I received the new Ripley's Believe It or Not! Beyond the Bizarre. This new book is over 200 pages of unique, bizarre and just plain weird information!! My children have always loved looking through these books!!
The book is broken into chapters - Believe It, World, Animals, Pop Culture, People and Beyond Belief. There is a short intro about Robert Ripley and who he was. He started out as a newspaper cartoonist. In 1918 he added a new themed panel that eventually became the Believe It or Not cartoon. He traveled the to 201 countries in 35 years collecting exotic artifacts. We will be visiting one of the Ripley's Museums in September when we visit Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
I am going to share a few of the oddities found in the book, but I encourage you if you or your children enjoy odd and strange facts to share with others, you should definitely pick up this book. If you are like me, you will not read it through start to finish, but will pick it up several times and skim through reading bits and pieces.
Check out the Caddie Cage found on page 43. It was seen in California, but never caught on.
On page 79 you will find a huge King chess piece at the World Chess Hall of Fame in St. Louis, MO. It stands 20 ft tall and the base is 9.1 foot. It weighs 10,860 lbs. It was hand-carved from mahogany wood.
I never want to run into this hornet on page 127. The Asian Giant Hornet measures 2 inches long and has a wingspan of 3 inches. The venom in it's sting can damage human tissue and essentially melt flesh.
Minty art on page 171. A gentleman from New York paints tiny portraits on Tic Tac mints!!
Unique rings can be found on page 205, where a Canadian artist has designed miniature meals to be worn as rings. They are not edible.
Page 216 and 217 show different devices designed to protect infants from gas in the event of an air raid during World War II.
Jane Labowitch of Chicago, Illinois, can create incredibly detailed drawings on Etch A Sketch toys! Jane, aka Princess Etch, started playing with an Etch A Sketch at the age of four and now in her late twenties is a full-time etching artist. (Pg. 144-145)
Now, one of our neighbors has the opportunity to win this giveaway and receive a copy of The All New Ripley's Believe It or Not! Beyond the Bizarre. Be sure to enter and then let others know about this giveaway!!
Guess what is available on Blu-ray and DVD? It's The Secret Life of Pets 2!! This film begins where the first one ended. Max and his friend Duke are living with Katie, who is now married and has a son Liam. While they go off on a family trip Gidget loses Max's favorite toy in an apartment filled with cats. You will see all your old friends in this new release, including Snowball who thinks he is a superhero.
Universal City, California, July 18, 2019 – The perfect movie for everyone arrives home this summer with the irreverent yet heartfelt sequel to the blockbuster sensation in The Secret Life of Pets 2, debuting on Digital August 13, 2019 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™, DVD and On Demand August 27, 2019. From Illumination, the studio that brought you the original Despicable Me, Minions and Sing franchises, the highly anticipated follow up to the hit animated film led by a star-studded comedic cast reunites all of our favorite Pets and their growing families in a new chapter that explores the deep bond between them and the humans that love them. The 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital versions of the film are packed with more than 90 minutes* of bonus content only when you own, including two brand new, laugh-out-loud funny mini-movies - Super Gidget, featuring the film’s adorable Pomeranian Gidget and her best friend Max and Minion Scouts, starring everyone’s comical little helpers, the Minions. Additionally included are deleted scenes, DIY and drawing tutorials as well as a special interactive Captain Snowball Motion Comic allowing viewers to direct our boisterous bunny hero on his next move exclusive to the 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray™ versions! As the dog days of summer come to an end, join this endearing cast of four-legged friends for a quality movie night of family fun with the film that uniquely reminds us of why we love our own pets and what makes them so very special.
You also get 2 mini movies! One starring Minions - Minion Scouts and the other Gidget - Super Gidget. Learn more by connecting with their social media:
Facebook - HERE
Twitter - HERE
Instagram - HERE
Children of all ages will enjoy this adorable, animated film about pets and what they do when their owners are not home. Be sure to pick up a copy to add to your video library. Thanks for stopping by today, where neighbors share!
Here's one for the youngsters in your life!! T.O.T.S. Tiny Ones Transport, Bringing This Baby Home. Pip and Freddy, delivery birds, deliver adorable baby animals to their forever families!! There are 7, 22 minute episodes on this DVD. Plus you get 6 music videos.
Pip the penguin works with Freddy the flamingo to deliver babies to their new parents. They are the first ever flamingo/penguin delivery fliers. They learn lessons throughout their deliveries like, no matter what feathers you wear it is what is inside that matters.
Little children are going to enjoy the cute characters and the music that goes along. They even sing in several of the videos.
Episodes:
You've Gotta Be Kitten Me/Whale, Hello There
Panda Excess/A Stinky Situation
Cheetah Chase?Training Daze
Nursery Schooling/Bunny Bunanaza
The Purrfect Little Helper/The Colorful Chameleon
Stripe Out/A Splashy Delivery
Night Flight/Slippery When Wet
Most of our readers have probably already seen the epic movie Avengers Endgame that was just recently released on DVD. Our family is a fan of the Avengers, and we have followed the MCU through the many phases and were very excited about this next (and final, at least for the original Avengers) installment. We had heard mixed reviews, although most were positive, so we were hoping for the best when we finally got to see it.
Without giving away spoilers (just in case somebody still hasn't seen the movie), the plot line picks up immediately after the events of Infinity War, with half of the world's population dusted. Iron Man and Nebula do make it back to earth (surprise, right?) and the remaining team members travel to fight Thanos. Needless to say, this fight doesn't result in the hoped-for outcome, which leads to a five year gap and we pick the story back up as the team has scattered to various places. The rest of the movie is the reassembling of the surviving team members for the final showdown between Thanos and the Avengers, as well as the struggle to figure out a way to bring everybody back who had been dusted.
Our family absolutely loved this movie. My dad actually said it's his favorite of the MCU movies, which is high praise seeing as how he wasn't overly thrilled with the plot line/follow-up to Infinity War. I'm not sure I'd say it's my favorite, but it definitely ranks in the top few, with some of the best battle scenes and thrilling moments in any Avengers movie. I have to say, for me, the best moment is when Captain America wields Thor's hammer...as a Captain America fan, this was my favorite scene in the entire movie. Cap is always the Avenger with undisputed integrity and honor, and I love that they honored his character in this way. (No offense to any of the other Avengers, I like them all...Cap just has that extra "good guy" gene). There was only one disappointment for me in the movie, and that was the "Grieving Man" scene. First, I'm disappointed that they would put a controversial subject like this into a family movie at all. Secondly, for it to be Captain America who praises/encourages the man for his moving on, continuing to date men, etc, is so out of character. If you consider the timeframe he grew up in as well as the strong moral standard he has, it seems pretty obvious that he would be the last team member to approve of or condone this man's homosexuality. As I said, this was the only scene I didn't care for, so we know to simply skip over it from now on.
For me, this movie was the perfect way to end this phase of the MCU. There are the funny moments and witty banter between team members that we all enjoy, obviously the battles are monumental, and there are some tender, emotional scenes as well. Seeing Tony Stark as a father, the deep bond of friendship between Hawkeye and Black Widow, how the loss of part of the team affected each member, the unswerving loyalty to each other and doing the right thing...without doubt, this movie is a fitting tribute to each and every member of the Avengers. I did enjoy that the focus was mostly on the original Avengers, while still giving spotlight to each of the newer members. It definitely leaves you feeling excited about the future of the MCU!
If you are interested in purchasing the Blu-ray/DVD, you will find it is filled with extras.
BONUS MATERIAL (may vary by retailer): Digital Exclusive:
Steve and Peggy: One Last Dance – Explore Captain America and Peggy Carter’s bond, forged in moments from previous films that lead to a momentous choice in “Avengers: Endgame.”
Blu-ray & Digital:
Remembering Stan Lee – Filmmakers and cast honor the great Stan Lee in a fond look back at his MCU movie cameos.
Setting The Tone: Casting Robert Downey Jr. – Hear the tale of how Robert Downey Jr. was cast as Tony Stark in the original “Iron Man” — and launched the MCU.
A Man Out of Time: Creating Captain America – Trace the evolution of Captain America with those who helped shape the look, feel and character of this compelling hero.
Black Widow: Whatever It Takes – Follow Black Widow's journey both within and outside the Avengers, including the challenges she faced and overcame along the way.
The Russo Brothers: Journey to Endgame – See how Anthony and Joe Russo met the challenge of helming two of the biggest films in cinematic history ... back-to-back!
The Women of the MCU – MCU women share what it was like to join forces for the first time in an epic battle scene — and be part of such a historic ensemble.
Bro Thor – His appearance has changed but his heroism remains! Go behind the scenes to see how Bro Thor was created.
Six Deleted Scenes – “Goji Berries,” “Bombs on Board,” “Suckiest Army in the Galaxy,” “You Used to Frickin’ Live Here,” “Tony and Howard” and “Avengers Take a Knee.”
Gag Reel – Laugh along with the cast in this epic collection of flubs, goofs and gaffes from set.
Visionary Intro - Intro by directors Joe and Anthony Russo.
Audio Commentary - Audio commentary by directors Anthony and Joe Russo, and writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.
Here is one of the deleted scenes for you.
Enjoy!! Thanks for stopping by, where neighbors share!
My family loves movies from the Kendrick brothers!! And we are so excited to be able to participate in announcing the release of their newest movie, Overcomer to theaters on August 23rd!! Be sure to watch the trailer below. This movie looks so interesting and we personally can't wait to see it!!
Synopsis:
Life changes overnight for coach John Harrison when his high school basketball team’s state championship dreams are crushed under the weight of unexpected news. When the largest manufacturing plant in town suddenly shuts down and hundreds of families begin moving away, John must come to grips with the challenges facing his family and his team. Urged by the school’s principal to fill-in and coach a sport he doesn’t know or like, John is frustrated and questioning his worth ... until he crosses paths with a student struggling with her own journey.
Filled with a powerful mix of faith, a twist of humor, and a ton of heart, the Kendrick Brothers return to theaters with OVERCOMER, their newest feature following FACING THE GIANTS, FIREPROOF, COURAGEOUS, and the #1 box- office hit, WAR ROOM. The inspiring family film stars Alex Kendrick, Priscilla Shirer, Shari Rigby, Cameron Arnett, and introduces Aryn Wright-Thompson. Opening nationwide on August 23, OVERCOMER dares to leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream, and asks the question: what do you allow to define you?
“OVERCOMER in many regards, is a discovery of who we are in Christ, who gets to determine our identity and what we have to overcome to embrace the life God has for us,” said Alex Kendrick.
“Overcoming is about powering through and realizing that on the other side of it you are stronger and more courageous than when you started,” said Shari Rigby.
“Being an overcomer means you keep your head up and you know that you’re going to get through it; you figure out a way to get through it, you keep your faith strong, you get through it, and you just thank God,” said Aryn Wright-Thompson.
“Being an overcomer means there is pain, discomfort, inconvenience, life’s tough, and yet you have joy and peace and all the stuff that you can only have if there is an anchor in your soul,” said Priscilla Shirer.
On a side note, if you have not seen the other Kendrick brothers movies be sure to check them out. We have all of them in our personal library!
Overcomer is brought to you by Provident Films and the Kendrick Brothers Productions. Thanks for stopping by, where neighbors share!!
We have the August Gramma in a Box!! This is a family favorite!! This month's theme was Beach Party Treats!! Super fun to make.
As always Gramma in a Box comes prepared for you to jump right in and create some amazing treats. I love that she includes the recipe cards, as well as a general information card. The first card gives you general information, including what treats you will be making, and the other items you will need to complete the projects. The actual recipe cards have step by step instructions to make your special treat. On the back of the card is a list of ingredients with possible allergens, such as wheat and soy for example.
PROJECT ONE
The first project this month was Goldfish Bowls. This was a really cute idea. We melted our chocolates, dipped marshmallows into the blue chocolate, dipped the bottom of the marshmallows into crushed graham crackers for sand, and then added colorful Goldfish Crackers to the side. Pretty neat!!
PROJECT TWO
This was Seashell Pretzels, which my husband thought tasted great!! This one you used the rest of your chocolate, dipped the pretzels in and then added white pearl sprinkles and one chocolate seashell. And yes, he ate more than one!!
PROJECT THREE
This is one of my favorites, decorating seashell, starfish, and fish shaped cookies. I LOVED the colors this month. The icing comes ready for you in a small baggie. You simply knead it a bit to ensure it is well mixed, then snip the end off a corner of the bag and decorate your cookies. There is always sprinkles of some type included to add to the top of your cookies.
No matter the age of the children, I have a feeling most families would LOVE receiving a Gramma in a Box. What a super gift idea this would make for a birthday, or even the upcoming holidays. Yes, I said it. I can not believe how fast this year is going.
Gramma in a Box is so much fun to do each month. You can use it for your own children or grandchildren. What a great way for gramma to get to spend some quality time with the grandchildren. And, from what I hear, a few grandparents have done this using a video call!!
There are some different options for subscribing. You can purchase just one box for $20 to try it out. Trust me you will enjoy it. You can also sign up with an auto debit, and your first month will be just $10. The boxes usually go out the first week of the month, so you must subscribe before then. She does occasionally change the shipment date a little, like the July Box arrived early enough to do it on July 4th.
Be sure to follow Gramma in a Box on her social media.
Facebook - HERE
Instagram - HERE
Here is some really good news. One neighbors will be receiving their own Gramma in a Box for September. The theme will be Back to School. Be sure to enter and tell others about Gramma in a Box.
I am sure many of you have seen The Secret Life of Pets 2 in theaters, but today it released digitally and August 27th it will release on Blu-ray and DVD. Be sure to add it to your collection.
The Secret Life of Pets 2 explores the emotional lives of our pets, the deep bond between them, the families that love them and answers the question: What are your pets really doing when you’re not at home? Terrier Max (Patton Oswalt) is coping with major life changes after Katie’s marriage and the arrival of a toddler, Liam. Meanwhile, Gidget (Jenny Slate) tries to rescue Max’s favorite toy from a cat-packed apartment with a little help from her feline friend, Chloe (Lake Bell), who has discovered the joys of catnip. And Snowball (Kevin Hart) believes, despite the other pets’ teasing, that he’s a superhero after his owner starts dressing him in superhero pajamas. But when Daisy (Tiffany Haddish), a fearless Shih Tzu, shows up to ask for Snowball’s help on a dangerous mission, he’ll have to summon the courage to become the hero he’s been pretending to be.
The film features an all-star voice cast including Patton Oswalt (TV’s “A.P. Bio”), Kevin Hart (Ride Along Series), Eric Stonestreet (TV’s Modern Family), Jenny Slate (Despicable Me 3), Tiffany Haddish (Girls Trip), Lake Bell (TV’s Children’s Hospital), Nick Kroll (Sing), Dana Carvey (Wayne’s World), Ellie Kemper (TV’s “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), Hannibal Buress (Neighbors series), Bobby Moynihan (TV’s “Saturday Night Live”) and Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones franchise) in his first ever role in an animated film as new farm dog, Rooster.
You can find The Secret Life of Pets 2 on social media too!
Facebook: HERE
Twitter: HERE
Instagram: HERE
Brought to you by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and Illumination Entertainment. There are loads of bonuses on the Blu-Ray and DVD. You will find, deleted scenes, mini movies, character pods and more.
Rating:PG for action and some rude humor
Thanks for stopping by today, where neighbors share!!
Modesty and fashion are often seen as being at odds with one another. Many people think dressing modestly means you can't be stylish and vice versa. Our family has always held modesty as being of the utmost importance, and we love finding companies that offer modest options that are cute and feminine as well. One such company that we discovered years ago is Kosher Casual, and they have become one of our favorites for skirts that are feminine, beautiful, and stylish without sacrificing the modesty we desire!
I recently received the Long Flowing Skirt for review, and this quickly became one of my go-to wardrobe pieces. This skirt can literally be worn for any and every occasion! I'm not actually sure what my favorite aspect of the skirt is...the pockets, the versatility, the a-line style, the fabric, or the fact that you can toss it in the washing machine/dryer and it comes out wrinkle free and ready to wear! Seriously, this skirt will become your go-to for everyday wear, running errands, church, and anything in between. I also love that it is available in so many colors. I chose black because that's what I wear the most, but you can choose from blue, purple, green, and many other colors.
This skirt is by far my favorite maxi-style skirt ever. There are so many features that I love. The waistband is an actual elastic waistband, not just a fold-over like most maxi skirts (which I'm always afraid aren't as snug and secure as I'd prefer). It has pockets-yes, pockets! Perfect to hold cash, cards, my mini wallet, gum, etc. The material is slightly heavier weight than other maxi skirts. It's not so heavy it's hot or uncomfortable in summer weather, but it's heavy enough that the skirt is not see-through (another of my pet peeves when it comes to maxi skirts). This skirt also has an actual shape/drape that compliments your body - obviously without being too form-fitting - rather than the standard boxy, shapeless pieces of material that passes for a skirt nowadays. This skirt is perfect for any occasion, be it everyday wear around the house, running errands, or even church! Obviously this style of skirt pairs well with a t-shirt and sandals, but I wore mine for church yesterday with a dressy top and dress sandals, and it was the perfect summer outfit for church!
I highly recommend you check out Kosher Casual's line of stylish modest clothing. They have incredible denim skirts that I love, as well as dresses, tops, and accessories.
Kosher Casual is giving a Long Flowing Skirt to one of our readers!!
Descendants 3 released this past week on the 6th. This is the third in the series of movies, but is the first I have seen. Remember that this is a teenage musical. Throughout the movie they burst into song and dance.
The music and dancing are definitely not my cup of tea, but I was impressed that this was kept a G rated film. The stars of Descendants go back to Isle of the Lost to bring back new recruits to join them at Auradon Prep. There is one scene, that might be scary for young children early in the movie. So, the idea is these are all descendants of Disney villains. Mal, Evie, Carlos and Jay are known as VKs or Villains Kids. Once again the group of teens must save Auradon. Will they succeed? That would be telling.
The DVD Descendants 3 comes with a Blooper Reel, Deleted Scenes and a Short Story: Descendants Under the Sea. If you have already seen the first two movies in the series, I am pretty sure you will enjoy the 3rd installment.
Have you ever wondered if your hiring process is truly effective? Do you sometimes think there must be a better way to to find new employees that can fill the necessary positions you have available. Maybe you should consider outsourcing. Let someone else take charge of the tedious job of finding the perfect employee to meet your company's needs. Check out the steps below provided by People Science, you might be surprised how easy it is.
STEP 1: Identifying your organization’s recruiting challenges – “Sore Spots”
Whether your interest is in End to End, Augmentation or Project RPO, all recruiting organizations have specific positions which are more challenging than others. The reasons can be varied but the implications are always frustrating. To make the most of learning how People Science works, we invite you to choose at least one of your most difficult recruiting challenges and move forward in this review with this challenge(s) in mind.
The identification of “Sore Spots” is a good first step in improving the overall success of making hires. In addition, “Sore Spots” are often the best funnels to consider when starting an RPO partnership with People Science.
STEP 2: The Recruiting Continuum
The recruiting continuum depicted here occurs naturally for each recruiting effort.
By identifying the segments of the recruiting continuum and measuring their current effectiveness, we can begin to address what work can be performed by People Science to assist an organization in reaching optimum results.
STEP 3: Self Assessing Your Recruiting Effort
Reading each section of the continuum allows a more objective view of strengths, weaknesses and opportunities
STEP 4: People Science Filling the Gaps
Define and Attract
Recruit
Candidate Processing
Interview
Reporting
Communication
STEP 5: Keeping the Critical Points in the Forefront
Recruit – Match – Measure
People Science’s success has come as a result of our continuous focus on achieving our customer’s objectives. As complex as recruiting has become, reaching optimum efficiency results in better hires, longer retention rates, significant cost reduction and many other advantages.
STEP 6: The Benefits of a Trial Offer
People Science has discovered every RPO relationship is unique. We have found the best way to prepare for a long term relationship is to perform a pilot RPO. Our quick start pilot ENGAGE provides a multitude of benefits and lays the foreground for a well planned and executed partnership.
Has your old bedding become worn out? Does it need to be replaced? If this is the case, you will need to look at places where you will be able to purchase new bedding. There are certainly many stores and websites for you to choose from. It would be in your best interest to do some research in order to explore all of your options, this is just good common sense. The bedding industry is very large and thus provides many options. You should never rush into a selection. Here are a few things to keep in mind when it is time for you to go shopping for new bedding.
1. Research the Bedding Companies
Not all comforters and bedspreads are made with the same materials and quality. This is why it would be in your best interests to get as much information as you can on several of the different companies that make bedding, before making a choice. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by doing this. This will help you to avoid buying bedding that is cheaply made and that will not last. Croscill bedding has a reputation for being one of the best manufacturers of bedding in the world. Check thread counts, material, fill and weight when considering new bedding.
2. Check for a Warranty
There are some bedding companies that offer warranties that cover the cost of repairing or replacing bedding that has been damaged. You would be wise to seek out a company that has a good warranty. The length of the warranties offered by bedding companies can be very different and may not all cover the same issues. Contact the bedding company to get the details about the warranties they offer.
3. Compare Prices
Once you have done some research, you will be ready to start visiting bedding stores. Be sure to look around and see what styles most suit your needs. Find bedding that will go with the decor of your bedroom. Take your time to shop around, don't jump at the first comforter you see. You might even discover a few good sales if you take the time to look. Paul's Home Fashions has affordable prices. Remember that costly does not always mean better quality.
4. Know the Store's Return Policy
You should definitely check the deadline that you have to return or exchange the bedding you are decide to buy. You might get the bedding home and find out that it is not as well-made as you thought it was. This is a very common problem when people order things like bedding online. Therefore, verify the amount of time you have to get the bedding back to the dealer. This will save you a lot of problems and prevent the dealer from refusing to issue a refund. The return policy should be on the site, or somewhere in the store.
Thanks for stopping by today! See you soon, where neighbors share!
