Nov
25
Scribbit started a message board for giveaways, reviews and all kinds of good things that you definitely want to check out. And if you’re having a giveaway or doing a review, be sure to post it on her board.
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Nov
25
Let me start out by admitting that my family is slow to jump on any new technology bandwagon. This is due to several things, one, we’re just naturally slow at everything, and two, any new gadget or game is usually not in our budget.
That said, when my kids pooled their money and wanted to buy a Wii, I let them. They’ve played with and loved so many Nintendo products over the years, I don’t question the value at all. And we all are in love with our Wii.
We don’t have many games for it, so when Blogher offered me the chance to do a paid review of the Wii Monopoly game for Electronic Arts and Hasbro, I jumped on it. I could say that I wanted to do it for my kids, but honestly, I loved Monopoly as a child. We’re talking favorite game ever, played for hours. Now that my kids are older, and are more interested in their electronic games, it’s hard to get them to sit at the table for a board game. Honestly, it’s hard to get them to sit at the table for dinner, much less family time. And I am all over anything that gives us family time.
The Monopoly for Wii is very user friendly, even for a technophobe like me. I was glad to see that it is very true to the board game. If you’re at all familiar with the board game then you can jump right into the Wii game. Up to four players compete to accumulate the most money by buying, renting or trading properties. Just like the board game, the goal is to purchase real estate and rake in the cash as your opponents land on your property. One new addition is that when you land on a property you can choose to auction it off. Park Place, Board Walk, even going directly to jail are all the same. Everything I loved about the board game is in the Wii version. You can also tweak the House Rules, if you want to customize your game.
My youngest son is a die hard gamer, but he wasn’t quite as familiar with the original board game. He figured everything out very quickly. You use the Wii-mote to roll the die, and to bid on auctions. We used one remote, but you can use more than one if you want. As you play and buy properties you collect stamps in your passport which will go towards unlocking the other boards. That’s one of the coolest things about the Wii version, the variety of boards. There are 10 boards total, including jungle, arctic, future, cheese, and deco themes, along with the new World Edition, where the currency is millions. The property names change with each board, and each have different backgrounds, tokens and music.
I like the little Monopoly man, moving along with us as we advanced in the game. He’s really kind of cute, but don’t tell my son I said that or he’ll have to give me the eye roll.
Also like the board game, Wii Monopoly can last for hours. The first time we played, it took a little over 2 hours to finish, using the Classic board. That 2 hours was for just the Monopoly game.
My sons have played a lot of electronic games in their short little lives, so I was concerned that they wouldn’t be interested in an electronic version of a game their mom played when she was a child. You know, centuries ago. I was wrong, they liked it and especially the different boards you can unlock. But for them, the main event was the Richest Edition. That’s where they shake things up a bit. It’s not at all similar to the Monopoly I remember, but it’s a great addition. It’s fast paced party mode, and the kids loved it. My sons have been playing the Richest Edition more than the traditional Monopoly, it’s a big hit.
The Richest mode has 3 variations, Developer, Industrialist and Tycoon. Each variation lasts between 30 to 60 minutes. Each round of Richest mode starts with a mini game, which takes about a minute to play. Whoever wins gets to choose how many pieces they’d like randomly dropped onto the board. If your piece lands on an unoccupied space, you own it. If you land on someone else’s space, though, you have to pay them. There are 12 interactive mini-games like breaking out of the jail cell and running away with all the loot (my personal favorite). Each player has to have their own remote for the Richest Edition. These fast mini games were my son’s favorite part of Monopoly for Wii.
I was excited to play Wii Monopoly as soon as I heard about it, but my sons were skeptical. They’re 13 and 11, so they’re jaded game players. It has to be fun and exciting to pass their litmus test for a cool game. Wii Monopoly passed with flying colors. They both enjoyed it, and especially the Richest Edition. This is a great family game, and should definitely be included on your holiday shopping list.
For more Monopoly for Wii reviews visit Blogher.
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Nov
23
I have a confession to make. I’ve never actually hosted Thanksgiving dinner. Is that sad, since I’m almost 40 39? We always do Thanksgiving at my in laws, and let me tell you, my mother in law makes a great Thanksgiving dinner. So I’m not very inspired to do it myself. I have fixed a turkey before, a couple times. I’m just not a very inspired cook.
This year, my mother in law decided that her daughters, and daughter in law (me) need to pitch in. We usually help by setting the table, clearing the table and doing the dishes. But she wants us to bring side dishes. I can do the traditional side dishes, potatoes and green bean casserole. But I’d like to come up with something new. It never hurts to impress your in laws.
So, what I’d love is if you would tell me your favorite Thanksgiving side dish or dessert. I’d love it even more if you’d post the recipe or link to it.
I’ll take your comments until Wednesday at midnight, then choose 2 winners. Each winner will get a $25 Walmart gift card.
This giveaway is a little different. Since I’m looking for as many ideas as I can get, you are welcome to enter as many times as you want. As long as you leave a recipe or link in each comment. Christmas is coming up, so the more recipes I get the better! As always, you can also earn extra entries by subscribing or posting about this giveaway.
To enter:
Please leave a comment with your favorite holiday side dish, with recipe or link to it, before midnight Wednesday November 26.
I will pick the winner using the random.org generator and will notify them via their email. Open to US addresses only. Enter as often as you like, as long as each comment has a recipe or link. You can also earn extra entries.
To earn extra entries:
- Subscribe to my feed You can subscribe through a feed reader or you can also subscribe by email and have posts sent to your email address.
- Mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back here.
- Follow me on Twitter (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
- Send a tweet on Twitter about this giveaway (leave your Twitter name in your comment)
Please leave 1 extra comment for each additional entry, telling me which you have done (ie 1 extra comment if you subscribe, 1 extra comment if you mention this on your blog, 1extra comment if you follow my on Twitter, 1 extra comment if you tweet about this giveaway)
This giveaway will end Wednesday November 26 at midnight. This giveaway has ended, the winners will be notified by email and posted shortly. Thank you for the great recipes!
Please, help a girl out. Send me your recipes. Good luck, and wish me luck with cooking for my in laws.
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Nov
17
5 Minutes for Mom has got tons of great Christmas Giveaways going on. The link is to the post about the giveaways, you do have to click on each giveaway and comment on each one separately. Lots of good stuff, so get busy entering.
I’ve had a crazy weekend, but there are lots of great giveaways going on now and coming up for the holidays, so I’ll get those posted asap.
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Nov
15
I just posted a new giveaway at my personal blog. Go enter to win a $50 Visa gift card. You know that will come in handy for Christmas shopping, or just buy something nice for yourself.
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Nov
12
Even though the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival is over, there are still some great giveaways going on. Lots of great prizes, so keep entering.
Christine at From Dates to Diapers is giving away a pair of Women’s Regular Terry Travel Slippers with Bag, a pair of Men’s Regular Low Shearling Moc Slippers, OR a Child’s Fleece Pajama Set from Lands’ End. Enter by 9pm on November 24.
At An Island Life, you can enter to win a cozy thermal from PeaceLoveMom. Enter by November 18.
DeliciousBaby is giving away Sit ‘n’ Stroll Convertible Stroller from tots on-the-go. Enter by November 17.
At Fractured Toy you can enter to win a Bubbles Bracelet from Twisted Silver. I’m dying to win something from Twisted Silver for myself. Enter by November 21.
At Robyn’s Online World you can enter by commenting to win a $25 Amazon gift card. Enter by November 30.
At Mommy Blog Reviews you can enter to win a Playskool Glide to Ride bike. Enter by November 21.
Enter to win a Peek Portable Email Reader at Superdumb Supervillain. Enter by November 26.
At Cowgirl Critiques you can enter to win a Canon Powershot. Enter by November 23.
At Bellaziza’s Favorite Things enter to win Peg Perego’s Limited Edition Primo Viaggio SIP 30-30 in Paloma. Enter by November 17.
Get busy entering, and get ready for some holiday giveaways here very soon.
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Nov
7
And the winners of the wonderful Ped Egg are:
34 53
Congratulations Phyllis and Mannequin!
Look for an email from me shortly. Check back for more giveaways soon!
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Nov
1
There are some things that you just don’t talk about. I have had problems with my feet for years, but I just suffered through it and avoided wearing sandals. But recently, I’ve mentioned my dry, cracked heels to some friends, and most of them have said they are dealing with the same thing.
I’ve been to doctors, tried some very expensive prescriptions, and nothing has really helped. It had gotten to the point where my feet were cracked so badly that it was painful to walk, and I was limping. Plus, my kids started asking me keep socks on my “crusty” feet at all times. It’s painful and embarrassing!
So I broke down and tried a Ped Egg. I have little faith in products I see advertised on TV. I’ve tried more expensive foot file type products and those haven’t worked. At this point, I was willing to try anything.
I won’t shock you with before and after pictures, but the Ped Egg worked wonders on my poor feet. I was very nervous, because of the cracks on my feet I was afraid it would hurt to use the Ped Egg. But it was very gentle, and painless. It was quick, easy and my feet look like baby feet. No more limping, and now I can wear flip flops without being afraid someone will see my feet.
If you don’t have problems with dry, cracked heels, then you can’t appreciate how happy the Ped Egg has made me. My feet were hurting so badly that I could hardly stand to walk. Now my heels look great and the pain is gone. I highly recommend the Ped Egg, I’m not exaggerating when I say that it can change your life.
To celebrate my happy feet, I’m giving away 2 Ped Eggs, so 2 lucky readers can enjoy this product.
To enter:
Please leave a comment telling me why you’d like to win one of these, before midnight Wednesday November 5.
I will pick the winner using the random.org generator and will notify them via their email. Open to US addresses only. It’s one entry per person, but you can earn extra entries.
To earn extra entries:
- Subscribe to my feed You can subscribe through a feed reader or you can also subscribe by email and have posts sent to your email address.
- Mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back here.
Please leave 1 extra comment for each additional entry, telling me which you have done (ie 1 extra comment if you subscribe, 1 extra comment if you mention this on your blog)
This giveaway will end at midnight CST on Wednesday November 5. This giveaway has ended. I will email the winners and announce the names after they respond. Thank you for entering!
Good luck!
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