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Fabgrandpa and I have not been to many movies in the last few years. As a matter of fact, I can not remember the last one we went out to see. However, for some reason, I am really looking forward to This Is Where I Leave You coming out in theaters, and hope that we can get to a theater to see it. The story line just speaks to me:

When their father passes away, four grown siblings, bruised and banged up by their respective adult lives, are forced to return to their childhood home and live under the same roof together for a week, along with their over-sharing mother and an assortment of spouses, exes and might-have-beens. Confronting their history and the frayed states of their relationships among the people who know and love them best, they ultimately reconnect in hysterical and emotionally affecting ways amid the chaos, humor, heartache and redemption that only families can provide—driving us insane even as they remind us of our truest, and often best, selves.

This Is Where I Leave You stars Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Adam Driver, Rose Byrne, Corey Stoll, Kathryn Hahn, Connie Britton, Timothy Olyphant, Dax Shepard and Jane Fonda

It could be because of the plot, or because of the many actors in the movie, both new and old, that I like to see on the screen. Jason Bateman and Adam Driver are two of my favorites!

One lucky reader of Fabgrandma.com is going to win a prize pack for This Is Where I Leave You. The prize includes a $25 gift card, and a copy of the novel “This Is Where I Leave You” by Jonathan Tropper, that the movie is based on.

 

The Simon Kidgits Club is a fun and informative program that focuses on health, wellness, education, safety and entertainment for children ages 3-8. The Simon Kidgits Club has kept children and parents alike amused for over a decade with various events and activities while providing incentives for club members, such as special offers, rewards and games. For more information about the Simon Kidgits Club and Back-to-School events, visit simon.com/kidgits.

Kids can get creative while making character masks to wear for a ‘Julius Jr. and friends’ photo opportunity. They will also have the chance to dance and sing along in the viewing area with screenings of an upcoming episode and Julius Jr. music videos. At the following location everyone’s favorite monkey, Julius Jr. himself, will be stopping by to meet and interact with kids as well! Check here to see if there is a Simon Kidgit Club and Julius Jr. Mall Tour appearance in your area!

Even if there is not an opportunity to meet Julius Jr. in your area, your kid can still win a gift basket of Julius Jr. toys, a Julius Jr. book as well as other items for DIY activities. Use the Giveaway Tools form to enter!

It’s Friday again, and time to talk about some products that I received this week. I have some good stuff here! I received samples of each of these from the company so that I could use them and talk about them. These range from heartburn relief to a childrens’ book, to vanilla. Let’s get started!

Relief OTC

Did you know that 40% of the population of the U.S. suffers from heartburn at least once a month? Does heartburn increase as you age? Are men or women more likely to suffer from heartburn? Whether you or your doctor call it hearburn, GERD, esophageal reflux, it still has the same uneasy, burning sensation in your throat and chest. When it happens, you feel like you can’t get relief fast enough.

Relief OTC is a new, liquid over the counter solution for heartburn relief. It is a drinkable clear liquid that does not leave you with a chalky aftertaste. It works as quickly as you can drink it, for immediate relief of heartburn pain.

The active ingredients in Relief OTC neutralize acid quickly to provide fast relief. Relief OTC does not contain aspirin, gluten, or aluminum. It is recommended that you check with your doctor before taking Relief OTC if you are taking other medications or are pregnant, and it is not recommended for children under 12 years old.

Active Indgredients:

• Each 2 oz. dose contains: calcium 109mg

• Each 2 oz. dose contains: potassium 177mg

• Each 2 oz. dose contains: sodium 320mg

• Store below 86°F (30°C)

Inactive ingredients: magnesium hydroxide, methyl paraben, natural flavors, propyl paraben, purified water, sucralose

Gluten Free

Distributed by: Tummy Company, Inc, Phoenix, AZ 85054 USA
1-888-959-6207

For more information, check the Relief OTC website, or their Facebook page.

Relief OTC products are available at most chain pharmacy stores, and at Amazon.com

 

Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract

Nielsen-Massey has been producing the finest vanilla extracts since 1907. The found, Richard Massey, partnered with Charles Nielsen, and the company is still family owned by the third generation of Nielsens today. They take pride in manufacturing only the highest quality extracts for consumer, industrial, and culinary customers.

In addition to Madagascar Vanilla Extract, Nielsen-Massey also produces Organic Madagascar Vanilla Extract, Mexican Pure Vanilla, Tahitian Pure Vanilla, Pure Vanilla Extract, vanilla pastes, powders, and sugars, and whole vanilla beans.

You will be amazed at the difference in flavor of Nielsen-Massey Vanilla and that of other brands. I have used the Madagascar Vanilla Extract as a flavor enhancer in my chili recipe, and my husband has always remarked on how good the chili was, but he couldn’t put his finger on what was different about it. It just IS better.

Other extract flavors include Pure Almond, Pure Chocolate, Pure Coffee, Pure Lemon, Pure Orange, Pure Peppermint, and Orange Blossom Water and Rose Water.

To find out more about the company, their products, and where to buy them,  visit the Nielsen-Massey website. You can also purchase their products on Amazon.com

A Bucket Of Blessings

If you have children ages 4-8,  “A Bucket of Blessings” is a very cute story to teach them determination, and what it means to be a blessing.

this storybook is the perfect way to teach young children about the environment as well as a valuable lesson on determination.

Beautifully illustrated and simply narrated, A Bucket of Blessings tells the story of Monkey in his quest to resolve a drought by helping peacock perform a rain dance. The tale reminds readers that with perseverance and positive thinking anything is possible and helps families recognize that, as Dr. Maya Angelou expresses in her beautifully crafted Afterword, “it is a blessing to be a blessing.”

In addition to a good story for children, the mother & son authors of the book, Surishtha Sehgal and Kabir Sehgal, are donating a portion of the proceeds to charity: water, an organization that provides clean drinking water to communities in developing nations. You can purchase A Bucket of Blessings at Simon& Schuster, or at Amazon.com

By Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Seghal, illustrated by Jing Jing Tsong  $16.99  ISBN: 9781442458703

Cookies Con Amore

If you eat a gluten free diet, and are looking for some really special cookies for a gift or a just as a treat for yourself, then you need to get some of these Italian cookies from Cookies Con Amore!  It is hard to find the words to describe these cookies. Perfect. Delicious. Scrumptious. Do I need to go on? The assortment package contains all of these varieties of cookies:

“This Is Where I Leave You” opens on September 19, 2014. The movie is based on a novel by the same name by Jonathan Tropper. The movie stars Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Adam Driver, Rose Byrne, Corey Stoll, Kathryn Hahn, Connie Britton, Timothy Olyphant, Dax Shepard and Jane Fonda. I’m glad to see Adam Driver in a movie role, as I really loved him in his  “Girls” role.

The movie is about four adult siblings, whose father passes away,  and requires them to live together under one roof for one week, along with their mother and an assortment of spouses and others, in order to gain access to their inheritance. The resulting confrontations of their  history and the frayed states of their relationships among the people who know and love them best, causes them to reconnect in hysterical and emotionally affecting ways amid the chaos, humor, heartache and redemption that only families can provide—driving us insane even as they remind us of our truest, and often best, selves.

Stories like this hit so close to home for me, as whenever our family gets together it is only a matter of time before someone is getting their feelings hurt, or someone is fighting. But, before we leave our mothers house, we make up and love each other again.

Don’t miss this movie. Just the list of actors starring in it is an indication of an Oscar winner to me.

This Is Where I Leave You stars Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Adam Driver, Rose Byrne, Corey Stoll, Kathryn Hahn, Connie Britton, Timothy Olyphant, Dax Shepard and Jane Fonda

 

Based on the novel “This Is Where I Leave You” by Jonathan Tropper. For more information about the move, see the official website of  “This Is Where I Leave You” and follow on Facebook.

Going to a family picnic is really very exciting especially if you are going to some place where you may have to stay under the stars. Enjoying time with family in some distant places is very refreshing from the daily monotonous life. A picnic or camping is fun where you can smell adventure at every level. But, you need to be fully prepared when going somewhere that involves an overnight stay.

Getting the perfect size:

The very first thing is getting the right size tent for your family. It is the most important thing that you need to look at when choosing the best tent. The first step is to consider the number of people that will be sleeping in the tent. There should be enough space in your tent where you can stand, sleep or lie. Remember that you will need some extra room for keeping your gear. The bigger the better, as you rather have room to spare than not enough.

The right shape:

About the shape of your tent, now if you are thinking of sleeping alone then the best shape would be an A-frame shape. If your kids are to sleep together then umbrella or dome shaped tents are the best ones for sharing space. Considering the weather conditions of where you are going are also important factors. If you are going somewhere in the summer then a A- frame tent would do you but if you are going in the winter months then make sure your tent is weatherproof.

Appropriate material:

Now in choosing the appropriate materials of the poles, you should consider these in accordance to your needs. Carbon fibre ones are probably the best overall, as they are lightweight and adjust well to different temperatures. The fibre glass poles are lightweight but not recommended for high temperature. There are also the aluminium pole options which are durable and adaptable to any climate. However, when compared to the previous ones, they are a little heavier to carry.

Do a market research:

Now that you decided which tent is the right one for you, it is time for some online research. Go through the customer reviews–they generally tell about the camper’s experience, giving you a pretty good idea whether that’s a good choice for you to buy or not. Don’t forget, compare sites and prices to make sure you get the best deal too!

To make sure your tent will keep you sheltered from the weather when you are om a picnic or camping is very import, but that is not the only thing. Checking the route and the weather beforehand is just as important, not to mention your supplies, water, food, mosquito repellent etc Make a check list and before you set off, and go through it to ensure you’ve got everything you need. Then you will know that you and your family will be heading to an enjoyable, exciting, and fun trip.

In the face of global warming and increasing greenhouse gases, the world’s focus has been turned to all things green. With the proliferation of greener and cleaner vehicles, solar technology, and wind farms, every industry seems to have been impacted by the green revolution.

Today, you can move this initiative into your own home by installing eco-friendly home improvement products. For example, instead of choosing hardwood floors with harmful chemicals manufactured through wasteful processes, it’s important to educate yourself on the options that allow you to better the Earth by selecting floors that have environmentally-friendly manufacturing methods. The following information offers tips to help you better your home with a green hardwood flooring choice.

Choose Products Endorsed by the FSC

Environmental groups from around the world endorse the forest certification system offered by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The FSC is the only certification recognized by the United States Green Building Council as evidence of a wood product’s sustainability. The FSC is a non-profit independent organization that has developed a system for effectively tracking wood from the forest to your home. As a key green feature, the FSC’s certification is the best way for you to be ensured the wood you are using was harvested from a well-managed forest.

Choose Formaldehyde Free Wood

Several manufacturers of engineered or laminate wood use many different types of binding products during the manufacturing process to keep the layers of wood together. While most of the chemicals used are safe, one of the most common chemicals, urea formaldehyde, has been proven to be hazardous to your health. Formaldehyde is typically used to produce resins in the production of particle boards. In any case, exposure to formaldehyde can result in throat irritation, eye irritation, nose irritation, and other respiratory symptoms. Instead of being exposed to this harmful chemical, do your research and choose hardwood products manufactured without these toxic chemicals.

Choose Non-Toxic Finishes

When you are choosing your hardwood flooring, the finish also matters. The following information explains the different types of finishes and the most eco-friendly choice.

Unfinished

Unfinished hardwood flooring entails you ordering the flooring without a finish, and the top coat is applied at the job site. Applying this type of finish is more messy, labor intensive, and if done incorrectly can be very hazardous to your health. In addition, you will be required to leave your home for multiple days as the polyurethane finish is applied to the wood.
The best type of finish for a site finish is a water-based commercial finish, which are low in VOCs and safe for indoor air.

Prefinished

When you choose hardwood flooring coated at the factory, the flooring is typically easier to install. More importantly, prefinished wood is the greener choice because it doesn’t require any sanding or on-site finishing, which could emit harmful chemicals in your home.

Oil Finish

Oil finishes are becoming more and more popular because of the ease of maintenance and appeal of the finish. While these types of finishes are not completely VOC free, oil finishes are much safer than other types of top coat finishes.

Choose Reclaimed Hardwoods

Reclaimed hardwoods are often recovered from the old growth from forest beds, river beds, old wood structures, and several other sources. In addition to being eco-friendly and sustainable, reclaimed hardwood tends to make structures much more durable and stronger. Reclaimed wood comes in practically any type and typically unfinished. As a result, this type of hardwood flooring can be stained to your own liking.

Although bathroom suites are still most commonly chosen in white, which provides a clean and elegant finish, people are now looking to add more interest to their rooms with unusual shapes and textures. Designers are advising people to choose bathroom furniture and features with sleek curving lines or ultra-sharp geometry. Combining these with wood, metal and glass surfaces allows a room to have colour and character added subtly without diverting from the practicality and style of a traditional white suite. These combinations bring a spa-like feel to any bathroom, regardless of size, creating a sanctuary within your home where you can escape the stresses of everyday life. Below are the top five ways to combine the practical and the pretty in your own home bathroom.

Lockable Cabinets

Over time all households acquire a collection of medicines and cleaning products that are not only unsightly but can be very dangerous if they fall into the wrong hands. One way of adding a stylish touch to your bathroom whilst maintaining important safety features is to choose bathroom cabinets with locking features.

Different Levels

When you are choosing pieces, think carefully about all the dimensions of the room, paying careful attention to the different height levels. This will not only provide interest with the depth and use of space, but can also be incredibly practical. For example, most rooms will have low-level wash basins, bath tubs and sinks. Contrasting this with a tall, slim bathroom cabinet adds an extra dimension to the space and creates lots of discreet storage for bathroom clutter.

Lighting

All bathrooms have restrictions on the placement of electrical lighting for safety reasons. However, these limitations should not hinder your creativity. The choices for dramatic ceiling fixtures are endless and they can become a statement piece for your room. However, if you are limited by space, large decorative lighting fixtures may be impossible. Instead, combine your lighting options with other pieces in your bathroom. Illuminated mirror cabinets such as those seen at www.bellabathrooms.co.uk will produce diffused soft lighting without the need for space.

Texture

When choosing a spa-like look for your home, the inclusion of wood textures combined with sleek modern touches is imperative. Natural woods can be very impractical for cleaning and in moist spaces, but many of the modern wood-effect finishes give the same appearance whilst still be usable. Choosing surrounds for your washbasin and toilet with a wood appearance will instantly add a dramatic touch of colour and interest to the space.

Shape

Instead of simply choosing square and rectangular furniture and accessories, consider putting some unusual shapes into your room to change the look. Units with smooth curved corners are very contemporary, or for a more vintage ‘shabby-chic’ bathroom, choose bathroom cabinets that look like stylish French dressers. Mixing different styles and shapes together can be especially effective, such as choosing a traditional Victorian-style bath suite and adding in ultra-sharp modern chrome and mirror-effect accessories.