Netflix

 Some on you were asking for a review of Netflix, and since I LOOOOVVVVEEEE T.V. (and all things that go with it), I thought I would give you my opinion.
 Netflix, I believe, cost $8.00/month.  To me, it is the best $8 dollars spent in a month (except maybe the $8 spent at McDonalds).  Greg and I have very basic cable, because we don't feel the need to spend $50 a month on programming that is mostly garbage.  Instead we spend $16 a month for netflix and Hulu Plus, and between the two, it satisfies my television viewing needs.  Let me give you a run down of the pros of Netflix, and then you can see if it is right for you.

Netflix:

1. I think Netflix streams great shows.  I am a fan of all types of shows: Comedy, drama, thriller. etc.  I love to watch shows that I have watched when I was a kid, without having to buy the DVDs.  For example:  I loved Saved by the Bell (mock me all you want, but you know you watched it, too).  Netflix has the entire series (commercial and ad free).  Do I want to watch the episode where Zack catches Kelly's boyfriend, Jeff, cheating on her at The Attic?  Yes I do.  And with one click of my remote I get to watch Kelly find out that Jeff is a cheating scum bag (I knew it!).
    Not a Saved by the Bell fan?  There are countless shows, including ones that have seasons currently showing on Network television.  Do you like the show Parenthood (if you have not seen it, you should), Grey's Anatomy, The Office, Bones, Downton Abbey, SNL, AFV, etc.?  Catch up on the series with all the previous seasons.  Do have a hankering to have a 24 marathon?  Watch any season of Jack Bauer get out alive, even though it was a 200 to 1 shoot out.  I have heard that the show Friday Night Lights is Amazing.  All 5 seasons are on Netflix.    Prison Break, is an amazingly addictive show, and all 4 seasons are on it.  You will never get bored with Netflix.

2.  It has tons of shows for kids.  Annabelle only likes one show: Curious George.  Unfortunately, PBS only plays it once a day.  I need Annabelle to leave me alone more than once a day.  What do I do?  Start up Netflix, and put Curious George on.  I have been told that it has been scientifically proven that Super Why and Dora help your child's brain development.  Every season of both shows are on Netflix. On Sundays we put on Veggies Tales, and Larry the cucumber teaches my kids bible stories while Greg and I nap.

3.  It has reasonably good movies.

4.  Documentaries.  Do you like Shark Week?  Ever wonder how the secret service works or how are country can possibly support solitary confinement?  Do you like Myth Busters?  There is a documentary for everyone.

Anyways, I hope this helps.  I have found that current television programming is getting worse and worse, and I feel with Netflix that I can watch shows that are clean and highly entertaining.  For $96/year (I couldn't even buy three seasons of The Office for that much) I get a wide range of programming anytime I want it.  But then again, I would pay $8/month for Curious George.  Hope this helps!

Any one seen this show?  When I first heard about it I thought it sounded weird but when I actually sat down and started watching it I found out how fantastic it is.  It is a relatively clean show that is very entertaining.  So go try it out.   The first season is on Netflix. Just beware that once you start it's hard to stop.

Family Reunion Info - Map and Rules

Hello, Family!

Here is the first of several posts that will give info about our family reunion! For future reference, we will label all these posts with "Family Reunion 2013," so you can click the label link (at the bottom of the post, under the comments button), or find the link on the right hand side of the blog (under the "Labels" section). Clicking on this link will pull up all the posts related to this year's family reunion.

First of all, we wanted to include a link to a wonderful Google Map that Mike made. This map shows the route from Grandma and Grandpa Bean's house to Heise Hot Springs, and if you zoom in on that area, you will see the individual campsites we have reserved, as well as various fun things to do there! Check it out here (make sure you are using Satellite view, not Map view, for the most accurate map).

Secondly, we need to make you all aware, per the campground managers, of the camp rules. Please read these carefully and go over them with your children. They are as follows:

Heise Campground Rules
1. All campers must register upon arrival.
2. Checkout time is 12 noon. Sites are to be vacated at this time unless prior arrangements have been made with the office (*note: prior arrangements have NOT been made with the office, so we will all need to be gone from the campground by 12 noon on Sunday, August 16th).
3. Each vehicle must have a vehicle pass with the gate entry code. Do not give this code to anyone.
4. Only two vehicles allowed per registered camper.
5. Fires are allowed in the fire pits provided. Do not move fire pits.
6. Place trash in cans provided, not in fire pits.
7. Do not leave your fire unattended. Put it out when you leave.
8. Horseshoes are allowed in designated areas only.
9. Quiet hours are from 10:30pm until 7:30am. After 10:30, you should not disturb neighboring campers. Quiet hours are strictly enforced.
10. Generators will not be operated in the campground (except for power outages).
11. No drinking to excess or loud parties.
12. Pets must be kept on a leash, kept quiet, and picked up after. Do not leave dogs unattended in or around your RV or campsite.
13. No fireworks or water balloons allowed in the campground.
14. No big rugs. They kill the grass.
15. Any violations of these rules may be grounds for evictions. No refunds.

Thanks, everyone! If you have any questions, let Mike or I know. We will continue to post more info to the blog as the family reunion gets closer!

Family Vacation

Yes- I like vacations.  A lot.  And they have to involve the beach (almost always).  So next May is our next planned vacation.  We've planned on going to S. Cali BUT I found that allegiant if flying direct to Hawaii from Boise... and this April tickets were at $300 round trip.  That is pretty cool and exciting, and I have to admit that I am tempted.  IF I can save a bunch of money, that might be an idea, but either way- next spring we are vacationing. 

THE POINT IS- we would like to invite anyone that would like to come.  I realize that work, life, time, etc. happens, so don't feel bad if you don't come.  We have just found that we LOVE traveling w/ our Aunts and Uncles and always want everyone to feel like they can come if they want. 

And I travel cheap.  Like, really cheap.  But would love to go w/ a beach house again.

Oblivion

So, I have been waiting for this movie to come out FOREVER. Unfortunately, it has questionable material so I will likely never watch it. However, the reason I was so excited as because one of my favorite bands, M83, was commissioned to to the entire soundtrack. I have been listening to it and love it. Wouldn't it be cool if more movies commissioned artists to write original music just for the soundtrack?

Weekly Recommendation: mental_floss

I miss two things about college. I miss the unique passion for and depth of literary discussion that can only be found in 300- and 400- level English classes. College was like the best book club ever. And I miss the joy of simply learning. So this week my recommendation is for a product that has brought that particular joy back into my life.

It's my new favorite publication, mental_floss. I first learned about it in one of Ken Jenning's wonderful books (all of which I also highly recommend), but I didn't check it out myself until a couple months ago, when I found a copy at our library. Since then, I have been reading through all the old issues that the library has.

Each issue of mental_floss contains articles, quick facts, and photos about random information from all disciplines - history, science, technology, current events, literature, art, etc. Alton Brown even has a food column in each issue that is reminiscent of his show Good Eats. The articles discuss topics that range from powerful nuns throughout history, to the dark internet, to influential TV shows, to Russian science experiments. The articles are so fascinating that I often can't put the magazine down. Some interesting facts I have recently gleaned from mental_floss include:

1. Though people credit Benjamin Franklin with coming up with the idea of Daylight Savings Time, the forum in which he "proposed" the idea was a satirical article criticizing French laziness.

2. Jelly Bellies introduced their blueberry flavor for the inauguration of Ronald Reagan (who was a lover of jelly beans) so that red, white, and blue combinations would be possible.

3. A man named Boothroyd wrote to Ian Fleming to point out that James Bond's gun was too ladylike, and suggested the more macho Walther PPK. Fleming took the suggestion, as well as several others Boothroyd gave him over the years. Boothroyd refused compensation, so Fleming named "Q" (whose real name is Boothroyd) after him.

Each issue also contains fun trivia tests and personality quizzes, which are great fun to take with your spouse. Recent quizzes include: "Are you the Nina, the Pinta, or the Santa Maria?" (Mike and I are the Pinta and the Santa Maria, respectively); and "Which forgettable U.S. President are you?" (Rutherford B. Hayes and Franklin Pierce); and "Which defunct political party are you?" (The Bull Moose Party and the Free Soil Party).

mental_floss also has a website, but I actually prefer the magazine, so that is my recommendation for the week.

(Also as a side recommendation, I strongly encourage you to watch this video.)

Anyone here watch survivor?

Anyone watch survivor?  Does Cochran remind you of anyone?

Hey, I am adding to this post.....Anyone watch The Walking Dead (big fans over here)?  Does Daryl Dixon (cast name) remind you of anyone?  -Steph-

           

How about this photo?  Remind you of anyone?