A New Book For Christmas

We have several Christmas traditions we've started over the years here Up the Hill and I have several more I would like to start! One thing we do is buy a new Christmas themed book at the beginning of the holiday season. We add this book to our ever-growing Christmas Library that comes out only during the holidays. Well, actually, I lied about the library just being out during Christmas because last year I never got them put up into the attic! The goal is to put them away so that there is a sense of thrill when they are brought back out the following year. Another goal is to slow down enough to be able to sit down together and read them aloud while drinking hot chocolate. That's the hard part...as shameful as that is. Christmas really needs to slow waaaaay down, don't ya think?

Anyway, here are some books that I'm looking at right now. There are a gazillion ones out there, but here's a place to start!

The Younger Years

I saw this over at Haystacks and thought I would create a station for my NaNoWriMo writing sessions. Oh, folks, I have a ton of stations in mind! lol!! I started out with one I've named "The Younger Years" ....enjoy! Let me know if you create a station.

While you're at it, try out this 80's music quiz that I also found over at Haystacks. It was hard, really....I only made a 79 which really surprised me. Just make sure your spelling is perfect, that's all I can tell you!


Oh, gee whiz....I just have to add this photo! Remember those pants??

Brain Games

I have always thought it was important to exercise your brain. There are a gazillion and one different ways to do this...read a book, work a crossword puzzle, work a jigsaw puzzle, really, the list is practically endless. A site I came across today via Neatorama is called Games for the Brain and there are quite a few neat games. I really, really like Counterfeit because of the art work that is used....plus these "find the difference" puzzles are extremely hard. There's a lot of brain exercising going on with these! lol! The set above has me completely stumped....

As a homeschooler, I love games like these. I can have one of the kids play through these while I am tutoring another child. I especially like that with these games, they are seeing classics pieces of art. As always, be sure to check the site out before letting your kids jump on and play...there are advertisements and I'm sure they change often.

My New Favorite!

Our boys are really into gaming. We really strive to buy games that are appropriate for the ages, however, I admit that there are a few games that have gotten past me. You see, I'll take the blame here because I haven't taught everyone in the household (you know who you are!) how to look for the ESRB rating. I haven't explained that the ESRB rating is our friend and that we should embrace it! lol!

Now, I have always been very pleased with the rating badge on the game boxes. Obviously, I have been missing out on so much more through because the ESRB has a website chocked full of information! There you will find tons of tips for parents. For example, did you know that you can set parental controls on popular game consoles? I knew that individual games could be censored, but I had no idea that the consoles themselves could be also. Not sure how to attempt that feat? No problem, the ESRB has step-by-step guides to help you set the controls you wish to set! I am all over our Wii later today!!

The reason for ESRB's establishment in 1994 was threefold:

1. to rate the content of computer and video games

2. to enforce advertising guidelines that have been agreed upon by the industry and

3. to help ensure online privacy practices for the interactive entertainment software industry.

I think the ESRB site is one that I will certainly keep bookmarked and if you have children who are into gaming, then you should also!

NaNoWriMo Progress Report

Wear me out...that is what this year's NaNoWriMo is doing to me! I am officially several days behind now and some crazy stuff is happening to my MC already. That's the fun part though...I love to see what comes when you have just a skeleton of a plot. I can say that my MC started out with children and now she has none...and no, there was not an accident and she has not been dreaming! What I can tell you is that my novel is chaotic and has no flow nor does it make sense at times...there is a story there though, maybe two or three when I am finished. Well, several stories and the roughest draft you will ever lay eyes on! lol!

Onward....a write-in would be nice. A write-in at Starbucks would be superb!!

Find Great Tech Deals!

When Pete and I were out on our date at Applebee’s the other night, we got the chance to discuss some possible Christmas gifts for the kids. Isabelle has asked for a Aqua Dots which of course she is not going to get now. She has also asked for a cash register so she can play grocery store…now that we can do but the toxic Aqua Dots just won’t work! Lol! Nik wants a DS Lite and Jake, well, he hasn’t mentioned a single thing yet. He has been taking a photography class and seems to be liking the whole thing rather well so we thought a digital camera might be good for him. Right now he has been using mine which is not a really big problem except that there are a lot of times where I can’t find it because he’s got it.

There are a ton of different digital cameras to choose from so I really don’t even know where to begin. I did find a site called Techbargains where I can find out about all the latest deals and steals. I can also find coupons and rebates for different techy things, not just digital cameras. I think I will sign up for the tech bargains e-mail newsletter which is a weekly update of the best deals. I certainly plan on checking out the product reviews and comparisons! This should make my Christmas shopping quite a bit easier this year! Neat!

My First Bentos

These are my very first bento boxes and I think they turned out pretty neat. Now those of you who are bento box afficiandos are going to notice that my ratios are waaaaayyyy off and I know that. I decided not to stress too much about the ratio of grain/rice/noodles whatever to the whole box because I didn't have that much to use! I had to go with what I had on hand and I think it worked fine...until my two punk sons turned their noses up at their boxes even though they begged me to make them one. humpf...

All was not a total loss though because my dear sweet daughter was thrilled with hers and we ended up having a nice lunch and a snack later in the day.

I used storage boxes from Walmart and they worked fine, but I would rather have smaller boxes. I think it would be easier to load the box and fill in the gaps.

I'll try it again but right now the whole bento box thing is not as wonderfully appealing to me as before! lol!! As soon as I say that though I go visit Lunch in a Box and my desire resurfaces! Maybe if I had a cute Japanese box....hint, hint Dad...

Contents:

Fried rice
chicken strip
grapes w/pomegrante seeds and a dried apricot
cheese stick
banana
celery filled with cream cheese and carrot flowers
carrot sticks
cherry toms for filler
little potato wedges in my box (top box)

The Mist...Creep Me Out!

Stephen King has always creeped me out…well, I guess I should say his stories creep me out because I’ve never actually met him and he might be rather kind! Lol!! Nonetheless, he has an incredible ability to write stories that scare me to the core of my being. I remember trying to read Pet Cemetery and not being able to get even half way through it…not because it was boring but because I was so freaked out. The un-dead animals…ack! I tried to watch the movie once but was completely unable. Someone had convinced me that the movie was not as scary, but I think the book just left too much of a mark on me that watching the movie was a definite “NO!”!! lol!!

This a.m. I watched a trailer for The Mist by Stephen King and yes, it freaked me out! Lol!! Creepy, creepy, creepy and then there was the rope being pulled back into the store with the…well, you just need to watch. Now even though I was completely freaked out, I still feel drawn to seeing this movie. I do like a good thriller much better than the demonic slasher type movies and I think this one will certainly be a thriller…and yes, I know, some blood will be involved, but I don’t think it is from demon-possessed slicers and hackers, ya know? Really, you need to just go check out this trailer for yourself!

Hopefully, Pete and I can go see this on our date night. I’ve been craving some of that good ol’ bad for ya theater popcorn!

Dude Needs Some New Lips!

So, I've just read about a gal who bit off part of her ex-boyfriend's lip while they were in bed smooching. Gee whiz...how disturbing is that? I mean really, can you even imagine biting into a lip and biting so hard that you actually bite two-thirds of it completely off? She is crazy...I'm surprised she didn't eat it! lol!

Some people just don't do much thinking do they? I mean, this is not something that she is going to be able to rid herself of...she will always be known as the lady who bit of a lip. And poor dude, he's missing his lip. Not real good circumstances for either one of them, ya know? How in the world are they ever going to get any dates? Not good, not good...

Neat Gift Idea

Well, I’m chugging right along on my NaNoWriMo novel and I’ve posted about some of the things my main character has experienced so far. I love participating in NaNoWriMo because I go into it with very little planned out which means sometimes I myself am surprised or caught off guard by what my characters do or what they get themselves into! One of the things that I did plan though was that my main character was going to meet a woman who was experiencing the early signs of Alzheimer's. Of course, I am still in the beginning section of my novel so their friendship has not yet blossomed. I will let you know that they have just met though so I’ll just have to wait and see how they progress to that deep friendship that I have in mind!

Of course, since Alzheimer's is one of the themes in my book, my interest was piqued when I saw this opportunity to tell ya’ll about the Alzheimer's Foundation of America eStore. All proceeds from your purchases at this estore benefit the Alzheimer's Foundation of America. I like that buying a holiday gift from this estore is a double gift: a nice Christmas gift for a loved one and gift to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. There is also a link to merchandise with the “Quilt to Remember” logo that can be purchased. And if you are a quilter like me, there is a link where you can get the info you need in order to donate your own quilt square to the project!

Though it is very important that research for a cure to Alzheimer's continues, it is also important to remember those people who are suffering with it right now this very moment. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America does just that. This groups focus is on the people who are currently suffering with this disease and also the caregivers who are experiencing the decline of their loved ones memory. I think it’s wonderful that the caregivers are not forgotten. I know first hand how fulfilling yet very draining it is to take care of someone who has a chronic illness.

So, remember the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America estore when you are doing your Christmas shopping, ok?

Aqua Dots Has Runied Everything!

Well, it figures...the only thing that Belle has asked for as a Christmas present is Aqua Dots and since they turn into the date rape drug when ingested, I don't think she will be getting them! (I'm pretty certain that she would not actually eat them but you never know in this family!)

She told me that she didn't care what else she got just as long as she got Aqua Dots. Every time the ad comes on tv, she yells for me to come and see the beloved Aqua Dots. I have about broken my leg running through the house trying to see what she is freaking out about...is she hurt, has she gotten herself stuck in the hide-a-bed, has she severed her right arm?? No....the Aqua Dots are on tv!

Really, folks, this ain't gonna be pretty.....

Fungus Among Us!

Dear Jenny,

I do not really want to go on that barefoot cruise over to Jost Van Dyke.

This sounds gross but it is something a lot of people deal with. I have battled Toenail Fungus for years. I hate to wear flip-flops or go bare footed because my big toe’s nail looks horrible. People have thought my toenail was made of wood, but it was just because my Nail Fungus was so awful. I am terribly embarrassed about this situation and I hope you understand why I will not be accompanying you on the cruise.

Love,
Pete

ps: I just read about ZetaClear and I believe that I will give it a try. Hopefully, I’ll be fungus-free and be able to cruise with you in the near future!

New Books For Me!

My Favorite Pen

Yep, that's it folks! It doesn't take a lot to please me when it comes to pens. I will always and forever reach for the Papermate basic stick pen when I need to do some writing. Unfortunately, my pens go missing quite a bit. Some end up being used as spikes in the yard. When Milo, our dog, was around, these pens were "good eats"! Really, I wish everyone would keep their hands out of my pen stash...or I guess maybe it's time to find a new hiding place, right?!

I've been using a colored pencil to write with today...and let me share folks...it's crappy!! lol!!

GoodBye Pan Troglodyte

This news is about a week old but I wanted to share it anyway...for those of you like me who missed it! lol!

Last Tuesday, Washoe, the chimpanzee who learned around 250 words using American Sign Language, died of natural causes. Not only did she learn these ASL words but she taught them to the three other chimpanzees who were with her.

There are some language experts who say that she never really did learn true language skills. These people say that she was just imitating the signs she had been taught. Really, either way is completely cool and makes me smile!

I think God has created some really incredible creatures!

You can learn more about Washoe and the other chimpanzees she taught over here. There are also chimpanzee cams...cool!!

photo source: CNN

King Tut Unmasked

Well, this event comes at a very appropriate time for our family because today we begin our study of King Tut! How's that for timing?

Yesterday in Luxor, Egypt, King Tut's body was removed from his sarcophagus and displayed. I'm not sure I would want to see this in person...part of me says yes but the other part says "leave him in his tomb!"...what do you think? I mean really, the sarcophagus is so nice and bulky...when you open it you find a skinny dried up body....really, go look at the photos attached to this news article.

NaNoWriMo and House Hunting

Well folks, I’m five days into NaNoWriMo and last night was my first big “block” that I’ve had. I ended up writing the biggest pile of you know what…ever. Hopefully today will be quite different. I’m not going to feel too bad about the pile of you know what because that’s what editing is for, right?

One of the things I have my main character doing is looking for real estate. She is wanting to buy a home that is better suited for a family and she also wants to have a cottage on the coast. Her search for this dream home will be one of the underlying themes throughout the book. Of course, this is NaNoWriMo so that may change somewhere along the line…she just may start looking for Purple-Bellied Lizards right in the middle. That’s the beauty of this whole project for me…I never quite know what is going to happen next in my writing…this is very freeing! Lol!!

Break My Heart...

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing

SURRENDER BAY

(Thomas Nelson November 6, 2007)

by

Denise Hunter

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped.

Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

In addition to Surrender Bay, the second Nantucket book releases in April 2008. The title is The Convenient Groom and features Kate Lawrence, a relationship advice columnist, whose groom dumps her on her wedding day. Denise is currently at work on the third Nantucket book (Oct 2008) which is untitled so far.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When Sam's estranged step-father dies, she inherits his ocean-front cottage in Nantucket--not because he kindly bequeathed it to her, but because he neglected to ever create a will. Sam returns to the island she left 11 years ago with her daughter Caden to fix up the house and sell it, but she isn't counting on is the fact that Landon Reed still lives two doors down from her childhood home.

As their long-dormant romance begins to bud again, Sam must face the fact that Landon still doesn't know why she really left the island. Will the secrets she's hidden all these years tear them apart? Or is Landon's love really as unconditional as he claims?

"I've always thought Denise Hunter was an amazing writer but this wonderful story sets her firmly at the forefront of compelling love stories. How Landon breaks down Samantha's determination that she is unworthy of love kept me glued to the pages. An amazing story!"

--Colleen Coble, author of Fire Dancer (Smoke Jumper Series)

My Review:

I absolutely loved this book! The story started out with a completely heart-breaking event that left me needing to know what was going to happen to the main character. Of course, I knew Sam was going to meet back up with Landon and that there was going to be a romance, but this turned out to be not your ordinary romance. That Landon...just let me say, he's a gem! lol!! Here are some of my favorite lines from early on in the story:

"Landon's eyes grazed past the neighbors' houses, and that's when his legs forgot how to work." page 15. He had just seen Sam...isn't that incredibly tender??? Here's another...

"But she was seared into his soul..." page 84. She was seared into his soul...awwww...again, incredibly tender! I can't even begin to tell you how much I've cheered for this guy to win over Sam's heart!

This was just a lovely romantic story chocked full of unconditional love and it has led me to think about how I love others...am I serving up unconditional love...probably not as much as I should be! If I had stars to use as graphics, I would give this book 4 and 1/2 stars! lol!

Thanks Denise, for such a wonderful book!! I look forward to reading the next Nantucket books!

The Plantain Brothers and a Fairy

Thank goodness Halloween is over and most of the candy has already been eaten. The sooner it's gone the better. I really, really, really hate Halloween...really hate it! It just seems to bring out the worst in my children and in me. I can't even begin to tell you the trauma and such that occurred over the plantain costumes....and then there was the whole collapse at the trunk or treat at the hospital. Sheesh....really, we may skip it all next year....

The plantains did turn out good though, didn't they?? lol!!

Warranties Denied??

Did you know that there have been cases where people’s warranties have been denied because they purchased the warrantied item online?? I had no idea at all that this was going on. Apparently this has happened with customers who have purchased flooring through iFLOOR and iFloor, along with the customers are not happy at all. I don’t blame them…it doesn’t sound a bit fair to deny a warranty like that. To combat all this, iFloor is adding up to $1,000,000 of warranty protection for all customers.

It all sounds kind of messy, but I’m glad someone is addressing the issue of buying things online and still being under warranty. Sheesh….