Le Fumoir Rubs - A Review

Le Fumoir has the perfect combination of sweet and heat. Their sauces are to die for and the meats are perfectly smoked.  If you are looking for super tender fall off the bone ribs then don't come to Le Fumoir. The way we Southerns like our meat is with a little BITE to it. Sure, the meat at Le Fumoir is tender but BBQ is about being messy and their ribs require you to bite into them to get that full satisfaction of eating a rib.

The meat is tender, sweet, juicy, and the sauce adds a bit of heat. If you are looking for extra heat try another one of their sauces that they bring to the tables.

What else is amazing about Le Fumoir? Oh let's see: Great prices, HUGE portions, GREAT flavor. It really is all you can ask for.

So far I've tried the following dishes:

Pulled Pork Sandwich:  I really wish I would have read the entire description because I'm not a fan of the slaw in my sandwich but I can't complain, it was great. And its a really nice way of making me NOT have to order slaw as a side.

Smoked Mac & Cheese:  To quote Haley from One Tree Hill "Mac and Cheese is the food of Gods". Well Haley, if you've ever had Fe Fumoir's Mac and Cheese I can definitely agree with you on that! Rich, creamy, just enough smoke flavor, gooey melted cheese...where exactly can you go wrong with this dish? I think I could actually eat this as an entire meal. 

Slaw: Have you ever had slaw with apples and poppy seeds? I hadn't until I went to Le Fumoir and I don't think I can ever go back to another slaw again. Do you think the owner would give me the recipe? 

Beef Ribs: Y'all can talk about pork baby back ribs all you want but those are a dime a dozen in Montreal. Rich SMOKED beef ribs with that smoke ring and pink center. OHMYGOD! Just enough pull to make me feel like I'm eating real ribs and that excellent flavorful dry rub. Do they deliver?

Beef Brisket: This is a Southern Staple. If you can get this meat right then you've made it. Le Fumoir, I'm happy to announce that you've made it. Officially the BEST brisket I've had outside of Texas! 

Fries/ Sweet Potato Fries: Excellent flavor. Excellent seasoning. So tasty. NOT Frozen fries. Believe me, I'd know!!

Beef Ribs: Holy smokes! These ribs are HUGE! Bigger than my head. I do not understand how anyone in their right mind can actually eat 3 of these! Tender, meaty, smokey, juicy, literally melts the second this touches your mouth. Everyone I've been with has tried this and fallen in love!

Pulled Pork Poutine: These Quebecers are all about their cheese curd and covering fries with gravy. At first I was hesitant, I was a little afraid...and then I fell in love. The pulled pork is just a miracle meat that makes everything amazing.

Smoked Veggies: Excellent side dish. Smoked veggies later mixed with balasamic vinegar and oil. My gosh, a party in my mouth. 

Chocolate Covered Bacon: I didn't think there was a way to incorporate meat into a dessert but RUBS managed to do it. Chocolate covered bacon covered with nuts and served with ice cream. Oh la la!

Reading this review you'll probably think I'm 500 pounds but in the sake of disclosure, I've been numerous times and have tried food off of my friends plates.

Want my personal suggestion: KEEP GOING BACK! The food is amazing and you slowly have to work your way down the menu!

Words Fail Me

So I've spent that last hour and a half staring at this blank page trying to think of how to put everything "on paper" but its just not coming. For the first time in my life words have failed me.

I will try to organize my thoughts and write something. It's about time I blog or something right?

Guest Post: Bucket List

So if you've been following me on Twitter or Facebook you'll know that I have been talking about having guest bloggers on my blog to offer a different point of view and different content. I present to you, Brian Smith

When I first volunteered to guest blog and write about my bucket list, I thought, “This will be easy.” After all, everyone has stuff they want to do and want to accomplish in life before they kick the bucket.

But it turns out that putting those wants and desires onto paper is a lot harder than I expected. What should be included? How specific should it be? Does every want and desire—no matter how seemingly trivial—be included or should a bucket list only include the really big things, the show stoppers, the stuff that will be legen—wait for it—dary.

Here’s the thing about a bucket list: It shouldn’t just be a wish list. It shouldn’t just be a list of all those wonderful things that would be really cool to do before you die but also really hard to cross off the list. Yes, climbing Mt Everest would be incredibly awesome. But, also, incredibly difficult to achieve. I once rode a tram 6000 feet to the top of Sandia Mountain in New Mexico. That is the extent of my mountain climbing experience. Climbing Mt Everest is not on my bucket list, no matter how incredibly awesome it would be.

A bucket list, however, probably shouldn’t contain the mundane, either. Unless you’re a risk of an early death, including “Living until I’m 60” shouldn’t be included. Finding that right balance, however, is tricky.

But I think I’ve done it.

Brian Smith’s Bucket List:

1. Drink a Bellini at Harry’s Bar in Venice

2. Stand in St. Peter’s Square and hear the Pope’s Easter address

3. Run with the bulls in Pamplona

4. Watch an FC Barcelona match at the Camp Nou

5. Attend the World Cup

6. Be in attendance at the NCAA Final Four as the University of Kentucky wins a championship in basketball

7. Cliff dive in Hawai’i

8. Visit all 50 states

9. Travel to every continent

10. Gamble at a high roller’s table in Vegas

11. New Year’s Eve in Times Square

12. Learn to play one song really well on the piano

13. Speak French fluently

14. Flirt with a supermodel

15. Midsummer’s Night Party at the Playboy Mansion

16. Take batting practice at a major league baseball stadium

17. Meet the President

18. Read the Bible from start to finish

19. Sky dive

20. Be a contestant on Jeopardy

Feel free to follow me on Twitter @briansmith31681 or check out my blog briansmith31681.blogspot.com

And, many thanks to Jenny for this opportunity. She rocks!

Since when did women become so anti-women?

So last night I came home from my sister's house and was looking forward to a relaxing night of mind numbing dumb reality TV. I mean, how else does one relax on Saturday if they don't want the humidity of the Jacuzzi to wreck their just blown out hair? 


So while watching my mind numbing TV I was also on Facebook and my dear friend Sunny had commented on a link. I read the title of the link and sort of rolled my eyes when I saw whose post she commented on. (I'm not a huge fan of the original sharer) but curiosity got the best of me and I decided to read the article. I was very happy to see that the author was not the person I'm not fond of but shocked to read the article. 


The article in itself was shocking. To sum it up, in the state of Virginia they want to pass a law that FORCES women seeking an abortion to first have a transvaginal ultrasound for NO MEDICAL reason. If they do not do the ultrasound that is basically shoving a probe in their vagina they cannot get an abortion. According to the article a woman can't make an informed decision about her body unless she gets this ultra sound AND if she chooses NOT to look at the ultra sound video or listen to the heart beat it will be noted in her medical file. WTF?


Wait, let me repeat that again, a bit louder... WTF?!  


What shocked me more than the article were the comments on the original sharer's Facebook wall that were along the lines of "Well good, you should be able to see and hear the sound of the precious baby you are about to shop vac out of your vagina" "Why should the baby pay because the mother was a classless hussy who couldn't help but spread her legs". The woman on woman hate was just so aggravating and of course heart breaking.


A few things I don't understand:


1. Is every single abortion conducted in the US a result of a slutty girl/woman? I mean, are you telling me that people who use precautions to NOT get pregnant still don't end up pregnant? Birth control has never failed? 


2. Why are people trying to give more rights to a fetus than to the mother carrying the fetus? What if I'm pregnant and the pregnancy will kill me...do I have to continue my pregnancy because the government thinks an unborn child has more rights than I do? 


3. Why are women agreeing with the fat white men in Congress trying to decide what I can or cannot do with my body? Since these women think their "place" is to be a child bearing machine regardless of the circumstances why not just take away our right to vote too. I mean, if I can't decide what to do with my body and what affects my family why should I be allowed to vote for something that can effect the entire country?

A lot of the comments I read were just straight out hate against women. "Well you shouldn't have gotten pregnant if you can't take care of the baby" "Well you should just carry the baby to term and give it up for adoption" (because you know, our orphanages aren't already exploding out of control) and SERIOUSLY why is the pregnancy always the woman's fault? Did they go jerk off a man after her fell asleep reading the bible and use a turkey baster to impregnate ourselves and then after going through ALL that we just decided to get an abortion because, well, pregnancy just isn't for me? 


I was having a few twitter discussions about this and at first I thought one man agreed. He sort of did. He wanted to lessen the blow of FORCING a woman to get this ultra sound by changing the word forced to required. A woman isn't forced to have a vaginal probe, she is required.


It's FORCED. Change the word to anything you want its still forcing it. If you HAVE to do one thing to do another even if there is no medical reason then its forced. I do not give you consent to do medical procedures that are not medically required. For example men, if you go get a prostate exam and you consent to get your asshole probed by a finger does that mean you also give your consent to have a metal rod up your ass too? I mean, you gave consent for one medical procedure, that should mean the doctors can do anything to you regardless of your wishes...because you gave consent for one thing! Or how about if a man goes to get a vasectomy and is told, "I'm sorry but unless you first allow me to shove an ultra sound machine up your ass you can't get this done...."


That isn't okay is it? So why is it okay for women?


Forgive me if I'm wrong but isn't the U.S. a country that has separation of State from Church or do they only have the IDEA of it?   Most people who are against abortion state that they are this due to what the Bible says. Newsflash, NOT everyone shares the same religion so why should YOUR religion decide what someone does or doesn't do to their body? Again, forgive my ignorance but does the Bible not also mention something about not judging? If this is the case why are so many quick to judge a woman that has an abortion as a whore? A slut? A stupid careless girl? 



Let me explain something to you, because I've gotten facebook messages asking how many abortions I've had. My answer is this. NONE.


I'm Pro-Life for myself. I could not phantom getting an abortion unless continuing a pregnancy would kill me and leave my daughter motherless OR if the pregnancy was the result of a rape. On a legislative level I am pro-choice. I would NEVER force my beliefs or opinions on another woman. I'm pro-choice because I'm pro-woman. Pro-choice does NOT mean you are pro-abortion. It means you are pro-HAVING a choice in what to do. Oddly enough, it seems that the majority of pro-lifers equate that belief with anti-woman. I just do not believe that the government has the right to make a decision regarding what a woman can and cannot do with her body.


What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you agree? Disagree? Or would you like me just to STFU?

What the 2012 Grammys taught me

In case you've been living under a rock for the past couple of days you'd know that a few things happened this weekend.

1. Whitney Houston died on Saturday night (suspected drug related death, ie. Overdose)
2. The 2012 Grammy Awards were on
3. The 2012 Grammy Awards sucked donkeyballs.

The majority of the performances were lack luster and left much to be desired. While it was great to see a stage full of legends it wasn't so great to have it all night and what was with the country overload?

I also learned that the majority of my twitter feed doesn't believe in forgiveness and redemption by their Anti-Chris Brown tweets. While I'm not like one of those girls who were tweeting out "Chris Brown can beat me anytime" I do believe that the guy deserves a second chance. I mean we've given Charlie Sheen, Mel Gibson, Steven Segal, Jean Claude Van Dame, more than 2 shots why not a guy who was literally a kid when he did what he did. What did he do? He beat the crap out of Rhianna. Now, I'm also not going to go as far as saying that maybe she deserved it and that she had it coming because no matter the circumstances I don't believe a guy should raise his hand to a woman...EVER. He was arrested, he was given a punishment and he completed what he was asked to do. Why can't we forgive him? Why can't we get past that? Why do we insist that we judge him based on his past? Should he no longer have a career because of one action? How would you like to be judged for the rest of your life on the one not so shining moment of your life? Funny thing is that a lot of the people who I see hating on Chris Brown were also people who ran to instantly follow Charlie Sheen when he had his downward spiral and laughed and supported him...Because its cool to follow the guy who pulled a KNIFE on his wife and tried to kill her...and the same guy who has a HISTORY of being abusive towards women. Did anyone boycott him? Did anyone demand that his career suffer? Nope. Not at all. Why?

People are saying that they felt that Chris Brown's apology wasn't heart felt enough, they are saying they felt it was forced and he wasn't sincere. Do YOU know how he felt? Do you know what emotions he was feeling? Do you know if he contacted Rhi via another means and spoke to her and said his sorries? Let me be honest here folks, Chris Brown doesn't owe you or me an apology. He owes it to Rhianna and ONLY to her. While yes, social media makes us think that every thing a celebrity does is our business its NOT. He doesn't owe you shit.

While we are quick to judge Chris Brown for his actions one night we jump up and cry, mourn, and are outraged that people like Whitney Houston and Amy Winehouse have died. No, they didn't DIE, they killed themselves. Maybe not intentionally setting out to die but what they did lead to it. Death by their own hands and we insist on honoring and memorializing them. A gorgeous and talented 48 year old woman wanted drugs more than her career. She let her 17 year old daughter take care of her because she was so addicted to drugs and although she will forever be remembered for the music she made she is more known for her battle with drugs. But its okay, we should post videos on Facebook of her performances and tell our children what a wonderful performer she was. We can make her an idol while we shun Chris Brown. And seriously before any idiot spouts off with "But Whitney/Amy only hurt themselves"...NO you are WRONG. Their drug addiction hurt MANY. It hurt their family, it hurt their friends, it hurt themselves. It hurt everyone. Tell me, is it NOT hurtful for a 17 year old girl to have to bury her mother? Why should we idolize a drug addict?

So basically the Grammys taught me that we are not a forgiving bunch of people and we pick and choose what we want to forgive and what we think is acceptable behavior.

For the record #TeamBreezy. I'm happy he performed twice, I'm happy that F.A.M.E won best RnB album. I'm happy that he is making a come back and that not everyone judges him on a mistake he made 3 years ago. I'm happy that some people were able to grant him forgiveness.

Another Giveaway - We are on Fire!

$15 PayPal CASH or Amazon GC & Novel

Book Bonanza 

Review & Giveaway EVENT!

  

Sponsored by MamaLuvsBooks

 (Picture from Amazon.com)  

Book Review By MamaLuvsBooks: 

I LOVE this book! It is fabulous!!! Being a former teacher I could see many ways to use this book in the classroom. I really hope there are teachers (especially Middle and High School teachers) out there reading this review. Please pass it along to any you know!


This book reminds me of a Classic you would read in school. It's a timeless book with so many themes to be discussed. There are so many assignments and wonderful book discussions that come out of reading this book. 


It is the story of Aesop. Yes, the same man that wrote all those wonderful fables you know of from growing up. It's such an interesting read about how his life might have been, and how he might have created these fables long ago. It's a very hard book to put down.

Some themes that ran through this book that could be discussed are:

Mentally Strong vs. Physically Strong
Freedom vs. Slavery
Make Your Destiny vs. Allow External Events to Dictate Your Path
Optimism vs. Pessimism
War of Ideas vs. War of Swords (classic Greek paradigm diplomacy vs. war)

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT THE BOOK:
1. It is easy to read, understand, and follow.
2. It takes place during Ancient Greek times.
3. It is a nice read of only 180 pages (another great reason to choose this for students).
4. Helps you to understand the times and how fables may have come to be.
5. Has a romantic aspect to the book as well.
6. Really makes you connect and care about the characters.

7. Great read for ANYONE!!!

8. Lastly, it also has received all positive reviews, so it helps to know
others enjoyed it as much as I did!

About the Author (From Amazon.com):

THOMAS BÄHLER has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the entertainment industry. He composed music for Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, directors Steven Spielberg and Barry Levinson, magicians Siegfried and Roy, Superbowl Halftime Shows and a number of other high profile stage productions. As a songwriter he's written many hits including "She's Out of My Life" "Living In A House Divided" and "Julie Do You Love Me." Thomas created vocal arrangements for the landmark charity event "We Are the World," as well as for Barbara Streisand, Billy Joel, and the motion picture version of "The Wiz." He served as Music Director for a number of events sponsored by the White House, including "America's Millennium", "Points of Light" and President Clinton's Inaugural Concert. Mr. Bähler has also served as Music Director and arranger for "The Kennedy Center Honors."

Check out MORE about the Author on his "Official" Site:  http://www.thomasbahler.com/about-bahler/

Here's how to get a copy:

WIN this awesome book in my Book Bonanza giveaway! The author, Thomas Bahler, will send you a signed copy of this book. The more you do on the Rafflecopter the more chances you will have to win! Good Luck!!! Don't forget you can also purchase this wonderful book at Amazon.com.

Komen lost my respect AND my money.

I'm gonna start off with an apology here folks. I'm really not the type of person to get all political on my blog as you can see. I mainly bitch about my everyday experiences, talk about how much I can't stand my father in law, and of course rag on those Teen Moms... and share news that relates to me personally. I hardly ever get involved in these political debates. However; today I felt compelled to write.

Most of us already know that Susan G. Komen, a group that strives for finding cures for women's cancers, has pulled their funding from Planned Parenthood, a group that strives for keeping young women healthy and educated about their bodies...and yes occasionally preforms abortions. That in itself is very disturbing. What is even more disturbing is that amount of crap that has been spewed on Facebook and Twitter.

I logged onto Facebook this morning and I was bombarded with links to articles about how many people have stepped up to donate money to Planned Parenthood (Yeah!), how Susan G Komen has had an influx of donations (Yeah! but confused)... then I got hit with a couple of posts about WHY Komen got extra donations. Do you want to know why? Because now that they've cut ties with Planned Parenthood all these extra conservative right wingers feel more comfortable donating. They don't want their hard earned money going towards some stupid teenage girls abortion.

Then I got to thinking about it....Exactly what does Planned Parenthood do for women (old and young)

They educate women on sex and protection.
They provide birth control in various ways (distribute condoms, give birth control pills, give the shot)
They provide annual pap smears in order to screen for cancer.
They provide mammograms in order to screen for cancer.
Oh and yes, the do also perform abortions.

What I'm basically saying is that they do SO MUCH MORE for women then just perform abortions. Why would you want to cut that funding? Maybe Komen should be happy that they got more funding now that they cut ties with Planned Parenthood because all these women that will lose such a valuable resource will have NO WHERE to get screened and there will be a huge

It makes me sick to know that people who are so pro-life are so anti-women. Shouldn't they be supporting other women and their health? Aren't we all working towards the same end result? Keeping women healthy? Why can't we keep politics out of our uterus? Why can't we keep finding a cure for cancer and abortions separate? Why do people see Planned Parenthood and only think of the abortion aspect and completely ignore all the other great things that Planned Parenthood has to offer?

Just like every woman has the right to have access to a mammogram and pap smear in order to protect her health, she has the RIGHT to have an abortion. It's her choice. Her body. Her right. What I don't get about a lot of these pro-lifers is that they complain and complain women having abortions and how they've killed an innocent child....yet they complain about the amount of taxes that they pay in order keep these families on welfare because they were guilted into keeping the child they KNEW they couldn't afford.

What's my stance? I'm Pro-Life for myself. I couldn't imagine having an abortion but I've never put myself into the position that I would have to consider it. However, on that note, I'm Pro-Choice for everyone else. I am not in your shoes to make decisions for you. Would I love it if no one had an abortion ever, sure....but I wouldn't take away your rights because of my OPINION..... I guess that is the problem. Opinions are like assholes and everyone has one...some of us just like forcing ours on others.


I understand being Pro-Life but when Pro-Life starts to equal Anti-Women you've lost my support. As of this moment forward I will NO longer be supporting Susan G Komen by donating money, by participating in their walks, or spreading the word for them. Instead I will take my hard earned money and the money my company has allotted for donations and put them to Planned Parenthood, an organization that doesn't care if you are black, white, or yellow, doesn't care if you are straight, gay, or transgendered, an organization that will help you with birth control or help you with an abortion. I will NOT donate my money to an organization that is turning their backs on an organization that NEEDS grants and donations to continue to help women.


What are your thoughts about Komen pulling the grants from Planned Parenthood. Was it a wise decision or a huge mistake?

XOXO
Jenny

Hey MTV I'm not that stupid

You know what MTV's Teen Moms are swimming in?  "Filth"...That is what MTV's Teen Moms (and Teen Mom2) are swimming in. Just one look at their house and I want to throw up. Did you see the tub that Leah bathes her kids in? How about Chelsea's huge mess of a home? Don't even get me started on Amber's house...

But this post is actually about their money. Listen, don't believe the hype that they don't get paid. Don't believe the hype that they actually struggle with making ends meet. MTV pays their asses. A recent article was brought to my attention about what MTV pays  and Maci Bookout says:

"I'm really not supposed to talk about it, but..I still have normal struggles, like I have to budget and pay my bills. But at the same time, I'm not going to put my entire world on camera for the entire world to see and judge me and take away my privacy for free..."

What this roughly translates to is: "MTV has made me sign a nondisclosure agreement which says I can't talk about the mega coin that I do make. I have to pretend to struggle to make the show appear to be more real but if you pay attention to the phones I have, the amount of times my hair changes color, and I get my nails done you'll see that I do get paid...but I'm still a stupid teenager so I blow money on stupid things and end up having to struggle to pay bills but at least my hair looks good!"

The fact that MTV makes these girls pretend they are broke as a joke makes me furious. They aren't....it's all for SHOW. There is no way in hell that MTV pays the Jackasses of Jersey Shore over $10,000 per episode to fuck anything with a warm hole, get drunk, catch STDs and that they pay the teen moms nothing? Bull crap. MTV can't be that heartless. I'm sure that the Teen Moms get equal if not MORE pay because c'mon these girls have to support their children ALONE since apparently Teen Mom means no happy marriage or father figure in the picture.

If these girls don't get paid can you please explain to me how Jenelle was able to total her car and get a new car with no problems? Move out of her mom's house and in with a friend when rent is 375$ and she has NO job, and how did she afford to buy all that weed for her and hoodie boy?

You know what I'd like to see MTV? I'd like for you to put a REAL teen mom on television. I'd like for you to put a girl on there who is actually 16 or 17...had a baby while in high school, has help from her happily married parents, goes to school full time and still makes time for her kid...oh and throw in an actual supportive dad too. I don't know about you but I went to high school, there were a lot of girls in my high school got who pregnant before they graduated and guess what? They all finished high school, went to college, got a degree, and are doing a great job raising their children. They weren't fighting with the baby daddies (if they wanted nothing to do with the kid then see ya, no crying over spilled milk), hating the parents who are trying to help you with your kid, high and drunk days and nights....they were just normal teen age girls trying to do the best for their kid. That is a show I'd like to see. A show where the Teen Mom cares more about her kid than getting laid by a no good loser, where she cares more about her kid then she does about her baby daddy not loving her....a show where the teen mom is actually portrayed as a good mom....


And please, don't give me this bullshit that they have no money and MTV doesn't pay them. I may rot my brain by watching MTV's stupid bullshit but I'm not a complete idiot either.

Cartoons Suck

So a long time ago, maybe not that long ago, my beautiful friend Veronica over at CrunchyVTMommy wrote a blog post about which cartoon characters she hated and why. People got in an uproar not understanding how a mom can hate on tv designed especially for kids. I can't find that post but I did find this one where it talked about how Caillou is a douche.


Guess what? I agree. I totally do. What a whiny little bitch. "But Daddy I want to play hockey with the big kids even though I can't skate, shoot the puck, or have a hockey stick...please daddddddy" "Oh no mommy I broke the ugly cup that grandma made you and I went to the craft store with grandma to make you a new one and these paints are sooooooo ugly...." "Gilbert doesn't want to play with me...." Oh shut the frak up you stupid whiny brat.

Excuse me, he's 4 (according to the theme song) why does he not have any hair? Why hasn't he been to a doctor to see why he has no hair. This is seriously bothering me. You know what else bothers me? At the end of the opening "credits" Caillou jumps out of the car and runs to his grandparents on their porch BEFORE mommy or daddy are even out of the car. Um how did he get out of his car seat? Is it really that easy for him to get out? And HELLO mom and dad were still in the car....no child safety locks? I'd be concerned if my 4 year old made a habit of jumping out of moving cars.

For the record, I never put Caillou on at my house. I saw how my cousin's kids liked him (ie WORSHIPED) him and I hated it. I wouldn't put it on EVER. Then daycare happened. For 15 minutes a day while the educator gets the class room ready for lunch she puts the tv on. It's always Caillou. ALWAYS. She came home after her first week there and was saying CAILLOU. God how I hated my life. I now have set my DVR to record episodes of that stupid show because an average show is 11 minutes which is perfect for post bath relaxing. I put her on my bed while we put on a diaper, massage her little body, get her dressed, and brush her hair. After the show is over she goes to bed.



I started looking at other shows and I realize that they are all about setting kids up for failure. I personally LOVE Mickey Mouse ClubHouse. Seriously. I love the songs they sing and watching D dance to them. But I don't get it. All their Mousektools make no sense. They need to get from one side of a creek to another side so you know what they do? They use hippos to hop on or they use a giant bendy straw as a slide... Does that make sense? Kids are going to think that they'll always have the right thing in their backpack to solve all the worlds problems. They need to get something off a very high shelf (if its there maybe it is because someone didn't want Mickey et al to have it) so they use GIANT BUILDING BLOCKS! Sure, let's teach kids how to stack and climb on blocks. Yes, that is exactly what I want to teach my kids. Hey Walt Disney, give me your address so I can send you the bill for all of D's broken bones from following Mickey's lead. I especially like teaching the kids how to use a giant candy cane to get things out of the sky or again off a top shelf. Maybe Mickey should tell his friends that if Professor Von Drake up something that high up its because the gang shouldn't be messing with it. Maybe Mickey should tell kids that if they use something long to get something off a shelf that they risk knocking other things down and knocking them in the head with it...

I kind of would rather have D watching those old "violent racist" cartoons. You know like Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote. Bad guy tries to catch the good guy and he gets in all kinds of trouble. Speedy Gonzales. Sure we are being "racist" by saying Mexicans run fast and speak with an accent but it was just FUNNY. They weren't trying to TEACH use anything. Just keep us entertained. But nope, those are now considered dangerous, violent, racist, and too racy for our children. Cuz you know, watching Pepe Le Pew would make our children start whoring themselves out.

Cartoons now a days suck. They all TRY to teach our kids something but they are just setting them up for failure. I'm waiting for the day that D sees a large puddle and calls out for Toodles waiting for a magic carpet or giant bendy straw to appear while I drag her ass AROUND the puddle, you know....common sense! And seriously why can't they ever use the wrong tool!? They NEVER pick the wrong tool. Why? Mickey doesn't make mistakes?! Maybe he should have picked the piggy bank over the balloons just ONCE! Speaking of piggy banks, Um Pete... Yeah that guy is straight up a creep. He's like a bookie and a pan handler all at once, always begging for money, beans, corn kernels or something.."No Mickey you can't get on this ferris wheel to rescue Daisy who is floating away unless you pay me 10 coins per level..you need 7 levels so I need 7 coins!" "Dude my friend is floating away...we are missing our window of opportunity to save her with this giant candy cane if I don't get high enough." "70 coins or that bitch gets lost in the treetops"....."Fine, its a good thing that Toodle's packed my piggy bank with exactly 70 coins".

Win a Digital Book + a $10 Amazon Gift Card!

$15 Amazon Gift Card & Digital Mom Book: 

Book Bonanza 

Review & Giveaway EVENT!

  

Sponsored by MamaLuvsBooks

 

(Picture from Amazon.com)  

Book Review By MamaLuvsBooks: 

I started blogging in March 2011 for a friend on mine, Allison Alexander, on her blog aMomKnowsBest.com. I wasn't ready to start my own blog at that point, but I liked the idea of writing posts and contributing as a writer on her blog. Finally in August 2011 I decided to try out a blog of my own, MamaLuvsBooks. I finally felt more comfortable trying it out for myself, but I knew I had a lot to learn. I decided to go on Amazon and find books that would help me in the blogging world. I found a few that I ordered and they were so helpful. One of these books was, "The Digital Mom Handbook: How to Blog, Vlog, Tweet, and Facebook Your Way to a Dream Career at Home," by Audrey McClelland and Colleen Padilla. I still use it as a reference ALL THE TIME even though I am 6 months into my own blog.



THINGS I LOVE ABOUT THE BOOK:
1.  It is easy to read, understand, and follow.
2.  There are personal stories to relate to with starting out as a blogger.
3.  There are many tips about what to do and what NOT to do as a new blogger.
4.  Helps guide you to get started in blogging and find your path/your "passion" as they call it.
5.  Helps you learn how and where to find other bloggers and communities to help you grow your blog.
6. Shows you what other social media networks you need to get involved with to promote your blog and how to use them.

7. Gives you tips on how to start contacting companies to make money from your blog.

8. Lastly, I love that it gives you real life answers on how best to balance your life with that of a "social media mom" which can sometimes become overwhelming.

I LOVE that it was written by TWO SUCCESSFUL "Digital Moms" who you can see here:

 

http://momgenerations.com/

 http://classymommy.com/

Here's how to get a copy:

WIN this awesome book in my Book Bonanza giveaway! The author, Audrey McClelland, will send you a signed copy of this book. The more you do on the Rafflecopter the more chances you will have to win! Good Luck!!! Don't forget you can also purchase this wonderful book at Amazon.com.

Another Giveaway -- This time for Target

$15 Target Gift Card & Fitness Book: 

Book Bonanza 

Review & Giveaway EVENT!

  

Sponsored by MamaLuvsBooks

(Picture from Amazon.com)  

Book Review By MamaLuvsBooks: 

Weight issues have always been a problem in my family. We try and stay healthy and we've even had our own "Biggest Loser" family contests. For some reason though we always yo-yo back-and-forth with our weights. In the past I lost weight with Weight Watchers and was even a leader for a few years, but after having two kids I need to lose a few and get more fit. What I liked about reading "Fit Moms for Life" is that it is a "life goal." It's not just about losing a few pounds now, but more about caring about yourself as an individual and caring about your long-term health. 

Author Dustin Maher breaks down weight-loss into "5 Pillars of Fitness!" The book is centered around these ideas and he helps explain them to you and have you put them into practice in your everyday life. The pillars are: Mindset, Nutrition, Strength Training, Burst Training, and Environment. I was glad to learn that I didn't need to be running all the time and training for a marathon to lose weight!

My favorite things about this book are that it is easy to read, Maher seems to be speaking to YOU the reader, it gives advice that is doable, and the book has MANY stories and pictures from moms that HAVE already done it and continue to live a healthy lifestyle. Also, there are sections at the end to write up your progress!

I would recommend this book for any mom trying to lose weight and trying to be healthy. A healthier mom leads to a healthier family! You can see more about the program and the book at FitMomsForLife.com.

 

(Pic from FitMomsForLife)

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT THE BOOK:

1.  Although it is titled "For Moms" it can really be for ANYONE!
2.  Has relevant real-life stories throughout the book you can relate to.
3.  Gives useful and practical information for busy Moms!
4.  Breaks down the steps into "Five Pillars of Fitness!"
5.  Helps to set your goals for "Life" - not just for "Let me lose 20 pounds right now!"
6. LOVE the eating habits tips and the "Dirty Dozen" and "The Clean 15" to help you when shopping for organic foods.

7. LOVE the recipes included and meal plans (and healthy snacks section).

8. The exercises are explained well and have pictures to go with them.

9. A section in the back for "New Moms" and "Moms-to-Be!"

10. Lastly, I like the section in the back to record your goals, data, and progress!

(Pic from FitMomsForLife.com)

Here's how to get a copy:

WIN this awesome book in my Book Bonanza giveaway! The author, Dustin Maher, will send you a signed copy of this book. The more you do on the Rafflecopter the more chances you will have to win! Good Luck!!! Don't forget you can also purchase this wonderful book at Amazon.com.

It's a Brand New Year

Happy New Year

Ever wonder how long you have to say Happy New Year to people that you haven't seen in since it changed years? Do you do it until you see everyone? Do you only do it for the first week? The first month? Being Greek we have a 40 day grace period for just about everything so I figure that I can extend it for this occasion too. 


I don't know if I've ever told you guys this but I don't do resolutions. I think they are weird. I see so many people make these promises to themselves and then just get angry when they end up not doing whatever they planned on doing. Going to the gym. Going to eat right. Going to do....


I choose not to put myself though that every year. I don't resolve. I don't promise. I tell myself that I'm just going to make myself happy. Sounds kind of selfish doesn't it? Well, selfish or not that is all I want out of life; to be happy. To be happy with my marriage, my family, my job. Who doesn't want that!?


I was actually very proud of myself on my first day back at work after my vacation. I was sitting at my desk doing my work, being productive. My boss walks in and we talk a little bit. As he is on his way out he mentions that one of the people I work with is still out of the office on business and if I could cover a portion of his job. Could I look at the orders and ship them out?


My reply was, "No, no I can't. I have more than enough work here that I need to catch up on that is MY work and when I go out of town who covers my stuff? No one." I actually felt pride. Was it being mean? No, not at all. I was just finally drawing the line in the sand. The boundaries that shouldn't be crossed. I do not need to always please people. I do not always need to go above and beyond the call of duty. I just need to do my job and no one else's. No one does my work. Hell, when I am out of the office no one even answers the phone....why do I always go beyond to make sure the entire office runs smoothly by doing my job plus the job of others.


I didn't say it with snark. I didn't say it with a scowl on my face. And I didn't say it timidly. I said it firmly and matter of factly. Towards the end of last year I was getting very upset with my job. I was finding that I was dreading going in and that the sound of my boss' voice would get on my nerves. Someone would want to speak to me and I'd feel my skin crawl because I knew it would mean more work on my already overflowing plate. I told myself that I had to get rid of that feeling. I had to shake it.


I took my vacation to Texas where I was rarely in contact with the office. I did occasionally look at my emails and answer the ones that were easy but that was it. I have a bad habit of not being able to stay away from email. Those 2 weeks out of the office helped me regain my focus and when I started work again I didn't detest being there. It was a fresh start. Today I had a nice productive day and I plan on keeping up the good work :) I plan on being able to focus on what I need to do vs what everyone thinks I should be doing to help them out.


Anyway...enough about that. How have the first few weeks of the new year treated you?


Wishing you all health and happiness in 2012! And to all my new followers.....WELCOME and THANKS for following!!