Bedbugs bug couple in Manhattan: Astor on the Park hotel bedbug infestation

 A dream vacation turned into a nightmare for two Californians staying in New York City. Bedbugs bugged a couple at the Astor on the Park hotel, an upper west side Manhattan establishment, reported WABC on Jan. 3. Elgin Ozlen posted a Youtube video showing his girlfriend's body covered in bites and their bed mattress crawling with bedbugs. News of the Astor on the Park hotel bedbug infestation is swarming the Internet. Elgin Ozlen says the pair were given the New Year's Eve holiday stay in Manhattan as a birthday present, but the gift "presented" more than expected. Not only did the couple experience a bedbug infestation of Biblical proportions, they had to switch rooms three times because the first one had no heat and second one had non-functional power outlets. Bedbugs bug couple in Manhattan: Astor on the Park hotel bedbug infestation | Examiner.com

Christmas trees: Safety, health, cost of real Christmas trees

 When my husband and I first married, we were diehard holiday traditionalists and DIY-ers. We vowed to have a real Christmas tree each holiday. The whole family would select a tree and bring it home. But the kids have grown and finally reality hit me like the felling of a tree. I realized that I was doing all holiday decorating alone and it wasn't so much fun anymore. And I've become that Scrooge mom who uses an artificial tree. Here's a discussion on real Christmas tree vs. artificial tree, including safety, cost and health considerations. Here's the conclusion: a real Christmas tree is more fun for families of young kids but an artificial tree is the more practical choice. Christmas trees: Safety, health, cost of real Christmas tree vs artificial tree | Examiner.com

Christmas lights in home decor: Decorate with repurposed holiday lighting | Examiner.com

Holiday lights are a favorite Christmas decoration. I grieve every season when taking the Christmas lights down. Then I decided to keep the Christmas lights in home decor year-round. Holiday lighting is wonderfully versatile! Here's how to decorate with repurposed holiday lighting.



* String Christmas lights around bedroom ceilings. When our oldest daughter decided to do a Lord of the Rings theme in her room, she strung lavender holiday lights around her ceiling. Christmas lights gave her bedroom a soft warm Middle Earth glow.  Christmas lights in home decor: Decorate with repurposed holiday lighting | Examiner.com

Homemade Christmas presents: Recycled greeting cards, wrapping paper gift crafts

Parents, are you burned out this holiday season? It's hard to keep up with kids home on winter vacation, Christmas shopping, wrapping presents, baking, cooking, decorating--oh and your job (can't forget that!) Well, how about a holiday parenting first aid kit that puts children to work in productive ways making holiday gifts? Here are homemade Christmas presents and gift crafts kids can make from recycled greeting cards, valentines and Christmas wrapping paper. Make these gifts free or super cheap with reused materials. These gift crafts are perfect for grandma and grandpa, godparents, teachers, coaches and parents!   Homemade Christmas presents: Recycled greeting cards, wrapping paper gift crafts | Examiner.com

Free printable Advent wreath crafts for children to make | Examiner.com

Advent is the four-week season before Christmas, celebrated by Catholics, Orthodox and some protestant Christian denominations. Most people think of Advent calendars with candies and treats. But that, like a commercial Christmas, is miles from the real purpose.. Advent is a lesser penitential season, a minor Lent. Christians observe spiritual acts of prayer, fasting and charity. They follow Bible-based Advent calendars and count down to Christmas reflecting on Jesus. One evangelical pastor is pushing protestant churches to celebrate Advent and put Christ back in Christmas, said Time magazine, Dec. 1.Free printable Advent wreath crafts for children to make | Examiner.com

 

BBQ, pan-fried meat linked to kidney cancer: Broiled, grilled meat carcinogens

Add BBQ, grilled meat, broiled and pan-fried meat to the list of carcinogens reported the Washington Post on Nov. 9. In October, the World Health Organization said processed meats--hot dogs, bacon, ham, lunch meat--are as carcinogenic as cigarettes and asbestos. Now a National Institutes of Health study found that BBQ and pan-fried meat are linked to kidney cancer. WHO has already connected all red meat to bowel cancer and the list of reasons not to eat red meat just keeps getting longer, it seems.  BBQ, pan-fried meat linked to kidney cancer: Broiled, grilled meat carcinogens | Examiner.com

LEGO shortage scares Christmas shoppers: Too few LEGO bricks to fill stockings | Examiner.com

There's a holiday crisis of epic proportion. Santa's elves at LEGO haven't made enough of their iconic colored building blocks this year. And news of any shortage of toys, let alone a LEGO shortage scares Christmas shoppers reported the Christian Science Monitor on Oct. 21. LEGO sales jumped 18 percent in 2015 and 15 percent in 2014 leaving them, well, a few bricks short of a load this holiday season. Too few LEGO bricks to fill stockings this Christmas? That is a this North Pole emergency! Alert the big guy in red and call out the reindeer brigade--the LEGOs must get through.  LEGO shortage scares Christmas shoppers: Too few LEGO bricks to fill stockings | Examiner.com

McDonald's franchisees aren't lovin' all day breakfast: Dual menu double fails

Welcome to McDonald's. Would you like breakfast or lunch or both? Now customers can order either and McDonald's franchisees aren't lovin' all day breakfast. said Business Insider on Oct. 15. The dual menu doubly fails customers, staff and even sales, say workers and owners of McDonald's franchises. On Oct. 6, fast food giant McDonald's launched a revolutionary always-available breakfast menu. And restaurants are struggling to keep up with the doubled food choices.McDonald's franchisees aren't lovin' all day breakfast: Dual menu double fails | Examiner.com

 

Cheap homemade no-sew baby and toddler Halloween costumes | Examiner.com

 Ready-made children's Halloween costumes are adorable, but very expensive. You can create cute DIY baby and toddler costumes easy with this guide. Using your recycle bin, make cute no-sew costumes for little ones, darn near free. Plus they'll be snug and warm for those crisp chilly October evenings. Ready? Let's begin. Cheap homemade no-sew baby and toddler Halloween costumes | Examiner.com

Facebook reunited burned baby Amanda Scarpinati, nurse Sue Berger 38 years later

Facebook reunions can be awkward and even unpleasant. But they can also be incredibly joy-filled. Facebook reunited burned baby Amanda Scarpinati and nurse Sue Berger 38 years later. ABC News said on September 29, that all Scarpinati had to go on were black-and-white photographs that showed a woman caring for her as a baby. Scarpinati was burned at three months old, when she fell into a steam vaporizer. Facebook reunited burned baby Amanda Scarpinati, nurse Sue Berger 38 years later