The Hunger Games Movie: My Thoughts

This past Saturday afternoon, I sat in the movie theater along with the Alex, Zack and the Libby to see The Hunger Games. If you weren’t aware, we are HUGE fans of The Hunger Games Trilogy and have been dying to see the movie.

We arrived at the theater 45 minutes before the movie start time and already had our tickets in hand (and of course my awesome Hunger Games bag I found on Etsy last month was stocked with snacks and drinks because the movies are way overpriced!).

As we stood in line we listened to everyone talk about how excited they were to see the movie along with some giggling from some teenage girls who couldn’t wait to see Peeta and Gale on the big screen.

Once we got into the theater, we got the best seats and then sat and waited patiently for the movie to begin. Things started a few minutes late and then we had previews that seemed to go on forever.

And then…..

The Hunger Games began.

Overall, I LOVED this movie.
Seriously, if we wouldn’t have had to pick up Alexander and Ellie from my parents house and if the next viewing of the movie wasn’t sold out, we would have sat through it again.

Yes, there were things left out of the movie that happened in the book.
Was it a game changer?
No.
Things in the movie were almost exactly as I pictured them in my head except I see President Snow with a pony tail oiled and slicked back with thin blood red lips.
The gore of the book was presented tastefully on screen.
Rue’s death was handled very well and I cried during the movie as I did when I read it in the book.

We ALL loved this movie and have already planned to see it again and soon.

Did you see it? What are your thoughts?

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A Gift Basket for My Mom

Anne Younger Leave a comment

by Anne DelBalzo

The first few years I was a single mom on a tight budget, I found planning for the holidays was a very stressful experience. Between the big ones like Christmas and Easter, plus the kids’ birthdays, Mother’s Day (for my mom) and Father’s Day (for their dad), it felt like I was constantly facing expenses that my budget just couldn’t handle. I found myself paying for things with a credit card and going deeper and deeper into debt. Finally, a friend gave me a tip: buy things throughout the year and save them for special occasions.

I took her idea and ran with it. I started buying small items for my kids and my mom whenever I could get a good deal on something they would like. I took over one closet in the house and used it to store my gifts until they were needed. Of course, most of the things I bought were small items since I couldn’t afford big expenditures, but that was okay. The first year, Mother’s Day rolled around, and I realized that I had six different presents in the closet that my mom would enjoy. Instead of wrapping them separately, I bought an inexpensive basket and filled it for her. She was impressed by my creativity – she even thought I had a professional create her gift basket.

Since then, I’ve made it a habit to look for gently used gift baskets and other containers at yard sales during the summer months. With the addition of some ribbon and cellophane, they help me turn the small gifts I buy during the year into attractive presents for my friends and family. Having all the supplies on hand means I don’t get stressed if I need to come up with something on short notice, and my wallet sure does appreciate my more balanced approach to spending. I am truly grateful to the friend who suggested I shop all year, and I am happy to pass on her tip to all of you!

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Rekindling the Romance

Anne Younger Leave a comment

**Warning**
It is possible that this post may reveal things about my romantic life that you would rather not read about….mom, dad, and my sister.
Consider yourself warned.
**Warning**

As you are aware, I recently endured 36 weeks of pregnancy.
This was by far, the worst pregnancy I experienced.
First I was told that I had a miscarriage after some unexplained bleeding by the worlds worst ER doctor only to discover less than 24 hours that my baby was just fine.
Shortly after that I began experiencing horrendous pain in my pelvis and the surrounding areas making it difficult for me to do things I was used to doing on a regular occasion.
It was because of my uncomfortable pregnancy and the bumps along the way that my romantic relationship with the Alex began to fizzle.
Unfortunately…..the fire…..it is still kind of out.
Not only do I still find certain things to be uncomfortable, I am also having some self-esteem issues as well.
Following the birth of Ellie, I began to lose weight at a very fast rate. Normally, losing weight would make you feel good about yourself, for me, it has not.
And I am not sure why.
It probably doesn’t help that we are both sleep deprived, he works 3rd shift and sleeps during the day and we have a newborn bunking in our room……

Now I am still, very, VERY attracted to my husband and am hoping we can rekindle the romance….and soon!
I’m hoping that with the help of some candles and a massage kit from Eden Fantasys I can wake up this body of mine.
Right now, I just want my romantic relationship with my husband back!!

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Hey Arnold: Season 2, Part 1 NOW on DVD

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Last August I screamed HEY FOOTBALLHEAD to the world to announce the Season 1 of Hey Arnold had hit stores.
Now I am back and am screaming louder than before…..
AlexAlexHEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
FFFFFFFFFOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTBBBBBBBBBBAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL-
AlexAlexAlexAlexEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Arnold: Season 2, Part 1 has hit the shelves of a store near you!

Spend more time in the ’hood with Arnold and his best buddy, Gerald, as they endure playground bullies, secret crushes, new teachers, an alien invasion and more! Don your cap and your unbuttoned flannel shirt and head for the TV for 10 big-city adventures on 2 DVDs!

Hey Arnold features an all-star voice cast, including Toran Caudell (Recess), Dan Castellaneta (The Simpsons), Francesca Smith (Recess) and Jamil Walker Smith (SGU Stargate Universe).

I love that the shows my older kids watched on TV are hitting DVD and my little ones will be able to experience these great shows as well. Plus my older kids are enjoying watching them again!

Disclosure: We received a promotional copy of this title in exchange for our complete and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

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Acne: It’s Not Just For Teens

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As a teen, I didn’t struggle with acne as much as my peers. For me, the acne didn’t start to set in and become a hassle until I became pregnant with my first child. Now, having just endured my 4th pregnancy with our little Ellie, the acne is out of control. I have tried multiple products on the market and have yet to find something that will help clear my skin up.

Since Ellie’s arrival, the acne has increased. I know part of this has to do with all of the hormones and what not but I really want to start combating it.

Thanks to MomCentral & Max Clarity, over the next few weeks I will be using the MaxClarity foam acne medication system and am very hopeful it will do the trick and clear up my skin.

This is a shot of me a few weekends ago as we traveled to Chicago. In this picture I have cover up and powder caked on my face to cover the most recent acne breakout. I look forward to a day when I am not afraid to venture out without the makeup. Although I am wearing makeup, you can still see some of the red marks and raised areas on my face. Since this picture and the change in weather here in Wisconsin (Summer temps in the beginning of Spring) my body seems to be confused and I’m breaking out even more! No matter how many times I wash my face morning, noon and night, I wake up every morning to a new outbreak mainly on my cheeks or along my jawline.

It is out of control and it needs to stop!

NOW!

MaxClarity is the world’s first and only nonprescription acne-fighting foam system.
MaxClarity Foam is formulated by Stiefel, the world’s largest dermatology company with more than 160 years of scientific skin care innovations. Unlike some consumer companies that manufacture other over-the-counter acne treatments, we at Stiefel specialize in doctor-prescribed pharmaceuticals. We know what works. We know why. And we know how to deliver it to you in an acne treatment that really performs. We even back it up with our Clear Skin Promise, a money-back guarantee.

One of the great things about MaxClarity is their dedication to this product which can be noted by their MaxClarity Difference Team and the MaxClarity Difference Promise.

My MaxClarity journey starts today and I will update you on the progress after 2 full weeks of use and I hope to see some great results!
You can learn more about MaxClarity by visiting them on the web via their website, Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of MaxClarity and received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.