html404 - Faith and Family Reviews

Archive for html404

Recycled Picture Frame

Posted by html404 on March 9, 2010
in Eco Friendly Products, Houseware

I received this picture frame in exchange for some work I did for someone.

Recycled Picture Frame

This is the recycled picture frame that I have my children’s picture in and have it sitting on my desk. It is handmade by StreetWise vendor, Glenn Hughes. StreetWise is a Chicago based organization committed to helping impoverished individuals get out of poverty. The Recycled Picture Frame is sold by five ACCESSORIES who employs StreetWise vendors to make their Off The Street line of accessories.

The frame that Glen has made is basically a pine frame onto which he has cut and glued clean, recycled ticket stubs. These frames are also customizable upon request. This is truly a unique Chicago product since it has been made out of street rubbish found on the streets of Chicago.

Recycled Picture Frame

Included with the picture frame is an insert, usually found in frames; however, this insert includes a mini bio of Glenn. I think it adds a personal touch to the product.

As seen below, it has a little wooden post for the stand, which is convenient if you are going to display it on a table or desk. The post fits securely into a hole found on the back of the frame and enables the frame to remain stable while on display. The frame is very well made and I love that a portion of the sale of products sold by five ACCESSORIES is given back to charitable organizations, like the StreetWise vendors. The recycled picture frames sells for $15.

023

About five ACCESSORIES

five ACCESSORIES is a socially conscious business whose mission is to create income generating programs, give back a portion of their sales to charitable organizations and to promote the use of sustainable materials in fashion. (As stated on their home page).

{5 comments}

Homeless to Harvard

Posted by html404 on March 8, 2010
in Movies

Disclaimer: I do not advocate the lifestyle portrayed in this movie or that you allow your children to view it without you having watched it first. And, if you do watch it after reading my review, you do so knowing that it contains vulgarity, drugs, alcohol, fighting and other sensitive subjects that most Christians avoid.

Do you ever get bored or don’t feel like doing anything else but watch a movie? I do. It seems that in the past two years we have more than made up for our TV time (We have never had cable in our home and when we did have TV, we only had about three stations), but with the advent of the Internet – YouTube and other movie sites, it has become pretty easy to access movies whenever we want.

Last night I was procrastinating (bad, bad, bad, I know) on a project that needed to be done by this morning, so what was I doing? Yes, looking for a movie to watch. The movie that caught my attention is called Homeless to Harvard; it’s a documentary style movie and was based on a true story.

I wouldn’t exactly call it a family-friendly movie because of the nature of the lifestyle and topics experienced in Liz Murray’s family. They were extremely poor, basically due to the parents’ addictions. However, contrary to what I have written concerning book reviews etc., we did let our children watch it after we had viewed it. I did fast forward through a sensitive part when Liz’s friend shared with Liz what her own father had done to her, starting at the age of seven. This is a sensitive topic and a new topic that our children have never heard of that I know of and one I didn’t want to discuss at this point in time.

There were no boy/girl relationships in this movie. It was about Liz’s life and her journey to a new beginning when all around her, hope was lost.

What we took away from the movie is that no matter how down and out you think you may be, there is always someone who is going through an even tougher time. We were encouraged by Liz’s determination and work ethic in school and in her job. Our children got to see a girl doing her school work and working at a job without an adult or older sibling urging her to do so.

It amazed our children that people really do live like Liz’s family. It also showed them how our choices – good and bad – affect not only our lives but the lives of those around us.

While the movie starts out very sad and depressing, by the end of the movie we were cheering for the main character, Liz Murray, who achieved her dreams and even honored her parents when most of the world would have written them off as undeserving of anything Liz had to offer them. She displayed Christian character while not claiming to be a Christian and that is an honorable thing because God blesses those who honor their parents.

I chose to share that I watched this movie because I know there are many hurting families out there and sometimes we all need a little shake now and again to realize how much we truly have to be thankful for; I know I needed it.

{One comment}

Movie Monday: Bringing Up Bobby

Posted by html404 on March 7, 2010
in DVDs & CDs

For a dozen years, James has been both big brother and surrogate parent to his siblings. Trusting God to lead his path, James has done his best to honor his deceased parents as he’s raised his two brothers and a sister. Now, as youngest brother Bobby is about to turn 16, everyone returns to the family home to celebrate at a waterslide park—and to finally hear the reading of their parents’ will.

Bringing Up Bobby is a quirky story of family, identity, and faith that isn’t afraid to show that life can get muddled. And when it does, there usually aren’t easy answers to all of the questions. Watch the trailer below:

Our family really enjoyed Bringing Up Bobby this movie made us all laugh. It’s a really funny comedy and my children have watched 3-4 times already and are asking to watch it again. My children thought the movie was so funny and they liked how the filmmakers portrayed the characters. This movie does a wonderful job of portraying family life through the four siblings. We liked how even thought there was romance in this movie it wasn’t portrayed like Disney would portray dating. So we where impressed.

The quality of Bringing Up Bobby is not bad it’s alright. The trailer to Bringing Up Bobby makes it look a little silly but even thought it’s a little silly in parts it’s not THAT silly. Just funny! Bringing Up Bobby is a Christian comedy made by: Provident Films and Glowing nose LLC.

For more information please visit: http://bringingupbobbymovie.com/

{No comments}

Sleepy Boy and Not Feeling Well

Posted by html404 on March 5, 2010
in Uncategorized

The picture on Wednesday came about because of a funny little thing that happened while we were watching a video. Noah fell asleep on the computer chair. It was so cute!

This week I haven’t been feeling well most days. Not sure when the nausea etc. will let up, but if I don’t post for a couple of days, you will at least know why. I really thought I’d see a difference once I entered my second trimester; however, while the nausea and tiredness have abated, the nausea still comes and goes.

So, my blogs get neglected so I can use the energy/well times I do have on my clients’ projects.

I’m excited that two of my older girls are coming home this weekend, hopefully for good, but that will depend upon my mother-in-law’s health. We will check on her on Sunday and my husband stops by almost every day after work. So thankful he works so close to her home!

{No comments}

Wordless Wednesday

Posted by html404 on March 3, 2010
in Uncategorized

Soft Green Baby Clothes 005

{5 comments}

Preggie Pop Drops and Preggie Pops

Posted by html404 on March 1, 2010
in All Natural Products, Pregnancy and Birth

This review is done in participation with Happy and Healthy Moms Review Team of which I am a member. I did receive free products, but that in no way affects my review. Thanks, Heather!

ppd
Last week, I received a surprise box in the mail because I somehow missed the memo that all the expectant mamas on the Happy and Healthy Moms Review Team would be receiving Preggie Pop Drops and Preggie Pops. It was a delightful surprise and came on a day I was experiencing some of my worst nausea in this pregnancy.

First of all, both the Preggie Pop Drops, small fruit flavored hard candies, and the Preggie Pops, medium sized fruit flavored lollipops, tasted very good. The only flavor I didn’t particularly enjoy was the ginger flavored Preggie Pop. I loved the sour lemon, raspberry, tangerine, spearmint, green apple, lavender and peppermint.
pp-box
I found that they did ward off the nausea, but only for a short time. I would need a large supply of both products to get me through the whole first trimester! That and I have a sweet tooth anyway!

I could see myself using the Preggie Pop Drops and Pops in early labor, but not during hard labor because I need to breathe and whistle (yep, I whistle).

The other nice thing about Preggie Pop Drops and Pops is that the ingredients include: brown rice syrup, evaporated cane juice, citric acid, natural flavors (made with essential oils) and natural colors. Now, usually I’d like to know what exactly the natural flavors and colors really are, but…they don’t list them. Too bad.

These two products for being all natural are decently priced – $3.95 for a box of 7 Preggie Pops and $5.50 for 21 Preggie Pop Drops. They may be purchased at Three Lollies.

{One comment}

Less is More – Les Mess Organizing Cards

Posted by html404 on February 27, 2010
in Organization

What is it about organization this week? I received an email announcing an organizing event/seminar in our area and then this morning in a completely different email and inbox I receive information about Les Mess. I know I desire less mess and by the response that I received from the organization webinar, thought I would pass along this tool as well. We’ve tried many things with our children and this made me wonder if this would work. What do you all think?

lesmesscard

Les Mess, organizing cards for kids (ages 5-12), will help get their room and your house organized and clutter-free.
Shuffle the cards, pick one and do what is on the card. Each card has a time limit on it. If you finish in time you get a prize (Mom and Dad do this part), and there are cards with ideas of great prizes. These prizes do not bring more clutter into the house.

These organizing cards teach children to put things away, what to keep and what to toss. They will learn through getting organized, how to sort and will create a habit of picking up every day. After all, isn’t teaching our kids how to be organized and clutter-free a part of being a parent…and sometimes learning should be fun too! It’s NOT just a game, it’s a way of life.

Les Mess cards may be purchased at http://www.lesismore.net/ for $19.95. They have other products available too, but this interested me the most.

{No comments}

Danny the Dragon “Meets” Jimmy – CD and Book Review

Posted by html404 on February 26, 2010
in Books, DVDs & CDs

I received the following book and CD free in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of the book.

Book Reviews 003

Danny the Dragon “Meets” Jimmy was written by author Tina Turbin. It is a book geared towards children ages 2-9, but even my older children enjoyed this cute whimsical story. It was refreshing to read a new book whose characters were obedient, respectful and showed manners! You don’t know how many books that we have to discard because of negative character qualities – the reason is those attitudes are catchy, meaning children latch onto those undesirable qualities, especially when they are glossed over through the use of funny incidents. We have enough “catchy” attitudes of our own without adding more to them! (ahem…cough, cough)

Danny the Dragon is a neat little book that will require adults to unearth their buried imaginations as the way in which Jimmy meets Danny is not your everyday occurrence! But my children loved it, as well as the CD and DVD (which I will be posting a review on in a couple of weeks). The ending left us wanting more, so I hope Mrs. Turbin is going to write a series about Danny the Dragon!

Book Reviews 002
The CD is an audio of the book, so you moms who work at home or just need alone time to clean the house will appreciate having this tool for the times when you are rushed and cannot sit to read the book. It also contains some beautifully soothing classical arrangements that I am listening to while writing this review! I looked but was unable to find a sample track online… even on Amazon. So you will just have to take my word for it! 🙂

One thing I appreciated about Mrs. Turbin is that she desires to help the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University Medical Center, so the proceeds of her CD will be going there:

Proceeds from the Danny the Dragon CD will go to the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University Medical Center, one of the major research centers around studying and bringing awareness to celiac disease. It is one-hundred percent focused on studying celiac disease and carries out research connecting it with various other diseases which it is believed to lead to if left untreated. Its goal is to change the lives of celiac disease sufferers for the better around the world, a goal which it is actively achieving, little by little, every day.

The book retails for $18.95 in hardcover, $8.95 in softcover. The CD is only $8.95. On the Danny the Dragon website they also offer a gift set of the softcover book and CD for $14.95. FREE shipping on all domestic orders! http://www.dannythedragon.com/buy/

I think I know what my niece might be getting for her birthday….

Additional Resources:

http://GlutenFreeHelp.info

{No comments}

Thanks MomDot Friends!

Posted by html404 on February 26, 2010
in Uncategorized

I want to thank all my new friends from the MomDot forums for visiting. I also want to let you know that I am behind on visiting blogs of those who have left comments, but am going to work on that and hopefully improve in the next little while!

It was fun to participate in the Luv Chat last night, even though it frustrates me when my computer freezes and I have to reboot everything. Ah well….life with technology – can’t live with it sometimes and we definitely can’t live without it, can we?

Thanks again and hope everyone has a great weekend!

{No comments}

FREE Webinar on Money-Saving Organizing Tips

Posted by html404 on February 25, 2010
in Books, Free Stuff

This past week I learned of a FREE webinar with author and expert organizer, Jamie Novak. I signed up. Hopefully, I don’t forget when March 11th rolls around, but I am hoping that I can glean some new ideas about how to declutter our lives in our small living space. I am always open to new ways of organizing and with spring around the corner, I am itching to make a huge purge of stuff from our home. With another little one on its way, we will need to free up space and I have a funny feeling most of my family is going to find the purge pretty painful, unless we come up with new ideas.

Tele-Novak

Her new book, Stop Throwing Money Away: Turn Clutter to Cash, Trash to Treasure, and Save the Planet While You’re at It, is more than an organizing book — it offers new ways of thinking and inspires you to change your mindset about organizing, making money and saving the planet all at once. ~Tamara Monosoff, of Mom Inventors

51120377