Thursday, September 26, 2019

Carpool Karaoke Game - The Board Game Inspired by The Late Late Show with James Corden’s - Video Review



  The 411:
As a huge fan of James and Carpool Karaoke I couldn't wait to see how they put together a game based off the musical segment of The Late Late Show with James Corden. The game comes with a "dashboard" for spinning and keeping score for the teams playing the game. You compete as a team separated by a city New York, Los Angeles, Sydney and London. . The first team to reach 20 points first is the winner. You receive points based on the sections of the challenge cards. 
Upon spinning players go head to head with the other team based on what category they get on their spin. Sing it, Work It, Guess It and Rock It. Get Sing It and you perform a song in a style listed on the card. Work It you will incorporate the dance listed on the card. Rock it, everyone sings and Guess It is a multiple choice trivia question with the least amount of points. After your performance you are voted on by the judges (the other teams). There are also tokens that if used ask players to share their performances on social media with the hashtag #carpoolkaraokegame. 
Fun for a group of friends or family.
My video review:

Monday, September 23, 2019

National Coffee Day Is Every Day In My House




The 411:
Hey if you are like me every day is National Coffee Day which is officially September 29th. I was so happy to try Steeped a single serve freshly ground specialty coffee that can be made anywhere you can get hold of hot water.  This is perfect for anytime and hikers and campers will love the ability to toss a "tea bag" size good cup of coffee in their backpack.  My husband and I are huge coffee drinkers and loved trying Steeped. 

My review:

I am not a fan of instant coffee. I always find it too weak and honestly a total let down. It is often bitter and as my Grandma who was the original coffee lover of the family would say, "taste like dish water." 


I am a little more open to trying things than my husband but he loves coffee even more than me and he was on board to try though his expectations were low. Shockingly enough he felt it was hotter than when we make a 12 cup pot of coffee in the morning and he took the rest of the box to work. So I guess that says something but now I need to order myself a box for work. I was hoping to take it with me. We have a Keurig at work that makes a cup at a time and honestly I don't have time to leave the classroom and wait for the opportunity to use the machine so I will be boiling some water in the morning and at lunch so I can have fresh coffee with me every day. 


What I think I like most is that I can toss a bag into hot water anytime I want. Wish I had it with me today because you know that feeling when you smell coffee you want it. Well I had this situation today. I walked through the conference room and someone was making some but I was running through. Ugh...I remember thinking "If only I had my Steeped!"

Another reason for loving Steeped is that I don't have to come up with another craft using K-Cups. I hate that I throw out about 40 K-Cups a month that is not good! This is all compostable material. We just add it to our compost. My garbage man is going to feel the difference I am sure. 


Think of the possibilities! 

Office
Camping
Backpacking
Overnights
Hotels (have you ever made coffee in one of those coffee machines in your hotel room? This is so much better!)


Thursday, September 19, 2019

Lost Never Fails To Leave Me Wanting More

Lost Never Fails To Leave Me Wanting More





I am still reeling from last night’s 2 hour season finale.
So many twists, storyline reveals, and more mystery.
My dad and I called each other during commercials to dish and my sister and I spent an hour summarizing what we got from the finale and what we think will happen next season.
This season, flash backs have shown us that Jack, Kate, baby Aaron, Syid, Sun and Hurley all escape the island but now we know that more escaped and 1 in particular sacrificed his ride to freedom to save Kate, Jack and Hurley.
If you TIVO’d and haven’t watched it yet, I suggest you watch and then re-watch. There was so much going on.
Sawyer’s leap before whispering to Kate (btw..I had just told my dad that Sawyer was on the helicopter but I wasn’t sure why he got off “maybe to let Sun on.”) still makes me weep. Whhhhhhyyyyyy Sawyer. Whhhhhyyyyy.
I would love to know what he whispered to her. If we are following along we know that she had to do something for him when she got back but what?

When she asked “why are you telling me this?” I knew he was jumping. Grrrr…and on another note what happened to his shirt? Not that I oppose a wet, shirtless Josh Holloway but did it get eaten by a shark? He didn’t lose it while jumping in because he had it on when he came up. Anyway no biggie, wet, topless Sawyer will do any day…I digress.

Here are my questions:
So why did Jin not dive into the water when he knew the boat was about to explode?
Why did we not see a helicopter or a boat on the water when Juliet and Sawyer looked over to the now smoking freighter?
How did Locke become to be the dead guy? What made him come back if he was the “guy” in charge. Is it even Locke??????
Other than Kate being a “piece of ass” what is her role on the island and why is she so damn important?
Why is Syid working for Ben?
WHO ARE THE HIDING THE ISLAND FROM?
Why did Desmond, red haired girl, and paranormal guy chose not to go back?
Why are they lying? I still don’t get it. John asked Jack to lie but Jack never listened to him before so why now? Why trust him and Ben now, after everything else? Why trust them with the lives of people who WERE trying to get to that freighter? Who made them God?
Why were there so many shots of Penny holding baby Aaron?

Why did Syid take Hurley to someplace “safe”?
Why does Jack and Claire’s father always seem to be around? I understand him showing himself to Jack and Claire but why was he there before the bomb went off? Why did he tell Michael, “you can go now!” Kabloom!!

My OMG moments:
Sawyer jumping out of the helicopter into the ocean to save his buds.

Claire’s haunting visit in Kate’s dream “Don’t you dare bring him back!”

The phone call Kate receives during her dream sequence where the garbled message if listened to backwards says, “the island needs you. Go back before it is too late.” Too late for what??????
Locke being in the casket. How and why did he come back?

Sun screaming in the helicopter after watching the freighter blow up with Jin on it.

Sun (all decked out like a secret agent) growing a huge set of balls while on the island and sticking it to her father and then her meeting to set up a meeting with Whidmore.
Syid working for Ben (just killing a la vigilante style).
God damn Walt got big.

The Octagon Global Recruitment commercial that aired during the finale. WTF?Ben making the island disappear (or travel 10 months into the future which is the time travel Ben does during his Casimir Effect that brings him to the Sahara Desert)after walking through some blown out hole and entering a frozen, snow covered, what the hell was it, room. What the hell did he steer? Was that the wheel of a ship? When he walked through that rabbit hole and entered the frozen area, I felt like I was watching Logan’s Run. (anyone ever see that movie?)
So, what we know for next season:
Sawyer, Juliet, and a bunch of others are on the island.
Jack has to get the rest of them to go back to the island.
Ok, now I am off to watch the alternate endings. Ta
Oh as for the kiss….whatever. It was semi hot. Where was the tongue damn it?

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Pampering Our Skin Has Become A "Ritual"


I received a Tryazon box containing some products from Rituals:









The 411:

The first thing I noticed was the packaging the pink box with the white containers and minimal wording is already soothing and I haven't even tried it yet. I LOVE the shiny, pink top on the Body Scrub.

My skin felt amazing after just one use of the Shower gel. Which I really like. I need a large bottle of this. Even though a little goes a long way. I have used it all.

My daughter started using the body scrub before shaving and says she has never had smooth legs before. We are sharing but I think she will find a set in her stocking this year. I have been trying to get her to take better care of her skin and understand that pampering yourself pays off big time. I think she finally sees that it is worth it and that SHE is worth it.


I have been keeping the Body Cream next to my bed so when I come out of the shower I can spend time on myself. It has become a "ritual" that I should have taken up years ago. I am learning to practice what I preach and spend time on me. As a mom you put everyone ahead of yourself but it is okay to take a moment to take care of yourself!




Wednesday, September 04, 2019

Lil' Mixins Is The Easiest Way to Prevent Food Allergies in Babies


Did you know that research shows that the ability to have an allergic reaction is rare in babies four to six months?  If parents introduce potential allergens as soon as their baby starts solids, this can PREVENT food allergies from happening later. But how do you give baby eggs and peanuts before they have teeth? Lil Mixins makes it easy with their egg and peanut powder.

Lil Mixins takes pure egg and pure peanuts and grinds them into a powder form. Parents only need to use two teaspoons to mix with any baby food.. Each of the powders tastes great, and are safe to use on babies four months and up.

So just remember:

1.     Babies aren’t born with food allergies, they develop them

2.     Parents can rest easy and know it’s safer to introduce peanuts and eggs at an early age

3.     As a result, parents are training baby to tolerate these foods

The 411:

I have two who are allergic to peanuts. My daughter would love to try peanut butter because it smells good to her and she knows that Reeses Peanut Butter Cups is my favorite. We have tested the kids every 3-4 years with an allergist to make sure nothing has changed. Kids with allergies can be complicated. We have a friend who is allergic to eggs, peanuts, wheat and more. There have even been scary episodes at school that required transportation to the hospital. I find these stories so upsetting because I know how fatal these allergies can be. I really wish Lil Mixins was available when my kids were babies. 



It is so easy to use and you can start using it the moment you begin introducing solid foods to your baby.

Just scoop and mix in to their food. I added a tiny bit of water to see how it would mix and it looked like baby food. It took two seconds to go from a powder to the below photo.

The jar lasts for months because you need only 2 teaspoons 3 times a week.


They don't only have egg powder which is made from egg whites and Tapioca; they also have peanut powder. I tried this one and it taste just like peanuts. No sugar. Just 100% organic peanuts.

If Lil Mixins had been around when my kids were babies, I wouldn't have to answer a million Epi-Pen questions every year from the school nurse. All school forms ask about allergies and when I write peanuts they suddenly require an Epi-Pen which is $99.  The kids have even been denied birthday party treats from teachers when everyone else is partaking in class because the form says allergy to peanuts. I have always felt so bad about it.  I understand the teacher's point of view. They are nervous. Thankfully my kids allergies are mostly welts but why take a chance. Lil Mixins would have changed things dramatically.



Tuesday, September 03, 2019

Kitty Rescue - Broken Hearted

Today we did some back to school shopping for my son. He asked me over the weekend which was annoying because I had taken his sister over a week and a half ago and asked him when he wanted to go. He said he didn't need anything. My Uncle had sent him some money to get back to school items so I knew he had money and while heading out two days before I return to work wasn't were I expected to be spending the day I was okay with it. Upon coming home and emptying out the car my daughter took off to the side of the house to check out flowers or look for frogs. As I was going up the stairs she called me over "can I show you something?" I was looking in her eyes and while I just wanted to put the groceries away I knew she really wanted to show me and as she gets older, I still get happy that she is interested in showing me anything.



I asked my son to start putting the groceries away and walked over to the wood pile where she was now standing. "Do you hear that?" She asked. I listened and heard something that was cat like. A tiny little meow. The sound was moving and while I stared at the wood pile it seemed to be right there. I couldn't see anything but a few logs, the rest covered by a tarp. I went in to get a walking stick thinking maybe I will lift the tarp. I know there are many snakes in there and couldn't imagine what was making this noise. It was a tiny squeak. The same sound over and over.  I thought kitten. Then thought chipmunk or mouse. It was so tiny. I pictured something trapped in a snake coil and I wasn't sure I wanted to see that.




When I got back to the wood pile. The sound was still going strong. We discussed it. Her saying it sounded like kitten or a door squeaking open. I felt it was a kitten and started searching. As I leaned over I saw a tiny grey tail. I looked at my daughter and said, "It's a kitten!"



"Can you see it?" she asked. I told her I saw the tail and it was inside the hole of a log. She said she was going to reach in and get it.


Ignore my gross nails. 


We live in the woods. There are many snakes, spiders and more. I asked if she wanted me to get her gloves but she said, "No! I am going to reach right in."



The next thing I know she pulls out a tiny, grey kitten and is saying "OMG! OMG!" She held it to her chest and I saw this tiny fluffy baby.


I ran into the house, got a milk crate and stuck a cat bed in it.

We looked at this tiny, ball of fluff and talked about how tiny and skinny it felt.



I text my husband who told me he had heard it yesterday but couldn't find it and this morning when he left for work but also couldn't find it. I told him I was calling the shelter. The shelter my daughter and I work at is not in my hometown. They told me to bring it to the one in my area and if they didn't take it to bring it to a vet.


We both were cooing over this baby. It was the cutest thing ever and we very immediately responsible for it.  We needed to protect it and make sure it was going to survive. I didn't know how old or how long it had been without food. I gave it some water and tons of dirt came out of it's mouth. My daughter told me she had removed a piece of wood from it's mouth. It did drink a little water.

On our way to the shelter, we talked about wishing we could keep it. It was so tiny and with 3 cats, the kids returning to school and me returning to work this wasn't a good fit for my family.

The ladies at the shelter were awesome. I loved them immediately. They took the baby from us after having me sign a form and we reluctantly left her there.

We spent the next four hours talking about how much we missed her. It is strange, we were only with her about 45 minutes but it was like she was ours. If we only had one cat I would have figured out a way to make it work. I am praying she is adopted as soon as she is checked out. I hope she is okay. We will think about her for a very long time.

My heart hurts but knowing she is being taken care of and getting what she needs makes the whole experience worth it.


Monday, September 02, 2019

Got My Old Trapper Jerky So I Am Sorta Ready For Back To School/Work

I don't know about you guys but I am a jerky loving girl. Nah...man I am not talking about loving jerky men...well...I have known my fair share..I am taking Jerky. It is definitely my go to snack. Not sure if I am the only chick out there but I know in my neck of the woods, my girlfriends find me odd. They always talk about their snack choices, who loves chips, chocolate, sweets, popcorn, etc. I never crave sweets I crave food. Jerky is perfect for my on the go cravings or when I forgot to pack my lunch.

In just 3 days I return to my job as a preschool teacher after having the summer off to be with my kids and this is a MUST!

Old Trapper is made with lean pieces of meat and seasoned perfectly. It is exactly what I need when I am hungry. I love steak but when you have 45 minute lunch and need to catch  up on your reading, email or making appointments this is the way to go.

My favorite kind of jerky is lean, flavorful, tasty, not salty or greasy and chewy but easy to tear. Old Trapper checks off all these boxes. I have yet to have a bad piece.



Look at those pepper flakes?







If you love Jerky this is the one!


Kitty Bitty Game For Ages 4+ - A Colorful Wood Memory Game


OK first off look at the cute packaging of this game. The colorful box with the peeking cat in the top and the crazy eyes...who wouldn't want to play this game.

When we opened the box we were really impressed with the bright, colorful pieces and appreciated the game instructions also being cat shaped.


It’s nap time for the itty bitty kitties, but they just want to play! Help them jump, bat the yarn balls around, and race to the basket without catching a look from the watchful eyes of the mommy cats. Each turn, roll the dice, look for the mommy cat matching their colors, and lift one. If she doesn’t catch you, your kitten advances one yarn ball closer to the basket and you get to go again. If she spots you, it’s the next players turn. The first kitten back to the basket wins! Players must correctly identify colors, and remember which mommy cat eyes will catch the kittens so that the fun never stops in this adorable memory game.




The 411:


This weekend I babysat a 3 and 6 year old along with my daughter. All three girls loved this game and the playing pieces. It is a really cute memory game for 4 players. Each player takes a cat (blue, green, red or yellow/orange) (depending on which kid I asked). 



Your job is to roll the dice, and move your kittens around to each yarn ball making it back to the basket without mommy cat seeing you. The dice has colors that correspond to the mommy cats colors. 

Put your basket in the middle with all player cars inside it. Put the mommy cats around and finally the yarn cards around. Next we put two eyes on each cat. One eye has a cat on the bottom. You don't want to pick that one because that means mommy cat saw you. As you roll, you move around to each yarn as long as mommy doesn't see you. If she does STOP and wait for your next turn. If you never get mommy's eye you can keep going. Just try to remember which eye has the cat on the bottom. 

We thought the game was really cute and allowed the 3 year old to play however she wanted. She mostly wanted to move her cat around. The 6 year old did great and my 14 year old, cat loving chick loved it.

Skills:
  • Visual Perception
  • Memory
  • Social Play