Goodnight Mommy Movie Review

If you are a horror fan, or even just a thriller, suspense, or psychological thriller fan, you should definitely take the time to watch this movie!! 
The director really did an extraordinary job with this, I can't even think of another movie that was ever filmed the same way as Goodnight Mommy. It may not make sense but the whole movie takes place inside of a house in Austria and right around the house. (There are a few times when they leave the property but only for a moment.) It seems as if the director tried to make it like, layers and layers of textures that are each a mystery in themselves. 

The outside is to surreal at times, the blurriness of a piece of artwork on the wall, the strange way everything looked when the Red Cross people came to ask for donations. I think when that part happened, for some reason, it started to remind me of how A Clockwork Orange was directed/filmed/produced. It was like being drunk, high, whatever you want to be doing, and out of nowhere, reality hits and KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!! Somebody is at the door! and you are annoyed because along with that comes bright light and this vacuum noise pops and you are in reality where you certainly don't want to be. (Having to deal with the outside world.) 

But, this, along with some other parts, end up taking you in a new direction, even when you wonder why it even had to be in the movie. 
Several times throughout this movie, I felt it was a big let down. It seemed so obvious from the beginning, like the first 5 minutes. Then, I kinda started getting mad. But, there was something about this peculiar way it was filmed that kept pulling you back in. (I think this was done on purpose.)

 
Every time I started thinking, "This movie really sucks. Why did they ruin such a good story??", another layer of fabric, or paint, or music, another element that doesn't necessarily match the rest but blends beautifully very soon, was added and you are sucked back in. (Vacuum noise again....) (Not that it was confusing, although, I read a Washington Post article where the writer/movie critic, claimed that he and other critics missed every single clue and had no idea what was about to happen at the end. I find this very hard to believe but, I think this plays a very big part in the type of horror the creators were trying to instill.)

I was certain I already knew the ending. Of course there would be whatever way they were going to deliver this ending that was very, very easy to figure out...) But, the strange thing is, I just had to see it anyway. 

I'm not capable of sitting to long. (not just due to my obscure medical issues but because things tend to be boring and don't hold my interest to much. Unless it's horror, a boxing match, a kung fu movie, something that is interesting and fast paced.) But, even though there were boring, drawn out parts in this movie, there was something there that told me to keep watching. It lures you in with the weirdness that was taking place. The bright green grass that you could smell, the water in the lake that you could feel, but most of all, the neglect and loneliness that actually made your chest hurt. It was almost like an experience more so than viewing a movie. 

So, without spoiling it, which is extremely hard to do, I'll try to explain what I realized about what I believe the creators of this movie actually did which is why I would have to put, Goodnight Mommy, in my list of favorite movies of all time. Again, I can't really place this movie with any others however, it has the rawness of films like, Sinister, A Clockwork Orange, Full Metal Jacket, etc etc 
From the very beginning, the mom seemed to be a very cruel, arrogant bitch who was full of herself and didn't much care for her sons. She had some problem with not wanting to spend a lot of time with her sons, although, she just had plastic surgery and needed to have her "alone time". She is portrayed as well, an arrogant, self obsessed, horrible mother with no feelings. 

Then, we have Elias and Lucas who are 9 year old twins who like to just do typical boy things. Like, swim in the lake and stay under water for very long amounts of time....hmmmm and like to play with their giant cockroach collection and hold them and pet them and sometimes, put them in their glass case with a skull..... 
But, they like to play, have fun, get along great and like to get into a little bit of trouble. 
You tend to side with the twins. 

Of course, there are a few things that you will notice and your mind will start to wander... which is exactly where this movie ends up surprising you. 
They don't give you a lot of information at any part of the movie but, remember those fun books, usually science fiction books, that would let the reader choose the outcome and it would read, "If you wish to open the time machine door, turn to page 45. If you wish to try again, turn to page 52..."? YOU decide what is happening in this movie and somehow, the director manages to push some of us in one direction and some of us in a totally different direction, but, it's all in our minds. 

Just like the critics who "totally missed all of the clues". Like, how is that? Living such a wonderful life with not even a demented thought that would even let your imagination go off to the darkside?? How is this even remotely possible? But, it is! There are some people who just smile and have a fun, old, dandy time and they don't ever have a sinister thought cross their mind. (Apparently, they haven't read a good book, watched a great movie or even watched the news in a very long time!) But, these people exist and the numbers seem higher than I originally thought. They actually sat through this movie, on the edges of their seats, shocked at the ending?? gasp emoticon

Then, you have the other people who caught it in the first few minutes, maybe sided with either the mom or the twins but possibly switched in the middle or towards the end when the rest of the story, the story we didn't see or even have much of a clue about (except for a couple of lines....), and our minds fall off the deep end and immediately expect the worst. Was it their intent to make the viewer feel super uncomfortable because they realize how warped their minds really are? 

Is it easier to live without knowing the evil that exists in other people's everyday lives? 
Is it more fun to be totally oblivious to everything that lurks in the shadows. Or maybe it isn't? 
Was the director attempting to show us how our own minds are the horror story? Were they trying to show how they don't have to write much more than a half of a story and they can let the audience write the rest? Did I just pay a psychiatrist to show me a bunch of ink blots and pieces of different fabrics so i could tell him what the first word was that popped in my head? 

If so, how mighty clever of them and I sincerely hope there is another movie coming soon grin emoticon

Cortisone Injections Stole To Much Of My Time And Well Being

Recently I started having some strange symptoms that I don't recall having before. Except for this one time, a few months ago, when I suddenly came down with something and I wasn't sure what happened. Then, just like that, it all disappeared. Luckily, I keep a pain diary for my pain management doctors and for my own research. (Yes, I still firmly believe that RSD/CRPS will be cured by some "regular" person who can fit all of the pieces of the puzzle together.)

Sure, I am 41 but, would menopause be something I should be concerned with right now? I wasn't sure and assumed maybe that was my problem and I started to get a little more sad than I expected I would when this occurs. I am done having babies at this point. (Jeez ums I would like to be under 75 years old when they all move out!) Or do I? I don't know. This was an issue I struggled with over the past few weeks. Maybe just the thought that the decision is no longer mine? I don't know. Either way, it's been a little scary, to say the least.

I haven't said much about all of this to anybody, except for my doctor, finally. My husband probably just thought I was being an annoying girl all along and had no clue what was going on. (I planned on saying something soon at some point because I was having difficulty with regular housework, errands, everyday life.) But, I think it was a little embarrassing and then I thought, if it is something even more serious, I won't be putting that burden on anybody. Not around the holidays.

Hot flashes, night sweats, heavier periods that never stopped and then, just came to a halt this month.  (But not the cramps, bloating, headaches or any of the fun parts of periods!), heart palpitations, heart burn, nausea, more aches and pains than "normal", stress, tightness in my chest sometimes, a lot of scary stuff. Of course, Google is a help but you have to be very cautious and take into consideration that you must talk to your doctor rather than self diagnose and sit up all night, worrying until the stress causes even more problems. However, it can be a relief too.

I started to try to think back at the last time this happened. Why was it 3 months ago when this started? If it were menopause or peri menopause, wouldn't this be consistent? At least each month? Why were my periods such a mess a few months ago and then they came back to normal after a bit? Did I do anything different? If it were something very serious, I would think there would be more signs, more symptoms, and they wouldn't suddenly stop and get back on track. Would they?

I went through every day from August through last week. Nothing changed. Gosh, the weather is almost the same! (We hit 72 degrees on Christmas day and I'm in Pennsylvania!) Although, it just started getting a bit colder. Food, medication, everything is the same. Maybe even healthier since I have been making a lot of changes all year. I sat here for days, and tried to pinpoint why this happened twice and I noticed that at the beginning of the year, I had a few similar symptoms written down that didn't match my usual symptoms. The only difference between now and the first time and the second time that was not as bad as now, is that everybody came down with a cold/sinus/sore throat/stomach bug that seems to be staying through until the new year. UGH!

Then I noticed that I had cortisone injections a couple of weeks prior to every single time I started writing about interrupted, heavier, periods, hot flashes, palpitations, etc etc. I only started getting cortisone injections in January of this year and they seem to work a little bit for my ankles but, they don't help 100%. (Every little bit counts though..) I had a cortisone injection in August, before we went to Cedar Point and I just went in for another one about 3 weeks ago. I used to get lower lumbar sympathetic nerve blocks and they just stopped working after several years so, I stopped bothering with those. I don't recall any side effects from those injections but, again, I am still fairly new to cortisone.

Each time I go in for cortisone injections, they give me the paper that explains all of what could happen and then you sign it. The doctors go over everything again but, there isn't anything about any of my symptoms. So, I thought I must be mistaken. There has to be something else. But, something kept telling me that this was it. So, I Googled a bit more and found countless threads, posts, message boards, all about the exact same problems and all were related to cortisone injections. It seems that doctors either have no idea or care to tell you about the other side of these injections. They usually just concentrate on the "possible infected injection site" and "chance this won't work or you end up with more pain" blah blah blah blah. But, it has to be tied together if several, and I do mean, several, other females are going through the same thing.

I emailed my doctor about this and heard back from a nurse who said that, "yes, yes indeed, this could all be related to the cortisone injections" But, I am to decide if it's worth the 20% relief from some of my ankle pain, (Again, this doesn't help RSD in any way.) It just helps arthritis and tarsal tunnel and bone and joint problems. and even then, it isn't enough that I want to sit here and waste yet another entire month of my life that I could be spending with my children, my husband, getting work done, and everything else moms do. I am annoyed, no, I am actually furious, that these side effects weren't explained to me and I wonder how many other females go through this, never knowing that it could be something as simple as a cortisone injection that is to help them. Not hurt them even more.
(Apparently there are a lot.) Which makes me then wonder, why aren't doctors telling their patients about these side effects??

So, I am almost back to "normal" since these hot flashes, palpitations, and just downright icky, scary, night sweats, menopause symptoms, or even pregnancy type symptoms at times, have subsided. I still don't feel like I'm back to my usual self but, I still have this stupid cold we have been passing back and forth for weeks. The only other problem is this period dilemma. I never thought I would ever in my life, say that I am anxious for my period! After a couple of weeks of a delay, I am hoping for it to just hurry along and get here so these nasty PMS symptoms can disappear with it!

Have you ever had a cortisone injection of any kind? I would love to read comments from anybody who has any advice or can share a similar story!

Start The New Year With Essential Oils (Enter To Win!)

One of the most annoying parts of winter for me (and I love winter!), is dry skin and cracked heels :( I don't know how many foot creams, cracked heel creams, lotions, scrubs, even DIY recipes, I have tried and I am still in search of something that works from beneath the surface. I know I have extremely dry skin, thanks to RSD and all of the other things that go along with bone and joint problems, but, there has got to be something out here!?

Sure, I can get relief for a little bit, but, it ends up coming back or it seems to just help the surface and nothing more. I can't wear shoes, even in the winter time. I'm stuck with socks and slippers and unfortunately, even have to limp around in the snow sometimes. This just makes my dry heels and feet even worse!!

I like this recipe from doTERRA a lot! It helps me with cracked heels and even helps to calm some of the pain that comes with this. I'm not going to say it heals them completely or is some miracle but, I will say, everybody is different and if I can get relief, even in extreme circumstances, I think you will too :) It doesn't hurt to try! Besides, there aren't any chemicals involved! If it is soothing, all natural, and helps to calm down the burning that comes with cracked heels, I'll be using it daily!

If you are ever interested in essential oils, please email me or comment! I would love to help you out with any questions or concerns. If I can't answer you, I will find somebody who can.

Interested in checking out how you might benefit from essential oils? Looking into becoming a wellness advocate? Or maybe you just want to stock up? Please enter the giveaway at the bottom of this post! Please check back often because there is always a giveaway!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        











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Osmond Marketing Website Giveaway

I received an email from, Osmond Marketing this evening, about a really sweet giveaway they are running right now. I thought some of my blogger friends would be interested in this giveaway because, the prize is a website!

They are offering to donate a website to the winner as well as a website to a non profit, which is a very generous way to give back! So, if you are interested in winning a brand, spankin new website, enter away!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Evgie Wall Decal Giveaway

A New Year means I like to make some changes. I like to change up a room and add something new. Painting a house is a huge job - especially if you want to change a really big room. It's easy to redecorate any room when you use wall decals from Evgie. Evgie is a great place to find wall decals. Their vinyl decals are made from high quality matte vinyl which looks like it is painted on the wall. It is removable, so it’s simple to transform any room over and over again. Just peel and stick, it’s so easy! They will apply to most smooth surfaces. It’s also removable and won’t damage walls! Here are some examples of how you can change up a room and make it beautiful!

Safari Wall Decals

 

Custom Flag Name Outer Space Wall Decals

Ocean Friends Wall Decals

Bears Wall Decals

Forest Animal Friends Wall Decals

We are still renovating our entire third floor. Yes, it has been taking forever but, it has been a lot of fun to start from scratch and choose colors and designs. The kids have been able to special order whatever they want for their rooms from paint to flooring to ceiling fans! We are hoping to have the whole floor completed, shortly after the new year. (All but my princess bathroom!) One thing I think our kids would be excited for, would be these adorable, brightly colored wall decals! I think even our 12 year old would go for the outer space scene!   They are also customizable. For example the Ocean Friends Wall decals is available in different colors! Color changes are available at no additional charge and you can choose up to 7 colors from their color chart. You must choose ONE single color FOR ONE another single color. For example, all elements in ORANGE to the same elements in TEAL. If you need to decorate a nursery, Evgie should be your first stop for wall decals. They create a beautiful and relaxing scenes in your baby's room. Check out their Etsy Store for more beautiful designs.

More Reasons to Shop at Evgie.com

• 100% SATISFACTION – If it turns you don’t love your decal you may ship it back and they will refund your money!
• FREE test decal for you to practice on and EASY Step-by-step detailed instructions!
• They can adjust the decal size larger or smaller and add additional colors. Contact them for pricing!
• They offer custom designs. If you have an idea in mind of a custom design, let them know!

Now for the giveaway! One winner will receive a credit to spend $150 on Wall Decals at Evgie. Details:

• Dates – December 18 – January 4, 2016 1159pm EST
• Open Worldwide – but if the winner resides outside the US they will need to pay the difference in shipping.
• Prize – $150 To spend on Wall Decals at Evgie

Entry-Form

Restaurant.com Dinner And A Movie Deal

I received a Restaurant.com gift card for the purpose of this review. This post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own.

Specials by Restaurant.com Presents Dinner & a Movie

2 Movie Tickets + $100 Restaurant.com Card ONLY $30

The holiday season ushers in festive foods, décor, and winter's highly anticipated movies of 2015! Explore the galaxy, sing with the Chipmunks or solve a Sherlock mystery—and dine out with Special by Restaurant.com’s Dinner & a Movie deal. Now through December 20 for $30, you’ll receive two tickets PLUS a $100 Restaurant.com eGift card to redeem for a star-rated restaurant.

Spend family time discovering the perfect table and flick. Use your movie tickets to see any winter blockbuster hit here. Hurry – this offer ends Sunday, December 20 at 11:59 pm CT or when it’s sold out.

Restaurant.com and Specials by Restaurant.com make great gifts for everyone on your wish list. Connect with Restaurant.com on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest and never miss their next great deal!

These not only make the best stocking stuffers but also gifts for teachers, neighbors, friends, soccer coaches, you can knock everybody of of your list and buy a couple for yourself to use this winter!

There are a lot of great movies coming out, which make for a good family night out on a budget! Better yet, use some of the money you save for a babysitter or drop the kids off at grandma's house and have a much deserved date night with your husband!

I received a Restaurant.com gift card for the purpose of this review. This post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own.

Stella & Dot Under $30 Gift Guide

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links." ** 

Best Gifts Under $30 from Stella & Dot 

There are so many people you can knock right off of your list just by shopping with Stella & Dot! Use the handy checklist above or make your own and save yourself a ton of time and buy some fabulous pieces to make any jewelry lover smile!! 


There are so many options and since you can find a gift for all of your favorite chics, you could grab yourself something nice too! (I know I can't be the only one who picks up a couple of little presents for myself during the holidays! Especially with all of the deals and free gifts with purchase!)


One of the cutest pieces I have found and at a very sweet price, is this adorable, Elephant Wishing Bracelet.   Plus, it comes with it's own specialty packaging so you don't even have to worry about wrapping or finding a unique way to gift this good luck charm. I am usually a silver jewelry fan but, I really like the elephant charm and the hot pink cord. At only $19, you can grab an extra one for yourself and not feel guilty!


Do you have somebody on your list who already has every piece she could ever want or need? (Ok, well, this probably isn't true because, you can't ever have enough or to much!) But, if she has her own unique style and you can't seem to find something that you think she would wear, opt for a Stella & Dot Pouf!  These are also priced just right, (just $24!) and they offer 4 patterns to choose from. You (I mean, your recipient...), can organize with one of these gorgeous bags. Stella & Dot poufs are made with Vegan leather textured material and are available in 4 patterns.


The Mariposa Trio Earring Set is the perfect choice for your daughter, friend's daughter, daughter's friend,  niece or little sister! Coming in at just $22, this is one of the best deals I have found this season. She will be delighted to have 3 different pairs of earrings to choose from each day or if they are a trend setter, mix them up. My 8 year old just got her ears pierced a few weeks ago and even though she is still wearing her studs, she is collecting and planning what she will be wearing, every single day of the week. She loves to mix plaids with stripes, prints with prints and anything that doesn't match but as she says, she is "Just being fashion!" She would have fun with the pink enamel heart earrings, pink and orange enamel butterflies, and the fancy CZ studs.


You still have time! Order by December 17th to get your gifts in time for the big day! At these prices, you may just be able to find all all of those special gifts you need for teachers, friends, stocking stuffers, and a nice Pouf for yourself. (I promise, I won't tell!)

Persil Pro Clean Just Replaced My Long Time, Trusty, Dusty Detergent

** I received a coupon for a free bottle of Persil laundry detergent, thanks to Bzzagent and Persil, in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own. **

I ordered brand new towels and bedding for everybody in the house last week, online.  The store I ordered from tends to have this peculiar scent, like, old, mothball kind of scent. I don't know why. But, even new clothing and things that come from there, always smell a little off. My husband always gets annoyed with this department store because, it's very hard to get the smell out of his jeans and Tshirts after he first buys them. It eventually disappears but, it does take quite some time.

When UPS showed up, with my 3 giant boxes, I was more excited about washing everything with my new obsession, Persil, more than I was about receiving our order today!

My 5 year old helped rip the tags off of everything, we opened all of the comforter bags, (yes, this department store smell gets inside of the bags somehow!) and we had this enormous pile of different shades of blue, pinks, and raspberry, piled on the floor. All I could think of was how much fun it would be to get this mothball smelling stuff, directly in the washer and how when it is all over, it will all smell like Persil! (I am truly hoping Persil makes some fabric softener, fabric refresher, even a wrinkle release of some sort, maybe some kind of body wash?? Maybe body wash is to much, but, it's just such a pleasant scent!!)

We started with the towels and then the sheets, then the new comforters and sure enough, as expected, when the first load was finished, literally, as soon as you open the washer, that fresh, outdoors, energizing, sunshine, glorious scent just fills your laundry room! I couldn't smell wet mothballs, so, it seems it worked quite well. Even after drying, still, no hot mothball smell, nothing but clean and brand new scent!

I am not exaggerating when I say that, when I started folding everything and putting it all where it needs to be, in all of the closets, my mood was just content and motivated. (Something that is really hard to do when you have a to do list with what seems like 300+ chores and tasks to do!) I actually was ready to fold more sheets, (maybe I am going insane because, who folds sheets??) But, our closets smell like Persil and what a sweet scent this is. All of our new towels, comforters and sheets are extra fluffy, extra soft and for the first time, actually folded up. Not just rolled up in a pretty ball that I can shove in between some comforters in the closet.

I think a neat idea would be to come out with even more scents, maybe by moods and maybe advertise them as such and definitely keep the price and the packaging!

One of the coolest benefits from being a Persil fan, is their Twitter account! You can Tweet #TheProfessional your questions and concerns, from 9-530pm MST and they will answer you! I have asked a few times and I have yet to stump them with any stain question! I like to purchase from brands who are active on social media and who will chat with customers or future customers and especially, be there when you need them. I think that says a lot about a brand. It shows they truly care about their customers.
                                         

Glo Wubble Bubble Ball

* We received a Glo Wubble and compensation in return for our review. All opinions are our own. *

We tried a Wubble Ball a few months ago and had the most fun ever with that toy! Unfortunately, yes, it popped, BUT, I sent in for the warranty that The Amazing Wubble Bubble Ball offers and sure enough, they will replace your Wubble Bubble Ball. All you have to do is pay for shipping!! That isn't so bad, considering, shipping is just $6.99 and you do receive a brand new Wubble Ball or Glo Wubble. (Depending on which one you need replaced!) and yes, indeed, this is a lifetime replacement warranty, so, no worries there!

The fact that this toy brings so much entertainment and so much fun, even if it only lasts for a few days of outdoor play or a few months if you are careful, is reason enough for us to include this product in our gift guide and continue to play, buy, and recommend this product and all of their other fun Wubble Balls!

You can find a lot of really sweet deals on all of the Wubble Balls right now and they are perfect to have on hand for parties, picnics, last minute gift ideas, birthday gifts for neighbor kids and friends. (You know, those last minute invites and presents you have about an hour to figure out!?) Everybody who has played at our house when we have a Wubble Ball, bugs and bugs every time they come over, "Could we please get the Wubble Ball out?" My 12 year old is able to use the pump (Yes, the pump is included with this one!) and get it ready for play! Not only does it get all of the kids outside and active, it allows me to get some things done. That alone makes this product worth it to me!

Between all of the shrieks and laughs and yelps outside, (or downstairs in the play area, if it's raining.), the kids are having fun, taking turns, playing dodgeball, volleyball, or whatever new game they make up and all of those squealing kids will play for as long as you let them! This is one of my favorite benefits of the Wubble Balls! They get off of the video games, televisions, computer screens and cell phones and they play and play. Oh and get along while they play! (I can't stress enough how important it is to me that my children do spend quality time together, getting along!) I know, sometimes it seems like it is totally impossible!

What do your kids do for fun together? I don't know any kid who wouldn't want a gigantic ball to throw around at each other, especially a glow in the dark one!! Plus, it makes for good times for the grown ups too!!

Restaurant.com Cyber Monday Deal!

** I received a Restaurant.com gift card for the purpose of this review. This post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. **

I know, it's so much nicer and wonderful to cook from scratch every night of the week, have the house vacuumed, mopped, no clutter, all of the homework is done, all of the errands, groceries, everything is taken care of and we can just start cooking a full course meal at 4pm! This doesn't happen very often, if at all, in a real home! I make a new menu each week and if we have soccer, Girl Scouts, baseball, basketball, any other activities, we either have mac and cheese or we order take out. It's just not possible for us to have home cooked meals every single night of the week.

Eating out can be expensive so, we do eat in most of the time. However, there are a couple of nights a month that we schedule for take out or dining out. Mainly to give myself a break! We do an envelope budget each month and I don't allot very much for dining out. That is more of a treat and something we might do if we end up running errands and stopping by the mall. So, I stock up on Restaurant.com certificates because it's the only way we can afford with a big family, to spend an evening letting somebody else prepare our dinner.

I also love to stock up on Restaurant.com certificates when they are having promotions, when we go on vacation, (you can save a great deal by planning ahead and checking by zip code on their site!) I always take my blogger agenda with me and my zippered pouch with all of my coupons, gift cards, and Restaurant.com certificates, wherever I go. Not to mention, these certificates make the best gifts! At this price, you can afford to buy enough for everybody on your list and maybe add a few!

While you are there, grabbing as many of these deals as you can for gifts, don't forget about your own family! It's super easy to search for restaurants, pubs, bars, ice cream shops, pizza shops, who will accept these certificates, You can search by type, area code, read reviews, and if anything happens that you weren't able to use your certificate and you need to exchange it, no worries! Restaurant.com lets you switch it on the spot! (I have done this many times and never had an issue!)

For families who want to avoid the hours of cooking and clean-up this holiday season, Restaurant.com delivers $3 for $25 Certificates with Promo Code: CYBER today only! Find places to meet, eat and be merry from 22,000 restaurants nationwide.

And if you’re traveling, feel free to take Restaurant.com on the road with you. Their mobile app makes a primary travel companion! Search for eateries by zip code and simply use the certificate from your phone at the restaurant.

Hurry – this "Better than Best" $3 Cyber Monday Sale won’t last. Restaurant.com is the trusted and valued source for connecting restaurants and diners nationwide. This offer ends Monday, November 30 at 11:59 pm CT.

** I received a Restaurant.com gift card for the purpose of this review. This post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. **

WubbleX Is Really, Really, Really Cool!!

** We received this product and compensation in return for our honest review. All opinions are our own. **

I think my husband had a bit more fun with the WubbleX than anybody else, to be honest. Of course, he wouldn't let me get any pictures of him with it but, I will say, he was beaming and the kids were losing it when they saw their dad running around like a crazy nut, cracking up and throwing the WubbleX at them. We kind of needed him because when it would float to the ceiling, he was the only one who could reach it!

For about 3 hours, (and the kids would have played even longer had it not been time for dinner.), all I heard in the kitchen and then downstairs, was yelling, giggles, and constant squeals and every once in awhile, a kid would be on the floor, literally laughing so hard they had to hold their belly and take a break. This is like the best family time toy ever created! 

You might think this is ridiculous. But, just like giant cardboard boxes, a ball that floats in the air is just to cool and just begs you to stop whatever you are doing so you can play! 

Luckily, the boys had a bench by the wall, to stand on to try to grab it because their sister kept trying to keep it away from them so, of course, the WubbleX kept flying towards the ceiling. (No, I would not recommend taking this outdoors lol!)

Unfortunately, the WubbleX is not included in The Amazing Wubble Bubble Ball lifetime warranty, but, they are very inexpensive and you can count on at least a few hours of fun. Much more if you are careful! We were able to play for quite some time, for a few days, until my youngest got it caught on a nail on the wall in the hallway. Sadly, there were tears and I promised to order another one because guess what? You can find some really nice prices on these. ($20 or less!) and yes, this is a lot of fun for kid's parties! If you need to get a few chores done or just need to relax, pull a WubbleX out, the included helium, and voila! Instant babysitter! 

Like I mentioned above, the helium is included with this product, which is wonderful because, I don't have to run somewhere to pay to have this inflated as I do my foil balloons when I order them for parties and things. I will say that the WubbleX is a little stronger than a foil balloon that you would have for kids to bash around and play with. I mean, you are going to see that the WubbleX will lose some air and that's expected. It will withstand more hits, whacks, and bumps then a typical balloon would. It will also do some pretty fabulous tricks! Like, it will float in midair and it will bounce and well, it's pretty much like magic! 

We give the WubbleX 5 stars on an entertainment scale! 5 stars for family fun and 5 stars for originality! 

Do your kids spend countless hours with the WubbleX? or your husbands? :) 

Swaive Ear Thermometer And A Giveaway!

** I received a free product in return for my honest review, thanks to Bloggy Moms and Swaive. All opinions are my own. **

I have been so used to using regular, old thermometers for the last 20+ years for my children and after having the opportunity to try the Swaive Thermometer over the past few weeks, I wish it would have been so easy for our first child as Swaive makes it now! I can't believe I actually had to sit there and strain my eyes, looking at the tiny, thin line in a regular glass thermometer! (I didn't think I was that old, lol!) But, the Swaive thermometer makes life much easier and for that, I am very grateful.


I don't know where to begin with this fascinating piece of technology but, I must say, this is one of the most fabulous inventions for busy moms and dads and even grandparents too! Really, you don't have to have children to use this. Anybody who cares for an elderly friend or family member, a friend or family member with a chronic illness, will find this easy to use ear thermometer, very handy!

It comes in this sleek case, complete with batteries, (yes, I swear it actually has 2 AA batteries included!!), 21 hygienic covers, a user manual, and the thermometer, of course. It is easy to store and fits right into your medicine cabinet without taking up to much space. I know, you are probably thinking, well, there isn't much to say about a thermometer. So, what is all of the fuss about? Well, I have to stress again, how very cool this case is! I have a full and very cluttered up medicine cabinet already, I certainly don't need a thermometer and a bunch of hygienic covers to try and balance on top of a bunch of bottles! So, this case is a selling point to me. and no, it isn't all about the case. (Just wait until you read about what else this snazzy thermometer does!!)

First, I should explain something I really wasn't aware of. After all of these ears of being the best supermom ever, I would have thought I would have known about why the ear is the best place to take a temperature! 

The following is from Swaive: 

Why use the ear? 

Your body temperature is controlled by the part of the brain called the hypothalamus. Blood flowing to the hypothalamus also flows through the ear drum. Taking temperature in the ear accurately reflects the body's core temperature. 

Did you know that? 

(If you did, well, I guess you are an awesome, super, duper mom!!) 

Anyway, yes, we are seriously still talking about why this thermometer is so rad! Now, I am not a major app user but, I do have a few that I can't live without and guess what?! You can install an app for your new Swaive thermometer! With this handy, dandy app, you can keep a history of the whole family, view your critical temperature trends over time, and share important temperature with doctors or spouses. 

The Swaive thermometer learns each person's normal body temperature, since normal body temperature varies by person. This is one bonus I really like. I often wonder about this when I research all of these new fancy thermometers, because I know just from my own children, that they never do seem to have the same "average" temperatures. 

Since we're in Pennsylvania, it has been cold here already. Actually, it hasn't been to bad just yet, but, we have this change of season thing going on and with that, always comes a lot of sniffles, sneezes, fevers, colds, flus, and all of that other icky stuff that tends to stick for days, weeks, sometimes it seems like a month or more. Unfortunately, we already had to try our Swaive thermometer and as I write this, we are battling this strange cold that we can't seem to kick. (It isn't a bad one. Just one that feels like you're on the verge of being totally sick.) So, I have been using my new thermometer and it's already learned our own personal, normal body temperatures. I also don't have to wake the little ones up just to check their temps! 

Now, onto a giveaway, thanks to Bloggy Moms and Swaive! 

You can enter to win your own Swaive thermometer!

Good luck!