Moldable Plastic Pellets #Review #PollyPlastics

     My family and I are always doing crafts and art.  These past weeks we have been working on a pirate ship board game.  It's going to be an educational game that teaches and also entertains.  I must say, it's coming out pretty awesome.  It has crow's nests and rigging, a cannon, sails, and 2 upper decks... and of course a plank.

     It still has a lot of work left.  I still need to make the came cards and the gold coins.  To be honest, I still have to figure out how it will really be played out.  But i did have some trouble in creating one crucial element, the stairs to go from the lower deck to the upper.

     So I decided to use wooden dowels and wrap them in plastic, then create steps using the wrapping technique as well.  The plastic I used is called Polly Plastics.  It's a moldable plastic pellet kit.  It comes with 10 oz. of white pellets that melt clear and six baggies filled with color pellets that you can use to customize your plastic's color however you wish.

     On my first attempt, I ended up using 1 TBSP white, 10 gold pellets, and 4 black.  This is what it looked like after it sat in hot water for a minute and was played with.  The water has to be really hot.  I used my electric kettle to keep it at a nice temperature.

     It took a little getting used to, trying to find that balance between too soft and too hard and getting the plastic to mold together well.  But after some trial and error it went smoother and I was able to do mostly what I wanted.

     I think this has so much potential.  I'll be using it to create hairdos for my wooden peg people for use in future board games, as well as other cool artworks.  My kids especially loved seeing what you could do.  My favorite part is that you can use and reuse it.
     I would definitely recommend it for any crafty family.  To learn more, check out Polly Plastics on Amazon.

Except for the product(s) given to me for the purpose of reviewing, I received no compensation for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

God Give Us #ChristianHomes by Jim Faughn Book #Review and #Giveaway

     Oh man... I struggle.  I struggle with a lot of things, the top on the list being the kids.  They make me so proud and so angry, so excited and so sad all in the same day.  Each one of them.  My emotions are all over the place each and every day and sometimes I get so overwhelmed.  When all of them are making me angry at once, oh boy!  Or when I feel like everywhere I turn I am being ignored, like I'm not even there, like I'm not even a person...  I hate that!  Or when they all are being loud all day and it seems like it's all echoing off every wall in the house, it's maddening!  I sure do struggle.

     I'm not gonna lie, I've said things I can never take back, things I regret.  I've done things too.  I've snapped and blamed, and cursed when things get to be too much.  One day, truth be told, I ran away.  It was just for the day, but I did.  And do you know what happened?  It was a Sunday, the last day of a super long weekend and I was driving through town, barely able to see through my tears and when I passed the church this overwhelming urge came over me to stop, like all I needed in the world right then was to go in.  I didn't know anybody and it didn't matter, I was being called.  I needed to go in.  I didn't.
     But I did go on medication, which only made things worse for a while, because then people had a reason to point at me like I was losing my mind.  It was no longer a situation that was causing me to be buried in despair, it was a "condition".  Man, did that only make me more mad, made me feel like any chance I had at things getting better was gone.  It made me feel even more hopeless.  I just kept thinking that no parent should ever feel how I was feeling, no parent should hate their life and dread their kids.  I love my kids, don't get me wrong.  It's because I love them so deeply with everything I have that their actions and words hurt me the way they do.

     I know, I know, they're just kids.  They are just kids, but they're my kids and they're a reflection of me.  My reflection shouldn't make me so upset, you know?
     I don't know what God's plan is.  Sometimes I think I see clear paths and sometimes I feel completely abandoned.  But when my Memere died a couple months after that day and the funeral was led by the pastor of that very church that I passed... I knew I was meant to go there.  Of all the churches in all the towns, of all the pastors that preach... he preached at the one I was compelled to stop at, an easy half hour away from where my Memere lived, at least.

     My aunt happened to be pretty close to the pastor's wife and introduced me and The Big One to her.  And even though everything in me wanted to bolt out the door and avoid new people, I let it happen.  I even took it upon myself to seek my aunt out when it looked like she'd forgotten.  Again, I was compelled.  And you know what?  I went.  I didn't know a single person in that congregation except for a woman I'd barely just met.  Truth be told, don't tell her I told you, but when she saw me come into the church and was all excited to see me and gave me a big hug... I didn't even recognize her.  That's how little I knew the only person that I knew.  But I went.  Me... the shyest person I've ever known.
     And it was my children's first experience with a church.  We went weekly for a long time.  We made friends and went to events, it was life changing for me.  And now?  We don't go so much.  Things happened and circumstances got in the way of us going for a while.  And though those circumstances have since changed, I haven't dared to start bringing them back yet.  Here's why:

     My kids publicly humiliate me on a daily basis.  In fact, losing my vehicle may have been the best thing to happen to my will to live in years.  And here's the thing, I'm not the kind of person who can laugh it off and bounce back.  Nope, I'm that timid little girl who wrung her hands when she had to be on stage and nearly cried as she mouthed the words so no one would hear her sing... that's me.  Now picture everyone else on that stage and in that audience pointing and laughing... that's how my kids make me feel.  They used to be so good for me in public.  We'd have a very serious discussion before entering the store about acceptable behavior and such, and leave the store in practically one piece emotionally, treat in hand for reward.  They weren't perfect, but good.  Now?  Well, every other trip to the store ends in tears for me.  And it's not like I can afford a second trip, so I have to finish what I'm getting or go without for the week.

     I know what you're thinking, maybe I don't discipline them enough, maybe I'm not consistent, maybe I spoil them.  I can assure, you I discipline them enough.  I feel like I am always disciplining them, sometimes I worry I am too strict.  I especially feel that way when I see other parents who never raise their voice, have the patience of a monk, and kids that seem to practically raise themselves.  I try to be consistent, as consistent as my memory allows.  There were a couple times I forgot a kid was supposed to be in time out and they snuck away, or when I've forgotten a kid was grounded and they got away with video games for the day.  But for the most part, I've done the best I can.  I can't snap my fingers and have a better memory, so it is what it is.  As far as spoiled, maybe you have a point there.  I did try my best over the summer to make sure that every day had so much free fun jammed in it that we'd pass out by day's end.  And we did definitely have a blast.  Maybe they are having a hard time grasping the reality of the school year being back in full swing.  But we're half way through the year, so you know... time to shape up and be grateful for the months that we had.

     Point is, taking them to church would pretty much be the icing on the cake for me, it would be like "Hey fellow gentle people, look at my poorly raised children cause a ruckus in your quiet place of worship, and watch me cry as I wrangle them up with the speed and grace of a two legged tortoise.  We'll see you next week when we host our very own sibling brawl in pew no. 3!"

     I've done my best to raise them, I really have.  There were times when I should have protected them better, defended them better, had more patience, had more strength.  But no human is perfect and I certainly have my weaknesses.  Time to try what I haven't tried.  Time to be a better role model myself and set a better, more Christianly example.
     It's my biggest resolution this year, to build a happier home that's more peaceful and Word-oriented.  I know that my kids and I can get there, it's just a matter of taking the steps.  And right there to help us on our way is the perfect guide, God Give Us Christian Homes, a book by Jim Faughn.

     This book has so many wonderful insights and truths from times long gone and also from the present.  It really brings you to see things that you didn't see before.  I feel like I'm not alone when I'm reading this book.  I feel like there's been thousands of years of parents going thorough the exact struggles that I am... and that's because there have been.
      From Adam and Eve and all the way up through there have been struggles just as I'm having.  Different, sure.  Kids even a hundred years ago never heard, "No electronics for a week".  But the disrespect, the bad manners and sibling rivalry, it's always been there.  This book gives help with finding the purpose in discipline and what's meant to be gained from it, including respect, among many other useful things.

     I'll be using this book to find a better normal for my kids and myself.  And since I was sent a second book by mistake, I'm offering you that same chance.  Don't worry, I was told to give it away.  So here's the thing, just enter with this neat little Rafflecopter tool below and that's it!
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Except for the product(s) given to me for the purpose of reviewing, I received no compensation for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

The Innkeeper's Christmas Eve Book #Review #InnkeepersChristmasEve

     Around the holidays, it can be hard for Christians to keep the reason for the season at the forefront.  We become so stressed about making sure we have the gifts we need for cousin Betty and Uncle Ned, how much things will cost, whether the house looks okay, whether or not travel plans are set... it gets overwhelming.  It's so easy to get bogged down and forget why we're celebrating.

     Truth is, I haven't made a big effort to put the Christ in Christmas over the years.  Yes, we go to the local Bethlehem and we do the church play.  He gets more recognition in this home during the holidays than Santa.  But in our actual home, I don't do much.  But starting this year, I've got a new tradition.  While everyone reads the Night Before Christmas, I'll be reading The Innkeeper's Christmas Eve by Barbara B. Rollins and Illustrated by Sandy Lewis Carter.  It takes the classic bouncy feel of Night Before Christmas, but the words tell the story of Jesus' birth.

     I think that's pretty neat and I know my kids will like it.  The book follows the Innkeeper as he watched the whole story play out.  From being asked for a room, to watching Joseph make a bed for Mary in the straw, to seeing the start light up the sky and the shepherds leave their sheep to come see the baby.  And no, fellow Christians, the Wise Men are NOT in the book.

     I love how the illustrations vary from page to page.  On some pages, it's colored and on some it's not, some pages look like painted canvas.  But at the same time, they all go together so well.

     I just love that my family has this option.  The wording is easy to read and flows smoothly, the story is accurate to the Bible, and what's extra cool is that the whole story from scripture is in the back of the book.  It's a wonderful addition to our library and we'll be reading it every year from now on.

     Want to learn more?  Check out Silver Boomer Books on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or on their website at SilverBoomerBooks.com.
Except for the product(s) given to me for the purpose of reviewing, I received no compensation for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

Double Camping Hammock with Tree Hanging Kit by #Liveinfinitely #Review

     A few weeks ago, our family set up a hammock in the living room.  It's an area that's temporarily being used as Streaker's bedroom until we get the rooms situated.  They had so much fun with that hammock that we decided that we definitely needed at least one more to our home.  We all wanted one outside.  And while, unfortunately, it is hunting season and we can't really hang one out outside, we did get another one with tree straps that we will be using just as soon as we can.  It's the Live Infinitely Double Camping Hammock.

     The hammock is pretty awesome, it comes with it's own drawstring carrying bag attached to the side of the hammock so that you can't los it!  It was so easy to fold it up and put it in, I got it perfect my first try!  The pouch, even though it's hanging from the side of  the hammock, it doesn't interfere at all with using it.

     It's made form a really comfortable material.  It reminds me of the parachutes from elementary school.  It's very thin an light, but strong.  It's smooth and when you sit in it, there's no worries about it not supporting you, you just fee safe.  It's rated to hold 450 lbs.  We tested it with a little over 220 lbs. and wasn't worried in the least.

     Another cool feature of this hammock is how adjustable it is.  You can very easily make the hammock a slightly different length to compensate for stud distance or tree distance.  We took away 9 inches just by tightening the rope.  I love that!

     We ended up using it indoors, but it did come with a really rugged tree strap kit to hang it outdoors.  It looks really well made and I have no doubt that it will hold us up with no problems.  I will be sure to update when we finally get a chance to go outside and try it out.  That's the downfall of living in the wilderness, I suppose.  The kit came in it's own drawstring bag.  Don't you just love when things come in their own bags?
     Do you own a hammock?  If you want to learn more, check out Live Infinitely on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Amazon or on their website at LiveInfinitely.com.

Except for the product(s) given to me for the purpose of reviewing, I received no compensation for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

The Little Doll Girl eBook #Review #Kidsebook

     I ADORE a good fantasy story.  I mostly love the Wizard of Oz series, the Alice in Wonderland books, DragonLance, pretty much any lighthearted book that isn't too hard to follow and brings you through magical lands with brave outsiders, while they attempt to get back home and undo wrongs.  If you love those kinds of books, you will love this one!

     It's called The Wutherington Diary: The Little Doll Girl by Tammy Wutherington, Transcribed by Reynold Jay.  It's about a girl Tammy, who is "mute".  She can whisper, but not talk.  She spends her days sewing clothes and making toy soldiers out of wood.  When one day, she makes friends with a mouse named Alfred who is in her workshop, she decides to follow him and see where he is from.  Her new friend can talk and they become fast friends.  Together they travel to the land of Kira.

     On the way they make friends with pirates and other creatures, great and small.  All things in the land of Kira can talk.  When Tammy and Alfred help out a band of pirates and earn their trust, they share with her a prophecy they believe that she was meant to fulfill.  The rest of the book is about her finding out what it means to be the hope of the people, to make decisions for the good of all and to be brave when no one else wants to be.

     She finds out that some who are feared are merely just different and some who are "evil" or just hurt and afraid to be strong.  She finds friends where no one else does, brings communities together that have long been separated by misunderstandings, and brings confidence to all who meet her.  She is a true hero in every sense of the word.

     I'm not sure what to make of the preface, whether it is just a story to go with it or if this really is a "diary" of a 10 year old girl from long ago.  But I must admit, whether true or not, the introduction to the story left me intrigued and wanting to read the book before I even knew how awesome it was!  If that preface was indeed a factual account of how the book was found and this book really was written by a 10 year old from the 19th century, I am SUPER impressed.  The story truly does rival that of Frank L Baum.

     While I admit that sometimes the characters received some undeserved attitude from Tammy and I was left feeling like things sometimes went over way to well for her, when there should have been some offense taken on the part of the characters... it was a great story and I would LOVE to see a movie made of this.  Though, no movie could ever compare to the visions in my head when reading the words of this book.  I whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good fantasy story.  I adore this book!
     To learn more, check out Reynold Jay on Amazon.

Except for the product(s) given to me for the purpose of reviewing, I received no compensation for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.