Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Finally Something I Think Most of Us Can Agree On
I'm really sick of the fact that our political system revolves around money.
Sure anyone can run to be the president of the United States, but only those who have backers will win.
I don't usually post anything political, or controversial, but this is pretty important to watch. It's not on one side, or the other. To be honest I'm not on one side or the other. I wish I was deeply moved by one party.
Sure anyone can run to be the president of the United States, but only those who have backers will win.
I don't usually post anything political, or controversial, but this is pretty important to watch. It's not on one side, or the other. To be honest I'm not on one side or the other. I wish I was deeply moved by one party.
Monday, December 18, 2017
Hobo Santa
Isaak's been asking if I hide The Elf on the Shelf, and if I'm Santa. I haven't come clean about any of it. Saint Nicholas is in the encyclopedia, and we have an autobiography about how he came to be.
He is in 4th grade. I stopped believing about then. That's when Mica stopped believing. I took Mica aside and told him because I didn't want Mica to keep asking when Isaak was hearing his questions. When I came clean to Mica I said, "That's why I dropped all the Easter eggs when you walked in on me." He said, "Mom you mean you're the Easter Bunny too!? Don't tell me you're the Tooth Fairy as well!!!" Mica didn't believe in a person - Santa, but he did believe in a bunny and fairy.
I asked Mica, "Does Isaak still believe in Santa?" Mica said, "I don't know. What happens if he doesn't?" I said, "Well I guess there's no reason for Santa to bring gifts then." His eyes got wide. I said, "Just kidding Mica. Santa will still bring you things."
Isaak asked, "Mom is Santa some kind of stalker? He knows so much about me!" I said, "I don't know Isaak." His interpretation of fat, jolly man has certainly made a more dark turn.
The Elf on the Shelf Brita brought this traditional Santa I got to review from CSI Wall Panels.
I thought it was so classic and neat looking.
Mica: The Elf Brita is having a shoulder ride on some man statue.
Isaak: I think the Elf Brita brought us a homeless man.
Mica: Isaak he's called a hobo.
Me: Boys he's a classic Santa.
In Unison They Both Said: He's a Santa? He doesn't look like Santa. He looks homeless.
There you have it...we have a hobo in our living room.
Did you believe in Santa? If you did, how did you find out there wasn't really a Santa? Or maybe there is one. ;)
I already put up this disclaimer: I got the the item mentioned in this review from CSI Wall Panels. CSI Wall Panels didn't influence me on what to write in this review. I only review things that I feel like my readers - you will enjoy, or are a good fit for my family.
He is in 4th grade. I stopped believing about then. That's when Mica stopped believing. I took Mica aside and told him because I didn't want Mica to keep asking when Isaak was hearing his questions. When I came clean to Mica I said, "That's why I dropped all the Easter eggs when you walked in on me." He said, "Mom you mean you're the Easter Bunny too!? Don't tell me you're the Tooth Fairy as well!!!" Mica didn't believe in a person - Santa, but he did believe in a bunny and fairy.
I asked Mica, "Does Isaak still believe in Santa?" Mica said, "I don't know. What happens if he doesn't?" I said, "Well I guess there's no reason for Santa to bring gifts then." His eyes got wide. I said, "Just kidding Mica. Santa will still bring you things."
Isaak asked, "Mom is Santa some kind of stalker? He knows so much about me!" I said, "I don't know Isaak." His interpretation of fat, jolly man has certainly made a more dark turn.
The Elf on the Shelf Brita brought this traditional Santa I got to review from CSI Wall Panels.
I thought it was so classic and neat looking.
Mica: The Elf Brita is having a shoulder ride on some man statue.
Isaak: I think the Elf Brita brought us a homeless man.
Mica: Isaak he's called a hobo.
Me: Boys he's a classic Santa.
In Unison They Both Said: He's a Santa? He doesn't look like Santa. He looks homeless.
There you have it...we have a hobo in our living room.
Did you believe in Santa? If you did, how did you find out there wasn't really a Santa? Or maybe there is one. ;)
I already put up this disclaimer: I got the the item mentioned in this review from CSI Wall Panels. CSI Wall Panels didn't influence me on what to write in this review. I only review things that I feel like my readers - you will enjoy, or are a good fit for my family.
Isaak Loves to Make Noise
I know I've been bad about blogging lately. I've been on the computer so much, that I just needed a bit of a break from blogging.
It's also hard because I can't take photos ANYTIME. It's dark when I wake up to when I need to leave to go to work. Then it's dark when I get home. I get really frustrated about the lack of sunlight this time of year. I just love posting a photo or photos with posts. It's just so hard to get good ones.
Isaak wanted a drone for Christmas. He's not getting one. I just think it's one of those toys that he plays with a handful of times, then it just sits in the box. Plus many drones say for ages 14 and up. Isaak's 9. Just a few days ago he said, "I'd like to have a hover board." He won't be getting that either. It may be a disappointing Christmas for him. Oh trust me he's getting things; just not those two things.
When you were a kid, did you have a certain Christmas where you were disappointed with what you got?
I remember I wanted a Cabbage Patch Kid. I got a homemade doll. I didn't want to seem ungrateful. The following year I got that Cabbage Patch Kid. Kids can't always get everything they want.
Isaak's getting a Lego set he wants, a gold fidget spinner he asked for, nice headphones for his kindle, a Spirograph, a leather wallet, he's getting a few other toys, a game, the Lego Batman movie, and some clothes. Mica's pretty much getting the same things with variation.
Truth be told: Isaak hardly plays with any toys. He likes crafts, art, music, basketball, chess, other games and playing outside.
One thing he asked for last year was a keyboard. I got a cheap keyboard. I just didn't know how much he'd use it. It's the one thing I wish I would have splurged on. The boy plays it daily. You can't even play 2 keys at once.
Isaak sits in his room pounding away on his cheap $15 keyboard. Then he stops and starts singing, "Shot through the heart and you're to blame. Darlin' you give love, a bad name."
Isaak is so me, and Mica is so Travis when you get to the core of their personalities.
Mica at 8:10: Isaak stop pounding on that keyboard!
Isaak kept on playing.
Mica: Isaak it's time for bed. STOP!
Isaak played hard, and faster.
All the while Travis and I are in the kitchen giggling because Mica's the serious one that abides by rules. Isaak's the goofy one that pokes Mica with teasing him non stop. Mica can have fun too, but not when he's supposed to be in bed. Yes they still go to bed that early because they wake up with the chickens. Listening to them fight was like listening to Travis and I fight.
It's interesting...some nights I get so annoyed with their fighting. Even the sounds of their voices make me want to scream. There's nights like the night above where I felt like laughing at them. I found them amusing. I wonder why parents are that way? Possibly we're that way with everyone. I love my husband, but I need time to myself too.
A month or so ago I saw a harmonica in an end cap at a store. I'm not a shopper. Seriously I've been to 3 stores besides grocery shopping.
Travis a day ago: I could see Isaak really enjoying a harmonica in his stocking.
Me: I thought about that. The boy loves to make noise. He's either singing, playing his violin, playing his keyboard, or creating something. I thought Isaak having a harmonica might drive you and Mica to your breaking points.
Travis: Just get him one. He'd love it!
Me: Where in the heck did I see one? I can not remember! I saw one somewhere!
Travis: Just get one off Amazon.
Isaak's harmonica is supposed to get here before Christmas. Guess what? I found a gold one. His favorite color. Well not quite. He likes Sparkly Shimmery Shiny Gold. He'll tell you that too. I couldn't find a Sparkly Shimmery Shiny Gold one. You know one that looks like it has gold glitter.
It's also hard because I can't take photos ANYTIME. It's dark when I wake up to when I need to leave to go to work. Then it's dark when I get home. I get really frustrated about the lack of sunlight this time of year. I just love posting a photo or photos with posts. It's just so hard to get good ones.
Isaak wanted a drone for Christmas. He's not getting one. I just think it's one of those toys that he plays with a handful of times, then it just sits in the box. Plus many drones say for ages 14 and up. Isaak's 9. Just a few days ago he said, "I'd like to have a hover board." He won't be getting that either. It may be a disappointing Christmas for him. Oh trust me he's getting things; just not those two things.
When you were a kid, did you have a certain Christmas where you were disappointed with what you got?
I remember I wanted a Cabbage Patch Kid. I got a homemade doll. I didn't want to seem ungrateful. The following year I got that Cabbage Patch Kid. Kids can't always get everything they want.
Isaak's getting a Lego set he wants, a gold fidget spinner he asked for, nice headphones for his kindle, a Spirograph, a leather wallet, he's getting a few other toys, a game, the Lego Batman movie, and some clothes. Mica's pretty much getting the same things with variation.
Truth be told: Isaak hardly plays with any toys. He likes crafts, art, music, basketball, chess, other games and playing outside.
One thing he asked for last year was a keyboard. I got a cheap keyboard. I just didn't know how much he'd use it. It's the one thing I wish I would have splurged on. The boy plays it daily. You can't even play 2 keys at once.
 |
| Source |
Isaak is so me, and Mica is so Travis when you get to the core of their personalities.
Mica at 8:10: Isaak stop pounding on that keyboard!
Isaak kept on playing.
Mica: Isaak it's time for bed. STOP!
Isaak played hard, and faster.
All the while Travis and I are in the kitchen giggling because Mica's the serious one that abides by rules. Isaak's the goofy one that pokes Mica with teasing him non stop. Mica can have fun too, but not when he's supposed to be in bed. Yes they still go to bed that early because they wake up with the chickens. Listening to them fight was like listening to Travis and I fight.
It's interesting...some nights I get so annoyed with their fighting. Even the sounds of their voices make me want to scream. There's nights like the night above where I felt like laughing at them. I found them amusing. I wonder why parents are that way? Possibly we're that way with everyone. I love my husband, but I need time to myself too.
A month or so ago I saw a harmonica in an end cap at a store. I'm not a shopper. Seriously I've been to 3 stores besides grocery shopping.
Travis a day ago: I could see Isaak really enjoying a harmonica in his stocking.
Me: I thought about that. The boy loves to make noise. He's either singing, playing his violin, playing his keyboard, or creating something. I thought Isaak having a harmonica might drive you and Mica to your breaking points.
Travis: Just get him one. He'd love it!
Me: Where in the heck did I see one? I can not remember! I saw one somewhere!
Travis: Just get one off Amazon.
Isaak's harmonica is supposed to get here before Christmas. Guess what? I found a gold one. His favorite color. Well not quite. He likes Sparkly Shimmery Shiny Gold. He'll tell you that too. I couldn't find a Sparkly Shimmery Shiny Gold one. You know one that looks like it has gold glitter.
 |
| Source |
He may not be getting a drone or a hover board, but by golly he's getting a harmonica.
What gift are you excited to give someone?
Heavy Duty #Art #Portfolio Carry Case Bag Backpack Review
This is a Heavy Duty Art Portfolio Carry Case Bag Backpack! ou can get this Welldeal case here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076H2TXXB for $34.99 on Amazon Prime. That's not a bad price for it's size, quality, and many pockets!
Size:
26"x19", so a 24"x18" sketch pad will fit in this.
Pockets:
There are so many pockets. I may be missing some, but I think I counted 8 in total.
The circle opens up. This is great for a paint palette, or paints.
The pocket behind the circle opens up as well! A big box of colored pencils would fit great in there!
There's a pocket on the bottom. It's big enough to fit a smaller tripod, or long handled brushes.
There's two pockets on the side/front that would be good for erasers, or miscellaneous pencils. Although I would never encourage pencils to bag around in a pouch. That's how they break in the inside.
Tip: If colored pencils keep breaking, try putting them in the oven under a low heat. It will melt the pencil back together again. I wish graphite and charcoal worked that way!
The case can be carried as a backpack, hand held, or there's an attachment to carry it over your shoulder. If there's a lot in there, caring it on the back may be best.
The straps have pockets too! I think this would be wonderful for business cards, or keys. Anything you want to carry, but hide.
It works great to take art supplies different places, drawing class, if you are a student, or for a way to store your art supplies.
Disclaimer: We got this product in exchange for our opinion on them. The company in no way told me what to write, or influenced me in any way.
Size:
26"x19", so a 24"x18" sketch pad will fit in this.
Pockets:
There are so many pockets. I may be missing some, but I think I counted 8 in total.
The circle opens up. This is great for a paint palette, or paints.
The pocket behind the circle opens up as well! A big box of colored pencils would fit great in there!
There's a pocket on the bottom. It's big enough to fit a smaller tripod, or long handled brushes.
There's two pockets on the side/front that would be good for erasers, or miscellaneous pencils. Although I would never encourage pencils to bag around in a pouch. That's how they break in the inside.
Tip: If colored pencils keep breaking, try putting them in the oven under a low heat. It will melt the pencil back together again. I wish graphite and charcoal worked that way!
The case can be carried as a backpack, hand held, or there's an attachment to carry it over your shoulder. If there's a lot in there, caring it on the back may be best.
The straps have pockets too! I think this would be wonderful for business cards, or keys. Anything you want to carry, but hide.
It works great to take art supplies different places, drawing class, if you are a student, or for a way to store your art supplies.
Disclaimer: We got this product in exchange for our opinion on them. The company in no way told me what to write, or influenced me in any way.
Sunday, December 10, 2017
Chefast Donut Pan Set Review
We love doughnuts! Do you spell out donut, or doughnut? I always spelled it the longer way doughnut, but I see donut more and more. They both seem acceptable according to google.
Recently I got Chefast Donut Pan Set to Review. It's $16.90 on Amazon. If you don't like bigger donuts, you can get their small donut pan for $12.90.
The Set Comes With:
Lemon Donuts:
I wanted to try something different, so I made Lemon Doughnuts. They were so good!
Tip: Put your donut pan on a metal pan or baking stone when you bake them. You won't have to clean the extra pan or stone. It will just make the silicone pan easier to grab from the stove.
I didn't pipe them in, but the pan does come with piping bags. The recipe does make 12 donuts. There is 9 spots in the pan. I dug out another donut pan to finish the job. I have to say that I like this pan better though. The fact that it's silicone, the donuts just pop out easier.
Instead I used the spatula that comes in the kit. It did a great job of getting the rest of the batter out of the mixing bowl.
Because I used coconut sugar they are not a lemony yellow. They sure did taste lemony good though!
We skipped the glaze. We just didn't need more sugar. They boys didn't mind. They gobbled them up, and asked for another. I imagine you could drizzle some melted dark chocolate on there if you'd rather.
Recently I got Chefast Donut Pan Set to Review. It's $16.90 on Amazon. If you don't like bigger donuts, you can get their small donut pan for $12.90.
The Set Comes With:
- A silicone mold - enough to make nine donuts.
- A silicone spatula
- Pastry bags - 5 total
I wanted to try something different, so I made Lemon Doughnuts. They were so good!
Lemon Donuts by Anonymous Nh7KbE4hof on Scribd
Tip: Put your donut pan on a metal pan or baking stone when you bake them. You won't have to clean the extra pan or stone. It will just make the silicone pan easier to grab from the stove.
I didn't pipe them in, but the pan does come with piping bags. The recipe does make 12 donuts. There is 9 spots in the pan. I dug out another donut pan to finish the job. I have to say that I like this pan better though. The fact that it's silicone, the donuts just pop out easier.
Instead I used the spatula that comes in the kit. It did a great job of getting the rest of the batter out of the mixing bowl.
Because I used coconut sugar they are not a lemony yellow. They sure did taste lemony good though!
We skipped the glaze. We just didn't need more sugar. They boys didn't mind. They gobbled them up, and asked for another. I imagine you could drizzle some melted dark chocolate on there if you'd rather.
The boys each asked for another one.
What's your favorite kind of donut?
Chefast sells a lot of other products online. Certainly check out their Amazon page here.
- Cake Tip Decorating Set
- Tea Infuser Set
- Herb Scissors
- Non Stick Rolling Pin and Pastry Mat
- Hydrometer and Test Jar for Wine and Beer
- Food Cover Tents
- Ice Cream Scoop Set
- Stainless Steel Drinking Straws
- Splatter Screen
- Wood Cutlery Set
- Honing Steel Knife Sharpening Kit
I know I want the ice cream scoop. We always use a spoon to dish up ice cream. Lame! Ha! What would be the item you'd pick from their list of items that they sell?
Disclaimer: We got this product in exchange for our opinion on them. The company in no way told me what to write, or influenced me in any way.
Beanie Black Knit Ski Hat #alaskastyle Review
We got two hats to review from CacheAlaska. This is our 2nd favorite. See the previous post to see our favorite.
This hat is warm, but it hugs the head. We have small heads in our house. I can't imagine how this would work on my sister's family. They all have big heads!
Colors:
I got him to laugh, then we couldn't stop laughing!
Cost:
$14.99 for the regular to $22.99 for the large on Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Beanie-Black-Knit-Ski-Hat/dp/B01EXRO9SY/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1499534134&sr=8-17&keywords=beanie&th=1&psc=1
I'd like to have the large to see how it feels next to the regular. Like I said, we have small heads. The regular was tight for sure. Most people should spend the extra cash to get the large.
Material:
50% Acrylic
50% Wool
The hat seems soft. My husband likes the material. It has a fleece band around it to hold the warmth in.
Wear:
Disclaimer: We got this product in exchange for our opinion on them. The company in no way told me what to write, or influenced me in any way.
This hat is warm, but it hugs the head. We have small heads in our house. I can't imagine how this would work on my sister's family. They all have big heads!
Colors:
- Charcoal Grey
- Army Green
- Brown
- Navy Blue
- Black
I got him to laugh, then we couldn't stop laughing!
$14.99 for the regular to $22.99 for the large on Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Beanie-Black-Knit-Ski-Hat/dp/B01EXRO9SY/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1499534134&sr=8-17&keywords=beanie&th=1&psc=1
I'd like to have the large to see how it feels next to the regular. Like I said, we have small heads. The regular was tight for sure. Most people should spend the extra cash to get the large.
Material:
50% Acrylic
50% Wool
The hat seems soft. My husband likes the material. It has a fleece band around it to hold the warmth in.
Wear:
- Wear it in the cold: Hiking, Fishing, Running, Walking, Hunting and more
- Women or men
Disclaimer: We got this product in exchange for our opinion on them. The company in no way told me what to write, or influenced me in any way.
#CacheAlaska #Beanie #AlaskaStyle Review
We got two hats to review from CacheAlaska. This by far is our favorite one. We just like the way it fits. It really fits over the head and neck.
Colors:
Cost:
$11.99 on Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/CacheAlaska-Slouchy-Beanie-Skull-Premium/dp/B071YCCHMD/ref=sr_1_167?ie=UTF8&qid=1507564260&sr=8-167&keywords=beanie
I felt like the cost was reasonable for sure! I was thinking we needed a lot of hats around here with Mica taking the bus, but it's been so warm in Nebraska. It has only flurried once! Usually we've had a few couple big snows.
Material:
Acrylic
The hat seems soft. My husband likes the material.
Wear:
Disclaimer: We got this product in exchange for our opinion on them. The company in no way told me what to write, or influenced me in any way.
Colors:
- Grey
- Black
Cost:
$11.99 on Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/CacheAlaska-Slouchy-Beanie-Skull-Premium/dp/B071YCCHMD/ref=sr_1_167?ie=UTF8&qid=1507564260&sr=8-167&keywords=beanie
I felt like the cost was reasonable for sure! I was thinking we needed a lot of hats around here with Mica taking the bus, but it's been so warm in Nebraska. It has only flurried once! Usually we've had a few couple big snows.
Material:
Acrylic
The hat seems soft. My husband likes the material.
Wear:
- Cuffed and Uncuffed
- Any Season, Anywhere
- Women or men
We really like this hat! I have to say that I'm not a hat person myself, but I love them on other people. Do you wear hats?
Organic Women’s Total Multi-vitamins Review
I take a daily vitamin. I'm never sure if they are effective, but they certainly have great things in them. Once I took myself off vitamins, and felt blah for a week!
Usually I get vitamins that most of us can take. Isaak however is still on a kid's vitamin until he turns 11 or 12. I think that's when we switched Mica over to adult ones. I got Organic Women’s Total Multi-vitamins to review: https://summitnutritions.com/shop/organic-womens-total-multi-vitamins by Summit Nutritions.
What These Vitamins Have in Them:
Live Probiotics
13 Different Superfoods
What the Vitamins Help With:
They help strengthen the heart, which is great because my Dad doesn't have a great heart. Genetically I could use all the help I could get in that departments.
They help make your hair less brittle. I do have thin hair, but it looks pretty healthy.
They help with skin. I don't know about you, but I get dry skin in the winter. The air is just so dry.
They build up the nails. I do have crappy nails from my allergies. It's one thing my allergist pointed out. Thanks doc.
They are GMO free, kosher, dairy free, and are vegan.
Packaging:
The bottle was in a box. There was a plastic piece over the lid holding it on, and the lid was covered with foil/paper. I opened it up, and most of the bottle was filled with cotton.
I just get tired of so much waisted packaging for pill bottles. This is my biggest no no in my book. Does it bother you how much waisted packaging there is for things?
Cost:
$29.99, but marked all the way down to $9.99! They certainly are worth the buy.
Do you take a daily vitamin?
Disclaimer: We got this product in exchange for our opinion on them. The company in no way told me what to write, or influenced me in any way.
Usually I get vitamins that most of us can take. Isaak however is still on a kid's vitamin until he turns 11 or 12. I think that's when we switched Mica over to adult ones. I got Organic Women’s Total Multi-vitamins to review: https://summitnutritions.com/shop/organic-womens-total-multi-vitamins by Summit Nutritions.
What These Vitamins Have in Them:
Live Probiotics
13 Different Superfoods
What the Vitamins Help With:
They help strengthen the heart, which is great because my Dad doesn't have a great heart. Genetically I could use all the help I could get in that departments.
They help make your hair less brittle. I do have thin hair, but it looks pretty healthy.
They help with skin. I don't know about you, but I get dry skin in the winter. The air is just so dry.
They build up the nails. I do have crappy nails from my allergies. It's one thing my allergist pointed out. Thanks doc.
They are GMO free, kosher, dairy free, and are vegan.
Packaging:
The bottle was in a box. There was a plastic piece over the lid holding it on, and the lid was covered with foil/paper. I opened it up, and most of the bottle was filled with cotton.
I just get tired of so much waisted packaging for pill bottles. This is my biggest no no in my book. Does it bother you how much waisted packaging there is for things?
Cost:
Do you take a daily vitamin?
Disclaimer: We got this product in exchange for our opinion on them. The company in no way told me what to write, or influenced me in any way.
Friday, December 8, 2017
Random Tid Bits
I know...it's been a few weeks, since I've written one of these posts.
- I've been working my ass butt off to create an art website. It's finally for the most part done! It's up, but it may possibly be glitchy for a day because we (Travis helped) just added the domain to it. Please check it out, and tell me if you see anything that looks odd.
alissaapel.com - Most independent colleges are struggling now a days. Most universities and community colleges are fine. I've been worried about employment, so I'm A) Working on an art website. B) Baking Christmas cookies. C) Wrapping packages. D) Writing an artist proposal/grant. E) Working on the student's final grades. Finals are next week. F) Absorbed in this case: Finding Sydney Loofe.
- There's always some case I get hung up on. I don't know why I care so much about someone, or a situation I'm not a part of. The Sydney Loofe case is about a girl that went on a Tinder date. She ended up disappearing after their 2nd date. 2 people put up online videos posting their side to the story, but they hadn't even talked to the cops yet. They just found who they think is Sydney's body. I've been telling my students about dating safety. When you're young, you think you can do just about anything.
- That cyst on my forehead that I was trying to treat with apple cider vinegar never did go away. I called a dermatologist, got in, only to find out that he won't remove it. It's too close to nerves. If the nerves are hit I can be paralyzed on part of my face. A surgeon was called. I can't get in until February. I've already hit my deductible this year. I'm scared and annoyed.
- I have one more treatment I'm going to try for my forehead. My ENT doctor said to try hot packs for 3 or 4 days. I've been in school, so I haven't really been able to try that. Then a coworker was telling me about bread poultice. Have you ever heard about poultice? My coworker said his grandma used this technique a lot. You just wet bread with milk, add salt, and attach it to wherever you have something you want something to come out of your body. I figure it won't hurt. I'm willing to try these 2 things, while the students are on break.
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