Friday Photo Flashback - January 2004

Here is Handsome in 2004. He was 1.5 years old and telling me his hand was wet. He still eats as much snow at 7.5 years old, as he did back then.

I love looking at these pictures of my babies. Time sure does fly. I miss this stage sometimes. The innocence and the control I had over his little life. I could filter out all the bad, the mean and the ugly. The face is the same, but everything is so different. Hold your babies tight. They grow up so fast!

Just A Quick Hello Video

Safe, Green, Online, Social, Game Community for Kids

What I Can Tell You:
My kids are total gamers. My son loves electronic games and my daughter loves computer games. I am not surprised because Dad and I are total gamers ourselves and have wasted years of our lives that we will never get back.

I set Goddess up and let her go. The hardest part is she can't read yet. You do need to be able to read to get the most from this site.

She loved the games especially the recycle game. Where she got to catapult the garbage into the correct recycling bin.

It's so easy to sign up and a safe way for kids to make online friends, choose an avatar, play games, and more importantly, Minimonos believes in creating a difference in the world.  Every new membership provides clean drinking water for children in India. When they hit their first 50 Gold members, they adopted an orangutan baby for a year.

The best features of these games are the life lessons kids learn on MiniMonos. If they don't clean the planet, trash builds up in their little online corner of the world. Creating good habits, starts early and my 5 year old spends most of her recess and park time, cleaning the earth. I can only imagine the activist she will become.

If your kids love online games, why not try one that gives back to the world in such a profound way. Clean water! Something we all need.

Hating Olivia by Mark SaFranko

What I Can Tell You: While I am sure that there are many people who will love this book. This wasn't my cup of tea at all. Mark SaFranko is a very smart writer maybe a little too smart for me. Which is why I have always called myself the Amateur Book Reviewer. I believe the writing to be good! However, this was a little too much like reality. The love story is completely toxic as a lot of relationships turn out to be. It is slow and I have no respect for our two main characters, Max or Olivia. I wouldn't be friends with either of them.

With all of that said, I love that the author is from New Jersey and I knew a lot of the places he wrote of and appreciated all the literary mentions.

Mark SaFranko is an American author, playwright, artist, and musician. He was cited in The Best American Mystery Stories 2000 and has been nominated for two Pushcart Prizes. He is the author of five published novels—Hating Olivia, Lounge Lizard, God Bless America, Hopler's Statement, and The Favor—and has written dozens more. He lives with his wife and son in New Jersey.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Perennial

Start The Year Off Right! Say No to Unnatural Ingrediants and Eat Healthy in 2011

My regular readers know that 2010 was a challenging year for me medically. I have been sick since May 2010 and loads of months wasted until I finally demanded a particular test which started the ball rolling on my health upswing.

My issues which I will cover more thoroughly in another post have demanded that I totally change the way I eat. Digestion, fiber and how my body reacts to what I put into it are now what matters to my existence and my relationship with food.

Currently in my post-op state I am not allowed to eat fiber. I am on a low residue diet however, as soon as I get the go ahead, fiber will be extremely important in my diet.

When I received the Barbara Says No Box from Barbara's Bakery I was so excited.

I cannot wait to dig into the High Fiber Cranberry cereal. My daughter loves it.

I was able to try the Baked White Cheese Puffs and they were delish. NO mess and I didn't feel guilty eating them knowing that they were baked. So worth it!

Both of my kids, devoured the bag of Snackimals. Talking about the animals and that they were chocolate chip. I loved that they loved them but loved more that there were no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, or trans fats.

Barbara is also helping one of my favorite birds the Puffin. BTW, the Puffin Cereal has been eaten by Goddess every morning since we got it. There is less than 1/2 a box left. 

Feeling Competive? Play the NEW Ratuki Card Game

What I Can Tell You:

Yesterday Clary came over with Christmas gifts for the kids, a breakfast sandwich and new wallet and to visit now that I am feeling sooooo much better post op. After December playing, a fun card game with my girl was exactly what the doctor ordered.

After we ate, I tossed the deck on the table and threw the directions at her. I had read them the night before and was dying to give it a whirl. The game, although it originally appeared complicated, (it took the two of us reading it two times to figure it out) was so not complicated. There is a lot to remember but we had a blast and laughed at each other the entire time.

It is a quick game, kind of like spit but so much smarter. The cards go from 1-5 but they are depicted in various themes, like a domino, a hand holding up fingers, the number, and the number in word (one, two, etc.) So on top having to be quick, you need to really see those cards.

So, to begin everyone has their own pile. They take three cards (you must always be holding 3 cards), then someone starts a pile using either a 1 or a Ratuki card. Then you slap the cards down going up or down and the person who gets up to a 5 or uses a Ratuki card which can be any number takes the pile. The game continues until someone runs out of cards. Each card is worth a point, subtract the cards still in hand and in your junk pile (if you can't get rid of one of your 3 cards, you can junk it and take another) The first person to reach 100 wins.   Clary won!

It was fun and we called each other names as we slipped cards in before the other. Grrr...It really was fun and I imagine that the more players there are the crazier it becomes.

A great game to play with family and friends.

Back To You And Me - A DVD Review

What I Can Tell You:
This was originally a Hallmark TV movie and is being released on DVD January 25th.

As the movie starts we meet Nurse Brenda and a surgeon nicknamed Mr. Personality who tells a nurse that a a patient passed and the room is now available.  Finally we meet Sydney played by Lisa Hartman Black who is a sympathetic doctor who feels a tremendous burden and a heart full of remorse as one of her patients is close to dying. She decides to head home for a high school reunion. Going home isn't easy for her as she and her mother played by Rue McClanahan haven't spoken since her father passed away. She has a misconception of her mother and what happened during her fathers final months.

Upon her return she finds out her mother has turned her house into the only B& B in town and has to stay there. She runs into her high school sweetheart, Gus, played by Dale Midkiff (I knew this guy from somewhere, his eyes were so familiar - He was in Pet Cemetery) who lost his wife and is now dating Connie a woman who is determined to settle down with him.

High school party boy, who is now a minister plays match maker to Gus and Syd, getting them together for a picnic.

Gus and his son (who has been sick since birth) take Syd on a picnic at the park and reminisce about high school days and life.

Finally the inevitable happens and Gus' son takes a turn for the worse. Syd gets him to the hospital, he has surgery everything is better.

Without giving the entire ending away, all loose ends are tied up on a pretty bow without being too sappy.

No tears for this softie but a decent movie. Great cast. All likable and although predictable. A family friendly, feel good movie.

Flipped - A Movie Review

What I Can Tell You: This is more than a teenage coming of age film. This is a beautifully written, first love story with many layers and secondary character story lines. I really loved the overlapping of narration and story where we get to hear Bryce's side of the story and Julie's side. We really are stars in our own life stories and this film really shows how what we do affects others while showing our rational behind it. Something that reality doesn't give us.

The young actors who play Julie and Bryce are incredible and the nuances of the 60's felt real without feeling dated.

My favorite character is Julie's father played lovably and misunderstood by Aiden Quinn.  I love his relationship with his brother and the way he handles his daughter.

There is comedy, drama, sadness without being sappy! The supporting cast has some well known names like Aidan Quinn, Anthony Edwards, Rebecca De Mornay, Penelope Ann Miller, and John Mahoney.

Great movie for everyone.

Cher: The Film Collection - Great Collection of Movies!

What I Can Tell You: I have always been a Cher fan. I loved the Sonny and Cher show when I was a kid. I wanted to swing my hair like Cher and walked around wishing I was a "half-breed" or hung with the "gypsies, tramps and thieves" that she sang about during the lazy, hazy 70's.

Receiving this gift set was truly, a gift. Laying on the couch over the last two weeks being unable to do anything has been made bearable thanks to books and movies. How many re-runs of Friends, and Everybody Loves Raymond can one watch?

Moonstruck is by far one of my favorite movies. The paring of Nicholas Cage and Cher was shear magic. And, Mermaids, well....who didn't want a mom who served cheese doodles for dinner?

For a woman who started out on TV, showing her belly button and swinging her long, silky, straight black hair, Cher has really made a name for herself.

As the daughter of a Gay man who absolutely loves Cher, I can tell you that passing this along to Dad as much as I want to won't be happening. I had never seen Tea With Mussoloni or Chasity and loved them too.

Cher's range is truly impressive. The woman shocked the world with her costumes in the 80's but I believe as an actress she is one of the best.  I cannot wait to see her newest Burlesque with Christina Aguilerar. It will surely be excellent.

Great gift idea for any Cher fan.

New Author Alert - Brooklyn Story by Suzanne Corso

What I Can Tell You:
As a young girl, I lived in Bensonhurst Brooklyn when I was 13 1/2 years old after my mom died. It was a big move for a young girl from Millbrook, NY and I never quite fit in. Brooklyn is like a different world and I moved out the day I graduated High School.

Suzanne's Brooklyn is the real Brooklyn. It is about honor, family, tradition, silence, and rising above. Samantha is a smart, head strong girl who loves with her beloved Grandma and her ailing mom. She meets Tony through her best friend and suddenly finds herself thrust into the "Brooklyn Boy" world where females are disrespected, silenced and forced to look the other way while their, macho bad boys "peacock" around.

While Samantha is smart, her studly boyfriend quickly has her wrapped around his finger as attention and hormones dumb her down but only momentarily.

I loved and felt for Samantha. She is a good girl who is sidetracked by the beautiful Adonis who takes her shopping, out to eat, and commands respect from the Brooklites on the street.  What I loved most about this story beside the quick pace was how Suzanne, writes Brooklynese.  I was transported back to the Ave, eating at the feast, hanging on the concrete stoops with my buds, while the sounds of the radio blasts through the oppressive heat.

This is Suzanne Corso's first novel and I cannot wait to see what else she has in store for us.

I give this book a 5 out of 5! Great read.

Play-Doh Creations

Right before I headed to the hospital this month. Hasbro sent me a Play-Doh Creations Doh and Marker Set for the kids to check out.

My kids love Play-Doh and will sit and play for hours, creating everything and anything.  I have to say, Play-Doh has come a long way since I was a kid.

The box contained:
16 reusable coloring parts
4 wet erase marker
A playmat
5 two once cans of Play-Doh

You simply use the Play-Doh as usual only now you can create all kinds of creatures with the reusable coloring parts. Color the hard plastic pieces any color you want with the markers, put them into your Play-Doh and wah-la.....the best part, the possibilities are endless. A little water and a paper towel, rag or even your finger, washes the markers right off, so you can start all over again.

They were having a great time, creating and practicing for the holiday concert at school.

Favorite Book of December - Goodnight Tweetheart by Teresa Medeiros

What I Can Tell You:
I wasn't really sure this was going to work. A love story written in 140 Characters or less? It was beautiful. I think this book could have been completely hokey but it wasn't. Teresa's Abygail and Mark are truly likeable people. I loved the banter between them. It was smart and fun. I found myself smiling most of the time.

Can we really find love on Twitter? Who knows! All I can tell you is that when the twist happens I find myself praying and hoping. Teresa holds us until the very last pages with our breath held, we, run with Abigail and pray it isn't too late.

As someone who isn't a big Twitter person other than my direct posts I absolutely loved it!!!

Life Blessings for Christmas 2010

My kids got most of the things they asked for and were happy for it.

My husband has been amazing taking care of all of us while I had my surgery, my week hospital stay, my medical setback over the last few days and Christmas morning with the kids.

Sitting like a piece of furniture on the couch for the last few days unable to move or do absolutely anything for myself is SOOOOO much better than sitting in a hospital bed alone.

The unconditional love my husband has shown me is beyond "sickness and health".

My kids patience over the past few days while Daddy walks mommy to the bathroom and feeds her, cleans her and helps her has been amazing.

The love of my family, friends, and readers that I have felt over the past two weeks makes my heart sing with joy.

My grandparents who are in their 90's sending me a basket of Edible Arrangements. Although I was unable to eat any of it thanks to my surgery, my family enjoyed it and it is a blessing to be 44 and have grandparents around to send it.

The help, trust, assistance and love of an unbelievable, trust worthy, sweet, compassionate, girlfriend who has been there from the beginning and was around the day I asked in an emergency to drop my kids off so I could run to the hospital.

The friends and family members who have taken time from their busy days with their families to call me, txt me or say hello on Facebook.

My sister-in-law's confirmation that my babies will be taken care of along with their father if God forbid the worst happened.

The Christmas mircle of waking without pain that makes walking to the bathroom without my husband's 100% assistance manageable. He was there for support, in case of anything.