My Worst Halloween Decorating Disaster.

I've got that Question on the "Fall is in the air" Giveaway Hop.

My absolutely worst halloween decorating disaster happened in 1998. Living on my own for the first time, I decided I was going to go all out and make my yard be the most frightful on the block.

Blow up decorations were a new thing, they were also really expensive. So I didn't go that route, instead I bought 20 packs of fake spider webs, dug some dirt up in the back yard and put the dirt in the front yard to look like a fresh grave. I used a fake hand that I splashed some red paint on, half burying it in the fresh dirt/grave. Cut a headstone from a piece of cardboard box, painted it and then put some corny epithet on it like "here lies stu, he choked to death eating stew, now he's dead with nothing to do."

Recipe: Easy Meatloaf - Main Dish

This recipe is so easy, the teens in my home take turns making it.

Ingredients

    1 1/2 pounds ground beef
    1 egg
    1 cup sour cream
    2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
    1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
    1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
    1 1/2 cups Italian-style dried bread crumbs

Directions

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
    In a large bowl, combine the beef, egg, sour cream and Worcestershire sauce. Mix in soup mix, cheese, and bread crumbs. Form mixture into a loaf, and place in a 9x5 inch loaf pan. Cover with foil.
    Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 45 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes before serving for easier slicing.
Feeds 6.
(We always make 2 or 3 pans)

This is a cheap and tasty main dish.
Goes great with broccoli & cheese rice sides and cream corn.  We give it ☆☆☆☆

Book Blitz -Desert of Destiny by Debbie Cassidy ( Sleeping Gods book 2 )

Title: Desert of Destiny (Sleeping Gods book 2)

Author: Debbi Cassidy

Genre: High Fantasy

Cover Artist: DC Creations

Editor: Read Head Editing

Hosted by: Lady Amber’s Reviews & PR

Blurb:

...Priya was overcome by a longing to know him, to understand him, this man who had given her life. But her life was soon to end and she would never know anything ever again. Her vision blurred and she wiped at her eyes.

“Do not be afraid, Priya,” he said.

“I’m just a girl, in the face of death I don’t know how else to feel”

The answers dwell beneath...

The capital has been taken and the streets run crimson with the blood of the innocent. The only hope to end the butchery lies in finding the Fist, a duty which rests heavily on Priya’s delicate shoulders. A responsibility that she believes will be shared by her allies, until the moment the illusion is shattered...

Suddenly Priya is on the run.  With the shadow of betrayal over her heart, Priya must step onto a perilous road. One that will test her limits, and throw her into the path of a danger from which there may be no return. As alliances are tested and secrets are revealed, Priya must decide whether the bonds of blood will serve to define her, or whether her destiny can be hers to forge alone.

To save the Isle, Priya must first save herself...

Great Products, Huge Discounts in Exchange for Reviews! 30-100% Off!

*This post may contain affiliate links, which means that we may receive a commission if you click a link that we recommend and purchase something.  These links won't cost you anything by clicking them, it will help us to keep bringing you our self sponsored giveaways. Please check out our Disclosure Policy for more information. Thanks for your support! ~♡~

If you're anything like me, getting a good deal is extremely important to your finances. I spend a lot of time comparison shopping, online and offline. 

I recently came across this website that advertised deals at 30% - 100% Off in exchange for Social Media Reviews.

 to be completely honest, I had my doubts about the validity of it all. I signed up over a month ago and forgot about it, until I opened one of their emails. That email just happened to be advertising an item that my son had said he wanted for his birthday  (Nov 2nd).

A hammock swing bed with mosquito netting.
At our local sporting goods warehouse, they want almost $70 for the exact same hammock! That's way too pricey in my book.
On this website (Amz☆Rc) for reviews they have it on Amazon for $49.99 but grab the 51% off Claim Code ($23 off) and it makes this hammock a steal at $26.99!!

I will happily write a review for the hammock  and post it here on my blog, after Dawson tries it out (in the backyard)!

When My Mom Gets Sick...

Is when I worry the most.
She's the last person in our house, to catch the 48 hour stomach virus and we're going on hour 80.

At the age of 71, my moms crippling arthritis ended her days of walking with a walker. Mom became immobile and it was hard for her to accept it. She's 76 yrs old now.

When she gets sick, it's really bad by anyones standards. Hospital visits are deemed necessary because she gets dehydrated fast!

And I worry so much, I think I'm developing another ulcer.

I could write a separate blog about my mom, alone.
But once she heard me say I was writing a blog (described to her as an online diary, she knows nothing about the internet!) mother made me promise I would Not write about her.

Promise broken!

So there you go.
I am a promise breaker.
No sleep for the wicked.

How many days does it take to change a lightbulb?

This is a relevant question in my house.
Our main bathroom, off the hallway, has 2 light fixtures that have one bulb in each. Regular size bulbs, I prefer the 75 watt. Usually, when one bulb dies there's a backup in the second fixture, so the bathroom is never dark. What happens when that bulb dies? In the middle of the night, no less? The adventure of "going potty by flashlight" begins!

It's not as glamorous as it sounds but if you are desperate for something to do with your family, by all means, give it a try!

ARC Review: The Murder Game by Julie Apple & Catherine MacKenzie

*I received a free ARC e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Affiliate links may be present in this post.*

Title: The Murder Game
Author: Catherine MacKenzie writing as Julie Apple
Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense
Release Date: November 1, 2016

Recipe: Kale Pesto Pasta Casserole (Gluten-Free)

This kale pesto pasta casserole is filling, delicious, and so easy to make! It has an especially savory, umami twist thanks to the addition of sun-dried tomatoes and olives. I also sautéed thin strips of eggplant in a bit of olive oil and mixed it all together with the pesto. An absolutely lovely highlight is the crust, which is made of gluten-free bread crumbs mixed with olive oil and garlic. It's crunchy, hearty, and perfect!

The Writing Won't Be On The Wall After This Freebie!

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Original erases marks on walls, floors and more. To discover the cleaning possibilities, simply take a swipe. Micro-scrubbers reach into the surface grooves, lifting away built up dirt and grime. The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Original is so powerful that each swipe removes more grime than the leading all-purpose bleach spray cleaner. Works with water alone!

I Love Tasty Subscription Boxes! Get 50% Off 1st Box.

Since my diagnosis of chronic kidney disease, 3 years ago. My diet had to change drastically. My doctor telling me to cut gluten from my diet was devastating, only because I loved bread and pasta so much. 

I found ways around my problem of having to live gluten free. Other flours do exist that have no gluten in them, such as oat flour and rice flour. These are best for making breads and pastries, that I once thought I would never eat again. Hallelujah!

My recent find - Love With Food Subscription Box.
Offers it's customers a healthy yet tasty box of food. Every month you get a box of snacks that are healthy and free from artificial anything. Made in the USA!





 Click that picture up above and get 50% off your 1st subscription box. Free US Shipping. Ships world wide.


Disclaimer :
Diva Sweeps is an independent blog offering advice, deals, tips, recipes, reviews, news, shenanigans and giveaways.
Third party advertisements are used on Diva Sweeps in an effort to offset some of the out of pocket costs of our giveaways. Third party products, names, brands, logos or trademarks are the property of their respective owners and they do not support or sponsor any giveaways on Diva Sweeps.

Go Visit Online-Sweepstakes!

 I promised my readers that I would divulge my favorite sweep sites, last week . Let's get started.

One of the most comprehensive directories for entering sweepstakes is  

Online-Sweepstakes.com

OLS offers you a way of tracking what sweepstakes you have entered with "My Sweeps".

Plus they have an awesome forum where you can have any question answered by other members. That forum is a huge bonus when you're a newbie. We've all been new at this, once.

Go check them out!

Make Some Quick Christmas Cash!

Christmas is coming, now is the time to start looking for ways to make a little extra money. As a family, we usually have one last yard sale for the year. The kids go through their stuff and select things they no longer have a use for. What they sell, they keep the money from it.

Dear Angry Dad in the Carpool Line

I've seen you lose your mind, while sitting in the long carpool line. You are quite the entertaining little man. I especially enjoyed your screams of "How MUCH LONGER IS THIS CRAP GOING TO TAKE?" But NOTHING can beat your performance of "I'M TOO BUSY FOR THIS HOLY HELL! HURRY THE EFF UP YOU COMPLETE MORONS!" All said while you were beating on your stearing wheel and screaming out your window.

Book Review: Wreckers Gate by Eric T. Knight

Wreckers Gate by Eric T. Knight

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


From the first page of this story, I was immediately teleported into another world. The characters were personable and exciting. The landscapes were harsh and unforgiving. The fight scenes were epic! This is a must read for any lover of fantasy books. I found myself cheering for the tenders! Reading parts of the fight scenes out loud to my kids. I completely loved this book. Looking forward to the next book.

*I received a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review, I just happen to be a fantasy geek.*



View all my reviews

Ugh, It's Monday.

Another Monday is almost over, Thank God!
Needless to say, my day has not been great. First thing this morning, my alarm clock did not go off, kids went to school after having a granola bar for breakfast.
I went to feed the dogs but couldn't find their food, so they had dry cat food poured in their bowls, which they just stared at. Probably because we usually put them in their crates when they steal the cats food.

Going in a New Direction

When I first started my blog back in 2009, I did it with a vision in mind. It was a place where my friends and I could post links of all the sweepstakes we were entering.

 Then in 2013, I took a sabbatical for personal reasons. 

Coming Back this year, I no longer have the same vision as I once had before. I love hosting my own giveaways but I want to do more! I want my blog to be more, be a reflection of me.

Awesome Kindle PaperWhite Giveaway

One of the best eReaders in the free world,
The Kindle PaperWhite has a glare-free screen.
You know you want this!

Read More > > >

HOT! Wolfgang Puck Commercial Blender Giveaway!

This hot blender is said to be one of the best around.
Grab a Chance to have your own Wolfgang Puck Commercial Blender  (ARV $190)

Read More > > >

Grab A Free iPhone 7

I love all things considered  "New Tech" and this iphone 7 is sharp! This is the 2nd place I have found to get one of these phones.
Wouldn't you love to get a Free iPhone 7?

Read More >>>

Free iPad Pro!

Do you need a new tablet?
Do you want a new tablet?
Get a new ipad pro here!

Read More >>>

Write a Review & Chance to Win $1,000

It takes less than 5 minutes to write a really good review. Afterwards you will get a chance to Win $1,000!!

Read More>>>

Gorsun's Multi-function Stereo Headphones Giveaway

Enter for a chance to win the Gorsun's Multi-function Stereo Headphones Giveaway!

3 Winners!

Read More >>>