Where'd it go?

Anyone know what happened to the list of other families' blogs that were listed along the right side of the page? That was my main form of getting to everyone else's blogs! Someone please find it! Gah!

Just a Random Quote

“He is a loving Father who wants us to have the happiness that results not from mere innocence but from proven righteousness. Therefore, he will, at times, not deflect the harsh learning experiences that may come to each of us—even though he will help us in coping with them”   Neal A. Maxwell

Weekly Recommendation - Liz

My recommendation may not be for the most exciting thing, but it can save you money, and who doesn't want to save money these days?

I prefer to shop online when I can. This stems from several factors: the ease of finding online deals, the fact that I grew up in areas where my retailers of choice were often unavailable except on the internet, and my slightly misanthropic hatred of real shopping. So when I learned about Ebates, I knew I had to take advantage of it.

Some of you may have heard of this site before, but for those of you that haven't, I highly recommend Ebates, a site that will pay you cash back for purchases made online. This is how it works: You go to the site and choose from a very extensive list of online stores. Click the link for the store you want, and you're immediately taken to that site (an Ebates message will appear telling you a "ticket" has been opened, which means Ebates will be informed of how much you spend). Shop as normal. Once you've completed your purchase, Ebates will send you an email informing you that your cash back is being processed. Depending on the store, you will receive up to 20% (but usually more like 2%-8%) of your purchase total, sent to you in a nice little check, or deposited right to your PayPal account, according to your preference. Super easy! Ebates also has coupon codes for these stores, some of them exclusive to that site.  And these aren't obscure stores, either. Places like JCPenney, Sephora, Target, Snapfish, Toys R Us, even Amazon occasionally has cash back categories.

I started using Ebates last November, and to date I have received $69.21 in cash back. I know that $69.21 in one year isn't a lot compared to what some of you super couponers can save, but every little bit counts - that's $69.21 that can be used for a new dress, or a nice date with Mike, or put towards a down payment on a house. And, if you use the link below to create an account at Ebates, I get a referral bonus credited to my account!

http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=BhEO%2FSmP4gNTb93w57GA1w%3D%3D

So, as the holiday season approaches, I urge you to use Ebates as you make your online gift purchases..

Let it Snow

Yeah, We love the snow.  Last night it snowed 2.5 inches in about 3 hours.  Big, Puffy, Cotton ball flakes that are perfect for catching on your tongue.  The kids ran around outside, danced to the Carpenter's Christmas CD, drank hot chocolate, and officially kicked off the holiday season.   

Christmas, here we come!!

hmm my week?

Well I guess it is my turn now... and to be honest I have no idea what to write about. The only thing I can really think about is either baking/cooking or crafts... That is something I'd rather be doing than going to school. I feel bad,.. I don't know what to review or recommend! The only thing I can think about is my Laughter yoga class which is my favorite and I wished more people knew about it.. but that's not something very many of you can try (unless if your in an area that offers it... which there are quite a few in Utah.. not so sure about Idaho, Vegas, Colorado, or Montana). And as of late all I've had on my mind is school, and homework and other things. :s

Even though you can't take the laughter yoga class's - I realize there are some interesting things I can share with you that I feel that has helped me be happier in my life, so as crazy as it is, I will share - try it and let me know what you think! :)

So what is Laughter Yoga, you might ask? If you want the long version, you can read this:
 http://www.laughteryoga.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=180:what-is-laughter-yoga&catid=85:about-laughter-yoga&Itemid=265

But if you don't feel like reading all of that, simply put it is to help you expand and improve your breathing, good health and feeling joy. Laughing also helps open your blood flow which helps you feeling less stressed. Laughter dissolves distressing emotions, you cant feel anxious, angry or sad when you are laughing.
Laughter is good for your health


Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.

Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.

Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.   "Laughter Yoga combines Unconditional Laughter with Yogic Breathing (Pranayama). Anyone can Laugh for No Reason, without relying on humor, jokes or comedy. Laughter is simulated as a body exercise in a group; with eye contact and childlike playfulness, it soon turns into real and contagious laughter. The concept of Laughter Yoga is based on a scientific fact that the body cannot differentiate between fake and real laughter. One gets the same physiological and psychological benefits."
It is really awkward to try some of the exercises, especially alone. But I think you should try a few of them. The more people you try these with, the more fun and more you'll laugh. I think best done with kids! :)

One of my favorites, is one that I used to do as a kid with my cousins. It is better to do with at least 3 or more people. Larger the group the more fun and complicated it gets. First person lays down on their back. Next person lays down on their back with their head on that person's stomach. This continues till the last person. As a kid I called it the stomach laughing game! :) you can lay down as shown in this picture or whatever is the easiest. One person starts. They just say Ha. Next person that is laying on that person's stomach as to say Ha Ha, third person says Ha Ha Ha, fourth person says HaHaHaHa... and so on. Soon you'll all break out into laughter!

Next one to try out, is called the silent laughter. Laugh, without making any noises! (okay you'll make some raspy noises, that is fine but try not to actually laugh out lout .. LOL) Try laughing really hard, with out making any noise. Sometimes its funny to see others trying to do this and it will make you bust out laughing even more.

Anyways those are only two of the examples of ways you can do some of the laughter exercises. I would do more, but that would make for a long post. Google Laughter yoga exercises for more activities or click here. Sorry this is so late out of the week. So there is my review and recommendation for the week :)

Week 2 Review - Viva Paper Towels and Kroger TP

So this week I have decided to review my favorite toilet paper and paper towels. While this may sound strange, the search for the perfect paper towel and toilet paper is one that every family continually goes through. In my opinion, finding the perfect paper towel and toilet paper is like finding the perfect food. A food that is healthy, filling, cheap, and tasty. Very difficult. Like that, people want paper towels that are strong, long lasting, versatile, and a good value, while desiring toilet paper that is strong, soft, long lasting, and a good bargain. That said, I feel I have found the paper products that best fit this description! So look no further, dear family, for the perfect paper products. This review will end that seemingly endless search. So on we go!

First, Viva paper towels! Viva paper towels are made by Kleenex, so you know they are a reputable brand. I was a little hesitant at first, because they are a little bit more expensive then other paper towels. But we got them on a good sale at Target. So we bought a 12 pack, and the paper towels lasted us literally ten months. And we use them quite frequently. So they are long lasting! They are also very tough. This is the only paper towel I've ever used where I actually feel guilty for only using it for a tiny little spill because it can do so much more! So whenever I have to clean up a bit of water, I also use the same paper towel to quickly run over the stove, the sink, and anything else that might look dirty. With one little sheet. So, in essence, they are strong paper towels that last forever. Facts that no one can overlook. Paper towel dilemma - case closed. Try them, guys. You'll love 'em.

(Also make sure you get the choose-a-size. No matter what brand you use, it really makes them last longer if you're using smaller sheets.)

Second, Kroger brand toilet paper. I'll admit that my search for a good toilet paper has taken me to pretty much all of the brands. Unfortunately with almost all toilet papers it is either soft but breaks all apart, or it is strong and leaves a burning sensation that makes you feel like you fell asleep on a nude beach in the Hawaiin tropics. And anything even close to decent was so expensive! So when I went to our local King Soopers and found the Kroger brand toilet paper on sale for really cheap, I thought it might be worth the risk. Lo and behold, it was. The toilet paper is soft. Not uber soft like pricey brands, but pretty nice. It is strong! It never tears. Or leaves those creepy little bits that the Charmin Bears are plagued with. Lastly, they are cheap. They are a bargain brand. So a toilet paper that truly leaves me feeling clean and unchafed for a good deal is all I could ask for. It's worth its weight in gold.


So, there you have it. The Alpha and Omega of paper products. I challenge everyone to try them out and see what you think. You'll see. And you'll be glad you did! 

Trollhunters (2011)

Okay, so the list is on the side bar. I will send you an e-mail reminding you when it is your turn. If you can't do it it's cool, we'll just continue! If you want to do it before your date, it's cool, just do it! So, I will begin:

Found-footage films began with the Blair Witch Project. I remember all too well whisperings around school of people wondering whether or not the footage was real and what people should make of it.

Lately, I have noticed that found-footage films have become more popular (11 have been/will be released in 2012). I had never seen such a film, but as I was scrolling through Netflix the other day, I saw one and decided that I would take the plunge into the genre. My maiden voyage into found-footage films began with none other than . . . .

TROLLHUNTER! It was the perfect movie for Hayley to curl up and fall asleep to and for me to unabashedly enjoy.

Trollhunters begins with a filming crew from a local Norwegian college attempting to make a documentary about an alleged bear poacher. However, they quickly find that this poacher is trying to control the population of a different, far more dangerous animal: The troll. The plot rides on the theory that the Norweigan government has been attempting to keep the existence of trolls secret for decades, but that trolls have been popping up around the countryside more frequently, ravaging the land, killing tourists, and snacking on local livestock. The filming crew follow the trollhunter, attempting to discover the reason more trolls are leaving the mountains, all the while being chased by the Feds who are attempting to confiscate the footage.

Okay, it felt silly writing that, and frankly, it felt silly watching it. But, once I got past the initial shock of the first giant troll looking quite ridiculous, I got used to the idea of enjoying a bizarre, clearly untrue found-footage film. The filming was done well and kept the story going nicely. I was afraid that the camera work would be jolting and would point off into space all the time, but that wasn't the case. Additionally, the trolls actually look quite good as the film progresses. 

What would have made the film better is if I had read up on Norwegian troll folklore a bit more before I watched it (seriously, though, who hasn't brushed up on the subject recently). Apparently, the trolls may have looked ridiculous, but they were  based on actual cultural references and artistic depictions of Norwegian troll folklore. The film even pays homage to the Billy Goats Gruff. I also enjoyed that the movie was filmed entirely in Norway. I got to see gorgeous pictures of the Norwegian landscape, small cities tucked into the mountains, and towering fjords. That was fun. (Side note: My mother-in-law loves Norway, but somehow I don't think the would like Trollhunters).

So, overall, I enjoyed myself, especially considering the Halloween season. And, if you decide to watch, at least you'll be able to come on here and mock me afterwards. Oh, and most of the actors are stand-up comedians, so I think it's supposed to be a little silly.

**Caveat: The entire film is in Norwegian, requiring English subtitles. I, however, found listening to the language interesting and I didn't find that it detracted from the movie.

Reviews and recommendations

So I was thinking: I really value my family's opinion. Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to talk to each of you about books, movies, music, products, etc. that you have opinions on. I thought, "There are a million things that I want to share with my family, I wonder if they feel the same way?"

So here's my thought: What if, each month/week/whatever time period, one member of the family created a post reviewing some product, game, person, really anything, indicating why they like it, why they don't like it etc. It can be about anything from baby wipes, to Baby Face, to "What ever happened to baby Jane?," to baby carrots. Anything you want!

I think it sounds fun, but if there is little interest, I'll just pose randomly whenever I have something I want to share. Thanks for your input!