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.

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.

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.

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.

by:  Sarah Sundin

Purchase HERE

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

Book Excerpt HERE.

Book Summary:

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.

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!

A Killer Among Us

By:  Lynette Eason

Published by:  Revell:  A Division of Baker Publishing

Purchase HERE.

Disclosure:  Book provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Book Summary:

All little girls want to be princesses.  While that reality will not happen unless they find a Prince William of their own in years to come you can provide a little fantasy for them.  This Child Regal Princess Costume will make any little girl feel just like a princess.  The costume is a long beautiful lavender off the shoulder dress with pretty accents.  It flows and twirls and everyone knows those are two requirements for princess costumes.    So if you are looking for a princess costume or another girls Halloween costume visit Wholesale Costume Club for a wide variety and the lowest prices you can find.

My five year old chose this costume because she thought it represented a true princess.  I have to say I agree.  She loved the fit and the flair.  She normally wears a size 6 and a size Medium in the costume is a bit big but the size below is too small.  So, be aware that you may have to buy a size up to fit your child properly.  The costume can take all the demands placed on it by a princess and last for many many wears and royal campaigns.

by:  Ray Lopez

Purchase HERE.

Book Summary:

Before buying another car, let Ray Lopez, a former “swift talking, blood-sucking salesperson” and author of Inside the Minds of Car Dealers give you a look under the hood of dealerships to show you every trick that will be used against you!

Learn every last psychological ploy and manipulative scheme typical car dealerships use against you to squeeze every last dime out of your pocket–and then some– all while you’re being sold a car you may not even want! Discover in detail the 12 crucial dos and don’s to car buying, like why you will always lose if you shop one dealer against another and why you should never mention your research on the Internet, or why you should accept that your trade-in is not worth what you think it is and why you should accept the fact that the dealership is a business entitled to make money.

Some books on this subject reveal a few of the tricks in a car dealers’ trunk. This book gives them ALL to you!

My Thoughts:

My only interest in this book was the fact that I am purchasing a car in the next month.  If not for that I never would have thought the book would interest me.  When the book arrived I almost regretted having it in my hands.  I normally read only novels and never touch self help or reality type books.  Once college was over I gave up on anything textbook like.  Yet, I decided that I needed the insight in this industry.  We all know the reputation car salesman have when it comes to honesty.  We pretty much know walking into a car dealership that was will get ripped off or we fool ourselves in believing we can beat the system.  The whole process is depressing to me so the last thing I wanted to do was spend time reading about it. 

Hesitantly, I flipped to pay one as my husband began to search the internet for deals on cars.  I began reading and found myself quite amused with the candid style of the author.  I also enjoyed his forthright honesty on the subject.  So, I kept reading.  As I read, I shouted out the advice the book gave to my husband as he browsed online for cars.  The book suggested a few websites and I gave those to my husband as well.  Having been raised by a salesperson and working in sales for a bit there were aspects that did not surprise me yet many which did.  I began to take notes on what I was reading.  It didn’t take long before I realized that I was not only enjoying every word I was reading but learning quite a bit.  Soon, I flipped a page and realized I finished the whole book!  That’s right….the entire book in one sitting.  Well, to be fair the book is under 120 pages but the read was so fast I was amazed.

My recommendation:

I would gladly recommend this book to anyone buying a car.  You will find helpful information and a glimpse into car sales that you will not regret.  If you are not in the process of buying a car I guarantee this book will still be a great read.