Holiday Vacation Mode

With the holiday . . . I’ve been doing other things . . .

Just as I imagine you have, too.

Time to get the tinsel out of your mind and spring forth with a brand new year. A time for making resolutions and planning ahead. I don’t know how that has worked out for you in the past, but this is a new year . . . one of moving forward in a positive manner.

I’m not one for making resolutions. I make suggestions as to how I would like things to be for me. I do need to remind myself that I can only change myself and my attitude about things . . . not necessarily change others or circumstances around me.

I try to stay away from the negative. Negative comments, negative news, negative situations . . . negative thoughts . . . And when I do encounter them, I choose not to be engaged in them, but to move on with something more positive. Maybe a bit of a Pollyanna style of looking for the good in everything.

This is making me think about any product reviews I put on this website . . . Well . . . if a product doesn’t work, it is not truthful to say otherwise . . . So, I may have reviews in the future that may be negative.

I don’t think that contradicts my earlier statement of looking for the positive . . . There are just some products I can’t promote, especially if I find they don’t work or I wouldn’t buy them or they aren’t that good. We’re talking about your money and my money. Don’t buy junk.

Now that we’re on the subject of products. I think a review may be in order. I want to revisit a product I reviewed some years ago . . .

Keurig K55 Single Serve Programmable K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker

I do like the concept of having a freshly brewed cup of coffee — nothing setting in the pot.

The Classic Keurig K-Cup Single Serve Coffee Maker includes:

  • 4 K-Cup pods
  • a water filter handle
  • 2 water filters to help your beverages taste their best

This coffee machine brews multiple K-Cup Pod sizes, 6 ounce, 8 ounce or 10 ounce. If you like your coffee strong, use the 6 ounce brew size.

The large 48 ounce water reservoir allows you to brew 6 or more cups before having to refill it. This is great when you have a group of family and friends who want their favorite brew — maybe a flavored coffee, hot chocolate, a regular cup of coffee . . . or other variations. It’s always fun to give your family and guests what they want.

I do like the concept. We do drink a hot beverage one cup at a time and we do want it fresh brewed. So, I think this fills the bill. Also giving you several flavor choices, too. It’s great for everyday and for special occasions, too.

Let’s see what else we can buy along with our new Keurig Coffee Machine:

That should get you started.

A single serve coffee machine has great appeal. I like the concept and think this could be great to have for everyday use and also for entertaining.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharon

We’re On The Home Stretch

I probably got that wrong . . . Not into horse racing . . .

It does seem to apply to Christmas shoppers.

I have been delighted by the number of sales I’ve made by having one or more of the links clicked . . . Thank you very kindly. I believe many more of you have done the majority of your shopping online. I know I did and everything is wrapped and tucked away.

There is something about being caught up in the Christmas rush madness . . . but I think I’ll stay away from the malls an

d downtown shopping areas. I’ll even refrain from driving by. I would avoid it all, but I do have to do some grocery shopping. I am prepared for the long check-out lines.

I’ll also be filling my car with gas . . . I don’t plan on traveling, but I do want to be able to take a quick trip to the store for any items I discover I forgot.

Yes, indeed this is a busy time of year . . . I’m looking forward to relaxing when it is all said and done.

I’ll work on some crafts and also play some games or put together some jigsaw puzzles. Just a way to kick back and relax. I could watch some DVDs and also read a book. Goodness, there is so very much that I could do . . . after all is said and done.

I’m curious about solo board games.

Dungeon Raiders Board Game by Passport Game Studios, Zombie 15′: Left Alone Solo Campaign Board Game by IELLO, Friday Board Game by Rio Grande Games, Ravingspire: Assault on the Tower of Madness. A Deck-Building, Rotating Dungeon Board Game for 1 to 6 players. Sylvion Board Game by Z-Man Games, and Q-Bitz Solo: Magenta Edition by MindWare.

Do any of these catch your attention? They all have promise, but I was looking for something that would be fun . . . and light . . . maybe even silly.

Mohawkz — Dinosaur Edition — Family Game with 8 Bouncing Mohawk Balls and 2 Target Ramps — Educational Fun for Kids and Adults (8 years and up) by Rooster Fin.

I think this may be exactly what I’m wanting.

  • It is educational in that it is a fast-paced skill game that helps improve motor skills and hand-eye-coordination.
  • It’s suitable for all ages — kids, teens, college students, parents, grandparents, etc.
  • It’s fun!!!
  • Great for family game night, parties vacations, makes a great gift and to play solo when you just want to relax for a moment or two.
  • Excellent re-playability . . . no game is alike . . .

The object of the game is to bounce the balls, one at a time, towards the target. The best bounce wins.

RoosterFin games are created by teachers. They are simple to learn and great for the whole family. Joe, the owner, has a gift in understanding how math applies to games. He has created award-winning games and is devoting his full attention to making great games.

Here’s a video:

Hummmmm, I may want something a bit more challenging . . . I’ll need to give some of the other games a closer look.

Sylvion looks promising. It is a strategy game that can be played solo.

I’m excited about this game although I hate fires . . . but rebuilding the forest has some great promise . . . Yes, let’s continue watching:

Oh my goodness!!! I’m thinking the Mohawkz has some promise, but I’m getting into this strategy of wiping out the fires.

Well, I’ve taken up quite a bit of your time. I do hope these videos were informative and gave you an idea of what Mohawkz and Sylvion are all about. These two solo games can also be played with others which makes it a great choice when buying games for your family game night.

Decisions, decisions, decisions . . .

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharon

Have You Looked At The Calendar Lately?

Wow!! Where has the time gone?

Christmas is upon us with the New Year coming up fast.

Amazing how I can look back to this summer and yearning for fall. Then, it finally came and Whoosh! we’re into winter.

I belong to an internet marketing group where someone asked if we were taking Christmas Day off or working. Well, I know it is for celebrating with family, but I also know that working online I can celebrate and also work. That’s the beauty of the internet.

I got thinking about the New Year and spring . . . I’m really getting excited about spring . . . but I’m enjoying the weather we’re having now and the anticipation of Christmas, too.

It’s all exciting!

It’s all good . . . every season and everyday. There is always something fun and exciting to discover or finally decide to purchase.

I haven’t been much into rubber stamping or making cards, but I’m finding that I’m warming up to the idea.

I’m a fan of Tim Holtz and, of course, love my Sizzix Big Shot. The combining of the two in this set of stamps and die cuts has really gotten me excited.

Sizzix Framelits Dies Mini by Tim Holtz Bird Crazy and Things, Stampers Anonymous Mini Bird Crazy & Things Tim Holtz Cling Stamps,
Sizzix Framelits Mini Crazy Cats and Dogs Die Set, and not shown is the Tim Holtz Cling Stamps Mini Cats & Dogs by Stampers Anonymous.

I decided to go with the mini set because of the Village Dwellings I’m making and they go better with other stamp sets.

They work well for cards and mini albums and so very many other fun projects you may have throughout the year. There is always something exciting you can do with birds, cats and dogs. And, by all means feel free to get the regular sets of these as well.

Sizzix Franelits 18 Piece Bird Crazy Die Set, Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Cling Rubber Bird Crazy Stamp Set, Sizzix Crazy Things Framelits Dies by Tim Holtz, Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Cling Rubber Stamp Set Crazy Things, Sizzix Framelits Dies by Tim Holtz Crazy Cats, Stampers Anonymous Crazy Cats Tim Holtz Cling Stamps.

What about the dogs? Sizzix Franelits Crazy Dogs Die Set and Tim Holtz Cling Stamps Crazy Dogs by Stampers Anonymous.

Most people buy both the regular sets and the mini sets to go with their various projects.

I was going to say, if you hurry, you may be able to get these before Christmas, but you know something, I think it would be much more exciting to get them after Christmas . . . even if it is a gift for a special crafter in your family. You know why, because you’ll have something to look forward to receiving and so will your special crafter.

It’s all a matter of perspective, actually. You want ’em for Christmas . . . click the links!!!! Otherwise relax and don’t get all uptight about when it will arrive — it will arrive when it arrives!!

I do thank you for stopping by!

Sharon

Hope All Is Going Well For You

Remember when you were a child how you’d always be asked, “How was school today?”

I suppose it was one of those opened ended questions adults use for you to “spill the beans.”

Sometimes it did work. We told how Billy got in trouble for eating the paste or how Margaret fell down in the cafeteria with her tray of food spilling all over her and everyone near her. And, sometimes, we just shrugged and said, “Fine.”

Well, I had this neighbor who would ask, “Did anything funny happen at school today?”

That was a different spin on the usual question and it surprised me.

For one, what I thought might be funny may not be funny to an adult and there may be a lesson to be learned from that.

On the other hand, it gave me something to think about and to look for . . . Margaret’s fall was funny — we had chili beans for lunch that day and it was a major mess all over her and all over the floor and some of it splashed on others near her. And, before it was cleaned up a couple of other kids slipped in the chili bean mess on the floor, fell and added to it.

Then, although Margaret tried her best to clean herself up, after lunch the classroom smelled like chili beans.

It was an embarrassing situation for Margaret, but she wasn’t hurt . . . may have ruined her dress, but it was kind of funny . . . especially when others slipped in the chili bean mess on the floor . . . And, yes, it was funny that complete innocent by-standers got splattered with Margaret’s lunch.

It was funny for me to watch the expression on the faces of the kids who got splashed and those who slipped and made wide arm movements to keep from falling . . . but in the process dumped their tray of food down the front of them or the person next to them . . . 

I’m sure you, too, can see the humor . . . it is always funnier when you’re observing from a safe distance.

As it turned out, my neighbor gave me something new to focus upon . . . finding humor everyday.

What’s really great is when we can laugh at ourselves.

Putting up tree decorations is usually an experience that can be humorous. I remember getting the ladder and working for about an hour getting the lights up on the house . . . only to discover that I had the plug end on the wrong side . . . Thus I put up the string of light backwards . . . We didn’t have lights that year . . . I was completed disgusted with myself . . . but I can laugh about it. And I’m sure the neighbors enjoyed it!

I have this huge oak tree in front of my house. The leaves have these sharp points on the end . . . I went out to get the mail in my bare feet and I can only imagine the “show” I put on as I tried to walk getting stuck with those sharp leaves.

It is good to laugh. At yourself and to see the humor in everyday activities of others. Yes, they may not appreciate being laughed out, but you can hold it in until later . . . 

Remember how you’d be walking in line and someone would step on the back of your shoe giving you a “flat tire.” You were stuck taking a step with the shoe that was on your foot and then sliding the shoe with the “flat tire” with the other foot. It made a funny sound of step-slide-step-slid. And what would make it better is if someone else ahead of you had the same experience . . . sometimes your steps weren’t in unison and it made a funny sound . . .

And, have you noticed, when you see something funny and you’re about to burst out in laughter . . . but you’re in the wrong setting . . . maybe church or a library . . . or someone’s home . . . or formal gathering . . . And, trying to hold in your laughter is almost painful . . .

Those were the good ol’ days . . . and they can be part of your everyday life. Just lighten up and see the humor around you. There is plenty! You just have to look for it!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharon

Tall Tales Story Telling Board Game Review

Tall Tales Story Telling Board Game — The Family Game of Infinite Storytelling — 5 Ways to Play

I love story telling!

This game has won awards!! 5 Time Award Winner including Prestigious Dr Toy Award 2016 and Winner of the 2016 Scholastic Parent & Child Gold Star Toy Award.

Tall Tales Story Telling Board Game includes:

  • 24 Story Cards
  • 50 Game Pieces and a Story Bag

There are 5 ways to play:

  • Basic Game: One player reaches into the story bag and picks out 8 story pieces, one at a time. This player begins telling a Tall Tale using one of the pieces and continues on until all of the pieces are included in the story. Allow your imagination to go wild as you’re adding new elements to your story. There’s no scoring, just story telling.
  • World Tales: Follows the Basic Game directions. After selecting the 8 story pieces, draw one story place card and use that card as an environment for your Tall Tale. As you tell your story, place your story pieces on the story place card as they’re used.
  • Taller Tales: Choose a number 9 to 50. One player selects one piece from the bag to use in their story. Once that piece is used, that same player draws another piece which must be the next piece they use in their story. The story continues until the number of pieces chosen to use is completed. Story place cards may be added for more variations.
  • Group Tales: Each player draws two or more story pieces, thus dividing up the 50 pieces among the players. The first player chooses one piece they’ve drawn and begins the story using one piece in the tale and passes the story to the second player who continues the tale using one of his/her pieces. The story continues to pass from player to player until all have used up all of their pieces. Story place cards may be added for more of a challenge.
  • Marathon Tales: It’s like Taller Tales, but the number chosen is always 50 pieces. It can be one story teller or can be like Group Tales where the story travels from player to player. Story place cards may be added.

And, since this is your game and your players you can make up your own rules! Once you learn the Basic Game you can make variations — depending upon the age group.

This game is great for 4-year-olds and up.

You can even add more pieces to your story bag: little plastic toys or trinkets. This will make the story more personal to you.

This is a wonderful game allowing children to use their imaginations.

You may also enjoy:

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharon