Star Wars: The Force Awakens Movie Review

Expect the Unexpected!

We recently went to see "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and I was actually very surprised by how much I enjoyed the movie.  You see, I am a huge Star Wars fan.  The very first "Star Wars" movie came out when I was a teenager so you could say that I have grown up with "Star Wars".   Almost 40 years of Star Wars influence and I was not ready to let go of the original characters and embrace a new generation.

Daily, I am surrounded by Star Wars characters.  Yoda sits at my kitchen sink overseeing all my activities.  Darth Vader hovers by my the coffee pot and frequently speaks to me. Well when I push his little button, he speaks to me.  I also own a Ewok plush.  And to this day, Jabba the Hut totally grosses me out.  Oh, yes!  I even have Star Wars Christmas decorations.  Wanna see Yoda in a Santa suit?  Just come to my home next Christmas.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens - My Biggest Surprise

 Star Wars: The Force Awakens Deluxe Figure Play SetBased on the trailers I had seen, It appeared that the new Disney made Star Wars movie was moving beyond my favorite things and characters.  I didn't think I could stand watching that happen.  When my son wanted me to go see the movie with him,  I decided spending time with him was more important than hanging on to the past.  However, I was in for a huge surprise!

Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) were back and even Peter Mayhew returned to play everyone's favorite Wookiee, Chewbacca.  I do want to make one note here.  There were actually two actors who played the part of Chewbacca in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens".  Joonas Suotamo stepped in to cover the action scenes for Peter Mayhew. 

In addition to these fabulous actors who made the characters come to life in the original "Star Wars" movie nearly 40 years ago, "The Force Awakens" also included C-3PO and R2-D2. 

Plus, the Millennium Falcon is back!

I missed Yoda, but otherwise it seemed like a wonderful reunion until the unthinkable happened.

 Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Plus Bonus Features)

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Movie Review for Original Star Wars Fans

If you are an old Star Wars fan, by now you already know that this movie takes place decades after the original confrontation with Darth Vader, but there is a new Dark Side, just as there is a new generation that is strong with the "Force" fighting for the Republic. 

Sadly, just as Darth Vader was Leia and Luke's father, Kylo Ren is Leia and Han's son, Ben.  It seems to be a family trait to betray the Republic and move to the dark side. 

We were never meant to like Darth Vader, and we most certainly do not like Kylo Ren.  The atrocity he commits to "prove" himself will forever define him as the greatest villain in the "Star Wars" series of movies. 

If you are a huge original "Star Wars" fan, prepare yourself!  Things will never be the same again.

This Reviewers Opinion of Star Wars: The Force Awakens Movie Review

 

 Star Wars: The Force Awakens Visual DictionaryMuch to my surprise, I really liked the way they tied the old with the new.  There does come a time in life to pass the gauntlet to the young.  To let them have their own generation of heroes and villains.  I have no doubt there are more revelations and surprises for the "Star Wars" future films.

I also really liked the new characters.  I look forward to seeing Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron take on this new generation of the dark side.  Plus, it appears as if we will be seeing a lot more of Luke Skywalker as he assumes the tasks of Jeti mentor and instructor.  I anticipate really liking the mature Mark Hamill, perhaps even more than I did when he was oh, so very young.

I assure you, I will cheer wildly when they finally take down Kylo Ren.  I await the day when his empty helmet sits next to the disfigured Darth Vader headpiece in a lineup that demonstrates that good will conquer evil even if evil rules for a day.   

May The Force Be With You!

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Movie Review by:

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Improve Your Health With a Simple Rebounder Workout

Several years ago when I was recovering from cancer treatments, a friend recommended that I start using a rebounder for exercise. That way, every cell in my body could be oxygenated in one brief, simple rebounder workout, helping rebuild my strength quickly. She was right. With just a few minutes a day of gentle bouncing, I began feeling better quickly and, in no time, my strength and endurance were back to normal.  I'm well now, but I still enjoy my mini-trampoline workouts. Not only are they good for body and soul, they're lots and lots of fun!

You don't have to be recovering from an illness to reap the benefits of using a rebounder for exercise. It's a great workout for just about anyone who can stand upright and maintain a fair amount of balance. If you're not sure that's you, check with your doctor first!

Advantages of Rebounder Exercise

The advantages of rebounder exercise are many. First, you can exercise by yourself, in the comfort of your own home. No gym membership necessary which brings us to our second point: it's cheap exercise. The only piece of equipment that you need is the rebounder or mini-trampoline (the names are used interchangeably). I'll give you some recommendations about that below.

Next advantage, rebounding is a great choice whether you're totally out of shape, in perfect shape and want an additional cardio/oxygenizing workout, or anywhere in between. If you fall into the first category, your workouts will start out short, just a few minutes as your body tolerates.  If you fall into the totally-fit category, you'll just bounce for a longer period of time and add plenty of upper body movement to your workout.

One of the most important advantages of exercising using a rebounder is the oxygenation aspect that I mentioned above. What that means is that as you work out, breathing faster and deeper, your respiratory system absorbs more oxygen and your cardiovascular system pumps that oxygen-rich blood through every cell in your body. You know that oxygen is essential if you're a living, breathing human being, but what you might not know is that high levels of oxygen have been shown to fight disease, including cancer. In fact, it has been proven that cancer cells can't exist in the presence of oxygen. While we obtain oxygen from drinking lots of water and eating the right foods, exercise that makes us breathe more deeply also provides our bodies with a live-giving fresh supply of oxygen. That's why, simply put, exercise is so important in maintaining, or rebuilding, a healthy body. Breast cancer patients and others with lymphatic system issues, consult your doctor about using a trampoline to help rid your body of those toxins.

There's one more important advantage of rebounder exercise and that is the effect the workout has on your overall well being. While your body is getting its workout, your mind is having the time of its life! It is so much fun to exercise using a lively workout music playlist. As you bounce, dance, and jump to the music, you can't help but be in a better mood when it's all said and done!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article.

Workout Music for Rebounding

Choose something moderately fast with a steady beat. Most importantly, pick music that you like.  My current favorite is Motor City Hits, a workout mix from The Biggest Loser.

How to Use a Rebounder

Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes or go barefoot if you prefer. If you're a beginner, place the rebounder within reach of a counter or sturdy chair to grab just in case you start feeling a little unstable (or choose a rebounder with a stability bar). Start by stretching, then bounce "slow and low," keeping your feet on the deck of the trampoline. Personally, I like to just do my own thing, walking, marching, or jumping to the music, adding arm movements as I pick up the pace. If you've never done any rebounding at all, I'd recommend starting with a video such as the excellent one below in order to learn some basic moves. Stick with your comfort level, pushing yourself only when you feel ready, and you'll do fine.

Reviewing Mini-Trampolines: Which Rebounder to Buy

The price range for rebounders is wide, starting at less than $30 and going up to over $300. The choice is yours and I'd recommend starting on this page at Amazon.com for a quick overview of what's available. The more expensive fitness trampolines are generally very highly rated, but then so are many of the cheaper models. 

Besides your budget, keep in mind your state of health. A stability bar is a feature that you'll find helpful if you have an issue with balance. When I was sick, having the bar to hold onto while I bounced was very important. These days I'm comfortable going without the bar and leaving more space around me. 

I've never used resistance bands like the ones included on this inexpensive but well-reviewed Gold's Gym Mini Rebounder, but customers seem to love this model. 

My bottom line advice? Read the reviews and choose the best model you can afford. As many reviewers say, you get what you pay for. As for me, I'm fine with my 36-inch, non-folding model with elastic bands (not springs) and no stamina bar. Your mileage may vary. 

So, should you rebound? 

The answer is a resounding, "Yes!" unless your doctor tells you otherwise. It's simple, cheap to get started, it will improve your health, and it's the most fun exercise to do day or night, rain or shine, in the privacy of your own home.  What's not to like about that!

Like the idea of improving your health by using a rebounder for exercise? I'd love if you'd share your thoughts on the subject in the comment section below.

QUICK LINKS:

Compare Rebounders

Choose a Rebounder from Walmart

Workout Music: Prime Playlists

Biggest Loser Motor City Hits Workout Album

Helpful Articles:
10 Ways to Improve Your Oxygen Levels

Nobel Prize Winning Professor Proves Oxygen Therapy Knocks Out Most Diseases Including Many Types Of Cancer

~ Susan
Meet the Reviewer

Posted by Susan Deppner

About the Author

Susan Deppner is a baby boomer, a cancer survivor, and a Southerner who believes in the Golden Rule. She enjoys writing about food, faith, and fitness; health, home, and holidays; people, places, pets, and patriotism, and more. Follow Susan on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

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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Reviewing Into The Wild Book One in a Cat Series

A Series For Cat Lovers

I just finished reading the book Into The Wild which is book number 1 in the Warriors: The Prophecies Begin series of books. These books are actually written for 8 to 12 year olds but I have to tell you they are just as enjoyable for us old adults to read, too; especially if you happen to love cats.

Warriors #1: Into the Wild (Warriors: The Prophecies Begin)

I plan to read through the rest of the series and then the additional series that were written after this one began in 2009. Erin Hunter intrigued me with her descriptions of cat behavior throughout this book. She made me giggle, saw "Ahhh" and become attached to several of the cats in the story.

The story begins with Rusty a pet cat in an undetermined neighborhood. Rusty is dreaming of catching a mouse in the woods and then is disappointed when he awakes to find that he is still in the home of his owners and is forced to eat the dry kibble and drink the bitter tasting water in his food and water bowl. He much prefers the taste of the water found outdoors in the puddles and has never caught a mouse in his young life.

Rusty goes through the cat door and visits with the neighbor cat, Smudge. They sit on the fence and look toward the woods and wonder what life would be like out there. Smudge has no desire to go to those woods because he has heard there are wild cats out there that would just as soon beat you up as to look at you. Rusty is yearning for adventure, though. He jumps from the fence and walks toward the woods and there is where the adventure begins.

He sees something moving in the darkness and begins to stalk it. He knows it is too big for a mouse and it has a red tail. As he goes further into the forest, he gets attacked by a very large and very strong cat. Rusty holds his own in the fight and finally the fight stops. He discovers that he is surrounded by a group of wild cats. One voices his distaste for the stench of "kittypet" he is throwing off while another makes fun of his small size. The cat who fought with him tells Rusty that he should be proud of his fighting skills, although they are still undeveloped he did have some interesting moves. In the course of the conversation, Rusty is invited to come join the ThunderClan of wild cats and has until the next day at noon to give his answer.

As you might have already guessed from the title, Rusty decides to leave his comfortable home with the Twolegs (what the wild cats call humans) and live with the forest cats and become a warrior.

This is a book that I would recommend for a child to read along with my adult friends who love to read. What I love about it is that there are such wonderful messages given to children about courage and social skills. Just as with humans, the cats have a system of authority which is sometimes not respected very well. There are bullies and there are heroes. There is even one part where the message is that we should respect the wisdom of our elders and that just because one is old does not mean that they can't offer valuable assistance to the group. The messages are disguised in the adventures of the cats but they are there just the same.

I love how Erin Hunter describes the body language of the cats in such perfect detail. She has obviously lived with more than one cat in her lifetime!

This was a sweet book, an exciting read and an enjoyable way to spend a few days of my time. I think that any child would love to have it read to them or to read it themselves. It is a book that I would have loved to read to my daughters at our nightly reading ritual when they were small. It is a book that I will most certainly give to my oldest grandchild and will enjoy reading to my youngest. 

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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Review of Handi-Reacher 50-1140 Reacher Grabber

Sometimes People Need Some Helping in Reaching Things

My husband is picking up a container of foot powder he dropped.

That's why our house has always had a reacher in almost every room for the past twenty years. We inherited a few from my in-laws, who had used them after hip surgery. My husband purchased more of them when he had his own hip surgery. I never thought I'd need another one until we inherited a second home from my mom and we started to live there for months at a time. It only had two reachers and my husband claimed both. When my knees started to make bending over hard to do, I decided I needed one I could lay claim to. I had an old one in my room,  but discovered it did not work well. My husband's did, so I decided to search Amazon to find one just like his. Since  all reacher-grabbers do not work equally well, I decided I should review the Handi-Reacher 50-1140 because I know it works well. I'd hate to see people who need the help get a reacher like my old one that doesn't work.

Why the Handi-Reacher is the Best Reacher-Grabber

Handi-Reacher Picking up Pill

The Handi-Reacher will pick up anything solid that is three inches wide or smaller. It will pick up a can of soup on a kitchen shelf above your head or grab the edge of a pan or casserole dish at the back of a bottom cupboard. My husband uses it to pick up the newspaper - even when the delivery person has thrown it under a car.You only have to pull the trigger handle with your hand to grab the item and bring it up or down. In my opinion it is the best reacher for disabled people.

At the end of the grabber claw is a small magnet that helps attract metal screws, tacks, nails, and other small metal objects so you can pick them up easily. The lower part of the claw also has grooves on the surface to keep objects from slipping. In the photo above Hubby is picking up a small pill he dropped on the floor. Below is photo of this action from a different angle. Do you see the little knob at the top of the reacher? That is to aid in dressing. I haven't used that yet because I've not yet needed it.

Handi-Reacher Grasping Pill

Don't Get a Reacher Like My Old One

I know there are some cheaper reachers available, and one of them may suit you better than the Handi-Reacher. I knew my husband's worked and I kept looking until I found it. I hadn't tested the other ones. I can tell you which one not to get, though. Don't get one that looks like my old one pictured below.

Old Reacher that Doesn't Work

After a while, it just stopped working. See that space at the end of the

Old Reacher's Bent Handle

jaw? I can no longer squeeze it shut. The flimsy handle is bent out of shape (see right) and won't work anymore. The shape of the handle also makes it harder to squeeze than the trigger handle on my Handi-Reacher. The whole-hand trigger handle is a must for those of us who have arthritis in our hands, since it easily pulls back instead of needing a hard squeeze.

Frozen Jaw of Old Reacher

Another major difference between this old reacher and the Handi-Reacher is the metal rod that connects the handle to the spring mechanism that opens and shuts the jaw. On the right of this photo you can see it hooked into the nearest point of the mechanism nearest the spring, which is hidden here by the hook.

In the Handi-Reacher, all of these parts that can bend and break so easily are protected by hard plastic or what appears to be a strong aluminum tube. Don't buy anything with an exposed wire and parts like you see in my photos of my old reacher. In this picture to the left you will also see that the inside of the old reacher's jaw is smooth instead of grooved like the Handi-Reacher. The groves help the object you are grabbing stay intact in the jaw until you can get it.

Handi-Reacher 50-1140 Handi-Reacher, Standard 24Check Price

This is kit is another option with high customer ratings for those of you who may need additional help after a hip replacement. It's especially designed to help you. It includes not only a reacher, but also aids for putting on socks and shoes, a long-handled bath sponge, and a dressing tool. Check it out before hip surgery. My husband still uses a long shoe horn and a sock tool when dressing, and it's been over ten years since his surgery.

Sammons Preston 49850 Complete Hip Replacement Kit, 24Check Price

If your knees or back make it hard for you to bend to pick up objects, the Handi-Reacher or the Hip Replacement Recovery Kit may be just the friend you need. If you have trouble reaching a shelf above your head, you will also find these reaching tools useful. Why wait another day to get your Handi-Reacher to start making your life easier?

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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An Awesome Ant Control Product

Ants.  They have their purpose in the world but, in my opinion, there is almost nothing more disgusting than ants marching through your home or office.  Ants are pesky and extremely difficult to control.  But I have stumbled upon an inexpensive, effective, and safer way to get rid of ants. I am so excited about this product that I have to share it with you.

My Ant Infestation

Almost everyone has had to deal with ants.  And there are many ways to exterminate them; professional pest control, chemical sprays, solids, liquids, and so on.  Recently, I had such an overwhelming invasion of ants that it was almost fun to watch then marching on their invisible super highway.  But before long it got old and was no longer interesting.

I work in a historic, beautiful old building.  My office is on the third floor. As autumn turned colder, I suddenly began sharing my office space with what seemed like millions of ants.  They marched up from the floor, up across my wall, and behind a bulletin board.  I wasn't sure where they were coming from or where they were going. Or why they were interested in an old bulletin board. But they were there and they seemed intent on staying.

Initially, I was content to watch them march up and down the wall, until they began also marching up onto my desk and occasionally up my legs. Since I found a can of ant spray in the supply closet, it seemed that ants were probably an amenity that pre-existed my employment.  So I sprayed with the ant spray. I sprayed and I sprayed.

The ant spray only killed the ants that I was able to hit directly and soak. It's more likely they drowned than were killed by chemicals. The rest of the ants just marched around the wet spots until the wet spots dried.  Then they resumed their march on their normal path.  The only apparent outcome of using the spray was triggering my migraines.

I started to look for more natural ways to get these ants out of my space.

Pest Control Options

I searched the internet for solutions. Exterminators are pricey and the agency was unlikely to pay for it.  Sprays were clearly not effective and the chemicals hurt my head.  So I looked for options with fewer or no chemicals.  I decided to do a water and vinegar spray. That concoction seemed completely ineffective. Then I decided to do a boric acide and sugar water mixture. Trouble was, I didn't know exactly what boric acid was and where to find it.  It also sounded frightening. While looking in the pest control aisle at a local store, looking for this scary sounding acid, I found my solution.

"Terro Ant Bait. It Works."

Terro liquid ant bait. It works. That's not only a slogan, it's the truth.  I am no expert on extermination. But I can say that my ant problem was large scale and persistent. And was solved by using Terro.  This stuff is the best. I've stocked up on more, to make sure I have some on hand if I need it again.

Terro Liquid Ant Bait

Have Faith and Patience

Know that at first MORE ants will come. Yes, MORE ants.  The amount of ants that came for the first 2-3 days was amazing.  But that was good. It meat the Terro was doing what it was supposed to do.  I returned after a weekend, and the number of ants was dwindling.  Then I was in and out of the office for the next few days and the number of ants decreased.  Approximately 7 -10 days later, the ants were magically gone.

I placed the bait in their path

Make sure to follow the directions on the packaging and take a look at the Learning Center section on the Terro site.  Also, make sure to place the bait directly in the path of the ants.  Initially, I placed my baits in three different areas; the wall, the floor at the legs of my desk, and on the floor near where they were entering  The ants did not go to the baits I placed on the floor. But they swarmed the baits placed in their path (I had taped one flat against the wall in their path).  Don't move the baits that are in the path of the ants and be patient as the infestation seems to worsen.

Terro liquid ant bait is an easy-to-use, inexpensive, and effective way to get rid of the ants invading your home or office.  I am overly sensitive to smells and chemicals, due to my migraine issue, and while I noted that there was an extremely slight scent, it was not a harsh chemical smell and it did not trigger a migraine.  If you have an ant problem, I highly recommend Terro.

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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Krampus Movie Review

To be completely honest, I didn't really know what to expect when "Krampus" was the family choice Christmas movie this year.  From the trailers, it seemed scary and macabre to me.   It certainly didn't seem like the perfect family Christmas movie.  However, I survived the viewing and I am here to tell you, it was actually pretty awesome. 

There is an underlying lesson that we all need to hear and consider.  It just might change how we interact with the people we love and often seem to take for granted.  Have you ever criticized the food choice, the clothing choice, the decor choice, the table setting choice, anything about the family Christmas day celebration?  Or have you been the criticized host, hostess or attendee?  If so, you will totally get the message of the movie.  Of course, you may have just observed these bad actions.  If that is the case, you will have no trouble grasping the plot.  I suspect we can all identify in one way or another.   Perhaps, even cheer the Krampus.

You see, Krampus is a rather evil dude who comes in place of Santa to those who have been, shall we say, "naughty".  He even brings evil toys and minion elves with him.

[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The History of Krampus

Krampus is an old folklore figure that resembles the image of the devil we are all accustomed to seeing.  He has cloven hooves and goat horns.  He is a hairy "devil" with a long tongue.  

In the old tales, he is the antithesis of Santa and punishes children who have been bad.  In the movie, he is referred to as the "shadow of Santa". 

Making it Personal

I never like to ruin a movie for anyone by giving away too much of the plot, so in this case I am going to give a personal example.  Just this year, my mother spent a day before Christmas helping me wrap gifts.  I always enjoy the time with my Mom.  I can be just "me" with Mom, which makes these laborious activities much easier.  However, I am still always tired by the end of the day.  

As it was getting dark, Dad came in and offered to take us to look at the Christmas lights.  I confess, I was still in my pajamas.  I honestly can't remember if Mom and I stopped for lunch or if we just snacked all day when hunger pains hit.  At first, I grumbled to myself that I didn't want to go look at stupid Christmas lights.  Then I thought, but it would make a fantastic opportunity to take pictures.  So, I grabbed my house shoes and camera and jumped in the car.

When we got to the town square, I was literally overwhelmed by the breathtaking beauty of the entire square decorated with garland, ribbons and lights.  I wanted to take pictures from the car, but there were cars parked in the way, so I grumbled about the cars being in the way.  Dad drove around the square to give us a view of the lights from every angle and to find a good photo spot.  As he was cruising around, this woman slowly crossed the street in front of us, because she was looking at the lights as she walked and not the traffic.  I grumbled about how people really needed to pay attention to cars to avoid being run over.  After all, the driver of the car could be looking at lights too.  Than, a toddler came running toward the street.  (Remember the cars were parked in every parking spot and the child could only be seen due to movement catching our eyes.)  I grumbled that parents really needed to be watching their children. 

It was at this point, that I recognized myself that every word out of my mouth since we got in the car had be negative.  I started laughing and said, "grumble, grumble, grumble!  Bah, Humbug!  I guess I am going the spend the whole holiday grumbling!"  My parents laughed.  You see, they know me well and take my grumbling in stride.

I used this real life illustration because the grumbling and criticizing others is exactly the kind of attitude and action that would bring the Krampus to MY Chimney!

Just so you know, I never got that picture, but I did get a Filet O' Fish from McDonalds on the way home.  Wait!  That is not truly accurate.  I got 2 Filet O' Fish sandwiches.   I felt much better after getting out of the house for a bit, spending time with my parents, looking at the beautiful Christmas lights, and eating.   Go Back in Your Hole, Krampus! 

Krampus, the Movie 

The movie starts with an exaggerated version of something we have all experienced. Christmas shopping and how crazy people get over getting the "last", the "only", the "must haves".

The children's Christmas play is interrupted by a fight between children.   The mall Santa Clause is shown to be a pervert.  And then, the out of town family arrives, with surprises!  Seriously, don't people know you don't surprise the hostess at Christmas!!!

When Max's letter to Santa is read at the dinner table, Max is embarrassed, upset that his private thoughts had been shared with the entire family, and deeply distressed that others were hurt by those words.  He destroys the letter and throws it out the window.  It is immediately gathered into the sky.  What happens next will scare the Christmas socks right off your feet!

Keep Krampus Away!   Watch the Movie and Behave!

 Krampus [Blu-ray]

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New Year's Resolutions and How to Keep Them

Reviewing New Year Resolutions

Time to make your
New Year's resolutions!

Have you made a New Year's resolution for 2017? Better hurry, you're running out of time! Or maybe you don't bother with resolutions anymore since you have a "Fail!" history when it comes to keeping them. That's true of most of us, but you don't have to fail at keeping resolutions. Here are three things to do to keep your New Year's resolutions, along with some specific tips.

When it comes to keeping resolutions, the secret lies in turning the resolution into a goal, making a plan, and keeping yourself motivated enough to stick with that plan. Let's talk about how to do all three.

1. Turn your resolution into a goal. Instead of "I resolve to lose weight this year," get more specific: "I will lose 10 pounds in the next three months." When you're specific, it's much easier to make a plan in order to reach the goal. And when the goal sounds reasonable, you're far less likely to become overwhelmed and quit before you ever get started. You may really want to lose 40 pounds this year, but that sounds so difficult! Losing 10 pounds sounds so much more doable, doesn't it? And when you reach that 10-pound weight loss goal at the end of three months, then repeat it in the next three months, then again and then one more time during the year, the 40 pounds you originally wanted to shed will be gone!

Is "exercise regularly" one of your resolutions? Get more specific than that. What kind of exercise? Have you thought about it? I'd suggest walking, the simplest exercise of all. Set a goal to work yourself up to 10,000 steps a day as quickly as possible and maintain that pace for the rest of the year. All you'll need is a pedometer, a calendar on which to record your progress, and a plan, which brings us to step two.

2. Make a plan to meet your goal. For the weight loss goal, you'll have to decide what you're going to do in order to lose those 10 pounds. My plan would be to simply eat less at each meal. That works best for me and probably will for you, too (seriously, you'll be amazed at what eating smaller portions can do for you). Plan, too, on eliminating all sugary drinks by substituting good, old-fashioned water. (Please avoid diet drinks with artificial sweeteners which actually stimulate your appetite.) Making just those two changes in your diet is a great plan, easy to stick with, and really will help you lose weight.

Plan: Add steps by taking your dog for regular walks.

As for a plan for meeting the exercise/walking goal, if you don't do much walking in the normal course of a day, you may need to dedicate 10, 20, or 30 minutes a day specifically for walking and accumulating steps. Choose a time of day to walk and stick with it. If you miss a day don't stress about it, just do it the next day. Additionally, make small changes in your routine, such as parking at the back of the parking lot when you go shopping. Take your dog for regular walks and extend the walk a couple hundred steps each day. That three-part plan will help you succeed in meeting your 10,000 step goal. After 21 days (that's how long it takes to form a habit) you'll realize that you're finding more ways to take more steps and actually enjoying the challenge. 

3.  Keep yourself motivated. Even when you turn the resolution into a goal, then make and carry out a plan to reach the goal, you'll probably lose focus and lose your motivation at some point during the year. There are various ways to deal with that, especially if you realize that adjusting your plan is fine and much, much better than losing track of your resolution/goal altogether, causing you to just give up. 

Developing daily habits by making the plan part of your daily routine will help keep you motivated. In addition, it's good to plan periodic rewards so that there's always a tempting carrot on a stick hanging not far down the path you're traveling on. Plan ahead of time to treat yourself by buying something special (maybe new earrings?) as a reward for accomplishing half of your total weight loss goal.  Plan to reward yourself with a new pair of walking shoes, perhaps, once you've walked and recorded your steps for six weeks in a row. 

Motivational materials with positive messages to read daily can go a very long way in keeping you focused and on track. Thousands of people love the motivation they find in the Life's Little Instruction Calendar. Each day's calendar page contains a thoughtful, usually light-hearted or even humorous message to help you start your day.

As you change the date each morning, read that day's entry purposefully, with the intent of learning something that will reinforce your positive mindset.  Memorize, read aloud, and/or meditate on each day's message. Tape the calendar page to your mirror or put it on your refrigerator door where you'll see it often.

Apply the positivity you find each day to your own life and let that positivity motivate you towards your goals. And remember that with each page you pull off the calendar, you're that much closer to accomplishing what you've set out to do this year! 

So let's review. I believe that anyone can keep a New Year's resolution if they follow the three steps discussed above: Turn the resolution into a goal, make a plan to meet the goal, and stay motivated in order to carry out the plan. 

Are you up to the challenge?

So tell me, have you made a resolution for 2017? What motivates you? Care to share? I'd love to read your comments below.

~ Susan
Read more of my reviews



"Almost Midnight" and "Dad and Dog" photos property Susan Deppner, all rights reserved

Posted by Susan Deppner

About the Author

Susan Deppner is a baby boomer, a cancer survivor, and a Southerner who believes in the Golden Rule. She enjoys writing about food, faith, and fitness; health, home, and holidays; people, places, pets, and patriotism, and more. Follow Susan on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

 

 

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Reviewing the Bill Hodges Trilogy by Stephen King

A Detective Tale

If you have read any of my earlier posts here on Review This Reviews, you know that I am both an avid reader and a fan of  the author Stephen King. He has published 2 out of 3 books in a series known as the Bill Hodges trilogy and that is what I want to review for you today. This series of three books is King's first hard-boiled detective story but I hope it is not his last because I am truly captivated with his ability to take us through a mysterious plot of an evil villain. 

The first book in the series or trilogy is Mr. Mercedes where we meet some of the characters that will be in all three books along with a pretty evil and twisted villain. Bill Hodges is our main protagonist. We first meet him after he has retired as a detective of a midwestern city's police force. He had worked on a case a few years ago where an unknown person drove a car into a crowd of people who were in line waiting for a job fair to open. The police began calling the perpetrator Mr. Mercedes because he was driving a Mercedes when he plowed into the crowd, killing 8 and injuring another 15 more people. Not solving the case, haunts Bill.

Jerome Robinson is another main character in the books. He starts out in the story as Bill Hodges' hired help for mowing the lawn. We see the two become friends as Jerome helps Hodges with some computer knowledge and later with the investigation. Jerome is in the first two books and I would assume will be in the unpublished third book.

The other part of the detective team is Holly Gibney. She is the niece to Olivia Trelawney (Mr. Mercedes stole her car to run the people down). I love Holly's character! She suffers from Asperger's Syndrome and seems lacking in social skills but not at all in deducing what is going on around her. Holly is also in the first two books and I would assume she will be in the third.

In this first book, we learn about the real Mr. Mercedes. In fact, we as readers know his identity before Bill, Jerome and Holly do. We learn all sorts of twisted things about this psycho. I don't want to give away too much of the plot, just suffice it to say Mr. King sure knows how to twist things around so that you can't seem to make yourself put the book down.

Finders Keepers

I just finished reading the second book of the trilogy a few days ago and I thought it was even better than the first one. We have a new villain and a new crime for Bill, Jerome and Holly to become involved with. Our psychotic perpetrator in this story is an obsessed fan of a famous author who doesn't like how he developed a character in one of his books. What this sick man does is almost inconceivable but believable in the way Mr. King tells the tale. What happens over the course of the next thirty years is yet another tale I couldn't put down until the end! Oh, and just so you know the story does keep the original crime of Mr. Mercedes very much in play throughout the second story. 

Right now the working title of the last book in the trilogy is End of Watch. It is scheduled to be released in June of 2016 and I can hardly wait to find out how Stephen King ends this story line. I am assuming that Bill, Jerome and Holly will be involved and maybe even Peter from the second book but I can't be sure. I can see where Mr. Mercedes story will probably continue, also. 

Pretty much at this stage, I am sitting here thinking, "Well done, Stephen King, well done!" Yet again he has taken me into an adventure that I can't stop thinking about. 

You can read both of the first books in hardcover, paperback or digitally by going to Amazon.com with link above or you can choose to shop at Barnes & Noble for the books. If you love a good detective story along with a thriller of a tale, you will really like this new set of books by Stephen King. 

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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Review of Land's End Twin Extra Long Flannel Sheets

Cold Weather Makes Me Want Flannel Sheets

It seems that as soon as I bought my new REM extra long twin bed during the hot autumn, the weather turned cold. The only sheets I had to fit it were the cotton percale sheets that came with the bed. They were just right for hot weather, but as it turned cold, I wanted to find heavy flannel twin extra long sheets. After a long search that included Amazon and J.C.Penny and some sponsored Amazon links, I finally found the quality twin extra long flannel sheets I wanted at Land's End.  I will review them here and compare them to others I've looked at.

I Have Trusted Land's End for Decades

I have always trusted Land's End. I've been buying from their mail order catalog for about thirty years. I have never had a problem with their quality products or their customer service. I have bought flannel shirts, mock turtleneck tees, dresses, and much more, and always been happy. I confess that these days I usually buy from their sale section. There is always something there I can use at a price I can afford. I was very happy to find my extra long twin sheets there, since many places, even online, don't have them. Unfortunately, as I look today, these sheets aren't on sale anymore, but the same quality sheets are still available. In fact, they have improved the quality. 

Land's End Extra Long Flannel Sheets

My review of the Land's End Extra Long Twin Flannel Sheets I Bought

When my flannel sheets came, I was not disappointed. The fitted sheet fit snugly when I put it on my thick new mattress. There was room to spare, so the sheet doesn't start to come off like the one my mom had bought for the bed I was replacing. It was also extra long, but the mattress was half the thickness. My new mattress is about ten inches high. The sheet can fit a mattress (combined with mattress covers and memory foam pads) as thick as sixteen inches. I no longer have to push the sheet back in place after I get up in the middle of the night.

I was wondering what would be the best view to show you of my new flannel sheet set. ( See photo at top.) I decided to show it just the way it looks when I hop into it at night. The sheets are beechnut color. I  took this photo with natural light. My adjustable bed makes any sheet bunch up a bit in the middle since it's normally concave there when I sleep. I have slept on this for several days. That Bedtime Bliss Sleep Mask on the pillow helps me sleep late in the morning after the sun makes my room bright.

The only thing I've noticed on the downside is that the pillowcase is harder to get on after I washed it and put it through the dryer. The pillow that came with my bed is thicker than the average standard pillow and I had to fight with the pillow a bit to get the case on. I've had this trouble with other standard pillowcases on down pillows, as well. Flannel doesn't slide on as easily as cotton percale or other smooth fabrics. I'd rather fight a bit with the pillow and be warm and snug than use slipperier percale. The cotton flannel is triple-brushed to make it extra soft and fuzzy as flannel should be.

Some reviewers complained about pilling but I haven't noticed any, and neither did most of the other reviewers. Flannel does have more lint than percale does, but the pilling can be lessened by washing the sheets before putting them on the bed. I always do that anyway before using new sheets. If for any reason you discover you are unhappy with anything you purchase from Land's End, they will refund your money – period. You cannot beat their guarantee. I liked these sheets so well I ordered another set.

My Price Comparison Research on Other Sites

 

If you want to check Amazon and compare quality and prices on extra long twin flannel sheets, here's a link to a set I especially like for winter because of its printed snowflake design on heavy 100% cotton fabric. Unfortunately, it's hard to compare quality, since different manufacturers use different measurements. The Land's End extra long twin sheets I ordered have 5 ounces of cotton flannel per square yard and the fitted sheets fit mattresses as deep as 16 inches. The flat sheet measures 70" x 110." The Amazon sheet description doesn't include weight per square yard and fits a mattress 15 inches deep. Amazon's extra long twin flat sheet in this set is 70" x 104." The Land's End sheets seem longer than I really need so I wouldn't miss those extra six inches at all. 

During a recent sale, I went back to J.C. Penny and bought the blue and white snowflake pattern you see if you follow the link. It's still on sale as I write this on December 17, 2016. If that sale expires there will probably be another one. These sheets aren't as high quality as the Land's End sheets, but they are still satisfactory. They are the same size as the sheets at Amazon, so smaller than my Land's End sheets. 

Recently I discovered Linen Bargains. Their prices on quality extra long twin sheets and all other sheets are comparable to those found on Amazon. I loved their Christmas designs, and they also had solid colors. Their site provides metric specifications which you can compare to Amazon and Land's End sheets. They do have good buys. 

I highly recommend Land's End's flannel bedding in any size you need. Some places may offer something that appears similar a little cheaper, but I know from years of dealing with Land's End that I will get my money's worth in value. I also know if it turns out something is not what I expected I can return it with no hassle. If you haven't got a set of cozy warm flannel sheets, I urge you to get some from Land's End today. The sale I took advantage of may be over when you read this, but there is normally always something on sale. Even at regular prices, you get value for your money. 

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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New Year's Countdown!

It's Official!  We are now on the Countdown to New Year's Eve!

By Viscious-Speed [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

Christmas is officially over and all the wrappings, running around, visiting and partying with family and friends has come to a trickle, we can now gear it up again for the New Year.

Traditionally it's a time to reflect on the year that has passed and look to the future and what 2016 will bring our way.

Now without a crystal ball, it will be difficult to figure out exactly what will happen in the year ahead, but with some foresight, we can make sure that certain possibilities do happen.

What do I mean?  Well, let's just say that instead of trying to project what we hope will happen, how about we make sure by our actions, that changes we want see,  actually do happen.

I'm talking about making changes in our lives that will actually result in some of our expectations coming to fruition.

For a good many writers, that will mean something like:  making sure that you have your blogs in place for publishing when they are expected, especially if you belong to a group of writers!  If you are running your own website, it means learning the skills to make that website successful.  It will mean taking the time to learn and then put into practice those lessons that have been imparted to you.

It will also mean that you need to focus! Focus on what you wish to accomplish with your blog and/or your website.  There are people out there who are doing what you wish to be doing and to that end, they are sharing their expertise, so that you can do this as well.


From personal experience I can also tell you that there are two ladies out there who have had years of experience and are sharing their knowledge with many bloggers and website builders.  They have even shared how they earn make money, blogging and building their websites,  from home.  They offer courses in how to blog for money, build a website in a day, and how to learn to place affiliate links that will earn you an income, and all for reasonable investment.  They are the real thing, and I can tell you from personal experience, there are many more out there who just want to hook you in and then let you sink!  Not so with Pajama Affiliates!

Just as Review This is a site to find out all kinds of information, your website can be the place that people go to, when they are on the look out for the information, that you are sharing.

Learning how to rank your website and then properly doing the work to make sure that your website is optimized properly, will draw those people that are out there "searching" through the different search engines, like "google" or "yahoo", "ask" or "search".

Are you confused yet?  If so, the best place to start is with someone who can help you make your site the best and be totally committed to helping you learn the "right" way to make this possible.

I joined and I have not regretted this for one moment.  Lesley and Robin are there for you.  Once you join, if you need help, they are there to help you along.  Do you need more coaxing?

When you join the Pajama Affiliates group, not only do Lesley and Robin help you with any problems you might have, but the whole community of bloggers will help you with their knowledge as well.  That is just one of the many perks of belonging to this group.

Your New Year's hopes and aspirations are waiting for you to make the first move.  Get blogging and learn how to turn that into some extra income for you and your family.

Now I would like to wish you and your family a very Happy, Health and Prosperous New Year!

Let's meet back here and see how 2016 turned out!

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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