Root Beer, YUM!

The Boy received a really cool Root beer making kit from our neighbor's D and A for Christmas. Saturday after bowling and before penguin making, we decided to make the yummy Root Beer.

Items needed to make your Root Beer.

My brown sugar was hard as a rock. I hope I got enough out to where it will taste right. If not, it's okay because the kit allows you to make 8 bottles. We made four!

It smelled so good! As Rachel Ray always exclaims we need smell-o-vision, I'm declaring we need smellblogs.

Now we wait 3 days to 2 weeks for the flat Root Beer to naturally carbonate, before we can refrigerate and drink.





I know, the 4th bottle was not completely filled, we had some spillage. Opps.

She's Pregnant

Will it be a Boy or a girl? Hmmm.................

He's just going crazy wondering.

Congrats to the happy couple.

Penguins created by Maddie and her Mom Judy. Nothing like a Saturday spent crafting.

The Lovely Bones

NO SPOILERS HERE, HECK THERE'S NOTHING TO SPOIL

“These were the lovely bones that had grown around my absence: the connections - sometimes tenuous, sometimes made at great cost, but often magnificent - that happened after I was gone. And I began to see things in a way that let me hold the world without me in it. The events that my death wrought were merely the bones of a body that would become whole at some unpredictable time in the future. The price of what I came to see as this miraculous body had been my life.” (p. 320)

That is the ending quote of the movie. A poor choice since the movie doesn't delve into the lives of anyone in Susie's life, except her father, unlike the book.

I rate it - 5 cups of coffee ouT of 5. Because that's how many cups I'd need to drink just to sit through the movie again. I was all excited to be able to review this movie for you all, until I lost all desire after seeing it with The BF, Friday night.

I think this quote best describes my take on the movie, "The saddest thing about it is that the movie is not really balls-out-bad, just VERY BADLY HANDLED"

As you all know my review of the book was just eh. I was a little skeptical to see the movie as it was only give 2.5 stars out of 5, however the BF was intrigued as the director Peter Jackman, is the same person who filmed the movie Lord of the Ring; and like me, who doesn't love a good Marky Mark movie?

Make sure to eat some shrooms before seeing this movie. It will actually help you to sit through it. Or drink 5 cups of coffee and a Red Bull. I almost walked out after the first 15 minutes, and only stayed because I didn't want to just throw away the $40 we had just spent on tickets, popcorn and a soda.

Heaven - Nothing like the book at all. I mean seriously, couldn't you have made it semi-similar to the book? No houses, no school, no Mother figure and certainly no one singing you to sleep. She sits in a gazebo the entire time staring down on earth or seeing these psychedelic images. I was so confused. Who ever thought up this heaven was definitely on something. Was I missing something when I read the book?

I really want to go on and on about how much of the book was left out of the movie, it wasn't even funny. The main point of the book was properly portrayed, however it was seriously lacking. I don't want to spoil it for you all so I'll leave out the details.

I do have some positive things to say about the movie. The girl who played Susie, Saoirse Ronan, was AMAZING. Un-like some lead rolls (Uhh HUMM Bella Swan, aka Kristen Stewart). This was the best book to movie character translation I've seen yet. I couldn't help but focus on her teeth and how small they were. Like a 5 year old child's teeth, small. Yeah I was that bored. I mean at least for me and my vision of Susie she was perfect and really in my eyes made the movie. You felt for her and wanted to scream in your seat, no don't go in there, run! If you have not read the book, I think you would be totally lost seeing the movie. You have to read the book before you see it to truly understand what's going on. I think it would be even worse, if that's possible, if I hadn't read the book. I have to admit, I really liked the part where Susie encounters all the other people in her Heaven. It was my favorite part and is probably what add the .5 to the rating of 2.5.

Despite the poor review here, I think I'd actually be willing to give the movie another shot. I mean it was past my bedtime when the movie started. That and every time I see the previews, it makes me want to see the movie or read the book.

All I can think is what happened? How could the previews be so good and the movie not?

Why can't all book to movies be done as well as The Time Travelers Wife was done? I thought that movie would be a hot mess, and I loved it. I don't get it.

AnyWHOOO, I actually didn't know if I was going to laugh or cry when it ended, out of joy that it was over.

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Why I love to shop!

I've seen the movie (quotes below), now I want to read the book.

-When I was 7 most of my friends stopped believing in magic. That's when I first started. They were beautiful, they were happy. They didn't even need any money, they had magic cards.

-You know that thing when you see someone cute and he smiles and your heart kind of goes like warm butter sliding down hot toast? Well that's what it's like when I see a store. Only it's better.

-When I shop, the world gets better, and the world is better, but then it's not, and I need to do it again.

-A man will never love you or treat you as well as a store. If a man doesn't fit, you can't exchange him seven days later for a gorgeous cashmere sweater. And a store always smells good. A store can awaken a lust for things you never even knew you needed. And when your fingers first grasp those shiny, new bags... oh yes... oh yes.

In the past 24hrs I've spent $75.00 at a Pampered Chef online pary and $97.00 at ABC Distributers. I finally bought my scissors, they were on sale for $9.99. All stuff I could do without, but couldn't resist.

The Bucket List

*In case you were unable to visit WE BELIEVE BLOGS and read my guest post, here it is for your reading pleasure!*



As with the start of every New Year we usually find ourselves making resolutions even though we know we are just going to break them. I’m tired of making the same old resolutions, only to fail. I’ve decided that this year is going to be different.

I’m creating my very own BUCKET LIST!

A bit morbid you say? If you think about it, no, not really. It’s just a list of things I want to do before I die. I’m not limiting myself to any specific time frame, except for the fact that I’d like to get it done before I die.

So here’s a list of the top 10 things I’d like to do before I kick the bucket (In no particular order):

1) Take a ride in a Hot Air Balloon – In Napa, CA you can have the best of the wine country by combining two of Napa’s favorites, Napa Valley Balloons, Inc. and the Platypus Tours group wine tour. Package Rate: $299 / per person.

2) Drive a Nascar on a professional race track – You will be provided with classroom instruction on how to drive a real racecar and then you can take the wheel. Race against your instructor or "ride along" with a veteran Busch North driver. We can
create a racing package to meet any request. Packages start at $199.00 for 10 laps.

3) Swim with Dolphins - The Dolphin Swim Adventure is your chance to live out a classic vacation fantasy and swim with dolphins. You will enjoy a fun belly–ride, handshake, and an unforgettable dolphin kiss! Prices start at $200.00

4) Visit Santorini, Greece - The Cyclades, Aegean, has one of the most spectacular landscapes in Greece and in the world. The traditional villages of the island, built on tall cliffs, offer a breathtaking view over the submerged volcano. They represent the beautiful Greek cliché you have always dreamed about! Among them you mustn't miss Oia, the place gifted with the most famous and stunning sunsets. You will find on this portal site all the information you need about the island as well as Santorini hotels. I have no idea what this would even cost.

5) Ride a Mule down the Grand Canyon - Riders travel down the canyon walls on the backs of nimble-footed mules that pick their way as delicately as any mountain climber. Led by well trained and experienced guides, mule rides Grand Canyon tours stop every 30 to 45 minutes to rest the mules and drink water; dehydration is a very real risk in the immense heat of the canyon. Prices start at $100.

6) Ride in a Helicopter, preferably around Hawaii - 60 sq. feet of panoramic glass for maximum visibility, 4-camera digital DVD system—cockpit camera puts you in the in-flight video, Two-way communication between you and your pilot, plus Bose® aviation-grade noise-canceling headsets, First-class seats, 23% more cabin area—you’ll love the extra personal space and shoulder room, The most advanced 21st century helicopter technology—ultra quiet, smooth, and fuel efficient. Prices start at $138.00.

7) Paranormal Investigation – I’m not sure how to even go about doing this. I’d like to perform an investigation in an old run down Insane Asylum or Prison. You’ve seen people do this on TV. I really want to do this.

8) Indoor Skydiving - Earn Your Wings with two flights in the vertical wind tunnel, the equivalent flight time of three tandem skydives. You also get your training session, use of all the flight gear, and hands on personal assistance from an instructor and a personalized flight certificate. Packages start at $50.

9) Fire a Gun - Classroom session covering safety and the basic fundamentals of shooting. Our staff will then accompany you to the range and work with first-time shooters while ensuring safety and being available for questions and requests. Packages start at $38.

10) Scuba Diving - On the conservation side, the Caribbean is devoted to the preservation of the underwater environment. It has a host of protected marine parks with thriving aquatic life. Indeed, the area offers the most varied examples of tropical marine life imaginable, including anglefish, barracuda, crabs, dancing eels, goat fish, grouper, lobster, octopus, parrot fish, seahorses, sea turtles, sharks, snappers, spiny puffers, and stingrays. Prices start at $100.

So there you have it, the top 10 things I’d like to do before I die. What’s on your list?

We Believe Blogs

I'm guest posting today on We Believe Blogs.

Everywhere you look in Blogland these days there are new blog groups popping up. Blog groups for moms, blog groups for specific religions, blog groups for bald guys. Okay I haven’t actually seen the last one, but I’m pretty sure it exists. The super brilliant masterminds behind We Believe Blogs wanted a place where all bloggers belonged.

So while I may believe this and you may believe that… it doesn’t matter…because we all believe something. We Believe Blogs is all about people uniting regardless of the differences they may have.

What are you waiting for? Click on the link, read my post and then JOIN!

*Comments are turned off*

Love Stinks, Ya, Ya.

I'm super excited!

Why you ask?

Because I purchased a NEW SWIFTER WET JET! (The one I currently have, I've mopped it to the ground)

If you own a Swifter, than you can understand why I'm so excited. This thing ROCKS! It's the best invention since sliced bread. I totally can't wait to use it. Yeah it's that good. It actually MAKES you want to mop all of your floors. I never dread mopping the floor, it's as easy and quick as sweeping your floor.

If you have any type of floor other than carpet in your house, then this is a must own. This is not an advertisment for Swifter. When I find a great product, I just like to share it. Trust me you won't regret spending the $20 to purchase it. The commercial definetly says it all. What you haven't seen the commercial for it? Well then YOUTUBE it! Before you purchase it, google it as I'm sure there are tons of coupons for it online.

The Ugly - The only downfall in my opnion. My opinion is the only one that actually matters, is the replacement pads. I think they are a bit pricey, I'm CHEAP though. They are also very wastefull, GO GREEN. It would be nice if they had re-usable pads you can just wash in the washing maching after you have used them. Maybe one day! I might actually email them to find out if it's in their plan for the future.

So what are you waiting for, go buy one. If you have one, go mop something!