what does it matter if I change it. You just said that if I asked you, you would change it. I changed it for you, I don't have time to go back and forth with you.  We expect PR to not write us back for week (Oh come on! Most all of them do it!) but another blogger should know how annoying that is. BTW- Take your attitude elsewhere! 
Thank you! Come again! 
 Photo Credit - Wellness Online (.com)  &  MountainRoseHerbs(.com)
If you think this is interesting please see Locomotion of Expressions post on Making your own orange Cleaner with homemade Citrus Essential Oils!

Good News!

What's go great about that?
Well for you- it means that:
We are on our way to lessening the rules of this blog.
See, in order to get great stuff for you guys, I have got have good numbers. But, we broke the magical 4 digits!
It's very exciting to me. It took me since Feb of this year! I am very proud. Like a mother hen.

You will no longer have to be a public GFC follower  to win, and it will be an extra entry!

Anyways, since you guys have been so loyal to me, the rule will be lifted when we reach 1500 GFC followers! So just in a few months, at the rate we are headed...

Super excited!
~Thanks!~

RaffleCopter Round Up

 Here’s the details for the Rafflecopter Round Up:

• Date: September 21 to 25th
• Minimum Prize Value: $25 (you are welcome to find sponsors or sponsor your own).

Rafflcopter only giveaways worth $25 or more!

Welcome to the Rafflecopter Roundup event hosted by Makobiscribe and Simply Stacie . From Sept 21 at 9 AM EST to Sept 25th 11:59 EST. Please have your post scheduled to go up at Sept 21 9 AM EST, worth $25, with the attached button linked to http://makobiscribe.com or http://simplystacie.netand using Rafflecopter. The blogs that are not in compliance will be deleted by noon on Sept 21. There is NO FEE for this event.

Pick your linky code up here: http://www.inlinkz.com/script.php?id=78703&nojump=1&key=ILavwJwIsSRl2

You need to put your name on this linky here: http://makobiscribe.com/2011/07/rafflecopter-round-up-sign-ups.html

GENERAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q:  When should I post my giveaway?
A:  Sept 21 at 9:00 AM Eastern Standard Time.

Q:  When should my giveaway end?
A:  All giveaways must end on Sept 25th 11:59 EST (just before midnight) Eastern Standard Time.

Q:  If I am participating in the Rafflecopter Giveaway Event, can I enter giveaways at other blogs?
A:  Yes

Q: How many entries can I have?
A:One to two mandatory entries and you can have an unlimited amount of optionals to help satisfy your sponsors.

Q: I want to offer extra entries for people who follow and visit my sponsors sites. Is there an easier way to do this or any suggestions?
A: YES. You can feel free to promote your sponsor before the event. Some of us like to post our extra entry post before the event, so that on the day of the Giveaway event people can stop by and quickly enter. Then at the conclusion of the event, just add all the extra entries to your giveaway post entries. 


How can we all help promote the event?
1.Write posts about the event prior to the actual start date to create excitement. Include your sponsors, prizes, and how many blogs are participating.  
2. Put the event button up on your sidebar.  
3. Tweet about the event. 
Post on facebook.  
Post on giveaway sites: Big list here: http://makobiscribe.com/for-the-blogger/places-to-submit-your-giveaways
OLS http://www.online-sweepstakes.com
Prizey:http://www.prizey.net
Mom Fuse: http://momfuse.com/list-your-giveaway-linky
Top Giveaway Linkys http://www.squidoo.com/giveawaylinkies

6. Post in communities or forums such as 
Blog Frog
Social Moms
Bloggy Moms
Mommy Approved
Pitch It To Me
Product Review Place (whatever the new name is)
Email newsletter to your readers
GFC Newsletter