The View

The View

Thanks to Ricardo Mullins

Have you guys seen the show The View? I am not so sure about this show. It comes on in the mornings on ABC and I used to watch it on my www.directstartv.com channels sometimes. I can’t really figure out how I feel about it after watching it some times. I guess it mostly depends on who they are having on as a guest. Sometimes they talk about things that are so boring or mundane that I sit there wondering, “why am I even watching this?” Elizabeth Hasselback is quite the little pistol on the show too. She does not mess around when it comes to saying how she feels. I gues it is kind of refreshing to see someone really tell their opinions on national television. Most people are so restricted these days in what they will and wont say it is almost as if no one has an opinion. Everyone is trying so hard to be politically correct that we are all going to end up looking like vanilla, plain and boring with no differences.

 

Truly Awesome Chocolate Chip Chookie: Is it truly awesome?

Each time I go Krogering, which is once a week, I see this cookie box that calls my name.  The cookie box is reads “The Truly Awesome Homestyle Chocolate Chip Cookie”.  I ask myself if a store bought cookie could be truly awesome.  I grew up eating Chips Ahoy and not I bake my own chocolate chip cookies.  Yet, I wanted to know if the cookie was truly awesome.  As a Bzz Agent, I had the awesome opportunity to try them out.  I was very grateful as it would once and for all tell me about this cookie without me having to pay for them.

So what did I think?

I honestly think they live up to their name for a store bought cookie in a box.  Now the cookies are not soft or gooey so if you are looking for that you will need to bake yourself a batch.  Store bought soft cookies are terrible so I prefer a crunchy cookie from the grocery store.  The Truly Awesome Homestyle Chocolate Chip Cookie is big, thick, crunchy, has just right amount of big chocolate chips and tastes great with a tall glass of milk!  The cookies are not healthy so it is a treat.  However, they also do not contain a ton of chemicals and junk like other brands.  The cookies are made with real butter, no preservatives added, and chocolate chips are the number one ingredient.

Now, I need to explain for a cookies in a box and comparing these to Chips Ahoy they are awesome.  I think “homestyle” is not the right word though.  I have to honest and say I wasn’t expecting homestyle anyway but since they mention it I need to say this is not the right word.  However, as a crunchy store bought cookie without preservatives and tons of chips you cannot go wrong.  So you need to know what you are buying and what to compare to.  If you are expecting Mrs. Fields or homemade taste…look elsewhere. If you want the best boxed cookie…you found it.

 

As a Buzz Agent I had the pleasure of trying 2 boxes of cookies and received coupons to share.  No other compensation was given.

You’ve Been Sentenced! Making Grammar Laughable

I am very excited to bring to you this wonderful game! As a homeschooling mom, a lover of grammar and words, and an all around crazy gal, I have to say this game is now one of my favorites! It’s challenging, hilarious, and almost too much fun! Okay…Okay…you get my excitement. I have to tell you that finding a family game that everyone loves and keeps your brain working is hard to find. This game encourages a healthy dose of brain training along with pure family fun.

Let’s get to the basics. The game is designed for ages 8 and up. You will need at least 3 players but can have up to 10. You can expect to play for about 30-45 minutes. Well, you can expect one game to be about that time, though you may play much longer.

So how do you play? Well, each player is given cards (pentagon shaped…let’s not leave that adorable detail out) with words to form a sentence. There are thousands of words, which makes for even more word combinations and sentences so you will never run out of fun! The words will include your basic nouns, verbs, adjectives and so forth. In addition, the words could be proper nouns like famous people, funny words, odd words, familiar places and more. The perfect combo for making hilarious sentences. Your goal is to combine your funky words into a funky, yet grammatically correct, sentence. Even more fun…you get to read your sentence aloud to the rest of the players and have them judge it.

I played this game the first time with my two kids, ages 12 and 10, and they asked to play it three times in a row! Yes, it was a long afternoon but it was also filled with laughter. Honestly, it encouraged such creativity and proper sentence structure that my kids were applying what they learned in their lessons to this game and vice versa.

I highly recommend this game for family game night or any game night. A group of adults will have just as much fun with this!

BONUS Review!

Twisted Fish

My kids and I love a good card game. We would be card sharks if Uno, Phase 10 or Old Maid went for top dollar in Vegas. We are also picky about our card games. You see, a card game is hard to make unique and exciting. All you have is a deck of cards to work with. No crazy game pieces, no colorful board, no dice to keep things interesting and detract from a rehashed version of a game you have played for the past 10 years.

To be honest, I was not excited at all to play Twisted Fish. I reluctantly opened the box hoping that somehow I could be civil when describing the ultimate boredom that ensued during this trial run of the game. Upon lifting the lid, my spirits brightened, my soul soared, relief like a Tums hitting my heartburn, fell over me! You see inside the box is a little yellow rubber ducky! I was always an Ernie fan when it came to Sesame Street. I totally related to his love for his rubber ducky.

How can you not love a game that comes with a rubber ducky? It’s like the toy that comes with a happy meal. Now, the ducky is part of the game but not necessary. Which is good since my 20 month old grabbed it in delight and it has not been seen since.

Besides the rubber ducky, Twisted Fish, turned out to be just as creative, fun and imaginative as You’ve Been Sentenced. The game puts a twist on your old tired game of Go Fish. The game is always exciting and incorporates memory. Which, I didn’t see as fair since it would mean my kids would always win. My daughter became the Twisted Fish Champ! So, that left me with the rubber duc….wait…my other daughter took that…ahem…

It’s been a long time since I’ve been impressed with a game. Now, I’ve been impressed with two games. Both of these fun games can be found at McNeill Designs for Brighter Minds. The name says is all, huh? How I would love to be in a think tank at that company! (I’ll be sending my resume promptly after I hit “Publish”.)

Find these games at Toys R Us, Kohl’s and Barnes and Noble. Perfect for your Christmas list!

Find them on Facebook HERE.

Games provided by McNeill Designs for Brighter Minds in exchange for an honest review.

New Job

Guest post written by my buddy Angelo Cooper

Recently, I got a new job, which I am very excited about but the bad news is I’m going to have to move. I have just gotten settled in this town and it kind of makes me upset that I have chosen a career that forces me to move every several years but I guess that’s the price I pay for following my dream. I think I’m kind of lucky in a lot of ways because I get to stay on the move and meet new people all while experiencing a different part of the world. My dad said it reminds him of being in the Air Force and I would have to agree. Although, my employer is not as strict as the military would be I do kind of feel that I am working for drill instructor at times. Also, my company pays for me to have my stuff shipped across country and in the four times I’ve moved already nothing hasn’t been damaged to badly. Another major bonus is that I’m currently single which makes packing up and moving a whole lot easier because I’m only accountable to myself. One piece of good advice I got from my friend the other daymentioned all the benefits of Direct TV Channels for Elk City which actually got me excited that I could have satellite TV installed after my move is complete.

Book Review: Blue Skies Tomorrow

Blue Skies Tomorrow

by:  Sarah Sundin

Purchase HERE

Disclosure:  Book Given by publisher for the purpose of review.

Book Excerpt HERE.

Book Summary:

In a time of peril, can they find the courage to confront their fears and embrace a love that lasts?

When her husband becomes a casualty of the war in the Pacific, Helen Carlisle throws herself into volunteering for the war effort to conceal her feelings. But keeping up appearances as the grieving widow of a hometown hero is taking its toll. Soon something is going to give.

Lt. Raymond Novak prefers the pulpit to the cockpit. His stateside job training B-17 pilots allows him the luxury of a personal life–and a convenient excuse to ignore his deepest fear. When the beautiful Helen catches his eye and captures his heart, he is determined to win her hand.

But when Ray and Helen are called upon to step out in faith and put their reputations and their lives on the line, can they meet the challenges that face them? And can their young love survive until blue skies return?

Filled with drama, daring, and all the romance of the WWII era, Blue Skies Tomorrow is the captivating final book in the popular Wings of Glory series.

 

My Thoughts:

This book is not just about romance.  While romance is the heart it is a very fast paced book about World War II.  Full of twists, turns, faith issues, secret missions and romance this may be the best book of the series!  I was kept guessing through the entire book and enjoyed every word.  Normally this is not my genre, at least the romance part, but the historical fiction part is all me.  Sundin has a way of meshing history and romance in a way that will make you sad to see the book end.

Book Review: Amish Values for Your Family

Amish Values for Your Family

by:  Suzanne Woods Fisher

Purchase this wonderful book on the simple life.

 

Disclosure:  Book was given to me for review purposes.

 

Book Summary:

When it comes to strong families that know how to truly enjoy life together, there is much we can learn from the Amish. Just how do they establish such strong family bonds, such deeply held values, and such wonderful family traditions? In Amish Values for Your Family, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher shares the secrets of Amish family life. In this inspiring and practical book, you will meet real Amish families that are a lot like yours. Through their stories you’ll discover how to

• slow down
• safeguard family time
• raise children who stand strong in their faith
• prioritize what’s truly important

Amish values like community, forgiveness, simple living, obedience, and more can be your family legacy–without selling your car or changing your wardrobe.

 

My Thoughts:

First of all you need to know that Suzanne Woods Fisher is one of my favorite authors.   I have read all the books in the Lancaster County Secrets series and I have her Amish Proverbs book.   Until reading her book, The Choice, I had no interest in literature centered on the Amish.  I’m not sure what made me read The Choice but once I did I was hooked.  I was also intrigued by the life of the Amish.  Could I live such a simple life?  Could my life be so focused on what is real? My husband and children grew tired of me saying I wanted to be Amish if only I could just have electricity and drive a car.  Did I really want to be Amish?  What did they have that I did not?

The appeal to the lifestyle was based on the focus on what is real in this life.  Faith, family and friends are the core of our lives.  God first.  I live a life where I would tell you these are my values but if you see me struggle with writing deadlines and giving my kids art projects to get just one more article or business proposal done you may question that my devotion to my conviction.  I questioned my devotion to my conviction.  So I had to learn how to slow down.  I had to remember my primary role and trust the Lord would provide if that meant giving up a business opportunity because it got in the way of what is real and true in my life.  I found great help in Amish Values for Your Family in helping me prioritize my life and remember my faith is the center of my life.  I ran around trying to take opportunities and take on more writing jobs because I needed the money.  But what was suffering?  My family.  My patience.  My role.  Yes, I can have my business, homeschool and be a mom at the same time.  However, my focus was blurred and my life was spinning in the wrong direction.  I know prioritize things by what is best for my family and what the Lord directs me to do.  I am not desperate not to miss the next big opportunity as I will trust the Lord to bring me what I need when I need it.

I strongly encourage you to read this book to help you find some focus and give you practical ideas on how to slow down and find the joy in life.

 

The Best Thing!

Guest written by our friend Gladys Fuentes

Finding out I was being evicted because my building was going co-op was one of the scariest times in my life but it actually ended up being one of the best things that’s ever happened to me! I had spent so long trying to decide if I wanted to buy my own place and that was the push I needed to really go for it…I found a brownstone down the street from my old place that was somewhat affordable although it needed a ton of work. It’s become my project and I’ve actually had a lot of fun getting it together the way I wanted to and making it my own. I can’t believe I’m a homeowner! I went to www.Securitychoice.com to get a security system and have been working with a contractor to transform it into the kind of place I can see myself long term but it’s been more fun than it has been stressful. I love the city and can’t imagine living elsewhere!