Roseanne Season 3 DVD

The 411 by Maria:
I LOVE Roseanne it is absolutely one of my favorite shows. Even now all these years later I still laugh at the Connors. My favorite characters were Jackie and Darlene. Whenever they were on, I knew it was going to be funny! You know Darlene is going to have a zinger about absolutely everything!

In Season 3, the kids are getting older and going through growing pains. Becky is dating a guy named Mark which has the Connors worried since he is a "rebel".

Roseanne is working as a waitress at Rodbell's much to the disdain of her girls.

There is always the Halloween episode which the Connors do so well.

During this season Roseanne dresses as a man and when her car breaks down has to hang out in a bar with Jackie. She of course plays the role of a dude and even using the men's room Eventually Dan comes to her rescue at the bar before a fight breaks out and kisses a bearded Roseanne. Love Dan dressed as all three Stooges.

What I loved about Roseanne is how real the show was. Maybe all families aren't as funny as the Connors but they all make fun of each other, they all hang out together and most parents do go out of their way to get through to their kids while having fun doing it. In the end, all families have a good time while driving each other crazy. At the bottom of it all there is a whole lot of love!

Another of my favorite characters was Roseanne's Grandmother Shelley Winters. LOVE HER! Great writing and characters you come to either love or hate. Good TV!

Jackie After O by Tina Cassidy

The 411 by Maria:
It only took about 3 days to get through this book and that says a lot in my very busy 3 full time jobs if you count mommy a job!

Jackie has always been interesting to me but more so as I get older.  Most of the books I have read about her were about her life as the presidents wife but this one focus more on her later years. I remember when she passed away and how crushed I was that "the a former first lady had passed" but what sat with me more and made me sit up straighter in my seat was what her son John said on her passing. I can still  picture hm saying it; "Last night, at around 10:15, my mother passed on," John said. "She was surrounded by her friends and family and her books and the people and the things that she loved. And she did it in her own way, and we all feel lucky for that, and now she's in God's hands."  I remember loving it. It seemed like this woman who was a widow two times in her life was finally able to rest with great dignity. She had been in the public eyes for years and she was free to rest!

The book didn't have many surprises but I was reminded that it is because of Jackie that the White House is held in such high esteem these days. She made it her mission to reinvent and redesign the home that would house the leader of the country for years to come.  Instead of a mish mash of stuff this would be a museum to the eras of the presidency.

Great book about an amazing woman who managed to hold her head up high even while leading a very public life.

Are You Into What They Are Calling Mommy Porn?

While I must admit I don't see these books as porn or erotica I know that they are outside of a lot of folks normal reading zones and may be considered as such. As someone who reads and enjoys porn to a certain degree, I find that these books are definitely titillating and love that the covers aren't so embarrassing that you have to hide them from your children.

Recently author C.J. Ellisson and Sylvia Day were featured on Fox5 San Diego News talking about the "new trend" of female erotica. They were seated with a fertility specialist and sex therapist and asked questions like why do you think there is a trend and do you think this is unhealthy for woman to live in this fantasy world? Ugh..

I love how Sylvia and CJ answered their questions. Like hello people, this surge has been going for quite some time. We are having successful careers and it has nothing to do with 50 Shades of Grey which by the way, is on my Need to Read List!

While I cannot talk about Sylvia's books as I have yet to read one, I can say that CJ's books are fantastic. There is grown up talk and the female character is strong. To read CJ's take on the interview go visit CJ Ellisson and BTW I couldn't agree with you more CJ. "I didn’t want to read about the heiress in a forced marriage where he semi-rapes her on their wedding night, then she falls in love with him later. Or the Viking who captures his enemy’s daughter and falls for her strong, proud bearing—making up for his harsh first encounter with her throughout the whole book to win her heart." That scenario is just plain creepy and doesn't say much about woman. I love that your the VV Inn Series features a trouble female who stays strong throughout the book.

If you haven't had a chance to pick up CJ's VV Inn Series about a 508 year old vampire who runs a vacation spot for vamps and their entourage in Alaska. Very hot! While I am normally a vamp lover, in this book, I was hot for the sexy werewolf! Grrrrowl! 

Nickelodeon Gak & Floam Are So Fun!

My Children are big fans of Nickelodeon TV Shows as are the Teach and I. This channel creates cartoons and children's shows that we actually don't mind watching with them which is why when a review came up for Floam & Gak and we heard it was being branded with Nickelodeon's name, we were in.

We spend at least an hour a day playing with both. We aren't creative geniuses creating spectacular models like dinosaurs, planes, clocks or whatever else you can see in the videos on You Tube for these products we mostly use them to blow bubbles, create funky sounds, squish them for stress relief or play hand in seek by hiding something inside the Floam. We were doing this when the kids were 3 years old as a way to do sensory play.

The kids enjoy playing with them and oddly enough mixing the colors or getting another color on them is completely against the rules. None of us like it so we don't do it. It is strange I never said don't but they refuse to do it. So it is a win win.

The 411 by Maria and the Kids:

PROS:

The kids and I like the Goo factor. We enjoy slime and all that stuff so this is fun for us. 

The price is really good.You can get a 4 pack of Floam for under $20.00. 

We love that if you drop it on the floor and kids will do this unfortunately more than once, you can simply rinse it and it is fine. 

We love that it never leaves residue on our hands. Well except our red Floam, for some reason, it leaves some red on our hands. None of the others do that.

The Cons:

We don't love the smell but it isn't terrible. Goddess wishes that the yellow smelled like banana. In fact when she smelled it she said that she only did it because 'it looks like it will smell like bananas.

] 

Just Call Me Garbage Picker

At the end of last month I was driving by a house and noticed a red and black punching bag. It wasn't hard to spot. That red stood out like a ...well red punching bag amidst all the browns and greys of the area during this season.

The next day, I noticed it again. By day three, I thought...if that bag is still there tomorrow I am going to pick it up. It is obviously garbage sitting curbside for so many days.

I was driving back from somewhere with the kids and Handsome was pouting in the backseat about something, probably having to leave the house. He is a homebody because he wants to play his precious Xbox 360 and Wii. "Oh well, get over and let's go, there will be plenty of time to play later" I am always telling him and noticed it again as I passed it. Damn, there it is... looking behind me and seeing no one I put on the breaks. Threw the car into reverse and backed up. Got out and inspected said piece of garbage. It was in mint condition. Not a mark, stain, tear on it. The base was still filled with water but I managed to hall it into my little car and drove it home. 

They play with it every time we go on the deck and when the time comes to get rid of it. I will have no guilt putting it curbside for another family.  Until then the kids can enjoy some fun outside where they need to get fresh air and sunshine.

Arbor Day Celebration

Happy Arbor Day Everyone!

Today Handsome & Goddess along with their respective grades walked to a local park for an Arbor Day Celebration. It is a Village Tradition at this time and the Mayor usually speaks, the kids recite a poem or two and a tree is planted in their name.

Today the tree was planted near a park which we heard will have more picnic tables soon. The mayor informed the children that the tree is dedicated to the 1st and 2nd grade classes of 2012. She than asked that anyone who had a birthday in April come forward. Goddess' birthday is April 14th so she followed the other children to the tree where she helped put dirt into the hole to cover the newly moved in tree.

I am so excited to think that one day she can look at that tree and know that she helped plant it.

What a very sweet and a wonderful experience for her. She now tells me that the shovel was very heavy but you would never know it. She just kept going. Child Labor starts early in my neck of the woods.

The Many Faces of Goddess

You all know I love and adore my baby girl who is now a very crazy "I'm 7 don't call me 6" year old. Which I found out yesterday in the middle of an argument with her.  What were we arguing about you ask? Why, let me tell you! Homework. We argue about it at least 5 times a week. It is never done without a problem.

Goddess can't be bothered with it. It is "soooo boring" and "soooo hard"! I am surprised that I still have a voice considering all the yelling I do on a daily basis.

Never in my life have I loved someone so much and been so angry with them at the same time. Most sessions end up with me losing my patience after an hour of begging and pleading with her to please, just do her homework. After the first hour, I am done. She is rude, disrespectful and whiny and I don't do whiny. Usually after being yelled at she is sent to her room, cries, I get upset and eventually we are hugging and sitting to once more try to finish the homework. Sometimes it is 1 hour, sometimes 2, sometimes 3. It all depends on her. Oh don't get me wrong, it is not like her teacher has given her too much. She is only in the first grade and the homework, if she did it without complaining, whining and getting up numerous times would take 15 minutes at the most.  But...no. She can't do it! Impossible.

The other day after her first escort to her bedroom for a time out, she came back with a little note that said, "I love you Mommy", with her name! Which of course, made me cry. Which of course lead to a long discussion about how my yelling isn't about not loving her. That I gave her more than enough time to turn this around but she chose to take it up a notch causing me to be angry. Also, she got an ear full of, "homework is only going to get harder honey.This is something YOU have to do. It will not help you if I give you the answers. You have to do it yourself."

In Goddess' defense, she is not interested. It is too structured, life is too full of well...life to be straddled with books, sight words, and math. I get it. I understand it! BUT...it still has to be done!

She is lucky I adore her. She is lucky I love her soooo much because if I didn't...I wouldn't be able to control myself during the ridiculous moments like yesterday when she threw a pencil which is something she does all the time but this time...it hit me in the face! Oh God! My blood pressure was up. I felt myself losing it. Told her that she better run. Handsome is still laughing about it; "Girl! You better run." I find it funny now but at the time all I wanted to do was smack her.

Being that I am not a hitter she got off with a time out. Me slamming a bunch of cabinets as I made dinner and than another talking to.

What would you do with this? How would you handle homework with a kid like this?

How To Catch Sunshine In Your Hair!

Three Steps on How To Catch Sunshine In Your Hair:

1 - Dance around the deck like a crazy person
2 - Jump off a plastic chair creating all kinds of electricity
3 - Put on a crazy face while standing in sunshine.

Wah-la you too can achieve the crazy Goddess look anytime you want.

The Spring Vacation Volcano

Over the Spring Break the kids and I spent a lot of time at the library getting movies, reading and taking out books. One of the books we borrowed was about experiments for kids. Unfortunately I don't remember the name and wish I would have written it down because there were some fun things to do with kids.

Anyway, there was a picture of a volcano which made me suddenly remember that if you put baking powder in vinegar, you will get a volcano. I grabbed my 25+ year old Baseball Hall of Fame beer glass, a tray, vinegar and baking soda  and headed to the deck. The kids were very excited when they saw me return with some green food coloring. Why bother doing a plain old volcano when you can make it colorful. OMG I sound like Cake!

There are way too many pictures of the volcano to bother you with but here are a few of our green volcano.

As you can see by Handsome's smile they were having a blast!

365 Day Challenge - Playing Catch Up - Day 99 - 105

April 8, 2012 - Easter and my mom and grandma's death anniversary are the perfect combination. It is such a hectic day that I don't have time to rethink how sad I get on this date. Handsome was up at 5:00 A.M. and patiently waited for Goddess so they could look at their baskets. He even said, he stayed away from them because it wouldn't be fair to her. Not sure if he is telling the truth considering I woke at 6:30 A.M.

April 9, 2012 - We headed to the park and met up with some friends. I love that my two always look for each other even though there are tons of other kids to play with. They are so much nicer to each other when we are out of the house. Look at my WHITE boy. He can't help it. He has allergies. Goddess is dressed as a Secret Agent complete with handwritten and typed on shield that reads "Tough" as in T.U.F.F. Puppy. I didn't know she meant T.U.F.F when she first asked me to write this.

April 10, 2012 - Goddess loves dressing up and especially in her old Halloween costumes. Halloween is one of her favorite holidays.

April 11, 2012 - This little gummy cracks me up. Too cute I just had to take a picture before the kids ate them all.

April 12, 2012 - During Spring Break the kids and I headed to the park with some friends. Once again, my two spend a lot of time together while out. I love how Handsome helped her. There was even a point he rescued her, but more on that later.

April 13, 2012 - We received a Cuddle Cover to review. More on that later. The kids love it although Goddess' face tells a totally different story. I think the lion was squeezing too hard.

April 14, 2012 - My baby turned 7. Oh my gosh, more on that later! Here is Goddess singing along at the top of her lungs to our Happy Birthday Song! She is something else.

365 Day Challenge - Playing Catch Up - Day 92-98

April 1, 2012 - We don't have many Spring decorations but every year we take out the llittle wooden bunny and chick!

April 2, 2012 - We have started a garden this year. Unfortunately, these are the only ones that have survived. I believe we started too early. Oddly enough these are the ones that were actually taken from squash we had eaten and dried. The others were seeds we purchased. Go figure
.

April 3, 2012 - Goddess hates homework. We start every day enthusiastic but it never goes well. She was in the process of complaining when I threatened to take the picture. She moved and this was all I got. Oh well, one day we will have a talk about why she hates it sooo much but until than all I have is this blurry picture.

April 4, 2012 -Handsome with his big, blue bunny from his Aunt Marta! It is still fluffy and clean as can be. We put it away every May but Handsome does love it and wants his picture taken every year.

April 5, 2012 - Oh this little cute yellow flower lasted at least 3 weeks in a shot glass. A precious gift from my daughter.

April 6, 2012 - The kids and I created a small volcano over their Spring Break. They loved it. More on that later.

April 7, 2012 - The kids and I were invited to a Easter Egg Hunt at a friend's house. There was a trampoline and while I was dying to get in, I managed to control myself and let the kids have fun. Handsome and a bunch of girls jumping with Goddess in the middle in a yoga pose is so cool. Handsome is the one with his back to us and the blue shirt in case you couldn't distinguish the boy from the girls.

My Heart Aches for This Family

My heart aches for this boy and I hope the teachers, aides, faculty involved in this are taken care of in whatever way is practical. This is completely unprofessional and to treat another human being like this, never mind the handicap is just disturbing. May I never have to go through this because I am not sure that a simple, candid, video on You Tube would be enough. Kudos to this dad for keeping his cool. I am not sure how I would have reacted to this. God bless the person who ever tries to treat my kid like this! 

Flicka Country Pride - A REVIEW

The 411 By Maria:
 
I love country movies where life seems so much more relaxed. What I loved the most about this movie was that Clint Black and his wife Lisa Hartman star in it. This is my 3rd Flicka Movie and love that family friendly movies are still being made. Black and Hartman are wonderful as a man and woman who both love animals. 

Toby (Black) takes on a job at Lindy' s (Hartman) struggling horse stable and helps mother and daughter.  Kelly (Rohl) loves horses and quietly likes her "friend" a boy named Briggs. Unfortunately for Kelly her nemesis (there always has to be one in every teen movie) Stephanie likes him too.

The director, Michael Damion does a great job of mixing a good family friendly movie with youthfully enticing sequences. Such as Lindy and her daughter Kelly's mini fashion show and hip music.     


Attractive cast, a stunning landscape and an underdog coming out on top! Who could ask for anything more!

 

Hallmark's Love's Everlasting Courage on DVD - A REVIEW

The 411 by Maria:
Since I am new series, this was a big surprise for me and now I must see Love Begins. I believe I hosted a giveaway but never saw it myself.  I love this era of movies. Reminds me of all the years I watched Little House On The Prarie. Julie Mond who plays Ellen for all your General Hospital fans played Lisa Niles for a while. Love her! It was strange seeing Cheryl Ladd as someone's grandma.  Great cast.

When the Davis family's farm takes a hit from the drought, Ellen does what any loving wife would do for her family; she takes a job as a seamstress in town. When Clark's parents come to visit, his mother Irene is concerned that Ellen is working "in my day wives didn't work." Clark's dad, Lloyd played by Bruce Boxleitner completely understands how his son's family is struggling and wants to help the farm.

Ellen is stricken with Scarlet Fever and Clark must be a full time parent to their young daughter Missy, adorably played by Morgan Lily who I fell in love with in 2012 and Flipped.

Clark's parents are the perfect supportive parents we all wish for and through their help, the Davis Family work together through love to keep their hearts open.

What I love most about this movie which was one of Hallmark's highest viewed series is the simplicity and quietness of life, family and love. I was often reminded of Little House on the Prairie and spent some time trying to find out where it was filmed but couldn't find much.

Wonderful family movie about the love of family.

Smitty: Everyone Needs A Friendly Paw - A REVIEW

The 411 by Maria
Ben is the child of single mom Amanda (Mira Sorvino) who works as a waitress and is putting herself through school to be a nurse. He gets into trouble easily but this time he will end up in Juvi Hall unless he spends to the summer with his estranged grandfather Jack(Peter Fonda) on a farm in Iowa. Amanda sucks up her proud and brings Ben to her father's farm. They haven't spoken in years and while Ben doesn't want to go, this is their last option.

Grandpa appears to be a quiet, crotchety old guy who sets Ben to work on the farm. Ben is tired, lonely and confused.  Jack takes Ben to an animal shelter and gets him a "smart" farm dog. The dog is the perfect companion and listens well. Like most kids Ben doesn't want to be told how it is and thankfully his grandfather is well schooled over the years on showing how it is. With the help of "Dog" and Jack's friend Smitty (Louis Gossett Jr.) Ben learns the true meaning of friendship through life lessons good and bad.

This is a wonderful movie with a whole lot of heart! I must have cried at least two times. Great acting and a nice storyline.

Bonus: Jason London and Twilight's BooBoo Stewart are in the movie too!

Laugh With Sebastian Maniscalco - A Review

“WHAT’S WRONG WITH PEOPLE?” ASKS SEBASTIAN MANISCALCO 

IN NEW COMEDY DVD

The 411 by Maria: 
I do love laughing. It is one of my favorite things to do. Laugh lines mean nothing to me as long as I am having a good time. Personally, I watch a lot of stand up. My husband is not into it so usually it is when I can't sleep and he is already sleeping. The comedy station is even saved on my Sirius Radio so I can laugh while driving. Sebastian is all about expressions. I love his face while he is telling jokes. He doesn't rely on vulgar language to be funny (not that I am opposed but I know a lot of people are). Sebastian is very animated and likeable. He plays to the audience without using them. His standup is based on his observations and if only we could all be this funny in our daily life, people wouldn't need meds to get through their day. Laugh a little people! Some of the show about company: So funny and so true! 

Bob's Burgers - Is Pee Your Pants Funny

SEASON 1

Sample The Unique Flavor of TV’s Tastiest Comedy

On DVD April 17

 

The 411 by Maria:

This is one of those shows that makes me wish I still live with my sister. Watching Bob and his family especially his wife Linda voiced by John Roberts. Too funny.  She reminds me of so many members of my family.  "Bob-by"

You definitely need a sense of humor to thoroughly enjoy this show. I love laughing and Bob and his family are hysterical. 

Bob sells burgers. He has a really crappy location (next to a funeral home), his kids are inappropriate. Tina is too sexual and has many inappropriate dreams which she has no problems discussing with her family. Gene has noise makers that get him in trouble (fart and sex noise) and Louise is t-r-o-u-b-l-e but the brains behind the whole family. Love her and her bunny ear at. Through it all, Bob remains always optimistic. 

This is a must see for people who don't take themselves too seriously and love to laugh.

Angel Wings At The Gazebo

This is my absolute favorite picture this week! The sun glare looks like angel wings over the gazebo where I stopped during my morning walk.

Gossip by Beth Gutcheon - A Review

 

The 411 by Sonia:
Let me introduce you to another one of my friends, meet Sonia who is a mother of three children and a friend of mine. Because Maria's Space book reviews has taken a back seat over the last few months due to my business, some good friends are helping me provide my readers with book reviews until I can jump back in.

Here is Sonia's very first book review:
 

When I first got this book I was a little weary usually not my kind of read but I am so glad I decided to read it. 

I don't want  to give too much of the book away with too many spoilers so here is my non-spoil review:

Loviah was my favorite character she's not as well off as the other girls but got in to a high society boarding school on a scholarship and befriends two girls from different walks of life Dinah and Avis. Dinah and Avis can't stand each other but remain friends for the sake of  Loviah who loves them both dearly. 

After graduation Loviah moves on to open her own dress shop and has an affair with a married man.Dinah becomes a gossip columnist/author, and Avis a high end art dealer. All are living on the upper east side of Manhattan. 

It was a good story told through the eyes of  Loviah although I kept finding myself a little confused at times because the book goes from past to present/present to past often, I had to keep skipping back and forth to get the stories of the characters straight but when I did, it was worth it.

The writer does a wonderful job of creating characters and lives that were very real.  At times I felt like I was a part of them and couldn't wait to find out what happens next.  As in reality, even those living the high society lifestyle get a dose of reality at times.

The ending of the book was such a shocker and a worthwhile surprise for the reader. .To me the book showed no matter where you come from, we all have our secrets and problems.  We all can relate to the characters in the story within our everyday lives with different people we come across and within our own personal relationships. This book is really good a must read not at all like I thought it would be.

365 Day Challenge - Playing Catch Up - Day 81 - 91

March 21, 2012 - Goddess and new friends from Yoo Hoo Friends - Her video

March 22, 2012 - It is The Teach's birthday today. No pictures from the day oddly enough. I believe it was the video camera we used because the kids love video and watching it over and over again. This has nothing to do with his birthday but it was my breakfast. Eggs in a nest which is something my mom used to make a lot. I make it all the time now.

March 23, 2012 - Left over muffins for The Teach's birthday. It is a Hungry Girl recipe and we will never make muffin/cupcakes any other way again.

March 24, 2012 - Yummmmmm cherries. Need I say more?

March 25, 2012 - The bee hanging in the Christmas Tree. Goddess got this bee during a fair two years ago. Her Daddy won it for her and she was so happy.

March 26, 2012 - My little ones shoes are in bad shape but she continues to love them anyway.

 

March 27, 2012 - My baby girl. I love this picture.

March 28, 2012 - My little crazy. The weather couldn't be stranger this year! Hot, cold, hot, cold. Is it any wonder that everyone has been sick.

March 29, 2012 - She's Trouble, T-R-O-U-B-L-E

March 30, 2012 - Not sure who I was trying to take a photo of but I love the flower burst effect the sun created. No editing just coolness.

March 31, 2011 - They are a bit rusty no!?

My Daybook - April 23, 2012

FOR TODAY
Outside my window - dusk is setting and everything is dark and wet.
I am thinking - Is it time for bed yet and should I be spending some time with the kids?
I am thankful - to my husband who comes home and talks about his day and ate dinner with us as a family.
In the kitchen - It was left over rice and left over ham.
I am wearing - PJs pink and red
I am creating - A community site which is taking a lot longer than I hoped.
I am going - To try and catch up on my blog giveaways tomorrow. So much to write about.
I am wondering - How I can add more hours to my day.
I am reading - Jackie After O
I am hoping - To get a good night sleep tonight
I am looking forward to - Tomorrow being a productive day.
I am learning - That patience is powerful
Around the house - Things need so much attention. Summer clothes and winter clothes need switching
I am pondering - Everything.
A favorite quote for today - Everything worth having takes time and nothing comes easy.
One of my favorite things - Hearing my daughter make up songs.
A few plans for the rest of the week:  Catch up on email and other work
A peek into my day...

 Both were home sick today with a visit to the pediatrician's office. Hopefully not strep

365 Day Challenge - Playing Catch Up - Day 73 - 80

March 13, 2012 - It's me in a self portrait editing program. I love these apps for the phone. So much fun.

March 14, 2012 -  It is beautiful Greenwood Lake in all its glory! Got to love a beautiful day and a beautiful view when you walk around with a camera around your neck.

March 15, 2012 - Spending the afternoon with Author Maryann McFadden was a wonderful experience. You can catch more of our day and a video interview here.

March 16, 2012 - It's my Handsome who never is around for photos. I know his hair is way too long but I love it!

March 17, 2012 -  Having a snack and listening to Handsome read a book. She wants to read but isn't very good at it.  I love when he reads to her.

March 18, 2012 - Even Pigs want to have a tea party!

March 19, 2012 - Yummy...we love kale. Who knew it was so good!?

March 20, 2012 - A Kale Shake before dinner for the past month is gooood for ya!