TEN FINGERS TOUCHING: Blog Tour, #Review & #Giveaway

Disclosure: Free book & product(s) received for review purposes only. All opinions are my own. 

Princess Leia and Han Solo. Aragorn and Arwen. Buttercup and Westley. To this list of beloved fantasy couples comes Marianna and Martak in Ellen A. Roth’s timeless romantic tale of mystery and adventure, TEN FINGERS TOUCHING(February 2015; $22.95).

Roth spins a passionate fable of suspense and romance illustrated with lush paintings rendered in the highest fantasy tradition by renowned artist John Blumen. Together they weave a spellbinding story of two young lovers caught between the forces of good and evil, with the future of the kingdom and an innocent child’s life at stake. Can the young master of the forest and his beloved maiden save the kingdom and find their “happily ever after?” Fans of Once Upon a Time and The Princess Bride will be swept up in this story featuring the freshest new figures in romantic fantasy literature. 

ELLEN A. ROTH’s TEN FINGERS TOUCHING is a true labor of love.  As a child, Roth was enchanted by fairytales and spent countless hours reading and dreaming. After earning an MFA from Syracuse University, Roth moved to Pittsburgh, PA, where she worked as a registered art therapist, helping emotionally disturbed and developmentally disabled children, before earning her Ph.D from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education. In 1991, Roth co-founded Getting to the Point, Inc., a premier consulting firm that specializes in helping corporations attract high level executives to Pittsburgh. A member of the National Speakers Association, she has published numerous professional papers and articles. During her career, Roth has received several awards and was named one of the Best 50 Women in Business in Pennsylvania. She shares her life with her husband, Dr. Loren Roth and her children.

TEN FINGERS TOUCHING

February 2015

$22.95 hardcover; 104 pages

ISBN-10: 0990726827

ISBN-13:  9780990726821

Urbini Dream Nursery Contest

I participated in a Blog Blast Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Urbini. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation

Hey everyone, I want to share with you this really cool contest. I am helping to promote this giveaway for Urbini. I encourage you to enter this to win the Grand Prize and lots of other cool prizes too. There are also daily prizes. Read on for more details.


Urbini added a new line of nursery furniture to its portfolio, including wooden cribs! To showcase this line, Urbini created the Urbini Dream Nursery Instagram Contest where one lucky winner will have the designer of the new Urbini nursery furniture, Rachel Dacks, come to their home to provide them an Urbini Dream Nursery, including Urbini furniture and décor. 


Are you a new Mom looking to furnish a nursery. Or perhaps already a Mom, wanting to update the nursery for a new baby on the way. Well then Urbani Dream Nursery is perfect for you. Don't worry, if you don't fit into those categories you can still enter to win a daily $50 Walmart Gift Card! 

List of Prizes:

Grand Prize

• One Urbini Crib
• One Urbini Changing Table
•  One Urbini 6 Drawer Dresser
• One Urbini Cubi Play Yard
• In addition to the Urbini furniture, the winner will receive a home visit by Urbini designer Rachel Dacks to personally outfit a newly designed nursery.

Second Prize

• Choice of one Urbini Crib

Third Prize

• One Urbini Cubi Play Yard

Sweepstakes Winners

Each day, one Sweepstakes participant will be randomly selected to win a $50 Walmart Gift Card

Contest Rules:

Please read full contest Rules and Regulations Here


To enter the Urbini Dream Nursery Contest to win the Grand, Second, or Third Prizes, contestants must post an Instagram photo of the room they want to redesign to their personal Instagram account tagging #UrbiniDreamNursery and #Contest. For all other entry information, including entering to win the daily $50 Walmart Gift Cards, please visit www.UrbiniDreamNursery.com.

Urbini Dream Nursery


Please note contest dates: 

contest will run from Feb. 25, 2015 until March 18, 2015

Carpet Cleaning Can Give Your Home A Fresh New Look

Have you ever noticed that when you enter a home with dirty and grimy carpets that you automatically think of the home as a dirty place as well? Many homes feature carpet as the option for flooring. However, there are many people who think that simply vacuuming the area is enough to clean it. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth. Carpets are walked on with shoes that have seen places with a lot of germs. Even if you take your shoes off when on the carpet, many things can stain the area and cause it to become dirty very fast. To maintain the clean look and feel of your carpets, you should schedule carpet cleaning every couple of months. Vacuuming is not enough and a qualified cleaning can bring your carpets back to life. 

Finding A Carpet Cleaner That Meets Your Needs

Not all carpet cleaners are the same. There are many options on the market for cleaning but they do not all do the same job as well as the next one. You can rent your own steam cleaner but if you do not know what you are doing, you can miss a lot of dirt in your carpets. What you really need is a thorough cleaning to be completed for your home. To get this done, you need to contact a licensed cleaner in your area. There are many companies that offer different types of packages for clients. You can purchase a one time service or get a plan for them to come out several times a year to maintain and ensure that your carpets are as clean as possible. A carpet cleaning company, such as Green Choice Carpet, is the perfect solution to this problem. 

In addition to having clean carpets, you can develop a relationship with this company for further services. There are many companies that offer much more than just carpet cleaning. Some of these services include stain and odor removal, carpet repair, carpet re-stretching, water damage repair, and rug cleaning. You never know when you are going to need a carpet service such as these. 

If you take pride in your home, it is important to maintain your carpets. Carpets are something that everyone notices. If they are clean, people will automatically think that your home is clean and well cared for. The opposite is true if they are dirty and dingy.

RV Tips to Help You Get Ready for Your Next Big Trip

There is nothing quite like heading out and getting ready for a vacation. Just the anticipation of all the fun that you are going to have is pretty exciting! But, before you head out across the country in your RV, you want to make sure that you have everything ready and set, so you don't have any unexpected setbacks along the way, because that is the last thing that you need! These tips will help you get ready for your next big trip!

Clean, Clean, Clean!
It is important that your RV is nice and clean before you head out on your big trip. The last thing you'll want to do is to be riding around in an RV filled with garbage or remnants of your last trip. After all, you're going to be making new memories! Take some time out each day in the week leading up to your trip, and use that time to clean out the RV a little bit each day. Before you know it, you'll have it in tip-top shape and ready to go!

Make Sure Everything is in Working Order
You'll want to make certain that the vehicle aspect of your RV is in working order. Make sure that you check the oil, fill up the gas tank, the windshield washer fluid, assure that your tires do not have any holes in them, and make sure to fill them up with air. Perhaps you're bringing your elevation toy haulers. You'll want to make sure that the area your placing your toys is secure and safe, so as to assure a safe ride.

Pack the Vehicle
When it comes to packing up your vehicle, if you plan on bringing a lot of stuff and you aren't sure where to put it all, try to take some extra time out in one of the days leading up to your vacation. Grab a piece of paper and map it out! While it may seem silly, this diagram will actually help you to pack up your RV! You'll be able to see ahead of time where everything will go and how it will fit together, making it easier to pack when the time to do so actually comes!

Shop for Items before You Leave
If you still have items on your shopping list that you have to get before you leave, it is always a great idea to get that shopping done in the week or so before you are all set to leave. Try to buy travel sized items of your favorite shampoos, toothpastes, body washes, etc. Make sure when you go shopping that you pick up various snack and beverage items. Doing so will minimize the stops that you will have to make along the way, thus getting you to your destination all that much faster!

Once you have done all of these things, then, congratulations, you are all ready to go on your next vacation! Except for one last thing: Make sure that you have lots of fun!

Why Consumers Can’t Be Complacent About Low Heating Oil Prices

The cost of heating oil has dropped sharply in recent months. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, declining prices have saved Northeastern consumers about $3 billion. However, many experts warn that customers shouldn’t be complacent about these costs, because they may have to pay more again in the near future.

Facts Consumers Should Understand

Record low costs of heating oil are encouraging, but they are not a long-term solution for many struggling families. Here are some things to be aware of.

Prices May Rise in the Future

Oil prices have been near record lows for the past couple of months, but are recently showing signs that they may be starting to rise again. The Maine Governor’s Energy Office recently reported that the price of heating oil rose by 4 cents a gallon over the past two weeks. Other states are releasing reports indicating that prices are likely to increase in the near future.

Record low heating costs are primarily driven by strong oil production in the United States, because many local companies are trying to force OPEC to drive their prices lower. However, there are signs that domestic oil companies will be unable to continually produce enough oil to meet the demand of U.S. consumers, which would eventually cause the prices to rise again as OPEC regains its near monopoly on the global oil market.

Waste Drives Both Prices and Costs Higher

Like any good available on the market, the price of oil is driven by supply and demand. Some consumers may be less cautious about the amount of oil that they use. Unfortunately, the problem that this creates is two-fold:

• They fail to recognize that their consumption use is increasing in line with declining prices, which can cause them to spend unnecessary amounts of money on oil.
• Wasteful consumption bolsters demand on the global market, which will play a role in driving prices higher over time.

Consumers always need to be cautious about the amount of oil that they use. You will always regret using a lot more than you really need.

Make Smart Energy Decisions

All consumers should make good decisions about the amount of oil that they consume. You should look for energy cutting strategies to minimize consumption. You should also make sure that your heating system is properly setup to increase energy efficiency. Consider speaking with the experts at Middeltown Air Conditioning and Heating to help you create an affordable heating system for your home.

Landscaping Tips for Anyone Selling their Home

The value of residential real estate is increasing, but sellers still need to take every step possible to increase the value of their home. Making a few simple landscaping changes is one of the most effective ways to increase your home value. Here are some ideas that you will want to consider. According to experts from Home and Garden, these changes can increase the value of your house by 10% or more.

Tips for Greeting Guests with Plants

The front yard is the first experience a guest has with a house. Here are some things to bear in mind while choosing plants:

• It is a good idea to choose foliage that blends in well with local plants.
• Look for evergreen plants. They will provide more value to the house since the new homeowners won’t need to replace them in the near future.
• Choose the position of your plants carefully. In addition to making sure that beautiful plants are placed where they get the most attention, you will also want to make sure that they can hide unsightly parts of your property.

Plants can significantly improve the aesthetics of your home, which will also bolster your property value. It is a good idea to consider adding some to your front lawn.

Fix Overgrown Plants

Adding new plants to your lawn can significantly increase the value of your property. However, the value of your home can also decline if your existing plants aren’t properly maintained.

You will need to take a look at all of the plants along your house. If you notice that they are starting to become overgrown, then it may be a good idea to start trimming them. The value of your home will increase if it looks well kept.

Add Some New Mulch

Adding a new application of mulch can do wonders for many homes. Not only will it help your plants thrive, but it will also emit a more pleasant smell, which should help make it a more pleasant place to live.

If your mulch hasn’t been changed for over six months, then it may be time to add a couple new layers. You can pick some up at any landscaping store.

Keep Costs Low to Maintain a Good ROI

Making some landscaping changes is a good way to increase the value of your home, but you can’t ignore the costs associated with them. You will need to have a reasonable budget in mind and be realistic about the value that these changes will add to your house. You can work with a supplier like “R” Rock Yard to purchase the best landscaping materials and supplies Colorado Springs.

Blog Tour: Death By Roses, #Review and #Giveaway

Hi guys. I just read a really cool book. It is called Death By Roses, by Vivian R. Probst.

After Art McElroy returns home carrying a bouquet of yellow roses, his wife Mae Rose is found dead in her bathroom. Mae Rose’s humiliating death carries over into her afterlife when in Heaven Mae Rose reflects on the life she lived on earth. While in Heaven she sees all of the happy possibilities that could have been, including a husband who didn’t cheat on her, and she interferes with her family’s lives from Heaven. Mae Rose’s interference grants her a one-way ticket out of Heaven and leaves her trapped in the body of Mary Lee Broadmoor, a dying cantankerous horror screenwriter who craves an Oscar. Can these two spirited women share the same body? Will Mae Rose get her second chance with her husband? While untangling a complicated web of relationships at the core of their lives, Mae Rose and Mary Lee must learn to make the most of their second chance- or die trying in DEATH BY ROSES

Natural Remedies to Remove Wrinkles

Aging is a fact of life, but there are many ways to slow or even reverse signs of progression. Wrinkles are one of the most obvious signs of aging, so you will want to be aware of different strategies to eliminate them. Fortunately, it is possible to do so naturally.

Remedies to Fight Wrinkles

There are a number of great ways to get rid of wrinkles and look years younger. Here are some natural options to be aware of.

Use Natural Sources of Retinol

Retinoids are among the few FDA approved drugs used to fight wrinkles. They use a natural hormone called retinol, which has been shown to fight wrinkles effectively. There are natural ways to get retinol as well. The Holistic Mama has some information on her blog.

Coat Your Face With Vitamin C Solutions

A 1999 study from Beeson Aesthetic Surgery Institute found that placing Vitamin C solutions on your face can significantly reduce wrinkles. Optical profilometry image analysis found that subjects experienced a 73.7% reduction of facial wrinkles.

There are a number of great vitamin C lotions and creams on the market worth checking out. Hyper-C Serum and Avalon Organics Vitamin C Renewal Crème are among the most effective. It is a good idea to try a few to see which work the best. You can also create your own concoction with orange juice, pineapples, tomatoes or other foods that are rich in Vitamin C.

Get a Facial at Your Local Spa

Consider taking a trip to your local spa and making an appointment for a facial. Facials have been shown to significantly reduce wrinkles in many women.  

Prevent Wrinkles from the Start

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. While there are a number of ways to reverse or eliminate wrinkles, you should try to take the necessary steps to stop them from forming in the first place. Here are some effective ways to prevent them:

• Make sure that you get plenty of sleep
• Stay properly hydrated
• Minimize sun exposure, because twin studies have shown that sun exposure plays a more significant role in causing wrinkles than genetics
• Avoid smoking
• Consider reducing or eliminating caffeine from your diet

There are a number of different causes of wrinkles, so you will need to take different steps to prevent them from forming. These measures can significantly reduce the hassle of trying to reverse them down the road.

#RefreshVoxBox @Influenster

Hello! I received some really cool stuff in the RefreshVoxbox from Influenster.

Here is a list of everything I got:

1. Benito's Chips
2. Covergirl UltraSmooth Foundation
3. L'OCCITANE Shea Butter Comforting Cream
4. Listerine Pocket Packs
5. SkinnyGirl Tasty Nutrition Bar
6. Montagne Jeunesse peel off mask
7. DenTek Flossers
8. Orgain Nutritional Shake

pic I took of everything when it arrived (c) +STAY AT HOME MOM 

I have been testing out these products since I got them. So far I love all of them! You can check out my YouTube Channel, my Instagram and even my Twitter for more postings on all of these. I also may do a few more videos or blog posts on some of them individually.

You can also find these products online, Facebook, etc.

Here are a few of their links:

Orgain FB page
SkinnyGirl Twitter

I am really happy with everything in the #Refreshvoxbox ! Thanks +Influenster !


Disclosure: I received the above products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes only.

What Are the Symptoms and Treatments of a Ruptured Eardrum?

Eardrum perforation (otherwise known as an eardrum rupture) is one of the biggest causes of hearing loss. Fortunately, the problems can be minimized if the right precautions are taken. You will need to be aware of the symptoms and treatments if you suffer from a ruptured eardrum.

What is an Eardrum Perforation?

A perforation is a small hole in the eardrum. It can be caused by a number of factors, including:

• Exposure to loud noises
• A serious infection
• Foreign objects being inserted into the ear canal

Since the eardrum plays a critical role in the transmission of sound, a perforated eardrum can lead to some form of hearing loss. Hearing may improve after the eardrum recovers, but some impairment is still likely.

What Are the Symptoms of a Ruptured Eardrum?

There are a number of symptoms of ruptured eardrums. Here are some common signs that you will want to be aware of:

• You are experiencing some type of discharge from your ear. The discharge could be puss, blood or some other fluid.
• You feel intense pain in your innermost ear canal.
• You hear a persistent ringing sound.
• You feel dizziness or a headache.

You will want to see your physician if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. If you are suffering from a perforated eardrum, then you may have to receive immediate treatment to keep the problem from worsening.

Treatments

There are a number of treatments available for people suffering from a perforated eardrum. Here are some things that you may do:

• Ask your doctor for antibiotics to prevent the spread of infection.
• Place a warm, compressed towel on your ear to reduce swelling.
• Use a hearing aid such as the ones listed on this site if you are having difficulty hearing.
• Avoid swimming and use guards around your ears to keep water from entering the ear canal.

Perforated eardrums can be painful, but you can avoid facing serious long-term damage if you take these steps. Make sure that you consult with your doctor right away if you think that you may be suffering from this condition. They will have a better idea of what to do to treat you if tell them what problems may have precipitated the symptoms. While they will be able to look at your eardrum to see if it is ruptured, they sometimes can’t tell if there is a buildup of earwax or another substance in the ear canal. They would need to flush these substances out to make a proper diagnosis, which could create problems if you have a ruptured eardrum. Therefore, it is always a good idea to tell them everything beforehand.

Rocky Patel Nicaraguan Cigar #Review

I got some cigars recently to review. I saw that these could be reviewed and I thought my husband would enjoy them.

The Best Ways to Spend Sundays with the Family

One of the most common complaints that families have is not getting to spend enough time with each other. Every family quickly becomes so busy with their daily lives that there never seems to be enough time for them to just relax and enjoy each other. This is obviously an issue that no family should have to deal with. Every family should be able to enjoy some fun family time together.

There are a lot of things that families can do to spend some quality time with each other. Most often, Sunday is the one day a week when everyone is free and able to clear their head of all the other things they need to do that week. This makes Sundays the perfect time for the family to get together and enjoy some quality time doing something everyone will love. Here are some of the best ways to spend Sundays with family.

Image: http://pixabay.com/en/brothers-family-siblings-boys-love-457237/

Watch the game

Sundays seem to be made perfectly for football, or watching any sport for that matter. Everyone can find a way to enjoy the game with NFL Sunday Ticket information. Families can watch a few sports at once, enjoy their favorite snacks and talk about the game afterwards.

Have a treat

More and more families are making changes to eat healthier every day. This can be difficult for any family, and there are a lot of people who would like a break every once in a while from healthy foods. Having a treat on Sunday can be a great tradition for any family.

Go out for a picnic

To get a break from the dinner table, families can enjoy a nice picnic. This allows families to enjoy the outdoors while having a fresh setting for their meal. Not nice enough outside for a picnic? Families can enjoy the same treats inside on the living room floor.

Put together a puzzle

Puzzles are a great way to test everyone’s skills and give the whole family a new challenge. Families can buy puzzles that are fun for everyone in the family and work on them a little bit each week. Afterwards, they can hang it on the wall and enjoy their hard work.

Try something on the community calendar

Every community will offer a variety of events and activities for families every month. Families can check out their local calendar and plan to attend one of these events. This is a great way to meet other people in the area and try something new.

Play a board game

The classic, go-to family event is always board game night. This is a fail-safe way to have everyone together laughing and having a great time. There are a lot of board games that allow people of all ages to participate and enjoy themselves. Families can try their old favorites or a new game every week to give themselves new challenges and competitions to keep things exciting every week.

Importance of Staying Hydrated to Prevent Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is a very common problem that affects most people in this country. According to the CDC, 90% of adults over the age of 20 suffer from some form of tooth root decay. Most people realize that they can treat the problem by brushing and flossing regularly, but they don’t know that they need to take other steps to avoid developing cavities. One of the most important things they can do is stay hydrated.

What Role Does Hydration Play in Preventing Tooth Decay?

There are a number of important health reasons that you need to stay hydrated. Promoting good oral health is one of the reasons many people aren’t aware of. Why do you need to stay hydrated to avoid tooth decay?

You will run short on saliva if you don’t get plenty of fluids. Your mouth will start to become dry, which will make it a breeding ground for bacteria. This bacteria can begin forming on your teeth and producing acids that begin to erode the enamel. You can also develop gingivitis as the bacteria begins to affect the gums.

How Do You Stay Hydrated

Unfortunately, staying hydrated is much more difficult than most people think. Even people that try to religiously drink eight glasses of water a day often struggle to stay hydrated, which leads to oral decay and other health problems. Here are some things that a comprehensive dentist like Dr. James Andrews would recommend.

Don’t Limit Yourself to Eight Glasses of Water a Day

The USDA recently reported that the eight glasses of water a day recommendation isn’t supported by any scientific evidence. Most people probably don’t need that much water, but others may need a bit more than that. Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy to know how much water you need, because everybody’s symptoms are different. Try consuming more water if you are feeling fatigued, lightheaded, irritable or hungry, because these are all symptoms of possible dehydration.

Modify Drinking to Different Circumstances

You will need to adjust the amount of water you consume if you are working out extensively or exposed to excessive heat. It may take a while for your body to register that it is dehydrated, so it is a good idea to get in the habit of drinking more water under these circumstances.

Limit Caffeine and Sugar Consumption

Caffeine and sugar have both been shown to cause dehydration. You will want to limit the amount of these substances that you consume, especially if you plan on working out a lot. These toxins also tend to cause tooth problems, which is another reason to limit or eliminate them from your diet if you are trying to avoid tooth decay.

Benefits of Receiving an Aromatherapy Massage

Everybody knows that receiving a massage is a great way to promote relaxation. However, the level of relaxation that you receive depends on the type of massage. You should ask your masseuse about an aromatherapy massage, because it can be a very pleasant and relaxing experience.

Reasons to Seek an Aromatherapy Massage

Considerable research shows that aromatherapy massages can be highly beneficial. Here are some of the benefits that you should consider.

Reduce Inflammation

The Center for Disease Control has found that muscle inflammation is a growing problem in the United States. Fortunately, aromatherapy massages tend to reduce the pain and may gradually reverse it. Almond, soy and corn oils have been shown to be highly effective for reducing muscle tension.

Improved Sleep Patterns

Patients suffering from insomnia should consider undergoing an aromatherapy massage, because recent studies have shown that these treatments can promote deep sleep. According to a 2004 study conducted by Princess Alice Hospital in Surrey, United Kingdom, the 42 patients in the trial stated that their sleep improved dramatically afterwards.

Reduce Back and Neck Pain

Tight muscles can place significant stress on your vertebrae and other joints. As a result, you will gradually develop back and neck problems. While you should seek a chiropractor for these problems, most chiropractors recommend that their patients try receiving a massage as well. Aromatherapy massages can alleviate the symptoms of back and neck pain, since they relieve muscle tension.

Reduce Stress

Stress has become a serious problem for most people in our culture. One of the best ways to kill stress is by releasing serotonin hormones. Since all massages activate the serotonin receptors, they can significantly reduce the problems that arise from stress. Aromatherapy massages are even more effective, because the massage therapist will use a number of herbs that have been proven to release serotonin effectively.

Activate the Immune System

Reducing stress isn’t the only benefit of stimulating serotonin production with a massage. Serotonin has also been shown to play an important role in boosting the immune system, which is another key reason to get an aromatherapy massage. Also, many of the herbs and oils used in aromatherapy have properties that help promote the immune system. Lavender, eucalyptus and carrier oils can all help people with immune system dysfunctions.

Should You Get an Aromatherapy Massage?

Aromatherapy massages can be excellent ways to deal with many of the physical and psychological ailments that we suffer from every day. If you are dealing with muscle pain, joint pain or stress, then you may want to consider receiving an aromatherapy massage. Talk to your local massage parlor to see if they offer them.