Showing posts sorted by relevance for query monopoly. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query monopoly. Sort by date Show all posts

Saturday, August 6, 2016

Reviewing Monopoly Deal - A Playing Card Game

Monopoly Deal  is the Playing Card Version of the Classic Monopoly Board Game.

Package image of the Monopoly Deal card game

We are all familiar with the board game, Monopoly, which has been around in its current version since 1935.  Over the years, the classic version has grown to include nearly 1300 variations, many of them theme-based. For a list of these, check this link


Monopoly has become one of the most popular games of all time. I remember spending hours playing it as a child, then with my own children, and now my grandsons enjoy it just as much. And now it is available in a quick version card game form called Monopoly Deal




A Favorite Version of the Monopoly Board Game


monopoly game star
While visiting my 14-year-old grandson, Ryan, in Iowa in June, we played his Star Wars Monopoly game in board game form, which he absolutely loves to play. 



At the end of my visit, it was decided that Ryan would come back home with me for a visit to Coastal Georgia and the beach. He wanted to bring his Star Wars Monopoly Board Game, but there wasn't room in the car.  Instead, he discovered that there is a card game version of Monopoly, which he purchased before we left. 



Grandson Ryan playing Monopoly Deal with his G-Ma 
Grandson Ryan (c) Wednesday Elf
 Let me tell you, Ryan and I have become very expert at this Monopoly card game, playing 3 and 4 games per day most days! This Monopoly Deal card game takes only about 15 minutes to play, as opposed to 3 and 4 hours to play the board game version of Monopoly.  And since it doesn't take up any more room to pack in your suitcase than a deck of cards, it is the perfect game to take on a vacation or trip.  



Monopoly Deal Card Game

 

An image of Monopoly Deal game in play
(c) Wednesday Elf

Monopoly Deal comes with 110 cards consisting of the familiar Property Cards (like Boardwalk and Park Place), plus hotel and motel cards, money cards, and action cards which include rent cards and cards that let you steal property from the other players.  



Monopoly Deal Money
Monopoly Deal Money

  • The Money Cards are a tad different than what you are used to in the Monopoly board game.  The denominations begin at One Million and go up to 10 Million dollars. At first it seems strange dealing with what appears to be such a large amount of money, but one quickly adapts to playing a Rent Action Card and saying things such as "Pay me $7 Million Dollars for my property"


Monopoly Deal Pass Go card

    • Instead of 'Passing Go" and collecting $200, as in the board game, there are Pass Go cards which allow you to draw two more cards.



      Just Say No card in Monopoly Deal deck 

      • The "Just Say No" cards have become a favorite, as they prevent another player from stealing your property or having to pay a large amount of 'rent' on a property set with a house and a hotel! 





      Monopoly Deal Rules


      Each turn you draw two cards and can play up to 3 cards. Fortunes can change in a minute, depending upon what cards you draw and play.  To win you need three complete sets of Property Cards. 

      The game can be played with 2-5 players, which made it perfect for Ryan and Grandma to play a quick game or two between trips to the beach or my apartment pool those hot summer days here in southern Georgia.  It's also a quick game to play between dinner and bedtime. The more we played it, the more we enjoyed it. It's truly an addictive card game. If your looking for a fun family/friend game, Monopoly Deal is it.




      November 19

      is

      National Play Monopoly Day





      *Monopoly Deal Card Game Review written by Wednesday Elf





      Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


      Tuesday, December 10, 2019

      Monopoly Unicorns vs Llamas Game Reviewed

      A Different Game of Monopoly

      I love to play board games with my grandchildren and Monopoly is one of them. Monopoly Unicorns vs Llamas is one I think I should have so that my youngest grandchild can play, too. The standard version is a little more than she can handle at her age but this new release would be right up her little alley.

      monopoly game
      Monopoly: a great family game
      image courtesy of pixabay.com

      The new release of an old favorite is geared more for the younger set. I know my little cupcake will enjoy playing it and I can tell you right now which team she will chose to support. The unicorn team, she is wild about those mythical creatures!

      Slightly Different Play in the Game

      Instead of individual play in this new edition of Monopoly, the game is played with teams. Players decide which team they want to play for, the unicorn team or the llama team. Properties aren't purchased but instead as you move around the board you collect titles for your team. Things like the Sweetest, the most colorful, or my personal favorite the twinkliest eyes. You know when the game is over when all of the titles have been collected. The winning team is determined by the team who has the most titles. Now, I'm asking you. Doesn't that sound like loads of fun?

      This game can be entertaining for children ages 8 to 88. Although, I love playing the original version of Monopoly, it can take hours and hours to play. The nice thing about the Unicorns vs Llamas game is that the time-frame for the game doesn't take forever for someone to win. 

      Board Games Encourage Family Time

      When my girls were little, I loved playing games that we could all play together. Can I tell you how many times I've played Candy Land? It wasn't so much the game that we were playing but the family time we were spending together. Once the grandchildren began to arrive, I've kept up the tradition. 

      How about you and your family? Do you play games together? If you have small ones, I think a nice round of the Monopoly Unicorns vs Llamas might be enjoyable for all.

      Monopoly Unicorn vs Llamas Game





      Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


      Thursday, January 18, 2024

      Barbie Board Games: A Discussion and List

      Here's a collection and a list of new, used and vintage Barbie board games complete with a list.
      Anyone who loves Barbie and board games might find themselves wondering, as I did, what Barbie-themed board games are available. A simple search revealed the short list of Barbie-themed games that I review here on this page. However, the more I looked the more games I found and so you will also find on this page a longer list of games at the bottom of this page. This list may help you if you are seeking a particular game from a specific time period. Most of the games on this page (including on the list) are vintage but there are a couple of new games that were released along with the hit Barbie movie in 2023.

      THE BARBIE GAME QUEEN OF THE PROM (1961 and 1994)


      First up is the game with a blue cover shown above called simply, The Barbie Game. It was released by Mattel in 1960 and could well be the first game ever made. Beware that there are two versions of Queen of the Prom as it was re-released in 1994. Both are vintage games but have a decidedly different appearance.

      The description of the game on the box of the newer version reads, “You are Barbie. Win if you are the first crowned Queen of the Prom. To win you must have a steady boyfriend, a prom dress and be elected president of a school club. Midge, Skipper and Ken share the fun.”

      What fun it is to see the original game in this 1960s television commercial:


      TAKE A PERSONAL APPEARANCE TOUR WITH BARBIE GAME (1980)


      This vintage 1980 game was released by Whitman. The description on the back of the box reads, “Travel with Barbie by car and plane on her tour and visit movie studios, grand openings, charity telethons and more. If you are first to appear three times and then reach the awards presentation, you win.” It evokes all of the excitement of a glamorous life in the 1980s. 

      DREAM DATE (1992)


      The Barbie Dream Date game was released by Golden in 1992. In this game, “…girls play the Dream Date Game with Barbie and Ken! Ken picks out beautiful gifts for Barbie and might take her horseback riding, snow skiing or maybe even to a ball! Players collect gifts for Barbie, moving around the board and taking photos of their dates. At midnight, the individual with the most gift and date cards wins!” The cover definitely reminds me of the 1990s.

      BARBIE DRESS UP GAME (1993)


      Another Golden release, this game was created in 1993. In this one you “play with a Barbie doll trying to be the first player to collect all of Barbie’s fashion accessories without getting a broken heart.” This game would be especially fun for anyone who loves fashion.

      MONOPOLY BOUTIQUE AND MONOPOLY MOVIE (2007 AND 2003)


      Monopoly has released hundreds or more likely thousands of board games on every theme you can possibly think of. Monopolyland says estimates range between 300 and 7,000 games and that the largest known collection of Monopoly games claims to have 3,500 games. Anyway, when I looked, I could find two Barbie versions. 

      This is the official Barbie Monopoly board game that was released in conjunction with the 2023 movie, Barbie.

      The first version was the Barbie Boutique Edition from 2007, which was packed in a pretty pink box. Finding a description of it proved difficult though pictures show that it was beautifully presented in a jewelry-style box.

      The second version was official movie merchandise that was released in tandem with the movie Barbie. It is widely available and the box reads, “You can be anything with Barbie…Follow your dreams around the board. Buy famous streets, build DreamHouses and draw Dream Closet and Dream Career cards for extra twists. Flex your unique skills, dream a bit, own it all and be anything!” I expect a lot of people received this version of the game for Christmas in 2023. If you are interested, you can find Barbie Monopoly on Amazon by clicking here.

      A LIST OF BARBIE BOARD GAMES


      As I was reading about the games mentioned above, I kept discovering more new, used and vintage Barbie-themed games. I guess that is not really surprising given the length of time that Barbie has been around. The gaps in years tells me that this list is not likely complete but here’s my list, not definitive, but definitely long, arranged in chronological order: 

      Queen of the Prom Game (1960)
      Keys to Fame Game (1963)
      Skipper: Barbie's Little Sister (1964)
      The Barbie World of Fashion game (1967)
      Miss Lively Livin’ (1970)
      Take a Personal Appearance Tour with Barbie. (1980)
      Charms the World (1985)
      Barbie Meets Ken in the Game of Their Dreams! (1987)
      Just Us Girls (1989)
      Shopping Spree Card Game (1991)
      We Girls Can Do Anything (1991)
      Dream Date (1992)
      Fun Fashions Memory Game (1992)
      Butterfly Princess (1995)
      Dress Up Game (1995)
      Sparkle Kingdom Game (1996)
      Go Shopping! (1999)
      Enchanted 3-D Game (2001)
      Barbie Says (2002)
      UNO: Barbie (2002)
      Barbie of Swan Lake (2003)
      Rapunzel (2003)
      The Nutcracker Playset Game (2003)
      UNO: Barbie California Girl (2004)
      The Princess and the Pauper Game (2004)
      Guess the Look! (2004)
      Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses (2006)
      Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus (2005)
      World of Models (2008)
      Race to the Party Game (2010)
      Shopping Day (2011)
      Charmed Travels (2011)
      Fashion City (2011)
      Gems! (2012)
      Bring The Bling Game (2012)
      Shop with Barbie (2013)
      UNO: Barbie The Movie (2023)
      Monopoly: Barbie Movie (2023)

      WHERE TO BUY VINTAGE BARBIE GAMES?


      If you are searching for any of these games, new, used or vintage, I suggest following this link to eBay's collection of new, used and vintage Barbie board games. There you will find many of these games in assorted condition. New games that are out of production will likely cost more. However, if you shop carefully, you can likely find a used game that is in good condition. 

      Have I missed a Barbie game that you used to play?

      See you
      At the toy store!
      Brenda
      Treasures By Brenda

      MORE BARBIE READING


      For Barbie enthusiasts who love to build, there's a collection of fun Mega Bloks sets.

      Barbie in my eBay Store
      Discover what's in store! 

      My Barbie Doll Memories 
      I was a child when Barbie was released. Discover a few of my earliest Barbie memories.

      Uncover my pick of the best Barbie movie gift idea.

      Discover the movie fashioned after Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds movie!

      Barbie games









      Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


      Saturday, December 19, 2020

      Games Day Reviewed

       

      a stack of board games
      "Stack O' Games" by Chealion is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0


      Games Day is held each year on December 20th. It began in 1975 by the Games Workshop of Birmingham, England in the UK.  If you are not in England, you can still get involved by playing some games wherever you live.  It's a day that brings us all together. 


      History of Games Day


      Wooden sign with the word Game
      Source: Pixabay

      Games Day was created by Games Workshop, a British game production and retail company. The company started out producing more traditional games such as backgammon and later moved on to fantasy universe games, such as Warhammer (my cousin's favorite game!). Since 1975, this day of carefree fun has become extremely popular in England and then in the United States.


      How to Celebrate Games Day


      A Chess Game
      Source: Pixabay

      Family and friends can enjoy this Games Day in hundreds of ways. There are so many games available from the traditional ones of Chess, checkers, dominoes and backgammon to the modern day ones, which naturally include video games. Just ask any teenager! 


      The 10 Most Popular Board Games


      Monopoly board game
      Source: Pixabay


      1. Chess
      2. Stratego
      3. Monopoly
      4. Risk
      5. The Setters of Catan
      6. Scrabble
      7. Battleship
      8. Clue
      9. Dominion
      10. Ticket to Ride


      Other Game Day Celebrations


      The board game Backgammon
      Source: Pixabay



      *Links in the above list are game reviews by contributing members of ReviewThisReviews.


      Summary


      Some games have had enduring popularity, such as Monopoly and Scrabble. Card games have been popular since early times. There is no end to the number and variety of games in all forms and for all age groups. 


      A selection of Games
      Source: Pixabay & Fotojet


      MY most favorite games of all time are any card game, Scrabble and Yahtzee, in that order.  What are yours?


      A Variety of Fun Games on Amazon


      Games Day Review written by (c) Wednesday Elf on 12/19/2020


       




      Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


      Wednesday, May 4, 2016

      Star Wars Fans It's May the 4th be with you Day!

      May 4th has become known as Star Wars Day!


      I bet that doesn't surprise most of you as it's a play on the much quoted line "May the Force Be with You!"  Whether you are a Star Wars Movies fan or not, I'm sure that today you will hear this phrase more than once.

      Star Wars has had a cult following since it's original movie premiered in 1977.  Almost 40 years of old fans, and new fans being added every time a new episode comes out. The latest addition to the Star Wars phenomenon is "The Force Awakens".  While it can be a stand alone movie, it can also be taken as a prequel to all the other Star Wars Movies out there.  I know my sons have been having ongoing arguments about many points, in the movies and how they are interrelated.   One thing is certain, it has people taking about Star Wars again, and revisiting the older movies.

      stormtrooper legos
      May the 4th is celebrated not just in North America, but,  worldwide!  It is a celebration of the Star War Movies and all the characters that people have come to love.  In 2001 the Toronto Underground Cinema launched the first official Star Wars Day Festivities which included a costume contest and Movie Marathon.  Since then, the festivities have been ramped up and are available to fans all over the world.  I'm sure if you look you will find some kind of Star Wars Celebration happening in your corner of the world.  Better yet, you can start your own traditions and celebrations, as most of the Star Wars Movies are available on Blu-Ray or DVD.  

      Who is your most admired character?  Han Solo, Luke, Leia, Chewbaka, or maybe some other minor character.  Can you make a costume to make you look like your favorite character?  Sewing a costume is not too difficult and it will be fun for you and your family to create a whole wardrobe of characters for today and maybe for a second showing at Halloween.  Check out this pattern!   With a few minor changes you can have a whole family of Jedi Knights.


      Since the Star Wars epidemic started there are literally thousands of different ways you can celebrate the day.  If you don't want to dress up, or watch hours of endless Star Wars movies, you can get out your Lego and build another version of the Death Star, X-winged fighter or the Millenium Falcon.   Better yet, you can also get out the "Lego" versions of the characters and have them do their own light saber dance.  I love that you can get these character Lego's, they are so much fun to play with.  Grab your favorite board game and play it with Lego characters instead of the little pieces that came with the game originally.



      My sons love to play Monopoly and believe it or not there is a Star Wars Version too.  Now Monopoly has it's own cult following, so there are many versions of the same game with modifications to the names of the properties and the player pieces. The basic game remains the same, but the fun comes from landing on some really cool "outer space" properties.  The Star Wars Monopoly Game is a collectors item.  Each one is numbered and dated.  Instead of adding houses to your properties, you add Star Ships.  Will the Rebels or the Imperials win the race around the galaxy and control the properties?  That depends on you!

      All I know right now is that with the release of the latest Star Wars movie, "The Force Awakens", interest in the 4th of May, just may be at an all time high.

      So may I take this opportunity to offer "MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!" today and always.



      stormtrooper lego figures



      Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


      Saturday, December 21, 2019

      Card Playing Day - Reviewing a Winter Entertainment Holiday

      A hand of playing cards displayed for National Card Playing Day
      Playing cards any time of year is fun, but it's an especially entertaining activity in inclement weather.  Thus it is the perfect indoor wintertime activity. This unofficial holiday is held on December 28 each year right after winter officially begins.


      There are literally hundreds of different kinds of card games that can be played using a standard pack of cards.  Some of the top favorites include  Spades, Poker, Solitaire, Spite and Malice, Hearts, Spoons, Gin Rummy, Black Jack and Texas Hold’em. 


      With a Deck of 52 …


      A Poker Hand of Cards
      Source: Pixabay

      You'll Have Hours of Entertainment

      From the 9th century to modern day, people have been entertained with playing cards. A simple deck of 52 provides us with hours of fun in a wide variety of card games, either by yourself (solitaire) or with groups of 2 or 4 or more. It's an activity that will never go out of style!


      Cards are Popular at Any Time


      Four Aces in a deck of cards
      Source: Pixabay

      No matter what the seasonal time of year or time of day, this is a very popular form of entertainment. From simple 'matching cards' for very young children to intricate ones for adults to the ageless variations of Solitaire, cards hold our interest in many forms:


      • UNO is the Number One card game for kids (in my opinion) -- it is just as much fun for us grown up parents and grandparents to play, especially with the kids.
      • GIN RUMMY (or Gin) is a popular 2-player game that has been around since 1909. It is one of several variants of Rummy, which has been played worldwide for centuries. 
      • POKER and Texas Hold'em are both a popular choice with men
      • PINOCHLE - A game we played for several years with our best friends.
      • SOLITAIRE - Now it's Everyone's Favorite Card Game on the Computer!

      The game of solitaire as seen on a computer screen

      Solitaire is also called Patience and refers to single-player card games involving a layout of cards with a goal of sorting them in some manner. Anyone who enjoys card games likes Solitaire. There are more variations than you can 'shake a stick at' and in today's computer age the standard Solitaire game on computer has really increased it's popularity and is irresistible when sitting in front of your computer. (My favorite version is 'Spider Solitaire)


      • THREE-THIRTEEN - a Fun 'Rummy-Style' Card Game

      Hand holding all 3s in a deck of playing cards
      Source: Wikipedia

      A couple years ago I learned a new card game called "Three Thirteen" that is such fun. It's a form of Rummy and is an eleven-round game played with two or more players. The Rules can be found on Wikipedia. I've played it with just two players, with three players and with 6 players and each way is enjoyable. My favorite part of the game is the fact that the wild cards change with each hand! 

      *Two Years Ago: My son & I have been playing 3-13 once or twice a week all year. We have been keeping a running score sheet of each person's score, with the prize being dinner at a restaurant for the winner (paid for by the loser) at the end of the year. At the moment, I am 199 points ahead and have my choice of restaurant picked out!

      *This Year: Son & I have continued our weekly 3-13 games and THIS year son is ahead in the 'free dinner' race by over 400 points. I don't think I have time to 'catch up' before the end of this year! LOL. HE already has his favorite restaurant picked out. :) 


      My Love of Card Games


      Two decks of playing cards and a card deck holder decorated with card symbols
      Personal Photo (c) Wednesday Elf

      I've enjoyed card games all my life, from childhood hours of Canasta with my grandmother to teaching MY grandchildren "War" and "Uno". I grew up in a card-playing family.  My parents seemed to learn some of the most unusual card games over the years, having a "new" one to try every visit. 

      My favorites are Pinochle, Kings-on-the-Corner and 3-13. And the most fun card game ever I learned by the name of "Dwindle". It may be known by other names. You can't beat a deck of cards to give you or you-and-a-group hours of entertainment


      The Most Fun of All...


      Playing cards were found in China as early as the 9th Century, and it's popularity has continued to grow ever since. I can't imagine not having a deck of cards around. It is fun entertainment for all ages.



      Grandson Tyler (age 5) playing the  Card Game  War.
      Grandson Tyler (age 5) playing the  Card Game  War.



      December 28 is "Card Playing Day"


      Related Posts:

      Games Day includes card games.


      monopolyReviewing Monopoly Deal

      The Playing Card Version of the Classic Monopoly Board Game









      (c) Wednesday Elf 12/21/2019. Updated 12/28/2021





      Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


      Saturday, September 3, 2016

      A Bacon Review

      Bacon sizzling in a pan
      Source: Pixabay
      December 30 is designated as Bacon Day and the Saturday before Labor Day is known as  "International Bacon Day!"  There are various sources for who decided that bacon needed to be recognized with its own special day. 

      Residents in Bradford, MA claim to have created this day in 2000. A group of Boulder, Colorado graduate students also claim to have created this special day, in 2004. 

      Whatever the true source, it's definitely a day to enjoy this tasty treat in your favorite way (breakfast bacon & eggs, a BLT for lunch, or dinner of a bacon cheeseburger or a bacon wrapped steak or scallops).

      Today's Motto: Everything tastes better with bacon.

       

      What is Bacon and Why is it so Popular?


      Bacon is a pork product that over the years has become one of our most favorite of foods. I'm not sure why this is, but 'Bacon Mania' has certainly taken over in recent years and has spread to more than just a tasty breakfast item eaten plain. 


      Bacon dishes have evolved into some crazy creations, such as 'chicken-fried bacon' and chocolate-covered bacon. In a recent survey, 65% of Americans would support bacon as their "national food"!


      Bacon Themes


      Bacon is the Duct Tape of the  Kitchen Tee Shirt
      Funny Gift for Men who love BaconUnicorn Tees on Etsy



      Bacon themes can now be found on games and clothing, bandaids and duct tape and more. There is even a 'Bacon-opoly' Monopoly Game!



      Bacon Terms in Other Countries


      While we in America call it a bacon slice, several other countries have their own terms.

      • Canada: Strip
      • Germany: Speck
      • United Kingdom and Ireland: Rasher


      Related Bacon Articles:


      Review This contributor Brenda Little has a fun article about Bacon Playing Cards, a unique stocking stuffer for the man or teenager in your life.

      And Sam Monoco tells us a funny story about how not paying attention while cooking can 'burn the bacon' in his 'Bacon Epic Failure' blog post. 


      Cooking with Bacon

       
      Image of bacon cooking
      Image Source: Pixabay

      • My daughter cooks her bacon in the oven. She lays the bacon slices on a cookie sheet and bakes at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.  This gives her the really crispy bacon she loves, without having to 'watch & turn' the bacon as when it is cooked in a frying pan on the stove.
      • In our family, we have a 'family joke' about my hubby Bob cooking the bacon. He preferred to cook it in a frying pan, BUT each bacon strip had to lay perfectly FLAT to turn out cooked the way he preferred - nice and evenly cooked all over.  Of course bacon likes to 'curl' as it cooks, so this involved lots of turning and flattening each piece using two forks to 'hold' the ends down so they would end up cooking flat. His method also involved a LOT of 'swearing', so the family joke, which my (grown-up) kids like to say today, is that you cannot cook bacon without swearing at it! 
      • It's recommended by cooking shows and website articles to always start cooking your bacon in a cold pan. Lay the bacon strips out in the pan, then turn on the burner to a low to medium temperature. Cook slowly to desired crispness, cook in batches, and drain each batch on a paper towel or brown paper bag. You can also cook bacon in the oven, as my daughter does, or in the microwave (good if only a few slices are needed for a single sandwich or to crumble for bacon bits for a salad).  Line a microwave-safe dish with 4 layers of paper towels, arrange the bacon in a single layer, and cover with 2 more layers of paper towels. Microwave on HIGH for 1 minute per slice of bacon and check for doneness. If not done to your preference, microwave in additional 30 second bursts. 

       

      Bacon Cookbook


      101 Things To Do With Bacon cookbook cover
      And, finally, every bacon lover needs a Bacon Cookbook for times when just a few strips of bacon with eggs isn't enough for our bacon cravings.

      From old favorites to inventive new recipes, the 101 Things To Do With Bacon cookbook will give you plenty of tasty bacon dishes to try.

      Bring home the bacon with these delicious recipes from appetizers to salads to dinners.... and even desserts!




      Happy Bacon Day and "International Bacon Day"!




      Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


      Saturday, March 13, 2021

      Computer Chair Mat Review

       

      Images of chair mats for computer chairs
      Computer Chair Mats

      An office chair mat for your computer or office chair on wheels is a necessity whether you have carpet or a non-carpeted surface.


      Many companies manufacture chair mats for the precise purpose of protecting your carpet from snags or your wood or tile floors from scratches. The mats also allow your office chair casters to move easily while offering the described protection.


      I have used several brands over the years, and they have all worked well.  The one I am featuring today is the AiBob Office Chair Mat.


      Features:


      • Made from long-life pure polyethylene that is BPA and phthalalate free for a healthy indoor environment.
      • Surface allows your office chair to move easily, but has enough grip to maintain controlled rolling so your chair does not skid around.
      • The surface of the mat is strong and sturdy, so your chair’s wheels glide easily.
      • Provides good protection for your hardwood floors and carpeted floors.


      Mats for Carpets and for Floors


      Computer Chair Mat for carpets
      AiBob Chair Mat for Carpets

      Version for Carpets
      :  The floor mats available for carpets work well on low pile carpet floors. Designed to allow effortless movement of office chair wheels while it protects your low pile carpets without leaving indentations. 


      Image showing nubs on back of Computer Chair Mat to hold to carpeting

      The mat designed for carpets has nubs on the back to hold the mat in place.


      Office chair mat for floors
      Office Chair Mat for Floors


      Version for Hard Floors: Designed to protect flooring from scratches and dust. Works well on hardwood, tile, laminate, vinyl, concrete, and linoleum. This mat provides good protection for your hard floors.


      Summary


      The AiBob Office Chair Mat is rated #16 (mats for floors) and #18 (mats for carpet). Also, the AiBob mat for carpets is listed as Amazon's Choice. 


      The mat comes rolled, so needs to be flattened a bit before using.  The only complaint registered by reviewers is a strong chemical smell when the mat first arrives. The smell dissipates faster if aired for awhile outside.


      Ghost Chair


      Now for a fun personal story regarding my computer office chair sitting on my chair mat.


      GHOST CHAIR

      Computer Chair on a mat in my office



      Computer chair in my office


      Computer chair in my home office


      One summer 5 years ago, after visiting my son & family in Iowa, I ended up bringing my grandson Ryan (then age 14) back to Georgia with me for a visit.  It was nice having company on the drive home and delightful to have the companionship of my teenage grandson. We did a lot of sightseeing in the Savannah, GA area and many trips to the beach and to my apartment complex pool. In the evenings we played a lot of card games.

      One night, while we were playing Monopoly Deal, I happened to glance into my home office which I could view across the hall from the dining room table.  I noticed that my computer chair had moved from my computer desk near the window nearly all the way across to the door of the room. Very strange.  I got up and returned the chair to the mat, wondering how the chair had moved by itself. I wondered if because all the wheels happened to be in a straight line a vibration of some sort had caused the chair to slide off the mat and end up stopping on the rug several feet away. 

      Ryan and I tried to figure out a reason for this occurrence, but came up with nothing.  Later, the same thing happened. This time, I turned two of the wheels on the chair to hopefully hold it in place. A few days later, the same thing happened. The chair moved half a dozen times in the next couple of weeks and we never did find a reason for it. By that time, we had begun to call it the “Ghost Chair”

      At the end of the month-long visit, Ryan and I drove to Kentucky – a half-way point for both us and his parents - to return him home. We stayed overnight in a motel before going our separate ways and that night, out to dinner together, I related to my son & daughter-in-law the story of the Ghost Chair.  Afterwards, Ryan finally admitted that HE was the reason behind the chair's movement which he accomplished whenever I left the room! It was all a teenage practical joke and 'grandma' never suspected. Ryan had succeeded in looking completely innocent the whole time. LOL. We all had a good laugh over it and it has since become a favorite family story. 😄


      Chair Mats for Computer Chairs reviewed by 

      Wednesday Elf.





      Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


      Sunday, February 14, 2021

      10 Free Things You Can Do For Valentine's Day

      Review of Ten Free Things You Can
      Do for Valentine's Day

      In these pandemic times, money can be scarce. We don't have to spend money to show those we love that we're thinking about them. Where money is avoided, time is required.

      Below are ten free things you can do for Valentine's Day.

      1. Create a Video Memory Collection

      For my step-daughter's major milestone birthday this year, that's exactly what we did. It takes a bit of time, but a memory video dedication can last a lifetime and be used for multiple family occasions. 

      If you don't have a video/photo program and have Windows 10, type "Photo App" in the bottom search bar. The One Drive App should pop open. Across the top are menu items you can choose from. Select "Video Editor," then begin to create. I found it easy to use, and I hadn't tried it before. It also gives you the ability to add music to the background. There's a wide selection of music to choose from. I was able to upload the video to Facebook, for my step-daughter, without issue.

      Once your video is completed, share it via email or social media.

      2. Plan a Group Song for that Special Person

      Dad or mom, get the kids together, either in the home or via Zoom, and sing a collection of love and thank you songs to that special someone. Who cares if you can't sing! Sing anyway. Embrace the lovely, horrible, wonderful sounds of a family singing together.


      3. Make a Meal for Your Significant Other

      This one is obvious, yet rarely done! Don't just plan a meal; plan a sit-down candlelight dinner. Plan a meal featuring foods that you all like. If it's for the whole family, have each person pick their fave food item.


      4. Plan a Valentine's Day Candy Heart Treasure Hunt for the Kids

      On Easter, the kids hunt for eggs. For Valentine's Day, do the same thing with Valentine's Candy. Granted, you'll have to buy the candy, so that part isn't free. Or, if you'd rather skip the sugar-high, make hearts for the hunt. Let's face it, the candy is more fun!


      5. Plan an Outing at the Park

      Weather permitting, pack a lunch, and head to the park. For those with kids, it's a lovely way to get outdoors and spend time together. 

      For those living in snowy areas, go sledding! That's so much fun. There's fishing, biking, golfing, or a day at the beach swimming in warmer climates.


      6. Bake Together With the Kids

      Plan a day of cake or pie baking with the young ones. Most children love being involved with dessert creation. Use a heart-shaped cake pan, and create Valentine's cake.


      7. Have a Movie Day or Game Day at Home

      Get the popcorn and snacks ready, select several movies, and spend the day cozied up under a blanket, snacking and watching movies. Just don't chew in his ear because, yah, annoying. :)

      You could also binge-watch a series together. It's not hard to do that!

      If movies aren't your thing, play games, lots of games. Make it a retro-game-day; Monopoly, Scrabble, Sorry, Yahtzee, Operation, Mouse-Trap, Cards.


      8. Re-Write Your Vows to Each Other 

      Whether you're married or not, write or re-write your vows. Place them in a pretty sealed envelope, open them over dinner, and read them to each other.


      9. Trade Foot Massages

      Oh yes. This. Give each other the gift of touch. Agree to spend a half-hour on each other's feet! If feet aren't your thing, how about the back or neck and shoulders?


      10. Agree to Spend the Day Paying Each Other Only Compliments

      Absolutely no nasty remarks for the entire day. Make Valentine's Day a day dedicated to kindness, goodness, and grace. Seriously, this could be tough at times, lol - but you can do it! 

      Make a vow that for Valentine's Day, the full day, you both have to give at least ten compliments spread throughout the day to each other. Yes, count and keep track.

      So, not only do you have to be nice to each other all day, you have to say at least ten nice things to each other. 

      Bonus Suggestion: Do nothing! Couch, sleep, snacks.




      Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


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