Some really cute scarecrows at Pennings Farm in Warwick, New York
A stained glass window at Exposures Gallery where I worked temporarily this summer.
Major ink cartridges for a massive photo printer. Loved it
Monday, October 01, 2012
Dinosaur Train InterAction Arnie Argentinosaurus
We got to review Arnie (the 411 by Maria:
OK let me start by saying I am a 46 year old child who loves toys more than my kids.Dinosaur Train InterAction Arnie Argentinosaurus is so very cool! We love everything about him. He is large by toy standards but not so large that you need an extra room to claim him like our last dinosaur Koda the Dinosaur.
Dinosaur Train fans will love the whole InterAction toy line but especially Arnie.
Pros:
The colors are wonderful.
The sounds are fun and kid friendly
He is completely interactive and walks, opens his mouth and makes over 80 dinosaur sounds and phrases
Arnie rears up on his hind legs by either pressing a button on Arnie or on the included wristband.
Cons (only because most reviews have them):
He takes 4 AA batteries
You can only be 10 feet away from Arnie
My kids and I love Arnie so much we may have to add some of the other InterAction Dinosaur Train characters to their Christmas list. We want to watch them react to each other.
Our favorite thing about Arnie: We love that he walks and stands on his hind legs!
Great toy for 3-8 year olds but like I said, I am 46 and love it.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Oh Goddess! And...I Am Raising An Ungratful Brat
So, let me start this post with this...
Last weekend Goddess and I hit the road and had a blast (more on that later). I loved spending time with her and we went wherever the road took us with no destination at all. It was a blast and she loved every moment.
Today I woke up thinking; while the boys watch football, I am taking her out again. There was a movie she wanted to see called Paranorman and has been dying to have her beloved "Doggy" restuffed for over year so that seemed like the perfect day with one exception. I hate the mall. The early movies were at the mall as was Build A Bear where I had heard they restuff even if it isn't a Build A Bear but since I am the anti-mall rat, my desire wasn't to go there but since I am a good mom, it seemed like a logical choice for our time away plus she would be so surprised.
As she was putting on her "dress up" vampire clothes I walked in and said, "don't put that on, get dressed we are going out". She was excited and told me to remember my camera.
Just before I walked out the door, I told her to grab doggy for the ride like last week. We left the house at 10 A.M and she had no idea where we were going. To be totally truthful, neither did I because I was still uncertain that I wanted to go to the mall.
We headed out and sang along to the radio. She loved the weather and we talked about how beautiful the sky looked as we drove along. It looked like it would be another wonderful day but boy was I wrong. No, not wrong just let down.
So...when we got to the mall, she was confused, we never come here. Like I said, I am the Anti mall rat, the last time we went was probably 2 years ago for a birthday party at Build A Bear for another kid.
OK, let me stop there...before I get judged for giving her too much I want to add, we never do anything as you can probably tell if you read my blog. We have never taken them on a vacation. Money is always tight so day trips are usually out as is eating out, carnivals (they have been two times), theme parks and anything that requires me to pay money. OK....go....
We walked into the movie theater side and I paid for 2 tickets to Paranorman in 3D. We got our glasses and I explained that we had 20 minutes before the movie and had to run up to Build A Bear. Her face lit up as I checked out the map and noticed it was right above us. Perfect! We got on the escalator which she has only used once (two years ago) so she was super excited.
Build A Bear employees met us with a smile and when I asked if they could stuff "doggy" they said with a bigger smile, "sure, we do that all the time." I was so excited, touched my heart and mouthed thank you to the employee who I found out later is Alisha.
We quickly established that we would come back for Doggy (after talking a reluctant Goddess into it) after I gave them permission to cut doggy . He is a Webkinz Jr animal (no longer available) and very well made. Literally seamless so he would need to be cut and restitched. When we left the store, she asked, "can we take the elevator?" Sure, we waited 5 minutes for it to go one floor but anything for my baby!
Since we had our movie tickets we headed to the concession stand where we got water, popcorn and M&M Pretzels because she loves them and I offered, anything for my baby.
We watched Paranorman which was great! I love animation and 3D so literally couldn't stop saying "WOW" and "cool", freak that I am. Thankfully there was only 2 other people there (a father and son) so no one complained.
After the movie, we went upstairs to check on Doggy who was waiting in a bag which was filled out nicely BTW.. I peeked in and called over Goddess to check out her newly restored Doggy. Doggy looked awesome but Goddess right away wanted to remove Doggy's pretty new bows in coordinating Doggy fur color. I told her no and that she would be allowed to buy Doggy one outfit. She settled on a Halloween costume..no surprise there.
We changed Doggy at one of the changing stations into her brand new witch costume complete with shoes, handband witch hat and pumpkin goody bag and headed out after paying $23.00. I was feeling great about My and Goddess' wonderful day but we still had one more stop. The dreaded grocery store. Dreaded for me not for her. I hate shopping. I really do. It probably has something to do with always having to count pennies but for whatever reason it needs to be done.
We had a fairly small list and got it done quickly. As we were walking to the register she asked for Monster High plates that she had seen, they are disposable, square plates and she really doesn't need them but what a great way to end our day together. We put them in the cart.
She asked for a Halloween magazine and after looking at the price tag I told her that she could choose between the plates or the mag. She choose the plates. Damn it, I would have saved $3.00
When we got home she took her requested for sushi (California Rolls are not Sushi in my eyes but that's what she calls them) to her room to watch a movie as Teach and I put the groceries away. After her movie I told her we had to do spelling homework to which she started playing typical Goddess games. She didn't want to. She didn't have to. She doesn't know how. She has a bellyache. Her ass hurts. Yada! Yada! Ok..that last part isn't something she said but really I am tired of the nonsense when it comes to homework.
After much patience of telling her that she only had to write the words three times as per her teacher, she started. After the third word of her not even trying to sound it out, I started my talk. You know the one that goes something like this.
"Oh come on...sound it out. You can do it. I will help you, just try. After this (20 minutes since we had started and only 3 words written) she shut her light off with me in the room and ran out. OK, now I was pissed. Are you kidding me? I called her back. She didn't come. I demanded that she come right now or I was done! She didn't. Her father finally yelled and she came in. She refused to look at the words and started whining that she can't do it. Spelling and reading are very hard for her but when she doesn't even try I get so mad. I told her, "You know what? Nevermind, don't do it. I don't care. It is your homework and you can tell your teacher you didn't want to do it.
She whinned, "no mommy, I want to do it."
I went back in and there was more whining so I turned to her and said. You know what? I am done. I thought we would spend our Sunday's together doing fun things without the boys rushing us or not wanting to do things and this is how you treat me. You give me no respect. You don't come when I call you. You don't answer me when I call you.You ignore the things I say to you as if I am not there. You think I am taking you to those two other movies you mentioned you wanted to see? Why? Why do you do this? Look at what we did today! Look how much fun you had. I took you to the movies. I got doggy stuffed. I even bought that dog an outfit when I haven't bought myself anything new in over two years and this is how you treat me?
And...then she says....."I didn't ask for you to take me to the movies and you asked me if I wanted an outfit for Doggy!"
*Insert car breaks and my heart breaking here!*
My mouth opened and I yell, "Are you kidding me!?" Now Teach just hears yelling so he comes in and gives her an ultimatum, "Do your homework in the next 12 minutes or you are going to bed! You have until 5. This is not a joke and you won't be laughing when you find yourself in this room with the blinds down, the TV off and under the covers crying because you messed up."
She does her homework exactly by 5. My work is done. My heart is bruised. My head hurts so I tell her to put her stuff back in her backpack.
An hour later we are in the kitchen and Teach says to her, "did you like the movie?" She says yes. He than says, you guys had a nice mother/daughter day. You got to spend time together. That is nice right honey? So, there is where I tell him that she told me that she didn't ask for the movies or the outfit for Doggy.
He is pissed. He is shocked. He says, "you said that to your mother? get out of my kitchen and go to your room. I can't believe you said that to her. That is not nice. All of those things cost money and you are rude."
I know she is 7 but really!? I was literally heartbroken by her ungratefulness and disregard for my time, our money, and what I thought was a great day.
Handsome always thanks us. If we give him anything, a trip to McDonalds he runs over to hug us. When he opens his gifts and sees something he really wanted he runs over to hug us. Last week we were early for something so I took them for a slice of pizza each and he said thank you there and when we got home he said after hugging me "thank you so much for taking us to the pizzeria mommy." He gets it! I do not expect a lot out of my kids or anyone but I do expect respect. Respect costs you nothing and means so much to others. It is how I was raised and how I present myself to others. I want my kids to be respectful all the time. I am not looking for angels but I do want them to respect themselves and others.
How would you handle this??? What should I do to teach her? It is not like they are spoiled she never gets anything. Usually I tell them, "you can add this to your wish list.
Last weekend Goddess and I hit the road and had a blast (more on that later). I loved spending time with her and we went wherever the road took us with no destination at all. It was a blast and she loved every moment.
Today I woke up thinking; while the boys watch football, I am taking her out again. There was a movie she wanted to see called Paranorman and has been dying to have her beloved "Doggy" restuffed for over year so that seemed like the perfect day with one exception. I hate the mall. The early movies were at the mall as was Build A Bear where I had heard they restuff even if it isn't a Build A Bear but since I am the anti-mall rat, my desire wasn't to go there but since I am a good mom, it seemed like a logical choice for our time away plus she would be so surprised.
As she was putting on her "dress up" vampire clothes I walked in and said, "don't put that on, get dressed we are going out". She was excited and told me to remember my camera.
Just before I walked out the door, I told her to grab doggy for the ride like last week. We left the house at 10 A.M and she had no idea where we were going. To be totally truthful, neither did I because I was still uncertain that I wanted to go to the mall.
We headed out and sang along to the radio. She loved the weather and we talked about how beautiful the sky looked as we drove along. It looked like it would be another wonderful day but boy was I wrong. No, not wrong just let down.
So...when we got to the mall, she was confused, we never come here. Like I said, I am the Anti mall rat, the last time we went was probably 2 years ago for a birthday party at Build A Bear for another kid.
OK, let me stop there...before I get judged for giving her too much I want to add, we never do anything as you can probably tell if you read my blog. We have never taken them on a vacation. Money is always tight so day trips are usually out as is eating out, carnivals (they have been two times), theme parks and anything that requires me to pay money. OK....go....
We walked into the movie theater side and I paid for 2 tickets to Paranorman in 3D. We got our glasses and I explained that we had 20 minutes before the movie and had to run up to Build A Bear. Her face lit up as I checked out the map and noticed it was right above us. Perfect! We got on the escalator which she has only used once (two years ago) so she was super excited.
Build A Bear employees met us with a smile and when I asked if they could stuff "doggy" they said with a bigger smile, "sure, we do that all the time." I was so excited, touched my heart and mouthed thank you to the employee who I found out later is Alisha.
We quickly established that we would come back for Doggy (after talking a reluctant Goddess into it) after I gave them permission to cut doggy . He is a Webkinz Jr animal (no longer available) and very well made. Literally seamless so he would need to be cut and restitched. When we left the store, she asked, "can we take the elevator?" Sure, we waited 5 minutes for it to go one floor but anything for my baby!
Since we had our movie tickets we headed to the concession stand where we got water, popcorn and M&M Pretzels because she loves them and I offered, anything for my baby.
We watched Paranorman which was great! I love animation and 3D so literally couldn't stop saying "WOW" and "cool", freak that I am. Thankfully there was only 2 other people there (a father and son) so no one complained.
After the movie, we went upstairs to check on Doggy who was waiting in a bag which was filled out nicely BTW.. I peeked in and called over Goddess to check out her newly restored Doggy. Doggy looked awesome but Goddess right away wanted to remove Doggy's pretty new bows in coordinating Doggy fur color. I told her no and that she would be allowed to buy Doggy one outfit. She settled on a Halloween costume..no surprise there.
We changed Doggy at one of the changing stations into her brand new witch costume complete with shoes, handband witch hat and pumpkin goody bag and headed out after paying $23.00. I was feeling great about My and Goddess' wonderful day but we still had one more stop. The dreaded grocery store. Dreaded for me not for her. I hate shopping. I really do. It probably has something to do with always having to count pennies but for whatever reason it needs to be done.
We had a fairly small list and got it done quickly. As we were walking to the register she asked for Monster High plates that she had seen, they are disposable, square plates and she really doesn't need them but what a great way to end our day together. We put them in the cart.
She asked for a Halloween magazine and after looking at the price tag I told her that she could choose between the plates or the mag. She choose the plates. Damn it, I would have saved $3.00
When we got home she took her requested for sushi (California Rolls are not Sushi in my eyes but that's what she calls them) to her room to watch a movie as Teach and I put the groceries away. After her movie I told her we had to do spelling homework to which she started playing typical Goddess games. She didn't want to. She didn't have to. She doesn't know how. She has a bellyache. Her ass hurts. Yada! Yada! Ok..that last part isn't something she said but really I am tired of the nonsense when it comes to homework.
After much patience of telling her that she only had to write the words three times as per her teacher, she started. After the third word of her not even trying to sound it out, I started my talk. You know the one that goes something like this.
"Oh come on...sound it out. You can do it. I will help you, just try. After this (20 minutes since we had started and only 3 words written) she shut her light off with me in the room and ran out. OK, now I was pissed. Are you kidding me? I called her back. She didn't come. I demanded that she come right now or I was done! She didn't. Her father finally yelled and she came in. She refused to look at the words and started whining that she can't do it. Spelling and reading are very hard for her but when she doesn't even try I get so mad. I told her, "You know what? Nevermind, don't do it. I don't care. It is your homework and you can tell your teacher you didn't want to do it.
She whinned, "no mommy, I want to do it."
I went back in and there was more whining so I turned to her and said. You know what? I am done. I thought we would spend our Sunday's together doing fun things without the boys rushing us or not wanting to do things and this is how you treat me. You give me no respect. You don't come when I call you. You don't answer me when I call you.You ignore the things I say to you as if I am not there. You think I am taking you to those two other movies you mentioned you wanted to see? Why? Why do you do this? Look at what we did today! Look how much fun you had. I took you to the movies. I got doggy stuffed. I even bought that dog an outfit when I haven't bought myself anything new in over two years and this is how you treat me?
And...then she says....."I didn't ask for you to take me to the movies and you asked me if I wanted an outfit for Doggy!"
*Insert car breaks and my heart breaking here!*
My mouth opened and I yell, "Are you kidding me!?" Now Teach just hears yelling so he comes in and gives her an ultimatum, "Do your homework in the next 12 minutes or you are going to bed! You have until 5. This is not a joke and you won't be laughing when you find yourself in this room with the blinds down, the TV off and under the covers crying because you messed up."
She does her homework exactly by 5. My work is done. My heart is bruised. My head hurts so I tell her to put her stuff back in her backpack.
An hour later we are in the kitchen and Teach says to her, "did you like the movie?" She says yes. He than says, you guys had a nice mother/daughter day. You got to spend time together. That is nice right honey? So, there is where I tell him that she told me that she didn't ask for the movies or the outfit for Doggy.
He is pissed. He is shocked. He says, "you said that to your mother? get out of my kitchen and go to your room. I can't believe you said that to her. That is not nice. All of those things cost money and you are rude."
I know she is 7 but really!? I was literally heartbroken by her ungratefulness and disregard for my time, our money, and what I thought was a great day.
Handsome always thanks us. If we give him anything, a trip to McDonalds he runs over to hug us. When he opens his gifts and sees something he really wanted he runs over to hug us. Last week we were early for something so I took them for a slice of pizza each and he said thank you there and when we got home he said after hugging me "thank you so much for taking us to the pizzeria mommy." He gets it! I do not expect a lot out of my kids or anyone but I do expect respect. Respect costs you nothing and means so much to others. It is how I was raised and how I present myself to others. I want my kids to be respectful all the time. I am not looking for angels but I do want them to respect themselves and others.
How would you handle this??? What should I do to teach her? It is not like they are spoiled she never gets anything. Usually I tell them, "you can add this to your wish list.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Goddess In Purple
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Cowgirls N' Angels REVIEW
The 411 by Maria:
I am a huge fan of Bailee Madison. She just breaks my heart in practically everything I have ever seen her in so I was excited to see this sweet movie about a little girl being raised by a single mother.
In Cowgirls N' Angel's Bailee plays spirited Ida who longs to find her daddy! She hangs around rodeos on the lookout for him and eventually friends a riding troupe called the Sweethearts of the Rodeo run by Terence Parker played by Oscar Nominee James Cromwell.
Terence's troupe stars his daughter and a bunch of wayward girls who has has taken under his wing and given a second chance in the game of life. Terence talks Bailee's mom into letting her go with the Sweethearts on the road where she learns a lot about herself and finds herself with a "new" family.
I personally loved this movie and there are great messages and lessons such as being self reliant and never giving up on your dream. There are as many bad ones also.
Stealing - Ida steals a horse, keys, etc.
Breaking In - Ida breaks into the horse farm at night to ride a horse.
Lying - Ida writes a note of approval from her mom to Mr. Parker to enable her to ride and spend time with him.
There are certainly more than the ones I have listed and none of these things ever go punished. However, even with all that the movie is a great family friendly movie and like most movies starring Bailee, I did my fair share of crying!
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Guess The Hottie!
I constantly post eye candy on my Facebook page. My friends actually contact me when I don't do it for a while (2 weeks) and demand one. Some even call with requests. It is so much fun to search out a hot picture that I like and I feel will appeal to the masses. Plus, I feel like I am providing a public service to my girls and boys who like boy friends. It's a hard job but someone has to do it.
Yesterday I decided to play a new game and wanted to share it with you guys.
So this is called Guess The Hottie and my friends and family are really good at it. What do you think? Want to give it a go?
GUESS AWAY!
I don't claim to own any of the photos included in this post! All rights go to whoever took the photo and since they were in Google I have no idea although I would love to give them credit!
Yesterday I decided to play a new game and wanted to share it with you guys.
So this is called Guess The Hottie and my friends and family are really good at it. What do you think? Want to give it a go?
I don't claim to own any of the photos included in this post! All rights go to whoever took the photo and since they were in Google I have no idea although I would love to give them credit!
Neverlost - A Movie Review
The 411 by Maria: I am super impressed with writer/director Chad Archibald. This was an ambitious film and I hung on it's every moment. From the music, to the sets, to the script and actors it is just a great movie!!
Josh (Ryan Barrett) can't sleep and since he can't sleep he is in constant turmoil. His thoughts are out of control along with his life. He talks his doctor into giving him sleeping pills so that he can get some rest and deal with his life. He is certain that all he needs is sleep.
While asleep he wakes to a parallel life or an alternative universe where he is with his wife/finance' (I am not sure which) perished in a fire. whatever you want to call it, it is the life he feels he was destined to live. In order to get back to that life and away from his current wife Meg, and the rat infested, stopped up toilet apartment he must take more pills.
Josh is unbalanced and his psychosis is making him crazy until he is no longer certain which life is real.
The movie is interesting and I appreciate the parallels between the two lives, between the light and dark, good and evil, ying and yang.
About to Watch The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
So excited to sit down this morning to watch The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel from 20th Century Fox starring Judi Dench.
I received this basket full of items to enhance the movie experience. Included in the basket is:
·
Marigold Seeds
·
Branston Pickles
·
PG Tips Tea
·
Marmite
·
McVitie’s Biscuits Value Pack, includes hobnobs
·
Indian Spices
Here is an even better photo of what I received from 20th Century Fox
Addendum:
OK, I watched the movie and LOVED it. See my review here.
I also wanted to share some of my pictures of the items in the basket.
I now know that I don't love or even like Marmite! Ugh...
Totally could eat the whole jar of Branston Pickles. I was put off a little when I saw the insides because I expected "pickles". It says pickles but it isn't like pickle that I know.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Rewind The Past Cannot Be Erased
Sunday, September 23, 2012
My Goddess Is So Fun!
Goddess and I took to the road today and headed out. Mostly it was to get out of the house for Football Sunday and because it was a glorious day.
We ended up at a farm where we took these shots.
This is my favorite of the day. She hates it and wanted me to delete it. I usually do what she asks when it comes to photos of her but this was a keeper to me. She thinks it is embarrassing that you can see her tongue. Looks like a mag page for kid clothes to me.
It's My Shadow Mommy
Today my daughter and I headed out for some quality mommy time. Well, it was actually, protect Goddess from yelling Daddy because she can't stop blocking the TV on Football Sunday. She can't control her voice volume...and I really needed a day outside!
We had the best time and she loved running all over the many places we ended up today. We went wherever the road took us and had a blast.
We had the best time and she loved running all over the many places we ended up today. We went wherever the road took us and had a blast.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
My Show Off Photos For The Week
The kids were looking at Halloween decorations while I zoomed in on this flower!
This barn grabs my eye every time I pass it. Love all that texture so I added a texture over it.
A shot from a memorial in town for a beloved teacher who passed away. Love all those colorful balloons in the sky. 
Last Train To Clarksville
Or in my case...Sugar Loaf. I was in Sugar Loaf, New York last week and took the camera. While stopping in a deli to get a quick HOT tea for my sore throat, this train came into view, I ducked into the car and grabbed the camera as I came toward and passed me.
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