Got That Holiday Feelin'?

The last few years have been difficult holiday wise. 

We used to get together with my aunts, uncles, cousins, cousin's kids, siblings, grandparents, and so on. It's kind of come to an end sort of. Some of my family is careful, while some is not. When you have one relative that has 2 kids that have compromised immune systems, non careful families do not sit well with them. I now have a job that works with individuals that have compromised immune systems, so we talk daily in my team about restrictions. Yes, my sister chose to have five kids when she knew she had the chance of having Trisomy 18 individuals; I care about them so I'm more of an advocate for them than not. 

Plans:

We used to have Christmas Eve at my parent's house. Packed in like sardines to eat a nice meal of soups, cheeses, crackers, dips, and shrimp, open gifts, and eat cookies. Now we're having a quiet evening to ourselves, where we're making New Orlean's meal and eating junk. The boys have never had jambalaya and that kind of food.

We used to have Christmas Day with the cousins, aunts... But now we're having a get together at my sisters, where we play games with masks on and eat snacks (with distancing). 

We haven't decided when we're opening our own presents. I suggested 1/2 on Christmas Eve and the other 1/2 Christmas Day. 

Mica didn't tell me what he wanted, and Isaak pretty much picked out all his gifts. Teenagers sure do change things. 

Gone are these days, where Mica rattles stuff off that he wants:

I got Mica a foot spa. He always gets ingrown toenails, and has to do food soaks. Why not enjoy those soaks a bit more? LOL I got him a book about deep thinking about life and another one on world religions. he also got clothes. 

Isaak picked out some things he wanted at World Market. A mini tool kit. I snagged that when he wasn't looking, so something would be a surprise. He's big into pineapples, last year it was lemons and limes. I got a pop fidget pineapple and pineapple shirt. He got mostly things for his room: Pillow, a lamp...

Jobs:

Mica got a job at Freddy's. It's walking distance. I am sort of bummed because when we went their food area was closed because of covid. They were one of the last places to open up. I was hoping it was still closed. Oh well. He gets paid a lot for just starting out. $11.50! Travis said, "WOW I need a raise!" 

Mosaic is still going well for me. Only two struggles: 

1. They throw vacay, sick and time-off all in one pot. So I only have 6 hours of PTO. I feel like I have to work on these holidays. It amounts to 3 weeks off, but is annoying right now. Especially when I started. If I started in August I'd have some PTO built up. Nope! I started right before Thanksgiving. It will get better. They are so willing to work with me on picking up Isaak from school...stuff like that. 

2. The other struggle is I got a project no one wanted. I thought I had a great idea, but nope it's sitting on neutral and not in drive. It's for a medical supplier. Their stuff is really dated. 

What they had Yuck!:

They want a fresh look. I did a lady in a wheel chair by the trees. Headline, "Go Places Do Things". My supervisor doesn't think it fits our market enough. They sell stuff to people that work for Mosaic Homes. DSP help their clients buy the stuff like wheel chairs, lifts, hospital beds, adult diapers and so on. I thought the catcher image could go on the front, and the noise (type) could go on the back. I'm not married to the type. I thought each background could fit with the location they serve. This is Colorado. They deliver right to the home, so that's something. I thought about maybe having an older person at the door with their product. But I want it to look pleasing, and have a story to it. Help! LOL

I don't disagree with my supervisor, but I also don't know what to do. I spent all day cutting out medical supplies in Photoshop knowing I'd use some. But now what...I'm stuck!  

It's a Wonderful Life @RoseTheaterCo Review

It was really great to visit The Rose Theater again! It's been awhile, since we've gone there. Too long! Their shows are geared towards kids, and my boys are 13 and 16. BUT their latest show is wonderful for my boy's ages. 

We all enjoyed the show It's a Wonderful Life. It's their first show that they had at The Rose Theater in 1995. 

Overall Thoughts:

Travis said he felt like he could relate to the dad in the play. He seriously can be a Scrooge during this time of year. All holiday things fall in my lap. Santa Claus in our house is not a guy. It's a girl all the way. LOL

Isaak just liked being there. He misses going places, and doing things. It kept his attention all the way through. 

Mica liked that it wasn't a musical. They typically do have mostly musicals at The Rose Theater. A play is great to go to as well. he now gets all the hidden humor that only adults catch. 

I liked that it was less draggy than the movie. The movie just kind of goes on and on. The play didn't seem to do that. It was entertaining throughout. I did feel a bit sad because I thought about how kids missed so much with live performances that places like The Rose Theater offers. 

Safety First:

I have to be honest, we really don't go very many places, since covid became a thing. I'm vaccinate and boosted, I still wear a mask, and I still feel like other people do not care; they either get it or don't. I have to really want to go somewhere to venture out to do things. At this show masks were required. Overall people were respectful of that. The actors didn't wear masks while they were performing. They had less people in the venue to help stop the spread as well. It was also available for online streaming. 

About:

Meet George Bailey, whose guardian angel has to descend on Christmas Eve to save him from despair and to remind him that his has been, after all, a wonderful life. George always wanted to get out of the town he lived in, but one thing lead to another and he was stuck. It's about George realizing that his town and life were not as bad as he thought. Featuring live music from the era and a virtuosic cast playing multiple roles, this production is the perfect homage to the power of community. 

The Set

The set was really pretty with things from the town and decked out with Christmas stuff. I liked seeing old things like the phone, and radio. 

Show Dates:

The show is at The Rose Theater in Omaha, Nebraska from December 5-20, 2021. There are online shows.

It's 75 minutes.   

It is for all ages. 

Cast and Crew:

Actor 1 (Clarence) – Wayne Hudson II 

Actor 2 (Joseph) – Stella Clark-Kaczmarek 

Actor 3 (George Bailey) – Marcel Daly 

Actor 4 (Peter/Mary) – Delaney Jackson 

Actor 5 (Billy/Harry) – Zhomontee Watson 

Actor 6 (Potter/Burt/Others) – Matthew Olsen 

Actor 7 (Pete/Sam/Others) – Natalie Hanson 

Actor 8 (Violet/Erin/others) – Carina Dumarce 

Actor 9 (Janie/others) – Maddie Smith 

Actor 10 (Zuzu/others) – Anina Frey 

Actor 11 (Understudy 3 & 6) – Kevin Ehrhart 

Actor 12 (Understudy 4, 5, 7, 8) – Caulene Hudson-Pace 

Actor 13 (Understudy 1, 2, 9, 10) – Grace Garrigan 

Artistic/Production Credits Director – Sarah Brown 

Assistant Director – LaDareon ‘LD’ Copeland 

Music Director – Jerry Brabec 

Choreographer – Sue Gillespie Booton 

Stage Manager – Lisa Krabbenhoft 

Scenic Designer – Lindsey Purvis Lighting Designer – Matt Benes 

Sound Designer/Engineer – Christy Hernandez 

Costume Designer – Sherri Geerdes 

Hair & Makeup Designer – Zach Kloppenborg 

Director of Production – Erin M. Solemsaas 

Technical Director – Hunter Andrews Props Mistress – Devon Denn-Young 

Scenic Charge Artist – Savannah Savick Master Carpenter – Jackson Curtright Stitchers – Sherri Geerdes, Zach Kloppenborg, Audio Helkuik

Contact The Rose Box Office: 

• 402.345.4849 for more information

• Tickets for play are $20 Main Floor 

• Members of The Rose receive discounted tickets to the production

Disclaimer: I received tickets from The Rose Theater to see It's a Wonderful Life. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

German Christmas Decorations

A traditional German Christmas tree requires traditional handmade German Christmas Decoration.  

I happen to love other cultures! 

On my side it's primarily German, Danish, and Swedish. My Step Grandma on my Dad's side was from the Philippines. I think the culture I connect with the most are Swedish and German. My Great Grandma came to America on a boat from Sweden. When my Grandmother passes away, I inherited a red Swedish horse. 

On my husband's side it's Mexican and German. He has a relative that came from Germany to Herman, Missouri. Half of Travis' relatives records are in Spanish. He has a furniture designer, a book binder, and a shoe designer on that side.

Both of our last names came from German decent: Spiehs and Apel. 
I shop for other culture merchandise, and artist items. It is just special to buy things that are different. Then my house has diversity and inclusion. They are things I want to keep. 

Schmidt Christmas Market has many choices to choose from! I really love their Music Boxes, Nutcrackers, and Ornaments. 
 

• Baby's First Christmas
• Baubles
• Bells
• Blown Glass
• Christmas Clothing
• Christmas Pyramids
• Coca-Cola
• Containers
• Elves
• Gift Baskets
• Handmade German Smokers (Incense)
• Handmade German Wood Decorations
• Hanging Ornaments
• Hubrig Art Folk Art
• Jewelry
• Kurt Adler Collection
• Music Boxes
• Nativity Scenes
• Natural Wood 3D
• Nutcrackers
• Patriotic Ornaments
• Pets
• Poinsettias
• Reindeer
• Santa Claus
• Snow Globes
• Snowmen
• Tabletop
• Texas A&M University
• Wreaths

If you were shopping in their selection, what would you shop for first?

I buy for Christmas all year around. It's not just a November and December things for me. If you want to buy from Schmidt Christmas Market shop here:

https://schmidtchristmasmarket.com/collections/german-christmas-decorations

They have free shipping, when you spend over $20. I know that many places have free shipping much of the time, but these Christmas items come from Germany.

Where is your family from?

What are some special holiday items you have in your house?

Disclaimer: This post may have been exchanged for money. All opinions are my own. 

AIM Institute's Holiday Card

I didn't do a family holiday card this year. 

There's multiple reasons why:

•My past work gave me the Adobe programs, for as long as the subscription ran. The subscription to Adobe ran out. 

•I was busy ending a job, and beginning a new one. 

•We got a new gecko, so my energy was put into making him a new habitat. 

•To be honest I just didn't have it in me. 

•I'm exhausted from the year and I keep waking up at 3 AM all wheezy. Sleep in general hasn't been good. 

Lots of excuses to add up, but I just needed a break from cards. 

Lots of good came this year:

•Travis sold a sculpture at The Bemis, and because of that he got to show a second piece.

•Travis had a productive residency + a few grants in his favor that have helped put his work in a different, but more him direction.

•It took me getting laid off, a store closing, and working another job to find the one that seems to be perfect for me. I do like AIM, and the people. Its mission of instilling technology into the community is a good one. 

•I survived teaching online, all the sudden.

•We got "Warhol", our newest gecko. 

•Mica got a big award from his last year at King Science - The Rotary Honor Roll. 

•Isaak was one of two that got an art award last spring. 

•Both boys have struggled with remote learning, the new crazy pandemic world, but they aren't failing.

AIM's first few assignments for me:

Write copy for their STEM portion of their website. All was going great, until this last part...I have to look up jobs to add to it. Well I've been on a job search, for the longest time. I'm drained of that. I'll get through it. 

Then they wanted me to make a holiday card. Something I told myself I was skipping this year. Ha! On top of that the designer that they have only uses Illustrator, so graphic shape oriented art. I struggled with, Do I add my own flare? Do I do what they do? Do I do what I want to do? I did a mix.

Here it is:

Then I animated it...because why not? 

I sort of feel guilty not making a family card this year. Seriously it wouldn't of been that hard, with the idea I had in mind. It doesn't help that I'm getting some in the mail that say, "I can't wait to get your card." It has to be let go! 

6 Gifts Adults and Kids Can Enjoy Together

Have you ever had those moments when you enjoyed a child’s gift just as much as they did? Well, you’re not alone! There are some gifts in this world that are outrageously fun for both adults and kids alike. Whether it’s toys, gadgets, furniture, or puzzles, these kinds of gifts can provide hours of entertainment. If you’re looking for gifts that will tickle not just a child’s fancy, but yours as well, read on for a few ideas.

3D Pen

The world has started to go 3D, and so far, it has been most popular with puzzles and printers. A fun little gadget that has come onto the market, though, is a 3D pen. With this fun little device, doodles are no longer confined to a piece of paper. Instead, they become 3D shapes that you can even put on display. What kid or adult wouldn’t have fun with that?

Snowball Blaster

Everyone loves a good snowball fight. Why not ramp it up with a snowball blaster that propels your icy weapons 80 feet away? These devices provide plenty of entertainment in the winter and you and your kids can take turns using it.

Giant Beanbag

Ah, the beloved beanbag. These trendy items are everywhere these days and they can even be found in corporate offices. Beanbags come in all shapes and sizes, and they can be used as a piece of furniture or as a decorative item in the room. To make it enjoyable for both adults and kids, you could get cartoon-decorated ones for the younger generation, and then opt for plain, colored ones for the older folk.

Paint by Numbers Kit

Paint by numbers is another activity that both kids and adults can enjoy. Ranging in simplicity and design, paint by numbers provides hours of fun and these can be adjusted depending on your age and skill level. If you’re interested in buying a kit, justpaintbynumber.com has a wide variety options to choose from.

Air Shark

If you like remote controlled devices, the air shark might just be your thing. You’ll need a large room to enjoy this gigantic inflatable beast, but it gives you the chance to both wow and startle your guests (especially if you set it loose without any warning!). Kids will also love its lifelike movements as it swims across the room.

LED Fireworks

With the pandemic keeping everyone inside this winter, particularly for big public events, you may want to invest in some LED fireworks. These can be set up in your backyard or next to a blank wall and programmed for a variety of sequences and color schemes. Get your kids in on the action so that you can work together to put on the indoor show of a lifetime.

There are endless options when it comes to gifts that both kids and adults will love. With a bit of creativity and thinking outside the box, both you and the little ones can be entertained for hours and days on end. Have fun exploring these options above!

6 Tips for Shopping on Amazon

Amazon has fast become the number one online stop for any product you could imagine, which means, if you’re new to using Amazon or have never shopped on Amazon before, it can be very overwhelming to even know where to start. Having enough choice is always helpful, but what to do when there is too much choice or too many products to comfortably narrow down?

Here are six tips to help you shop more easily on Amazon and always get your money’s worth.

1. Be Sure to Check Reviews

Reviews are extremely helpful for when you’re considering a product, or perhaps deciding between two very similar ones. It’s always worth a browse of the best (and worst) reviews to better understand a product you’re considering.

It’s important to take some reviews with a pinch of salt, however, and be sure to look out for any reviews that might look less than authentic. Reviews from verified customers, coupled with customer photographs, can be the best ones to look out for.

2. Consider Amazon Prime Membership if You’ll Be Ordering Regularly

The delivery options for products on Amazon vary for each one, and so does the price. You can still find free standard delivery on certain products, but there will be a lot of delivery charges, too.

If you’re going to be making a lot of purchases with Amazon, especially small and regular ones, then Prime membership may be a good option for you. It allows unlimited next day delivery for free, and the price of the monthly membership may be significantly less than what you would spend on delivery costs.

3. Use Discount Codes to Save Money

There are always great deals to be found on Amazon, so make sure to use any Amazon promo code to save money, as well as browse during sales and Prime events (if you're a member).

4. Choose Items Sold Directly from Amazon.com

Amazon will display a lot of third-party sellers, but to find the most dependable product, try to look at those which are listed as sold directly from Amazon. This is because Amazon’s product and selling process can be more reliable than that of third-party sellers, through items sold from them rather than from Amazon itself.

5. Take Advantage of the Many Filter Options

With so many products to choose from on Amazon, whatever you can do to narrow down your search will be a great help. Amazon has a very detailed list of filter options on the page, including item information, delivery information, location, price range, and more.

6. Look at the Product Questions and Answers

Some products will display a detailed list of questions and answers from buyers, which may display key information that isn’t included in the official product description.

You also have the option of asking a question yourself regarding a product, which other buyers may be able to answer for you before you commit to buying a product.

Using these tips, you should be able to browse more safely and confidently using Amazon.

How to Save Big on Electronics

If you love to own the latest tech devices but you are not so keen on the hefty price tags that come with them, then you need to keep reading.

According to IDC, consumer spending on tech is set to hit $2.06 trillion in 2023, with purchases such as drones and smart home devices becoming increasingly popular, as well as traditional products such as mobile phones and computers

However, there are ways that you can enjoy the latest must-have electronics without breaking the bank.

From applying promotional codes, to earning cash back on old tech, keep reading to find out how you can save big on electronics.

Use coupons

Whether you are already a coupon addict or you have never used a promotional code before, coupons are a great way to cut the cost of electronic devices. For example, simply by using a Lenovo Promo Code, you can enjoy savings of up to 70% on a wide range of gadgets including laptops and desktop computers.

Be sure to also check if a particular retailer allows you to stack coupons, as this can help you make maximum savings.

Check online prices

Although you may enjoy checking out the latest tech at your nearest electrical goods store, you should always compare prices online to find the best deal on any given day.

Furthermore, many retailers offer flexible payment plans, meaning you have the freedom to purchase your preferred tech even if you don’t have the money upfront to pay for it.

Buy at the right time

Seasonal sales and special events such as Black Friday offer a great way to save big on electronics. Typically, January is the best month for finding TV and TV accessories deals as they go on sale ahead of the annual Super Bowl.

Plus, as well as Black Friday and Cyber Monday which takes place in November, you will find that many retailers continue to slash their prices all the way up until Christmas.

Trade-in old devices

If you like to upgrade your gadgets as soon as a new model comes out, rather than simply letting your tech gather dust in a drawer, why not make some money out of it?

Many mobile phones providers offer trade-in programs, giving you account credit that can be used against future purchases. Alternatively, you could sell your old devices yourself via social media or on a selling platform such as eBay.

Opt for refurbished electronics

Refurbished items are often in great condition, with some being as good as a brand new device, yet they cost far less to buy. That being said, the quality of refurbished tech can vary greatly from one store to a next, so it is always a good idea to do your homework before making a purchase.

Similarly, if you do not want the latest model of a particular electronic, you can find some great deals on older versions or discontinued range.

Don’t buy extended warranty

If you usually purchase extended warranty when you buy a new electronic product, you should be aware that the vast majority of electronics last way beyond the time of their warranty. Furthermore, major repairs on new tech items are needed very infrequently.

Most brands offer sufficient free warranties, meaning you don’t need to fork out the extra cash to extend them.

@Ripleys #BelieveItorNot #MindBlown #giveaway

It's always a fun surprise to open the door, and see a Ripley's Believe It or Not! book waiting, for us to open it. 

My boys were arguing about who was going to get the book, for Christmas. Ha! I said, "Neither one of you is getting it. I'm going to hold off, and give it to your cousin Edison. He doesn't have one yet. In the meantime look at it, and take it all in."

I'm glad to know at 12 and 15 years old they still love Ripley's Believe It or Not! Who am I kidding?! Even I like to look at their books, and go to their museums. They are wild, fun, historic, and captivating.

About Mind Blown!

• It has 256 pages
• It has 1,200 stories that are new and around the world
• It's packed full with colorful pictures, and great typography

This gives you a quick view of what's inside this fun read:

If my coffee table was clear, this would be the book I'd put on it. Sorry/not sorry, but it's filled with garden produce right now. 

I like to learn about crazy art, funky animals, and odd places to visit.

Who wouldn't want a folded fire breathing dragon, or a turtle that has a heart showing through his/her shell? 

I'd rather go to a Radish Festival, Carnival of Yetis, Urban Waterfall building, or a Cartoon Cafe more than most concerts or any rally.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! has all kinds of crazy events to share.

I think it would be spooky cool to go to Ouija Zilla. As a kid every adult told me to stay away from an Ouija Board. Playing with one seemed much more appealing because it was the forbidden game. 

I'm ok with bugs, but I don't know that I could have them crawling all over my face. A food beard would be ok though. 

True story...when I went to Kansas City Art Institute I had a whole class on making clothing out of paper. Some of the sculptures in this book remind me of that. 

I love sculptures where it all comes together at a certain view point!

I never knew how I felt about animals being messed with, but these pets look pretty happy.

It's giveaway time! One US reader will win Ripley's Believe It or Not! Mind Blown! If you want to buy a copy you can get it here, for $17.49.

Entry-Form

Disclaimer: All opinions in this post are my own. Ripley's Believe It or Not! sent me a free book to help with this review.

Bluetooth Shower #speaker by AncordWorks Review

Make it an AncordWorks Christmas. They have different selections of bluetooth speakers. I think these make excellent gifts, for tweens or teens. Most of them have some kind of device like a Smart Phone, a Kindle, an iPad, and so on.

This time I got a round speaker to review:

Mica and Isaak both love their AncordWorks speakers. They use them in the bathroom, when they are taking a shower, in their rooms, in the kitchen when they are helping me, and outside when they are helping their Dad.

These Speakers Can be Used Around Water!

I wouldn't suggest using any electronic item in water, but this speaker can be used around it.

Want to go to the pool, the beach, perhaps a river? You can have this speaker on the side.

Want to listen to tunes in the shower? It comes with a suction cup to attach it to a shower door, wall, or you could just set it up on a shelf if you have one.

Carry it With You:

I like that it has a handle on the top. It's also great that it's fairly small, but puts out a lot of sound. It's 2.91 inches tall and wide. I think Mica could take this with him on his Chicago trip, and it would fit great in his suitcase. 

Durable Buttons:

When I got my first AncordWorks speaker to review I was impressed that the buttons are silicon. Even the port that it has, has a silicone cover. This speaker is the same as their others. 

Colors:

I got the green color to review. It's an olive green. They say on the box that it comes in black and an orangeish brown. I don't see the color options on their Amazon link. Amazon often tells you where to get other products. I don't see the different colors there either. I do have a complaint, I'd like to see the color options when one goes to purchase this speaker.

Where to Get it:

You can pick up this speaker, all it's accessories and manual on Amazon for $18.07. It's on Prime, so free shipping if you're a member. It comes with a 12 month warranty. I don't know that we'll need it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DFZZB4R

What is one gift that you bought this year to give to a teen or tween?

Disclaimer: I got this product to review. All opinions are my own. The company did not tell me what to write.