You may have noticed that I talk about movies a lot on this blog. Our family enjoys movies. My kids are always spouting words from movies. I usually have to ask them what the heck they are talking about as they go on and on with their banter. Watching movies, especially during the holidays, has become a tradition for our family. Our tastes in movies vary for each of us. The kids get into intense sci-fi while my husband enjoys an action packed thriller. I like sweet love stories and uplifting movies. I think that, as a family, we don’t care for documentary types of movies. We want to be entertained and leave a movie with a good feeling.

One such uplifting movie that the whole family can enjoy is All Roads Lead Home.

All Roads Lead Home The Movie is a movie that the whole family can enjoy. Available on DVD on January 13th, 2009, this is a movie that definitely needs to be added to your movie collection.

The heartwarming story is based on how a young girl’s life is changed after her mom dies in a car accident. Her dad and grandfather try to help her cope as they try to cope with their own loss. This story is one that shows how families are able to forgive shortcomings in each other and the value of the family bond. The connection of a child and her pet is a sweet addition to the story.

addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fkarensopinion.com%2F2009%2F01%2F07%2F1266%2F';
addthis_title = 'Family+Traditions+Include+All+Roads+Lead+Home';
addthis_pub = '';

Have you ever felt as if you could not live without the technology we have today? I rely on my cell phone and I love being able to connect with people on the internet. The thing about all this technology is that we are putting ourselves out there. Are we setting ourselves up to be monitored? Will computers be able to override our thoughts and make decisions for us?

My husband and I watched an interesting movie tonight. Eagle Eye, starring Shia LaBeouf and Michelle Monaghan, will make you think about how everyday technology might be used against us. I was riveted to my seat waiting to see how stop lights could be changed from red to green, cell phones of strangers could be programmed to relay messages. Those were only a few events that turned innocent information processors into weapons of destruction. Is it possible that technology would ever override human decision?

This was a terrific movie. You won’t want to read blogs while this movie is in the DVD player.

addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fkarensopinion.com%2F2009%2F01%2F02%2Ftechnology-through-the-eagle-eye-movie%2F';
addthis_title = 'Technology+Through+the+Eagle+Eye+Movie';
addthis_pub = '';

We enjoyed the holiday season by getting together with our family. It is becoming harder to do that though because our kids are beginning to move away from their home towns. I have been thinking about trying to get together in Tennessee or Ohio at a theme park or somewhere that offers different types of entertainment. I want to find a place that has something for everyone, old and young.

For the past few years, my mom has talked about going to Branson, Missouri. She has heard about the beautiful views and comfortable weather they have there. I have been there before and know she would love the shows. I still remember the look on my mother in-laws face when Andy Williams took her hand and sang directly to her. I didn’t think she would ever wash that hand. The shows are fabulous and are geared towards young and old alike. With 49 theaters, I think we can find something to see that suits us all.

The Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel is a terrific spot to book rooms for all of us. Their holiday packages make it most affordable to visit during the holiday season. It is within walking distance of all the shows and shopping areas. Because the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing is in the heart of historic downtown Branson, it would give our history buffs a chance to satisfy their curiosity and still let us shoppers shop til we drop.

Branson is a wonderful vacation spot any time of the year.

addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fkarensopinion.com%2F2008%2F12%2F29%2Fvacation-in-branson%2F';
addthis_title = 'Vacation+in+Branson';
addthis_pub = '';

Last evening we spent at our good friends house enjoying conversation and a wonderful meal. My friend enjoys cooking and it showed. She had a huge platter with a gorgeous ham sliced and displayed beautifully. It would fill a whole post to tell you all of the specific dishes she made! I enjoyed trying oyster dressing as I had heard it was good but never tried it before. It was yummy. I think my most favorite item on the menu was the homemade coconut cream pie. It was heavenly. I might be a tad bit hungry this morning! LOL

Today we are taking food over to my sister in-laws house. She has people staying there from out of town. I haven’t seen some of these people for over 30 years so it will be fun to visit with them. My son and his fiance will be back here this evening after visiting with her family for a couple of days. I am anxious to see if he found a suit or at least some dress pants to wear to the funeral. He didn’t bring any dressy clothes home with him.

Our friend stopped by to show us his new puppy. Isn’t Scrappy adorable? He is around 10 weeks old and is a Chihuahua.

addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fkarensopinion.com%2F2008%2F12%2F27%2Fgood-food-with-good-friends%2F';
addthis_title = 'Good+Food+with+Good+Friends';
addthis_pub = '';

Did you enjoy gathering with your family during this holiday season? We were fortunate that my husband’s mother, my son and his fiancé were here. We ate Chinese food on Christmas Eve. That has become our tradition. I used to cook a big meal but it was difficult to get everything ready, go to church and not be completely worn out. Take out is much better. My husband’s brother passed way this week and so it has been a difficult time for us. My daughter is in the military and was not able to come home. That made it especially hard for us as a family. Through modern technology, we were able to use our web cam and have Stacy join us as we opened gifts. She took her turn and opened gifts with the rest of us.

Our military service members and their families need our support. Many are struggling to make ends meet let alone provide gifts and necessities for their families. Sears has done a wonderful thing by bringing a program called the Sears Heroes at Home Wish Registry. Service men and women have registered at the Sear’s website and our donations will be used to purchase Sears gift cards. These cards will then be donated to those registered service members and their families. This is one way, (not tax deductible), that you can let your military families know how much you value their sacrifices. Visit the wish list section and read some of the emotional wishes from our military families. You will be inspired to donate. Our troops are worth our efforts.

addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fkarensopinion.com%2F2008%2F12%2F26%2Fsears-heroes-at-home-program%2F';
addthis_title = 'Sears+Heroes+at+Home+Program';
addthis_pub = '';

My husband and I watched an interesting documentary on Christmas trees last evening. The program told how evergreen trees became to be known as a symbol of Christmas. The custom of putting up a Christmas tree can be traced to 16th century. The trees were not decorated in the way most of us decorate our trees today. Most early trees were decorated with apples, nuts, dates, pretzels and paper flowers. Trees were also decorated with candles. Candles were sometimes dangerous as women and young girls would bend over the tree and were more apt to catch their clothing on fire. Adjustments were made to the candle holders to make them safer but it wasn’t until the invention of the electric light that lighting on the trees became a safe practice.

Christmas balls were beautiful creations made from blown glass. It was a luxury to be able to afford this type of decoration. Most trees were garnished with home made crafts and still used natural products such as nuts and fruit. Candy canes were also used to decorate the tree although they were all white and not the red and white striped ones we see today.

The United States’ National Christmas Tree is lit each year on the South Lawn of the White House. Today, the lighting of the National Christmas Tree is part of what has become a major holiday event at the White House. The Tree at Rockefeller Center is an annual tradition in New York City’s Rockefeller Center, and is lighted in early December or late-November, an event broadcast in recent years on the NBC television network in the United States as well as internationally. Another famous Christmas tree is Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree. It often represents the way we feel after days of shopping and baking. It still has the spirit to look beautiful. I think it envisions hope for the feeble and weary.

addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fkarensopinion.com%2F2008%2F12%2F26%2Fchristmas-trees-and-tradition%2F';
addthis_title = 'Christmas+Trees+and+Tradition';
addthis_pub = '';

Ah, the Christmas holiday is over. We decided to have our carpet store open today in case someone got some money for Christmas and decide to put a down payment on a much needed floor. We also thought that some people might decide to tackle projects around their home while they have a few days off from work. They might need some adhesive or metal and stop by our store. I actually think it is just my husbands way of making sure he gets to stay home and not go shopping with me.

I love to shop during the holidays. My daughter and my nephew will both be celebrating birthdays in the next few days. While many people are out shopping for those last minute gifts from Kmart, I will be looking for some terrific bargains for birthday gifts. I always find great buys at Kmart on gloves and scarves. I don’t think I have paid full price for winter wear for many years. I also replenish our pajama and flannel nightgowns. No matter how I was our clothes, those cotton nighties seem to shrink. I love the prices Kmart has on sleepwear. Our Kmart is just down the road from our store so that makes it one of my favorite stops.

addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fkarensopinion.com%2F2008%2F12%2F26%2Fstock-up-at-kmart%2F';
addthis_title = 'Stock+Up+at+Kmart';
addthis_pub = '';

This weekend was so enjoyable. Our son and his fiance arrived on Friday around closing time. (We run a floor covering store). We visited a bit and then it was off to bed for mom and pop. I have no idea what time the kids went to bed. They hadn’t seen each other for a while. They are in grad school at different colleges.

Saturday we went shopping. OMG! The stores were so crowded. We shopped at Kohls and the kids found a great deal on a Kitchen Aid mixer. I put it in a cart and waited in a veeeerry long line at the cashier stand. The line wrapped half way around the store. The kids shopped for a few gifts while I held their place in line. I called them when I got close to the cash register.

We went to Sam’s Club next. As soon as we walked in the door we saw Kitchen Aid mixers. They were $40 cheaper and were the bigger, better model. We stood in line and the kids bought a black one. We had gone in to look for a coffee maker of which there were none. The kids dropped hubby and me off at Walmart and they went back to Kohls to return the first mixer.

We purchased a Bunn coffee maker at Walmart but not before hearing my name announced on the loud speaker. I was frightened. We went to the customer service desk and discovered my debit card had fallen from my wallet. Thankfully, someone turned it in. I was a bit surprised that I didn’t have to show any identification to get it back but nonetheless, I was happy to have it back in my wallet.

What a fun and eventful shopping trip!

addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fkarensopinion.com%2F2008%2F12%2F23%2Fshopping-and-then-some%2F';
addthis_title = 'Shopping+and+Then+Some';
addthis_pub = '';

There has been a lot of controversy concerning the use of stem cells. I think that the reason for that is because there is not a lot of information. Misunderstandings are often the result of not enough information. Stem cell collection does not always have an association with abortion. If that were the case, I would not even consider writing about the topic. Two of the collection processes are cord blood collection and menstrual stem cell collection processes. It is important that more people learn about these processes. Science is honing in on other miraculous uses for these precious cells, potentially impacting countless numbers of lives in the future.

Stem cells have been proven to be able to treat over seventy diseases. They have also been used in more than eight thousand transplants worldwide. These statistics alone are proof that the processes are important for health issues known and unknown to all of us. Who knows the potential of these cells? Research continues on how stem cells can be used.

C’Elle is a collection of menstrual blood process that meets standards established by the FDA. This process is available to all women. The cost may be prohibitive for some. That being said, there is a way to help make the process affordable. Give a gift certificate for stem cell preservation.

Christmas is season of giving. I think the best gift I receive every year is having my family together. Most of us have the basic necessities needed for comfortable lives. Instead of trying to think of a purchase for the sake of gift giving, wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could give a meaningful gift? Consider a gift certificate for C’elle for those important people in your life. Is this gift something you would be interested in giving? Please, let me know your thoughts on this subject. Are you one of many who has discounted stem cell collection because you associated it with abortion?

addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fkarensopinion.com%2F2008%2F12%2F22%2Fgifts-that-give-hope%2F';
addthis_title = 'Gifts+That+Give+Hope';
addthis_pub = '';