Free Appetizer at TGI Fridays

If you go to TGI Fridays today, you can receive a free Crispy Green Bean Fries Appetizer by printing out the coupon here.

(Thanks Hip2Save!)

Fun Games to Play

When it's a rainy day it's always nice to have some fun indoor games to play. Some of the ones I like to play with family and friends include:

1. Blokus: A tetris like board game that involves strategy and defensive skills. 2-4 players
2. Monopoly: This real estate game can be fun or not so fun depending on how competitive you are feeling.
3. Uno: Uno can be a short game or a couple of hours long depending on if you include different variations. This game is great for a big group.
4. Ticket to Ride: Build trains and try to complete strategy cards before your components. This is a fun strategy game.
5. Scrabble: Scrabble involves building words in a crossword type fashion. It helps to develop those critical thinking skills.
6. Rummikiub: It's like Rummy with tiles. I used to play this game with my grandmother on late summer evenings.
7. Classic Card Games: There's also classic card games that are always fun to play like Go Fish, Scum, Kanasta, Rummy.

Board/card games can enhance thinking skills or keep them sharp, help improve your memory, help with social development. Learn more here.

Waiting for a Sequel

I dislike waiting for sequels of books. I feel like it's a massive publishing company scheme. I have a couple of series that I've started, but I am waiting for the next book to come out in the fall. When of the series is the sequel to "I am Number Four." The book was quite good. It's about a young adult that's an alien try to pretend to be human to avoid being killed by an enemy race. The movie was disturbingly a little different than the book (and the book was even better). I can't wait for the next one to come out. My friend recommended the book to me. What books would you recommend to read over the summer?

How to Catch a Catfish

One day, my fiance and I went fishing with a canoe and we weren't catching much, which was a little disappointing after we had caught fish after fish a couple of days before. So we decided that we were done and started heading back. As we were headed back, we noticed some fins poking out of the water like a shark. We decided to investigate and found an enormous catfish swimming on the surface even though catfish normally swim on the bottom. We threw our lines in expecting the catfish to take our bait. The catfish didn't like shrimp or worms. Then we tried to reach in and grab it, but it slid out of our hands and swam away. We then started chasing after it in the canoe. We finally got close to it, stuck a bucket in the water and the catfish swam right in to the bucket. We pulled it out of the water and were so proud of ourselves. We took it home to clean it but after cleaning it we decided were never going to catch catfish again. They are really hard to clean. You have to nail their head to the board and remove their skin with pliers. You also have to avoid getting stung by their antennas. So that's one way to catch a catfish.

Free Lettuce Wraps

For a friend's birthday once, we went to P.F. Chang's and my friend ordered their lettuce wraps. At first, I thought lettuce wraps might be kind of weird, but when I tried them they were absolutely delicious. Now, if you "like" P.F. Chang's on Facebook, you can get a coupon for free lettuce wraps and try them yourselves. Click here to like them on Facebook and to sign up to get free lettuce wraps.

(Thanks Hip2Save!)

How I Saved $25.00

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In the beginning of July, a neighbor came to my door and said that my next door neighbor said I needed the wood pile moved next to my garage. He offered to do it for $25.00. I thought for $25.00 I could do it myself so I shook my head and told him, "No, thank you." My next available day, I put on some gardening gloves and started hauling long pieces of wood out to the curb. It was hard work and it took about an hour, but I was quite proud of myself and I didn't need to pay someone else for something I could do myself. Sometimes we need help, but sometimes it's better to do things ourselves. It gives us experience, might help tone our muscles, and gives us a sense of accomplishment.

Grillin' Experience

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For my birthday, my parents got me a grill. I was so excited that the next day, my fiance, Jim and I decided to grill chicken and potatoes. The only problem was that we didn't have any lighter fluid. For the first attempt, we found paper and layered the paper in-between bits of charcoal. After using several matches, I ran and got lint from the dryer and we stuck lint in-between the paper and charcoal. That didn't work either. Then Jim decided that we should get bits of wood to build a mini-fire in the grill and use that to start the charcoals. It worked like a charm. The next time we grilled we got lighter fluid, but the mini-fire worked the best.

The grilled chicken turned out great. I started putting bread crumbs on the chicken, but then I ran out of bread crumbs and used crumbled Cheez-Its, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning to season the chicken. The potatoes also turned out really yummy. We sliced up potatoes, dipped them in oil and sprinkled salt on them. We also heated up some frozen green beans in the microwave. Since then we've grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. Grills are so much fun!

Avengers Casting Call

If you ever wanted to be in the movies and especially a marvel move - the Avengers is having a casting call on July 15th - 16th in Independence, Ohio. Learn more here.

Free Queso Dip

On Wednesday June 20th, all participating Moe's Southwest Grill Locations will be offering FREE queso dip to their customers from 11 am - 9 pm. Check it out here.

Strengthening Those Muscles

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Exercise takes time. Not, only does it take, but it takes patience and sometimes it takes a while to see the results. Most of us when our lives get busy start placing exercising on the back burner. It's hard to feel motivated to do it. Yesterday, at my voice lessons, I was struggling with a song. I wasn't struggling because of going off-key, I was struggling to control my stomach muscles. I've been practicing a breathing exercise all week to help, but it's not something that won't instantly happen, it's something that may take months and even years to develop those stronger muscles that will help with my breathing while I am singing. Exercise is the same way. The first few times may be painful and you might expect to see results right away, but it may take months. So, stick in there and keep strengthening those muscles. Here are some of the benefits of exercising:

• Helps improve health: It might not reduce all your medical ailments since those depend on other factors, but it will help manage chronic diseases and help reduce your chances of health risks.
• Strengthens and tones: Your body will gradually start losing the fat and improve your muscle strengthen and tone.
• Enhances flexibility: Flexibility helps prevent injuries and strains on your muscles.
• It makes us feel mentally better: Exercise helps boost your mood and reduce stress.
• Sleep better at night: It help energize you during the day and help you to relax better at night.
• Helps your bones to become stronger.
• More Energy
• Brain Power: Able to remember things more effectively

Just to warn you, exercise my increase your desire to eat more. So unless you want to maintain your weight, try and distract yourself by staying active by developing your talents or reading a book so that you won't damage your efforts with constant snacks if you are trying to lose weight.

Also if you're wondering how often you should exercise, start off with 30 minutes a day, 3 days a week then gradually start cross training with different types of exercise and increasing it to an hour a day.

 Sources:
Exercise 7 Benefits of regular physical activity
Why Exercise? How Exercise Benefits Your Health & How to Begin 
Why Exercise Makes Us Feel Good
Ever Wonder Why Exercise is Good For You?
Why Exercise Won't Make You Thin

National Cheesecake Day

National Cheesecake Day is July 30th! Be sure to mark it on your calendars. Make your loved ones a cheesecake (as long as their fond of cheesecake) or head over to the Cheesecake Factory and get a cheesecake slice for half-off. To make a cheesecake, reference recipes at: All Recipes.

Free Slurpee

Are you a slurpee fan? I used to love them as a kid and today you can get one for free! So click here for more information and then go to your local 7-11!

Thanks hip2save!

FREE Chicken - Are you game enough?

What can I say? I am admitted Panda Express Fan. Not to mention, sometimes I enjoy a good coupon. If you print out a coupon here and go to Panda Express. You can receive FREE Garlic Chicken with ANY purchase. Not only that but if you wear black pants, cut out white spots and paste them all over you, add some horns, and maybe a bell; you can go to Chick-fil-a and get a free combo meal. That's right if you stomp out your dignity and dress like a cow, you can get a FREE meal! (I am also a Chick-Fil-a Fan.) Check it out by going here.

Picking Wedding Colors

Most girls dream about their wedding to the exact detail of how their hair will be arranged, where they will get married and what colors they will have. Right after I got engaged (the very week), people were asking me about details and even what my colors would be. I didn't know and wasn't sure if it was even necessary, but it is if you want to coordinate outfits and all. I went from wedding site to wedding site until my mom sent me a link for The Dessy Group, there I was able to take a look at pantone colors and  pick out a few swatches that I liked. Out of all the sites, that was the site that helped the most. I was able to pick a shade and compare it with other colors, side by site. Even though I've picked three, I still want to make sure I can get flowers to match!

Trying New Foods and Changing Taste Buds

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When I was growing up my parents encouraged us to try new foods because otherwise you never know if you're going to like it or not. Just because it might sound gross (like sushi) doesn't mean that it is. They also encouraged me to eat what I was given and they wouldn't make three different meals for each of their kids. Since they stood strong on that statement neither of my brothers and I are picky eaters. Sure there were times when we would sit at the table complaining about having to eat what was given to us, but my mom always said as you get older your taste buds change. I found that to be true since the brussell sprouts that I hated as a kid, I now enjoy. I also enjoy new and different foods that may seem weird like calamari and sushi rolls. Go ahead and try something new!

Classic Romantic Reads

Are you looking for something to read this summer? Here are some romantic classics to check out at your local bookstore or library:

• Emma by Jane Austin
• Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
• Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austin
• The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
• The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
• The Hand of Ethelberta by Thomas Hardy
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin
• Cecila by Francis Burney
• Evaline by Francis Burney
• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
• Wutherings Height by Emily Bronte
• Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
• Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Family Movies to Help You Celebrate the Fourth

Here are some family-type movie suggestions for celebrating the Fourth:

1. National Treasure
2. Yankee Doodle Dandy
3. 1776
4. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
5. Johnny Tremain
6. April Morning
7. Operation Petticoat
8. The Music Man
9. The Fighting Sullivans
10. Pearl Harbor
11. The Great Escape
12. A League of Their Own
13. Tall Tale
14. John Adams

What other movies can you think of to help celebrate the Fourth?

Fourth of July

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Ways to Celebrate the Fourth of July:

1. Picnic with Family
2. Go to a Parade
3. Watch Fireworks
4. Do something relaxing 
5. Hike a national park in your area
6. Tour local historical sites on American History
7. Tour veteran's memorials in your area
8. Watch a war-time movie or movie on American History
9. Thank a vet

What are some ways that you can think of to celebrate?

Why Should I Make My Bed in the Morning?

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Mom always said you should make your bed in the morning, but the question is why? Now, when I was younger and questioned my mother you could bet I would get in trouble, but now that I am older, I can question the benefits to me by making a pro and con list. Yes, that's right a pro and con list to making your bed in the morning.

Con:

1. It's actually healthier to not make your bed in the morning. An unmade bed is less appealing to bed bugs and dust mites. Check out this reference.
2. Why waste your time when you're just going to get back into it?
3. Extra effort in the morning when you have to get ready for the day.

Pro:

1. A made bed makes the room looker neater and more organized.
2. It helps you start the day feeling accomplished.
3. It prevents you from rolling back into bed in the morning.

What do you think?

The Middle

I am not usually a fan of buying DVD's of television shows. I've never even found a television show that I've liked to watch more than once until I found The Middle. The Middle features a disfunctional/functional family. The show is extremely clean and is even funnier than the Office (imagine that). I can watch the episodes over and over again and still end of laughing hysterically at the crazy antics. Even though Season Two doesn't come out till September/October, I have it pre-ordered through Amazon that's how good it is. Am I crazy or what to like a series that much to actually own the episodes on DVD?

Books to Read with your Kids

If you're like me the kids section of library can be daunting. I don't have kids, but I do have a lot of nannying experience and took the kids to the library a lot and I read books to a girl with MRDD at Hattie Larlhams. Here are some suggestions I have for fun books to read with your kids over the summer. Remember reading with them helps them want to read, increases their desire to learn and helps them in school.

• Olivia by Ian Falconer
• Olivia Forms a Band by Ian Falconer
• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBrantney
• You're all My Favorites by Sam McBrantney
• Click, Clack, Moo by Doreen Cronin
• Dooby, Dooby, Moo by Doreen Cronin
• The Very Hungry Catapillar by Eric Carle
• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Williams
• Brown Bear, Brown Bear what do you See? by Eric Carle
• The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister Herbert
• If you give series.... by Laura Numeroff
• Pigsty by Mark Teague
• Lost and Found by Mark Teague
• The Secret Shortcut by Mark Teague
• Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
• How do Dinosaurs say I love you? by Jane Yolan
• Corduroy by Don Freeman
• The Mitten by Jan Brett

Here are some reason why you should read to your kids:

• 16 Reasons Why....
• The More You Know