My tentative New Year’s Resolutions

  1. Finish my Barbara Randle Crazy Quilt (only a few squares left)
  2. Cancel my gym membership
  3. Complete a garment for ME!
  4. Bake homemade snacks and sweets for my kids (instead of store bought).

My “Daring Cook’s” Challenge

As soon as I heard of The Daring Kitchen, I rushed over and registered.  Each month, The Daring Kitchen issues a challenge to the participants to make and photograph a recipe.  I quietly prayed for a recipe that appealed to me.

I was SO happy when I found out my recipe challenge was for my fav Vietnamese food – Chicken Pho.  BTW, pho is pronounced Fuh? like Duh? as a question. 

I had a hard time finding the spices.  My husband had to purchase the spices for me from Penzy’s in Birmingham.  Right off the bat, I was worried I wouldn’t like the end results, because of the smell of the spices.

The cloves smelled like Christmas.  The whole Anise Starts smelled like licorice  (and I hate licorice).  The coriander reminded me of Mexican food.  But, I persevered and toasted the spices before adding to my homemade chicken broth.  All together, the spices are wonderful.  I really liked the broth.  It was different from what I am used to, but different in a good way.

My favorite part was the hot chili sauce, the fresh crunchy cilantro (a fav) and the hot jalapeno slices.  The cool crunchiness of the cilantro mixed with the savory broth and noodles was pure delish.

I assembled my dish, but did not take any pictures, as my camera in dead.  RIP.

I plan to make this dish again this weekend, so my husband can try it.  I think it will be much easier the second time. 

This recipe has really opened my eyes to makingmy own Asian foods.  I can’t wait to purchase (and use) Jaden Hair’s Steamy Kitchen cookbook.

Dag Nab It

Two days ago, I said “Dag Nab It” in front of PJ (Age 7). He accused me of cursing. I told him Dag Nab it wasn’t a curse word. Only a few second later, he had repeated “Dab Nab It” so many times, it started to feel like a curse word. So, I told PJ he could say “Dag Nab It” only once per day.

Yesterday, we went to Olivia’s school to see her band teacher. Before we got out of the car, PJ yelled, “Damn It!”   Me and Olivia looked at each other and said “What did you say?”  He said, “I said Damn It.  Remember, you said I could say Damn It once per day. I haven’t said it today….” So, we had a heart to heart talk about the difference between Dag Nab It and Damn it.

I found out that the difference between the two word for a 7 yr odl boy are very sublte, but now he understand the difference. 

 Boys.  What can you do?

Speaking of swearing this is a pretty interesting article.

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2008 Craft Year in Review

2008 Finished Projects

  1. Baby Quilt for Koshy
  2. Fabric Covered Flip Flops – finished May 19 – turned out OK, not great, but OK.
  3. Diaper Cover for Baby Shower (matches finished baby blanket) – finished and mailed to the new Mommy. 
  4. Reverse Applique Tshirt
  5. Birds
  6. Shorts, headband, ball, Tote & photo album for PJ’s girlfriend Isabella. - 05/21/08 See pix here.
  7. Pocket Pants for Gavin (birthday) and PJ. – 05/21/08 See pix here.
  8. Lavender Reverse applique tshirt- finished 4/10/08
  9. Finish Turtle Quilties – maybe sew on a magnet for the fridge? – Finished 05/29/2008  See pix here
  10. Birthday crown – I made 2 (Olivia and Emily) finished 8/08
  11. Make PJ more summer shorts – Done and super cue. Finished 8/08.  See pix here.
  12. Backpack and pencil bag for PJ – Done 8/2008. See pix here.  See pix here.
  13. Sewing machine cover, mat and pin cushion.  Finished 8/2008.  See pix here.
  14. Sewing machine cover for ME
  15. Bottle Cap Pin Cushions
  16. Otedama & Coffee Mat
  17. Bird appliques? – Done
  18. Heather Baily Pin Cushion
  19. T-shirt for me
  20. Tote for PJ’s teacher
  21. T-shirt for PJ
  22. Dress for Olivia
  23. Birthday banner for Olivia
  24. Dog Leashes
  25. Star Wars Lounge Pants for Rick
  26. 6 Christmas scarves for Olivia and her friends – 12/04/08
  27. 6 snowmen ornaments for the Methodist Girls Home – 12/01/08
  28. Super Hero capes for Alex and Ashley
  29. Fabric crown for Ashley
  30. Sewing Machine Cover for my Mom’s Birthday
  31. Pants for Gavin
  32. Why Knot Purses

Pimp my Sewing Machine

I love my sewing machine cover and I enjoy making them for family and friends.  I think my Mom’s turned out the nicest.  I also love looking at everyone else’s covers, so I decided to start a Flickr Group called, Pimp my Sewing Machine.

Image hosted @ bighugelabs.com

Join the fun.  I would love you see your creation.

The American Patriot’s Bible, NKJV – REVIEW

I requested this book from the Thomas Nelson Review site, because I was intrigued.  I have all the bibles I could ever use in a lifetime.  But, seeing a bible intertwined with US History – now that is cool.  I was not disappointed when the bible arrived.

The American Patriot’s Bible is a New King James Version (NKJV) and is edited by Dr. Richard G. Lee.  This hard back book is much larger than I expected.  It is quite substantial and impressive.  I don’t think I will ever carry this to church, but it does look nice on my night stand.  The print is large (as it is a large print bible), but it is not embarrassingly large.  The illustrations are beautiful and of a patriotic slant. 

Throughout the book, there are 48 full-color insert pages presented in 12 for-page sections discussing different point in U.S. History.   My favorite is about Patrick Henry.  On March 23, 1775 he uttered, “Give me liberty or give me death.”  From reading this tidbit of info, I learned that one of the watchword for the American revolution was “No King but King Jesus.”  I certainly didn’t learn that in school. 

The front of the bible includes a family record sections, as this bible is intended to be a family bible.  The bible also includes illustrations, 2color Bible pages, 254 articles, 66 book introductions, an index, a Concordance and several color maps. 

I have been very impressed by the books I’ve received from Thomas Nelson and this one is no different.  If I stumbled upon this in our local book store, I would buy it.  I humbly recommend you purchase this book for your home library.

Tonight’s the Night!

Our family is going to Cirq du Soliel:  Saltimbanco.  We are so excited.  I can’t wait to post my review.  If you want tickets (so you can go to), click here.

Yanni Voices

Inthe Footsteps of Paul Book Review

I review books for Thomas Nelson Publishers.   When I went to the site to select a book, my eyes quickly went to this book:

In the Footsteps of Paul

In the Footsteps of Paul by Ken Duncan. 

My husband once took a “Last Voyage of Paul” cruise to Greece, Turkey, and Malta , so I knew he would enjoy this book.

When the book arrived, hubby and I both devoured it. Neither of us could get enough of it.

What I found most amazing is when Paul was blinded for 3 days and the Lord sent Ananias to the the Street called Straight.  Guess what?  Straight Street is still a street TODAY.  Wow!!!

The book is a wealth of knowledge, both photographic and written.  Really, the photos make the book.  I an unable to travel to the Mediterranean, so this is the next best thing.

Girlfriend Survey

Welcome to the 2009 edition of getting to know your Friends. The theory is that you will learn a lot of little things about your friends that you might not have known!

  1. What time did you get up this morning?               6:30AM 
  2. Diamonds or pearls?                                                     Pearls
  3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?   Escape to Witch Mountain
  4. What is your favorite TV show?                                Lie to Me, House, 24
  5. What do you usually have for b reakfast?             Scrambled Eggs and Pistole 
  6. What is your middle name?                                        Shannon 
  7. What food do you dislike?                                           English Peas 
  8. What is your favorite CD at moment?                    Yanni Live
  9. What kind of car do you drive?                                 Chrysler 300C
  10. Favorite sandwich?                                                        Meatball sub, Ruben, fried balogna - I like hot sandwiches
  11. What characteristic do you despise?                      Indecisive
  12. Favorite item of clothing?                                           My homemade Pajamas
  13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?     Paris

My most embarrassing Mommy Story

One afternoon, my family went to a local department store.  Our trips to the dept store are usually miserable for our family but this time it was different; everyone was content.  I was trying on clothes.  When I stepped out of the dressing room and observed my daughter and hubby admiring the makeup display and my son (age 5) quietly sitting in a chair, my heart swelled with pride.  I was in bliss. 

 

I tried on several more outfits, stepped out of the dressing room, and gathered my family.  My son came running to me with “something” in his hands.  He said in a very loud voice, “Mom, put this on your pee-pee.  IT FEELS GOOD!”  Then, I noticed he was holding a small hand-held smiley-faced, three pronged back massager. 

 

The store went silent.  All I could hear was a soft buzz from the small, hand-held, smiley-faced, three pronged back massager.  The room started to spin…  As I blacked out, I realized why my son was able to sit quietly in the chair for so long…  But, reality hit again, as I heard my son say again, “Will you buy this for me?”

 

Some of the surrounding customers quickly walked away, but others stopped to enjoy the show.  As my son walked towards me, he held out the small, hand-held, smiley-faced, three pronged back massager in his tiny hand and tried to put it on my pee-pee.  He kept saying (over and over again), “Try it. You’ll like it.”

 

Then my daughter tried to get in on the action.  She said, “I want to try it.”  But, my son was adamant that I try it.  I kept slapping his little vibrating hand away, as he again attempted to thrust the massager to my pee-pee.  “Try it, you’ll like it”  “IT FEELS GOO-OOD!”  His little voice was crystal clear.  I questioned why we invested in speech therapy.  What were we thinking?

 

My husband took hold of our daughter and headed out of the store.  All the while, she shouted over her shoulder, “I want to try it” (over and over again).   Hubby left me to deal with our son, the hand-held, smiley faced, three-pronged back massager and the gawking customers. 

 

I took the small, hand-held, smiley-faced, three pronged back massager away from him, turned it off and left it on a display table.  As we walked away my son begged me to buy him a small, hand-held, smiley-faced, three pronged back massage.  He told me how much he liked it.  When I said, “NO!” he cried and pitched a fit.  I literally drug him out of the store, while he fought to get back his new favorite toy.  I heard laughter and snickers from the gawking customers.  By now, there was a crowd enjoying the show.  All the way home, our son cried and our daughter pouted because we didn’t buy a small, hand-held, smiley-faced, three pronged back massage.

 

It’s been several years since this happened.  A few months ago, I turned down an aisle in our local big box store with my son.  There was a large display of small, hand-held, smiley-faced, three pronged back massagers.  My son pointed and said, “I’ve always wanted one of those.”

 

And that is my most embarrassing Mommy story. 

Always on my toes

My children always amaze me.  I tell a friend “my kids won’t eat that.” 

Then, they do.  They eat all of it and leave me standing there like a liar.

I guess that’s a good thing.

But, then there are other surprises.  Yesterday morning, PJ told me his nose was stopped up and he needed some meds.  I searched the medicine cabinet and realized I was out of all chewable, melty, liquidy, kid friendly sinus meds.  It’s been a rough allergy season.

I found a bottle of Zyrtec.  The dosage is for Adults and children 6 yrs and up.  PJ is 7.  could he swalow a pill?  I’m 40 and I still have trouble swallowing pills.  So, I asked. 

Do you think you can swallow a pill?

How big is it?

Very small?

I’ll try.  I handed him the pill.  He looked sceptical.  I thought, This is a big waste of time.  I gave him instructions on how to do it (back of your tongue, just swallow like normal.”  Then I told him I would get a glass of water.  He asked why he needed water.  I think he was just going to pop the pill in his mouth and swallow!!!!

So, I handed him the glass of water and he swallowed the pill very uneventfully.  He couldn’t figure out why I made such a big deal of it.  But, it is a big deal, isn’t it????

I was in my teens (probably late teens) before I ever swallowed a pill.  Am I a late bloomer, or is he an early bloomer?

I’m going! I’m going! Are you?

I am so excited!  My family was asked to attend the  Cirque du Soleil: Saltimbanco by MomSelect.  The Cirque du Soleil will be at Tallahassee Leon County Civic Center FSU on May 13 at 7:30pm.

CircdeSoleil

If you want to take your family, MomSelect is offering a discount on family of 4 tickets.  Click here for more info. 

My husband and I saw a “Russian Circus” in Myrtle Beach on our honeymoon.  We enjoyed it so much and we’ve wanted our kids to see a really cool circus.  Now is the time!  Yippee.

If you can go, be sure to let me know.  Maybe we can dine together before the show.

Shannon

Wallamoppi Game Review

A couple of weeks ago, I reviewed Squint, Jr. for Out of the Box Publishing (OTBGames).  You can see that review here.  Our family has play Squint, Jr several times since that review.  One night, my daughter and her spend the night company playing Squint, Jr. together.  It really is a fun game.

So, I was pretty excited to try another OTBGames game.  Leah from OTBGames sent me Squint, Jr., Wallamoppi and Backseat Drawing, Jr.  Last night, I broke out Wallamoppi for me and PJ to play.  Wallamoppi is a 2-person game, so I was waiting for the right opportunity to play. 

In my last review, I posted my game manifesto.  This is what I am looking for in a good family game:

Family Game Manifesto:

  • Fun – nuff said
  • Value – I don’t care how fun it is, the game must be reasonably priced
  • Longevity – we play the game often for several years
  • Wide age range – kids/adults or any combination can play
  • Right Brained – Strategy – I think learning strategy is a good skill for my kids
  • Left Brained - Art/Imagination -  I want my kids to be creative as they grow up
  • Has a winner – life is about winning and loosing.  You have to learn to do both well.
  • Well written directions – I’m a technical writer.  Need I say more?

Wallamoppi contains a plastic drawstring bag filled with wooden tokens, stored inside a wooden box.  Inside the wooden box is a series ledges that a marble travels down to create a rudimentary timer.  Your turn is over BEFORE the marble drops into the hole at the end of the chute.  Before the game starts, each player chooses a color – lights or darks.   The object of the game is to remove a token from the base or sides of the pyramid, and then stack the token into a tower on top of the pyramid.  The tower quickly gets wobbly, because the tokens have rounded edges and do not easily support tall towers (like Jenga).  Within seconds of playing, I tired of this game.  But, surprising to me, my son (age 7) loved it.  The first game, we played with the marble timer, but we were easily able to complete our turn before the marble finished it’s course, so we quite using the timer.  We played two more games and PJ really seemed to enjoy the game. 

My recommendation is this is a good game for young children (age 7-10) to play together.  It is not sophisticated enough to hold an adults attention.

I guess the best news is the game is VERY FAST.  Sometimes that is a bonus…

The game retails for $24.99 and the price seems a bit high, but the materials used make the game probably contribute to the extra cost.

Max Lucado’s Hermie & Friends DVD Review

 Skeeter

Before I start my review, I have to confess to something…   I am a huge Tim Conway fan.  I grew up watching and laughing with/at Mr. Conway (mainly on Carol Burnett, but Dorf, too) and I love him.  So, any review from me about Tim Conway is biased.  So read on at your own risk.

Thomas Nelson Publishing sent me the DVD to review.  I had several items to choose from, but I choose the children’s DVD.  I thought my 1st grade might enjoy watching it with me.

A few days later, I received Max Lucado’s Hermie & Friends, Skeeter and the Mystery of the Lost Mosquito Treasure.  John O’Hurley and Tim Conway voice the cartoon.  John O’Hurley has a great “hero” voice, so I was excited to see how the movie played out.

The movie is based on Psalm 139:13-14, 

Psalm 139

13  For you created my inmost being;
       you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
       your works are wonderful,
       I know that full well.

I really like this bible verse and use “Fearfully and wonderfully made” as the complimentary close for my emails.

The story is about Skeeter (voiced by Tim Conway), a mosquito with a crooked stinger and a phenomenal sense of smell (he can smell food from miles away).  Hermie has a famous, perfect brother, Sir Sinclair M. Skeeto (voiced by John O’Hurley).  The trouble starts Sinclair comes to the garden for a treasure hunt.  The story unfolds, as Skeeter finds out his perfect brother isn’t so perfect after all. 

I thought my 1st grade would enjoy the story, but it is a bit juvenile for his age group.  I think this video is more for toddler till kindergarten.  The storyline is great and teaches you no one is perfect, despite appearances, and God loves us because we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made,

Shannon

Lapel Posie Tutorial for St. Patrick’s Day

This tutorial is perfect for a teen or preteen to make for teachers and friends.  It is also a great project ot make in mass for a large group or tag sale. 

How to make a St. Patrick’s Day Lapel Posie

Makes 20 – total cost $2.00 (or 10 cents each), because I had tags and yarn (and everything else) on hand.

Materials:

  • Small bunch of small white flowers (or shamrocks)
  • Fat Quarter – cotton print of your choice – cut into 4″ squares
  • Tulle - cut into 3.5″ squares
  • Knitting yarn in coordinating color
  • Sewing machine threaded with coordinating thread
  • Scissors
  • Iron/Ironing board
  • Chopstick
  • Wire cutters
  • Manila Tag
  • Straight Pin

1.  I used a ruler to mark a 4″ grid on my fat quarter.  I used a light pencil line to mark the grid.  Then, I used pinking shears to cut apart the 4″ squares.
St. Patrick's Day Lapel Posie

I got my flowers at Jo-Anns for 50 cents (on half price sale) and my fat quarter for 99 cents (also on sale). 

2.  Fold the square in half right sides together (on the diagonal) and stitch one side.
St. Patrick's Day Lapel Posie

3.  Leave the tails long, so you can securely knot the strings (to keep the seam from unravelling.), then trim threads close to the fabric.
St. Patrick's Day Lapel Posie

Don’t do like I did and use two differnt color threads…..

4.  Cut the tip off the point (so it will look nice when you turn it right side out).
St. Patrick's Day Lapel Posie

5.  Turn to right side. Use a chopstick to poke out the tip.  Center the seam down the front and press flat with an iron.
St. Patrick's Day Lapel Posie

I really, really wish I had of staying away from the black bobbin thread….

6.  Cut your tulle into 3.5″ squares.  I used my regular sissors and eyeballed it. I did not use a ruler….
St. Patrick's Day Lapel Posie

I used extra fancy tulle (hand dyed) from my stash, but any tulle will do. 

7.  Cut the flower bunch into groups.  Be sure to use wire cutters and not your sewing scissors.  yes, I know it is tempting, but don’t do it. I cut my flowers about 4″ – 3.5 ” long. 

8.  Gather the tulle around the flowers (kind of like you wrap flowers in newspaper…)
St. Patrick's Day Lapel Posie

9.  Stuff the flower/tulle combination into the fabric pocket.
St. Patrick's Day Lapel Posie

Fluff and adjust it to make it look good.

10.  Tie center of the bunch with knitting yard.  I used chennile and cotton thread.  Both looked good.
St. Patrick's Day Lapel Posie

11.  Decorate tag with green sharpie (or marker/colored pencile of your choice).
St. Patrick's Day Lapel Posie

Be sure to leave room to pin on your posie!

12.  Use the straight pen to poke two holes into the middle of the tag.
St. Patrick's Day Lapel Posie

It is easier to pin the Posie to the tag, if the holes are already there.

13.  Pin the posie to the tag with the straight pin.
St. Patrick's Day Lapel Posie
Your little gift is all done.

Note: One fat quarter will make 20 posies, but I needed 3 bushes of flowers, instead of 2. So, be sure to count your flower groups when you shop.

Yanni is so Cool and I didn’t know it!

I was honored to attend Blissdom09 in Nashville, TN.  My in-laws (Thank you, Paul & Gloria) gifted me with tickets to this event for Christmas.  The tickets were my best Christmas present. 

At Blissdom09, I was introduced to Yanni.  I knew the name.  Iknew he was a musician, but I was not familiar with his music.  To be honest, I wasn’t realy thrilled to watch/listen to a preview of his new PBS special.  Well, I changed my mind VERY quickly.  Yanni is the bomb!  I loved every second of what I heard.
Yanni Voices

Yanni has selected young adults from around the world to write songs and sing to his music.  They were awesome.  I especially liked this guy.
Yanni Voices  He can dance like no one’s watching….

This guy sang opera and he is HOT!  Frankly, I can’t wait to watch just to see him.
Yanni Voices  See what I mean?

In my market, Yanni Voices will be shown on PBS on March 15 at 7pm.  You can click here to find the time in your area.  Here is the link to the Yanni Voices PBS website

Thank you, One2One Network for opening my eyes to some great music.  I can’t wait to see more.

My Sweet Pink Sewing Machine

I have a sewing machine.  It’s about 11 or 12 years old, but I’ve used it many hours.  Even though it is an “older” machine, I will surprised and devastated when it kicked the bucket.  The pedal went out and right now I can’t afford to replace it.  You know, forced frugality. 

So, I borrowed a friend machine (Thank you, Tammy).  But, my borrowed machine has survived a Hurricane (Yes, really) and humidity has taken it’s toll on my new friend.

At our church’s First Place meeting two weeks ago, my friend Becky reminded us to be specific in our prayers.  When my sewing machine died, I knew I need a replacement, or else it would lower my quality of life.  I really enjoy sewing and I make what I can’t afford to buy.  You know, make do or do with out….

So I prayed and asked for anther sewing machine.  Now, mind you, God had already provided me with a perfectly acceptable loaner, but He still answered my prayers!!!

At our local Thrift Store this week, I stumbled across this….

My new pink sewing machine

Can you believe it!  I found a PINK half-size sewing machine.  They Thrift Store plugged her up and the motor worked.  The cost was $15, but I was hesitant to spend $15, if she didn’t sew.  The employees assured me that would refund my money if the machine didn’t sew. So, I bought her and brought her home (with total giddiness, mind you).  Mom mom came over and helped me thread my new baby up and guess what?  She sews great!  My mom oiled the working parts and I cleaned off the dust.

My first project on Cupcake (that’s what I named her) was Lapel Posies for my First Place Group.   Tute coming soon.

Thank you, Jesus, for supplying all my needs.

I googled my new machine, and this is what I found – http://meari.blogspot.com/2006/06/happylite-sewing-machine-model-1837.html

I Squinted and I love it!

I’m a Squinter.  Are you a Squinter?

My family loves to play games.  I especially love games that are easy enough for my 1st grader, but sophisticated enough to hold my attention.  Our current favorite family game is Sequence, but we get tired of playing it ALL the time.  I periodically buy new games at Walmart/Target/Thrift Store/etc, but my money does not grow on trees.

When I buy a game, I want:

  • Fun – nuff said
  • Value – I don’t care how fun it is, the game must be reasonably priced
  • Longevity – we play the game often for several years
  • Wide age range – kids/adults or any combination can play
  • Right Brained – Strategy – I think learning strategy is a good skill for my kids
  • Left Brained - Art/Imagination -  I want my kids to be creative as they grow up
  • Has a winner – life is about winning and loosing.  You have to learn to do both well.
  • Well written directions – I’m a technical writer.  Need I say more.

Because I attended BlissDom09, Out of the Box Games asked me to review a few games.  Out of the Box Publishing (OTBGames) is a small gaming company based in Wisconsin.  Leah from OTBgames and I emailed each other several times to choose some appropriate games for me and my family.  The package arrived Friday (very exciting).

Leah sent me Squint Jr, Wallamoppi and Backseat Drawing Jr.  As I have a 1st grader, I specifically asked for age appropriate games.

On a side note, the package arrived when the kids were in school.  I unpacked the games and put them on the kitchen table, then disposed of the box.  When PJ came home form school, he announced he made a 100 on a hard test and wanted to know what his PRIZE was.  I pointed to the games.  His eyes nearly bugged out of his head when he saw 3 brand new games, wrapped in plastic, sitting on his table.  Hee Hee.  Good timing, Leah.

Yesterday afternoon, me and the kids invited my Mom (who LOVES games) over to play Squint Jr.  My kids are 7 & 11 and my Mom is “Grandmother Age”  and I am somewhere in the middle.

PJ was so excited about tearing off  the plastic and playing a NEW game.  I read the direction while the kids set up the game.  The directions were very well written.  Nothing turns me off more than reading directions written by a foreigner with poor English.    The game includes a timer, chips, clear plastic shape cards (used to build the Squint shapes) and 168 Squint cards. 

The squint cards are housed in a plastic holder with a privacy ledge around the card, so only the “builder” can see the card.  The “Builder” builds the shape they see on the squint card using the clear plastic shape cards.  If the other players guess the shape BEFORE the sand runs through the timer, both the player (builder and guesser) earn a chip.  We played 3 rounds.  Whoever has the most chips wins.

My kids loved it.  My 11 year old won and she jumped up and down with giddiness.  What I liked was that  everyone had a shot at winning, including my 7 yr old.  Our game lasted about 20 minutes (perfect in my opinion).  Me and my mom really enjoyed it, too.

Squint Jr retails for $16.99 and is a good value for the money.  I see is playing this for several years.  This weekend, we are having some cub scouts over and I plan to let the little guys play it together.

There were only a few things I didn’t like.  The game is made in China.  I am willing to pay a few bucks more to employee Americans.  Made in the USA is VERY important to me right now.  But, OTBGames is an American Company.  The other complaint is that the timer clogged  a few times during play, but the timer snafu was not a deal breaker for me. 

So, if you are looking for a new family game, I recommend Squint Jr.  It is loads of fun for the whole family.  No joke.

I will post a review for the other 2 games next week.

Do you know your brain age?

My mom sent me this site and it is soo cool.  It has really awakened my brain thismorning.

Goto:  http://flashfabrica.com/f_learning/brain/brain.html  

This site is Japanese, but the directions are below:

1. Touch ’start’
2. Wait for 3, 2, 1 to display
3. Memorize the number’s position in the circles on the screen, and then click the empty circles from the smallest number to the  biggest number.
4. At the end of game, the computer will tell you the age of your brain.  

The first time I palyed, my brain age was 54.  Second time 34.  I’m not sure if that is better or worse, but I think I did much better the second time I played.  So, I deduce it is better to have a young brain.

Have fun and post a comment with your brain age.

I found some great FREE e-cards

I’m not a huge fan of ecards, but I do send them occassionally.  since I am not a huge fan, I amcertainly NOT going to pay for the privelege of sending one.

Today, I found this awesome site for St. Patrick’s Day e-cards.

I sent this beauty to my daughter. And, get this, it won’t be delivrered until the date of my choosing. Super cool!

 st patrick's ecard

After poking around, I found where you can upload you own picture to send an ecard.  Hello, grandparents!!

In the left colomn there are drop down boxes to choose the desired occassion or holiday.  Cool, eh?

The folks are BHG are doing a bang up job.