Halloween is a big scam....

Halloween. A chance for kids and adults to get dressed up and mask their identity for one day. A chance for children to go door to door asking for handouts of candy that they should not have anyway. A chance for somebody like me to either give out candy and be on good terms with the kids in the neighborhood, or turn off my lights and ignore the endless doorbell rings, and ultimately risk my house being egged next year on mischief night.

Why is Halloween a scam? Because too many people make out financially from what some people have even called "devils" holiday.

The candy industry makes out big time. People buy bags and bags of candy to hand out. Kids come home with pillow cases full of candy and other sugary treats.

Dentists make out since cavities will be forming at an exponential rate.

Retail stores and costume manufactures rip you off for cheaply made costumes.

Liquor stores sell alcohol for the parties that the adults have.

Pumpkins finally get some play other than Thanksgiving's traditional pumpkin pie.

All of this money, all of this hype, for a few hours of masquerading. It is just the beginning of the credit card maxing season (black friday, christmas, new years parties)

And you will all be happy to know that I have fallen in the Halloween Trap. I currently have 3 huge bags of candy sitting by my front door, and costumes for my kids.

Moola.com ~ Not really FREE money

There is a new beta game site out right now called Moola. The concept behind the game is that moola will give you a penny and you are matched against other players in a tournament of games where you can win up to ten million dollars. Their whole concept is that if you double a penny thirty times, then you get to over ten million dollars.

Sounds tempting doesnt it? Well do not go running to the website just yet.

First off its still in beta mode meaning you need a moola invite to get there.

Right now there are three games that you can play.

• Rock, Paper, Scissors, (with a catch)


• Hi-Lo - each player is dealth ten cards where they have to guess if the next card is higher or lower than the previous card. The catch is that you only get four "lives" and if you guess wrong, then you lose a life. You also have the option of locking in your guesses, however that will cost you a life too. The first player to make it to the end of their ten tries in as few lives as possible and with as many locked in cards as possible, Wins.


• Gold Rush- each player has six pieces of gold worth one to six pounds. There is also 6 pieces of gold left in the gold mine. Each player has to throw out a piece of their gold and then the gold mine has to throw out a piece, whoever threw out the piece that weighed more wins all three pieces. The first person to reach 32lbs of gold wins.

As you can see these are not games where you need intelligence or even skill. They are games of chance where you just need patience.

Why do I think moola is not a real money maker? First off the games are computer generated. As a test I played ten games of hi-lo. I noticed that the cards that flipped over where always against the odds. For example, I had a K of hearts. I predicted the next card would be lower. (A are high in this game). The next card was an A. I lost a life. I then had a 4 of spades. I guessed the next card would be higher. The next card was a 2. This happened so much that for now on I am almost tempted to always go against the odds.

My other reason is that most people play on the lower levels. Once you get to about level 10 or 11, its hard to find a human player, in which you are most likely going to be matched against a robot. Bots are programmed before the game even starts to win, lose or tie.

There are ways to increase your account balance. You can go to their booster zone where you can sign up for cash offers (which will cost you money or a credit card) and then you can add to your balance. There is also the search and win wheel where you can win up to $9000, however the most I have won on the wheel is .05.

How can moola afford to do this? They are fully funded by advertisers. Before you can even play a game you are forced to watch a short ad. Whats the catch? You have to answer a question about the ad, meaning you have to pay attention.

From my lurking around on the moola forums, I think the most I have seen someone cash out was $1000. Currently my account balance is $4.11.

I also think that "maybe" moola has it so you can only win so many games in a row. I have wasted a day on moola doing research and noticed that I never won more than three games in a row.

Oh and let me not forget that the more people you invite, then the more people that are in your "downline". You can then get a percentage of earnings from their winnings. Which is why people are so eager to give away their invites. If you are reading this commentary carefully enough, you will see where I have hyperlinked a way to get invites. :)

So with the right computer software and addicting chance games, moola has some beta testers hooked on their site, thinking they can win thousands to millions of dollars, which will most likely never happen.

And if someone does get to the top of the moola tower, I will eat my words and credit moola as a worthy gaming site.

Right now, the best thing about moola, is that it is free to play and you can win $10 or $20. And for some people thats worth it to them, spending hours on end on a gaming site. Personally I would rather get a part time job at mcdonalds and make an easy $10 in two hours. A lot faster than wasting my time on moola.

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This policy is valid from 25 October 2007This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact Dina at gregorystwins@yahoo.com.This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.This blog does contain content which might present a conflict of interest. This content will always be identified.To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

Bumbo Seat Recall

I also have a Bumbo Seat Review on my Review Blog.

The popular Bumbo Seat has been recalled. Apprantly the box shows pictures where you can sit the seat on a table, counter, or other elevated surface. Babies were flipping out of the seats, thus falling backward and hitting their heads and in some instances cracking their skulls.

Now I had two bumbos for my twins. It is very easy for a baby to flip out of a bumbo because my one twin did it a few times. She arched her back and popped right out. HOWEVER I never used the bumbo on a table or counter. Although the pictures on the box and website portrayed that you could, it just did not seem right to me. It seemed weird to have the baby sitting up in a seat on the table or counter. I always used the Bumbo's on the carpeted floor so when my one twin did pop out of her seat, she hit the floor. I immediately got rid of the Bumbo's after that as I figured they were unsafe.

Now my other question is, where were the parents when baby flipped out? I was always sitting with my twins when they were in their bumbos. If the baby had time to flip out of the bumbo and fall off of the elevated surface, then the maybe was most likely left unattended.

Either way, the BOXES have been recalled since the boxes portrayed an unsafe practice with these seats. The company is now issuing warning labels to stick on your seat and / or the box.

In short, this seat was not worth the money anyway and if you are considering buying one, DONT. Your baby is fine and content in it for a few months and then once they start crawling, moving or sitting up on their own, they want nothing to do with it, meaning $40 down the drain for you, or in my instance, $80. If you really really really want one, (which I do not think you should get one) then try and find one used on sites like ebay or craigslist. There is also an item out called Bebe Pod which is similar to the Bumbo. I do not recommend either seat. These seats were not available when my son was a baby and he did fine propped up on the couch next to me or with a boppy around him, and he actually sat up earlier than my twins did, meaning that the Bumbo could possibly hinder the skill of sitting up (solely my opinion).

Anyway, if you have one and had any experience with your baby falling out, then post a comment here. I am interested in what others have to say about it. You can also post a comment on my Review Blog.

So which is more important? The Iraq war or health insurance for children?

Yes so which is more important? President Bush does not feel that all children should have health insurance. From what I heard him say .."$83,000 does not sound poor to me..." really BUSH? Really? How do you know what other expenses that family has? How do you know if that person is living in a state where the cost of living is sky high? Why is it that you think that some children should have to go without health insurance because their parents should be able to afford it. There you go again bush man ASSuming things.

OH NO WAIT!!!! Now I know why you think that all children should not be elgible for this health insurance plan. Because you think its more important to spend 2.4 TRILLION dollars on the Iraq war. That is $8000 per american (man, woman, and child).

I am glad to see where your priorities are Mr. Bush.

Where is my Bush out of office countdown clock. I cant wait for the next election.

Republish Your First Post

I was surfing around in blogland today and came across a blogger named KirkM who issued a challenge. He said to republish your first post. Now although I have been blogging for awhile, I am trying to transition all of the internet attention from my family blog to this blog and my mommy reviews blog. Sooooooo here is the first post from this blog:

Friday, October 19, 2007

Britney Spears: panties, playboy, papparazzi
So while Britney is busy running over the feet of the papparazzi, Hugh Hefner says he will bring Brit on for some nude pics, but ONLY if she gets help first. Why Hef? You do not want a drugged up and naked alcoholic as your centerfold? Oh I see , you just want the girls to have a "semi" good girl image. Gotcha..!MYSTERY SOLVED: It has been determined that Britney does not wear panties because the cotton irritates her "ahem" you know, and if she wears panties, she gets spots and sores. I guess its easier to just go pantiless and show your goods to the world rather than get a different material panties.

Do you have smoke detectors in your home?

If you do, great, now check the batteries! If you don't, then GET ONE NOW. I am utterly tired of watching the news and seeing people die in a fire and then come to find out that their home does not have working smoke detectors. Today in Philadelphia a woman and her niece were killed in a fire. The fire department was at their house two weeks ago and offered to install smoke detectors in their home. The residents of the home turned them down. Please please please if you do not have a working smoke detector in your home, GET ONE.

Did you vote for President Bush?

If so WHAT WERE YOU THINKING??????

Apparently a lot of people are asking that question. His approval ratings are down near 30%. Way to go Mr. President!

Health Insurance Rant

My husband pays Aetna $201.50 per month for family coverage for health insurance. Why? Yes thats the major question on my mind lately. Last month I took my twins to the doctor for their nine month well check. Two weeks later I get a bill in the mail for $125 for EACH baby and it said the well visit was not covered. So I look at the total due of $250 and think.."what the hell?" So I call Aetna.

Aetna: "Hi this is ****, how can I help you today?"

Me: "Hi I am calling about a claim that was not paid and I need to know why?"

Aetna: "yes maam, may I have your group ID number?"

Me: ********

Aetna: "aaahhh yes maam, this is a non covered visit."

Me: thinking {no crap, thats why I am calling to figure out why its a non covered visit} , "Ok, I see that and I need to know WHY it is a non covered visit."

Aetna: "Well we only cover six well visits in the first year of life for babies and this was the seventh well visit so we do not cover this one."

Me: "Ok, and obviously you will not be covering their twelve month visit either, then huh?"
Aetna: "thats correct maam"

Me: "Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends at least eight well visits in the first year of life?"

Aetna: "yes maam we are aware of that however we do not think eight is necessary so we only cover six"

Me: "so aetna is now comprised of doctors from the AAP?"

Aetna: {she now sounds frustrated with me} "no maam"

Me: "can you explain why a person on welfare or state assistance has better health insurance coverage than me? We pay over $200 per month for coverage plus $20 copays and we STILL have to pay for a full visit out of pocket. We also have had to pay a lot of money when my twins were born as a lot of things were not covered from their hospital stay. So can you tell me why my husband pays a ton of federal taxes out of his paycheck to the government for these state assistance programs that have better health insurance than we do????" {now I am fuming mad}.

Aetna: "all I can say is contact your HR dept maam."

Me: great. thank you for all the "help" you have provided me today.

hang up.

Can you believe this? We pay all this money for coverage yet we do not actually have "coverage?"

This is so very frustrating.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Waffles

I found this recipe on the net today. Does this look GOOD or what? I am going to have this for dinner. Thats right dinner. If you think I am weird, then good, I have done my job... :)

Here is the recipe for the rest of you weirdos out there.

1 (16.3 ounce) can Pillsbury(R) Grands!(R) Flaky Layers refrigerated original biscuits
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup grape jelly
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
1 cup fresh fruit (such as strawberries, peach slices, grapes)

Heat Belgian or regular waffle maker according to manufacturer's directions. Separate dough into 8 biscuits; press or roll each into 4-inch round.
Depending on size of waffle maker, place 2 to 4 biscuit rounds at a time in hot waffle maker. Bake 2 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 to 2 minutes.
Spread peanut butter evenly on 4 of the hot waffles; spread jelly on remaining 4 waffles. Place jelly-spread waffles, jelly down, on peanut butter-spread waffles. Cut sandwiches in half; place on individual plates. Sprinkle with powdered sugar; garnish with fruit.
Yield: 8 servings

SSOTD ~ Stupid Story of the Day, Couple Nab Burglar and make him clean at gunpoint

Thats right people, I can't make this stuff up.

courtesy of foxnews.com

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A burglar in Montgomery chose the wrong family to mess with, literally.
Adrian and Tiffany McKinnon returned to their Centennial Hill home Tuesday after a week away to find that thieves had emptied almost everything the family of five owned, Tiffany McKinnon said through tears.
"Tears just rolled down my face as I walked in and saw everything gone and piles of trash all over my home," she said.
Adrian McKinnon sent his wife to see her sister while he inspected the piles left behind. As he walked back into the sunroom, a man walked through the back door straight into him, Tiffany McKinnon told the Montgomery Advertiser in a story Thursday.
"My husband Adrian caught the thief red-handed in our home," she said. "And what is even crazier, the man even had my husband's hat sitting right on his head."
Adrian McKinnon held the suspect, 33-year-old Tajuan Bullock, at gunpoint and told him to sit on the floor until he decided what to do.
"We made this man clean up all the mess he made, piles of stuff, he had thrown out of my drawers and cabi-nets onto the floor," Tiffany McKinnon said.
/**/

When police arrived, Bullock complained about being forced to clean the home at gunpoint.
"This man had the nerve to raise sand about us making him clean up the mess he made in my house," she said. "The police officer laughed at him when he complained and said anybody else would have shot him dead."
Capt. Huey Thornton, a police spokesman, said police arrested Bullock at 2 p.m. Tuesday on burglary and theft charges. He was being held in the Montgomery County Detention Facility on a $30,000 bond.
"The victims were lucky in this case to be able to catch the suspect in the act and hold him until police arrived," Thornton said.
He said the case was unusual because generally burglars act while the homeowner is away and are in and out fast so they can quickly sell the stolen items.
The couple said they chose to rent the Ross Street home because it was a quiet place for their three young children to play outside. Turns out it was a bit too quiet — most of the homes near theirs are vacant.
"We don't have any neighbors to help watch our house because it's like a ghost town here except when the church is meeting across the street," Tiffany McKinnon told the Advertiser Wednesday.

Britney Spears: panties, playboy, papparazzi

So while Britney is busy running over the feet of the papparazzi, Hugh Hefner says he will bring Brit on for some nude pics, but ONLY if she gets help first. Why Hef? You do not want a drugged up and naked alcoholic as your centerfold? Oh I see , you just want the girls to have a "semi" good girl image. Gotcha..!

MYSTERY SOLVED: It has been determined that Britney does not wear panties because the cotton irritates her "ahem" you know, and if she wears panties, she gets spots and sores. I guess its easier to just go pantiless and show your goods to the world rather than get a different material panties.