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Tags: Android, Andy Rubin, Google, Robotics.
Posted 12/04/2013 at 2:09 PM
Posted 4 years ago
Google has entered the exciting new, robotics horizon. They are lead by 50-year old Andy Rubin, ex-Android chief. Rubin is an inventor and a self-named tinkerer in robotics, having co-founded Danger Inc., a hardware design company. Google bought the Microsoft and Android Inc. acquisition, back in 2005. Google's business dealings have been with acquiring tech companies, seven of them, stretching back a year and a half with a firm fixation on building robots of a new generation. Even more companies have been brought into the Google fold and all indications are on one sure thing (besides the mind reeling from this writer's thoughts of a robot community, as Google has been set to being seen as going for broke with the robotics tech company acquisitions): Robotic arms and drones for its Google Shopping Express same-day delivery service may be about to transpire as per what Amazon have already paved plans for in their own company's future's headline making news of just a scant week back.
Amazon has got themselves experimental drones that the company wants to utilize in providing super fast delivery within a half-hour in the same day. Amazon calls what they are doing, PrimeAir.
It seems though, that, when it comes to Google — we should expect the futuristic fiction-like grand designs of Google company minds — just like Mr. Andy Rubin. Examples of a vivid imagination of the virtual becoming manifest in the real world for the forward-thinking big company being Google Glass, Google X HQ (headquarters), and the scything, crystalline vision of the mysterious Google barges.
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Ranch-Style Beans (AKA Cowboy beans)
READY IN: 3hrs 15mins
Recipe by Just Cher
This recipe comes from memories of my husband of his mothers "chili beans" Of course I changed it a bit and the title cause we all Know there are no beans in "chili"
Top Review by nesbitt929
These are great but I decided to make some changes and it worked for us.They turned out like the canned ranch style beans.I added 2 tsps.cumin,1 smoked ham hock,and a can of enchilada sauce.I think the enchilada sauce did it.Great with cornbread.Thanks,cher
See Discussion:16 Reviews
Ingredients Nutrition
- 1 lb dry pinto beans
- 8 cups water (I use 4 cups of beef stock 4 cups water)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 (10 ounce) candiced tomatoes and green chilies
Directions See How It's Made
- Place beans in a dutch oven: add water 2 inches above beans.
- Bring to a boil, boil 1 minute.
- Cover and remove from heat and let stand 1 hour Drain Bring beans and 8 cups water to a boil in dutch oven Cover, reduce heat and simmer 1 hour until beans are tender Add onion, and the next 7 ingredients simmer 30 minutes Add tomatoes simmer 30 minutes and serve.

subset: commoncrawl


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Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager
Organisation: Uganda Network of AIDS Service Organizations (UNASO)
Project Name: Prevention of HIV and AIDS in Communities of Karamoja Project (PACK))
Funding Source: Irish Aid
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
Reports to: Grants Management Unit (GMU) Coordinator
About Us:
Uganda Network of AIDS Service Organizations (UNASO) was established as a membership organization in 1996 to provide a platform for coordination, Advocacy, resource mobilization, capacity building and information sharing among civil society AIDS service organizations (ASOs). With its secretariat in Kampala, UNASO has a membership of over 2,000 AIDS service ionizations involved in HIV& AIDS and Health work. UNASO's vision is "A Ugandan Society free of HIV and AIDS and its impact"; while her Mission is; "to provide leadership to ASOs for collective response to HIV& AIDS and Health through effective representation, coordination and enhanced capacities."
About PACK Project:
A Civil Society organizations' consortium (CSO-C) with support from Irish is implementing a five-year project "Prevention of HIV and AIDS in Communities of Karamoja" (PACK); The consortium comprises of Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Leaders on HIV/AIDS in Africa (AMICAALL), National Forum of People Living with HIV Networks in Uganda (NAFOPHANU), Straight Talk Foundation (STF), The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) and Uganda Network of AIDS Service Organizations (UNASO) was formed in 2015 in order to implement a "Prevention of HIV and AIDS in Communities of Karamoja" (PACK) Program. It's also to test the feasibility of funding CSOs in responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic through a grant that is for and is managed by the civil society. In the consortium, AMICAALL will strengthen capacity of municipalities and lower local government and community leaders in Karamoja while STF will provide HIV and AIDS prevention and SRH information targeting adolescents, youth and young women in the region. TASO will carry out community support engagements and NAFOPHANU will build capacity of PLHIV networks in the region and address HIV stigma and discrimination as a key barrier to utilization of services. UNASO will be the Grants Management Unit (GMU) for administering the grants and providing technical and financial management support to the consortium.
Job Summary: The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager is responsible for the technical design of M&E for UNASO -PACK Program. The MEL Manager will facilitate the design, set-up and implementation of standard M&E processes in close collaboration with Program Managers and Consortium partners to ensure M&E and records management (RMS) systems data are used to drive evidence- based programming. This includes defining program logic, indicators, and methodologies while bringing best practices to the program. The incumbent will monitor and evaluate progress on achieving PACK Program outcomes vs. targets, to the end of enabling management, donors and partners to make vital adjustments to maximize program effectiveness. The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager will be responsible for designing, and roll out the PACK Program M&E system including data collection, storage, analysis and presentation. He she/ will also ensure the M&E and records management systems have an in-built learning component that will ensure relevant learning products are developed to ensure continuous learning in the program
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide leadership to ensure all active programs maintain logical frameworks and monitoring plans per UNASO's Program Management Minimum Standards to measure program output, outcomes and impact against goals and indicators.
- Assist the Program Manager and Consortium MEL focal persons to design quality information collection strategies that inform PACK system and information management platform.
- The incumbent will design and promote strong feedback loops within programs and Consortium partners to enable iterative program design and management.
- Examine PACK program indicators across all activities, standardizing and refining based on application, in coordination with consortium partners
- Offer technical guidance and recommendations on data collection, measurement and sampling methodologies to ensure quality data is collected and applied.
- Develop data collection tools and templates, including assessments, baselines, monitoring forms, and final evaluations.
- Take lead in the design and implementation of Midterm and final program evaluations and research studies that help to identify the drivers of impact.
- Develop program staff and partner capacity building strategy that promotes a culture of learning through systematic analysis and reflection.
- Provide training and mentoring in survey design, methodology, data collection and analysis and other skills as required for assessing the impact of programs.
- Support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to PACK beneficiaries and actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, M&E of the program.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager must hold an Advanced degree in Statistics, Economics, Monitoring and evaluation, Population Studies, Demography, Sociology, Epidemiology, Public Health or similar fields
- At least five years of professional experience, including at least three years working in M&E and Significant experience in training and developments and trends in TB, HIV/AIDS and Malaria
- Proven experience in use of gender and youth-related monitoring tools.
- Previous experience with the implementation of real time data collection methodologies
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested candidates should send their applications, curriculum vitae, copies of academic and professional certificates/ testimonials either by post or hand delivery addressed to the:
Executive Director,
Uganda Network of AIDS Service Organizations (UNASO),
Plot 190, Kiira Road. Ntinda- Kyambogo Route,
P.O. Box 27346 Kampala, Uganda
Email to: firstname.lastname@example.com
For hand delivery, please deliver to the address above between 8.00am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday.
NB: Please indicate a daytime telephone contact and names and contact details of three professional referees. Also, in your application letter and on the cover of the envelope, clearly indicate which position you are applying for.
Deadline: 7th October, 2016 by 4:00 PM
NB: If you do not hear from us by 28th October, 2016, please consider your application unsuccessful.
For more of the latest jobs, please visit http://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline


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Alia comes. Shagun asks what happened Alia. Shagun gets call of Ashok. Ashok says we have something wrong. Ashok says Alia was with Aadi. Shagun says she is here now. Singhal says you should leave everything and this ia affecting your buisness. He asks them to shake hands. Mani and Raman stands up and goes to shake hands. Ishita smiles. Ashok comes in between and says wow. They all looks him. He says what a pleasant surprise as Raman and Mani are together and you will be relatives soon as Aadi and Alia were here some time before. Ashok says call them. Raman says i will call him. Mani asks where are you Alia. Raman says Aadi will come and say i was in office.
Aadi says we will not scare and we will say that we will not end up meeting. Alia says situation is not good. Aadi says i cannot stay away from you and we have to tell them. Raman asks if you came here. Waiter says you came here and forgot your credit card here and i have given that to your mother. Mani says stay away from Alia. Alia says i love Aadi. Ishita becomes shocked. She holds his hand. Mani looks at her. She takes her from there. Raman asks Aadi to leave Alia. Raman and Alia cries. Mani takes Alia home. Mani says whats wrong with you. Mani says Raman is destroying me and you love Aadi. Alia says whatever happened last days and i love him.
Mani says i don't care and you listen to me that you will follow my orders. Shagun comes and says don't shout on her and she will repel you like this. Mani says i know what i have to do. Raman says i am sorry Aadi infact you proved that you are my son and you held that person's daughter hand whom i hate. Raman asks whats wrong with you and this is matter of love and i have no problem. Everyone becomes happy. Raman says you are the worst and the man who snatched my daughter and you held his daughter's hand. He taunts him. Raman says i thought to slap you and you are bad son. Raman and Ishita fights. He says you left your daughter when she was three days old. He says you are bad mother and taunts her. She slaps him. Ishita then realises and says sorry. Raman says don't touch me again and you are bad mother in world.


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Soil Saver Composter
- 30" x 30" x 34.25" high. Easy to place side by side.
- Large capacity 70 gal. or 265 litre capacity
- Removable access doors on all sides
- Made of 100% recycled plastic resin
- Available in black only
Set up:
- Comes in a compact box weighing 26 lbs.
- Quick assembly requires no tools.
- Download our FREE online composting guide, too!
Warranty available from manufacturer.
Education provided on site at each sale.


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Star Citizen: A World Beyond Our Own (fan-made trailer) MP3
This is the largest crowdfunded game in history. This is a living, breathing world, hand crafted to perfection. This, is Star Citizen. If you enjoyed it, please leave a ...
A world beyond our own MP3
A World Beyond Our Own - Walking Tall/Lyrics MP3
A world beyond our own- walking tall MP3
Performing our newest song at redwood artspace. Hope you enjoy. The sound quality isn't great.
A World Beyond Our Own - Cut The Ties/Lyrics MP3
Cut The Ties performed at Club International in Greeley PA. Lyrics: you hold me down like an anchor to the bottom of my heart. when are you going to set me ...
A World Beyond Our Own - High On Your Throne/Lyrics MP3
Our song High On Your Throne being performed at Club International in Greeley PA Lyrics: you're so set in your ways and you'll never change. you confuse ...
Going Beyond my Own Dreams: Gunter Pauli at TEDxTokyo MP3
Batteries made from wood. Stone transformed into paper. Coffee turned in biochemicals to absorb odors and protect our skin from UV rays. Bioplastics and ...
The World Beyond Our Own MP3
Basically my first time ever screwing around on Garage Band and I fucked up and came into this. I hope it's passable as a child of sex with instrumentals.
Tomorrowland - US Teaser Trailer MP3
Tomorrowland (2015) In-Home Release Date: October 13, 2015 On Blu-ray: http://di.sn/6009BH6g3, Digital HD & Disney Movies Anywhere: ...
TEDxEastEnd - Shizzio - there is no spoon: how to move beyond our own borders MP3
Hailed as the Asian Eminem by East London Grime legend Lethal Bizzle, Shizzio hardly needs an introduction. Born and bred on the borders of East London ...
SARE - A World of Our Own (Audio) MP3
Strength Beyond My Own MP3
My father passed away a few weeks ago. Despite the fact that this was one of the most difficult experiences, it was nevertheless, one of the most spiritual as well.
"A World of Our Own" by Beyond The Amusements MP3
"A World of Our Own" by Beyond The Amusements. LIVE from December 10, 2011 @ IWF Centre, Woodland Park, NJ. * Follow Us on Twitter: ...
Galactic Wormholes Could Be Link to Universe Beyond Our Own MP3
Galactic Wormholes Could Be Link to Universe Beyond Our Own It's possible a wormhole exists in the middle of the Milky Way that could be large and stable ...
Strength Beyond My Own lyrics MP3
Este El Himno De Strength Beyond My Own Suptitulado Espero Y Les Guste :)
Beyoncé - Run the World (Girls) MP3
Beyoncé's official video for 'Run The World (Girls)'. Click to listen to Beyoncé on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/BeyonceSpot?IQid=BeyRTWG As featured on 4. Click to ...
Run The World (Girls)
BeyoncéGirls! We run this mutha... yeah! Girls! We run this mutha... yeah! Girls! We run this mutha... yeah! Girls! We run this mutha... (Girls.) Who run the world? Girls. (Girls!) Who run the world? Girls. (Girls!) Who run the world? Girls. (Girls!) Who run the world? Girls. (Girls!) Who run this mutha? Girls! Who run this mutha? Girls! Who run this mutha? Girls! Who run this mutha? Girls! Who run the world? Girls! (Girls!) Who run the world? Girls! [...]
LDS Temples - Strength Beyond My Own MP3
LDS Temples with CES Soundtrack.
Pulse Trailer - Click To View MP3
Imagine our wireless technologies made a connection to a world beyond our own. Imagine that world used that technology as a doorway into ours. Now ...
The Lovely Adventures of a Lone, Lost Alien MP3
A Family Beyond Our Own MP3
A compression of the time spent together throughout the year. Improv has been there for us again and again, I wanted to make a video for farewell and memory.
Strength Beyond My Own - The Temple - Steven Kapp Perry - Tammy Simister Robinson MP3
A song all about the temple. Music and lyrics by Steven Kapp Perry. Singing is Tammy Simister Robinson.
Beyond Sol Let's Play (1.05) ► (S2)Episode 12 ► Absolute Destruction! MP3
Beyond Sol Gameplay (SEASON 2) - Final Release v1.5 ▻Ok, so no more Mr. Nice guy... it's time to finish this! With one foul swoop we will crush three, yes, ...
LDS Temples around the World - Strength Beyond My Own MP3
LDS Temple around the world. A piece of Heaven on Earth.
Beyond Our Own MP3
Rare 1947 religious film starring DeForest Kelly. This is a New Arrival to Gospel Films Archive that awaits restoration before it can be reissued to the public.
Susperia-Electrica : heliosphere MP3
Susperia-Electrica -- A World Beyond Our Own Genre: Electronic Style: Ambient Year: 2011.
Smyths Toys - World of Warriors MP3
The greatest warriors in history have been summoned to a mysterious land beyond our own: The World of Warriors. A brutal kingdom where the only way to ...
Seminary Music - Strength beyond my own (Mormon) MP3
Created using http://studio.stupeflix.com/?yt=1.
SB 3.16.15 - Worlds Beyond Our Own (Alachua 1996) MP3
Is it possible that our world is embedded in a larger reality? Could we possibly visit other worlds beyond our own? If the only kind of motion we know is ...
Ancient Human Races We Thought Existed MP3
Top 10 mythical human beings from popular folklore that our ancestors believed in. Subscribe to our channel: http://goo.gl/9CwQhg Other Videos You Might Like ...
Are We Alone? The Search for Life Beyond the Earth - Professor Ian Morison MP3
A discussion of the prospects of finding life, simple or intelligent, beyond our own planet, by Professor Ian Morison of Jodrell Bank Observatory and Gresham ...


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Personal Campaign
Heather is gathering 200 pledges to
Pledge To Take A Stand Against Domestic Violence And Child Abuse
I was an abused child and lived with someone who was mentally abusive.. It not only messes with ur body but ur mind. it is time we stop this. I also know children who were abused and I can't tell their because it is their story to tell. But I will say this woman abuse their children mentally, emotional and sexual. so it isn't just men it is both that abuse their children. Lets stop this from happening..


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Why would anyone want to carry around needless burdens? That's what clutter is. It drains one's energy, slows one's progress, and eats away at our limited time and space. Left unabated, it spreads all over one's life becoming emotional, mental, and physical clutter.
Joel is an example of someone plagued by emotional clutter. He is always whining about how he was physically and mentally abused by his ex-friend, Eric. "After all I have done for him, how could he have treated me like that? Why did this have to happen to me?"
Emotionally, Joel is drowning in a sea of resentment, anger, and rage. All his time is occupied with self-pity and depressing thoughts. How can he move on with life and focus on his goals when his heart and mind are cluttered with negative emotions and thoughts? No wonder Eric Butterworth (1916 ~ 2003) wrote, "More important than learning how to recall things is finding ways to forget things that are cluttering the mind."
I tried to explain to Joel the reason Eric has done so many hateful things is because he is unstable and immature. In a word, he is SICK. Once we grasp the full weight of the meaning that Eric is a sick man, it becomes easier to forgive him. To forgive him is to let go of all those hard feelings. Once we release all the negativity we were harboring, we will be FREE to focus on our goals and get back on track.
Yes, after being terribly abused by another, we CAN forgive them. In fact, we MUST do so to regain our sanity. Our abuser can be a dangerous person, so I'm not suggesting that we call them up or sit down with them and tell them, "I forgive you." No, we forgive them in our heart, not in person. Once we sever a relationship with an unstable and unsavory individual, we need to stay away and not give them the opportunity to entangle themselves in our lives again.
Clutter is usually thought of as things we acquire or accumulate. However, the things we don't do, but should do, clutter our mind with apprehension and stress. Unwritten letters, unpaid bills, unanswered phone calls, and unattended tasks and obligations take their toll on our lives. They create a slow energy drain and are as distracting as an endless humming in our head. We can free ourselves from such needless headaches by taking the time to do whatever needs to be done. We can't do everything, but we should do the essentials.
If your office, home, or room is cluttered, let the piles of papers or belongings serve as a wake up call. They are trying to tell you that it's time to get your life in order. Don't smother your life with clutter, but decide to regain the space, order, and satisfaction you have lost. To do so, here are some points to consider:
1. As we grow and mature, we throw away our toys and the other things we have outgrown. We need to continue this process to weed out the junk in our lives. So, take an inventory and evaluate your possessions. Which ones are no longer necessary? Separate the unnecessary items into piles of garbage, donations, gifts, and garage sale items. And dispose of them accordingly.
2. Do not try to do too much weeding at one time. If you set your goal too high, you may feel overwhelmed by the task and give up or procrastinate. Just do a little at a time and you will be surprised how soon you will regain control over your life.
3. If you remain focused on your goals, or what is important to you, clutter should fall aside without any effort on your part. Here's some sound advice offered by Donald Rumsfeld: "Amidst all the clutter, beyond all the obstacles, aside from all the static, are the goals set. Put your head down, do the best job possible, let the flak pass, and work towards those goals."
4. However, remain sharply focused on your goals. Clarity of mind is essential. If you goals are too vague, you will tend to spread out in all directions creating clutter and muddled thinking.
5. Most North Americans eat too much. They are obese. Similarly, most accumulate too many possessions. Both actions, overeating and overconsumption, stem from emotional problems or a misdirected search for happiness. For example, someone with low self-esteem may drive a fancy car with the hope it will make them appear important. Instead of appearing important, why not BECOME worthwhile and valuable by doing good? Others confuse pleasure with happiness. Pleasure is transitory; true happiness is a permanent state of mind. Although possessions can give pleasure, they also bring frustration because the appetite for possessions is insatiable. Pleasure comes from having; happiness comes from BEING. So, perhaps it is not about reducing clutter as much as it is about reducing desire.
6. The endless chase after possessions may also be propelled by the fear there isn't enough stuff to go around. Some seem to think that if we do not act quickly and relentlessly, we may not get our fair share. The truth is, we already have everything we need to be happy. Possessions can be stolen. But no one can steal a kind word, a positive attitude, or a generous heart (all of which create happiness).
7. Clutter gets between spirituality and us. It blocks the path and hinders our growth. In her book "Simple Abundance," Sarah Ban Breathnach explains why this is so: "I searched for the common thread in the lives of the world's great spiritual teachers and traditions: Jesus Christ, Mohammed, Buddha, Lao-Tzu, the Hebrew prophets, the Moslemm Sufis, the Catholic Saints, the Hindu rishis, the Shakers, the Quakers, the Amish. That's because all embraced simplicity. Spirituality, simplicity, and serenity seem to be a sacred trinity; three divine qualities of the orderly soul."
8. We can also clutter our lives by wasting time on trivial matters. But Og Mandino (1923 ~ 1996) explains why we shouldn't: "Never again clutter your days or nights with so many menial and unimportant things that you have no time to accept a real challenge when it comes along. This applies to play as well as work. A day merely survived is no cause for celebration. You are not here to fritter away your precious hours when you have the ability to accomplish so much by making a slight change in your routine. No more busy work. No more hiding from success. Leave time, leave space, to grow. Now.
Now! Not tomorrow!"
This article may be sputtering to a conclusion, but don't let your life sputter out because of clutter. Instead, make a commitment to clear the way for endless growth, freedom and satisfaction. It's a choice none of us will regret making.
© Chuck Gallozzi
For more articles and contact information,
Visit http://www.personal-development.com/chuck
We also invite you to explore and join our community forums


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Waves of conquerors, from the Romans to the Moors, have left their stamp on its spectacular architecture. Thousands of tapas bars line the streets, and the warm Spanish sun nurtures parks full of palm trees. With such beauty all around, it's easy to see what drew Ohioans Karen and Rich McCann to Seville, where they now enjoy fine dining, a great social scene, and terrific, inexpensive healthcare.
In 2004 Karen, now 63, and Rich, 71, embarked on a year-long adventure in southern Spain. The newly retired couple had always loved the idea of living overseas, so they decided to try it for a year, making a home for themselves in sunny Seville.
"I always wanted to live abroad," says Karen. "In fact, we talked about it on our first date. Rich was in the naval reserves, had traveled in Asia, and was talking about Singapore, and I thought, 'Okay, as long as it's abroad!'"
Eventually, the couple was asked to join friends for a vacation in southern Spain — an offer they couldn't refuse. And they fell immediately in love with the place.
"We got here, and it was like, 'Oh my God, we really like this'," says Karen. "It's so much like California — the weather, the Spanish speakers, the palm trees. We were comfortable with the whole atmosphere.
"We kept our place in Ohio and told people we were going for a year ... but six months in, we looked at each other and said, 'We don't want to go back'."
So the couple sold their large Ohio home, cleared out 20 years' worth of possessions, and planted themselves permanently on Spanish soil. They renewed their year-long visas for a second year, then a third, and eventually got permanent residence cards that they only have to renew every five years.
Seville is the capital of the Andalusian region and the fourth-largest city in Spain. It's known for its mild winter weather (temperatures never drop to freezing, while summers rarely dip below the mid-80s F), large old town with three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and flamenco music. The architecture shows the accumulation of cultures that make up Andalusian Spain; palaces, towers, spires, columns, and intricate church facades abound, as do sprawling plazas and charming, maze-like alleys full of shops and restaurants.
When asked why she loves Seville, Karen raves about the vibrant and affordable social scene, as well as the great food.
"I think the first thing that struck me was the vibrancy of street life here.
"Everybody dines out. Tapas, drinks ... there are allegedly 3,000 little bars in the city. People here take their social lives as seriously as Americans take their business lives. They have a strong understanding that family, friends, and personal life are important and meant to be front and center.
"Seville has an amazing food scene. It has changed a lot just in the 10 years we've been living here. There's still a lot of classic fare, usually cooked by somebody's grandmother out back in the kitchen. But some trendier places have sprung up lately, along with food tours and cooking classes. The trendy new spots are serving traditional dishes with a twist, such as carriadas (stewed pig cheeks) with an added, fancy dollop of cream sauce and a sprig of parsley. They're creating Spanish fusion dishes, such as bull-meat burrito or grilled tuna steak with chocolate (mole) sauce. And foreign dishes such as pad Thai, spring rolls, and guacamole are appearing on menus. It's an exciting time to be eating in Seville.
"Costs vary widely, but typically we spend under $30 per person for a good meal with wine. A lot of the bars have super-cheap beer. The cheapest in town is just 40 céntimos (about 45 cents) and the average is about $2 for a beer and $2 for a tapa. You don't have to spend a lot to enjoy the street life; we had friends come visit us from San Francisco, and every time the bill came they burst out laughing. For six of us to eat out was the cost of two glasses of wine in San Francisco."
Beer and tapas aren't the only things that are affordable in southern Spain, according to Karen. Housing — particularly for renters — is a good deal. And the overall cost of living is comparable or less than their costs in the States.
"Overall," Karen says, "our cost of living is about the same as Cleveland. We spend more on travel and a lot less on food, going out, and entertainment. We don't have a car here, so we save on that, because in Seville we can walk everywhere ... And our rental is a fabulous deal. We pay far less than we'd pay in any city in the U.S.
"My Spanish friends pay about €500 or €600 ($530 to $636) a month for modest places on the outskirts. The normal cost is €800 to €1,000 a month ($848 to $1,006) in a more central location, but that depends on things like balconies and garages. This is for a one- or two-bedroom."
Another great deal, according to Karen, is private health insurance. And not only is it affordable, but the quality is good, especially for primary and secondary care.
She says, "When I first moved, my doctor in the States told me my cholesterol was high. I wanted a second opinion, so I went to a private clinic here in Seville. It was only a five-minute wait. The doctor took my records himself ... And then told me my cholesterol is a little high, but we can make a few dietary changes ... basically, drink more red wine, eat more dark chocolate."
The couple's private insurance, through Sanitas, a subsidiary of the global provider Bupa, costs them just €500 (around $530 at time of writing) a quarter. They've selected outpatient coverage only, which includes house calls and private clinics. (Their coverage is a bit higher than average because of Rich's age.) Karen says that a couple in their 60s with both in- and outpatient coverage could expect to pay about €600 ($636) a quarter. If you plan to retire to Spain, she recommends that you apply for private insurance as soon as possible, as some insurance companies won't let you sign on after age 70. (Private health insurance valid in Spain is required of non-European Union citizens applying for a residence visa.)
Every interaction with the Spanish healthcare system in their 11 years in Seville has been overwhelmingly positive.
"I love that the doctors here make house calls," says Karen.
"One time I got bronchitis. I was in bed for days. They said, 'We'll have a doctor out to you in two hours.' And two hours (to the minute), the doorbell rang. He was great. He prescribed some meds, Rich ran to the pharmacy across the street to get them, and I was better in two days. To have someone come to you like that when you're ill is an enormous luxury."
The couple also loves Seville's relaxed pace of life. An average day includes time for writing, photography, morning yoga or Pilates classes, siestas, shopping, meeting friends for coffee, tapas in the plaza near their house, and exploring Seville's charming neighborhoods with notepad and camera in hand. Karen's love for southern Spain and living abroad runs so deep that she has continued blogging (enjoylivingabroad.com) and writing books on the subject even into retirement.
"Seville is a very old city," she says. "I pick a neighborhood, photograph it, pop into shops, meet people, chat with everyone ... it's an interesting way to spend my time. In the winter, I go in the afternoons; in the summer, the mornings."
Karen and her husband are also learning more Spanish. She says, "We started taking courses after that first vacation. And here's something I'd recommend: private lessons. Sitting with 20-year-olds who speak three languages and are at their peak ... well, my learning capacity is different. We stuck it out because we liked the social interaction."
Looking back, Karen says the move has changed her in a profound way, and worked wonders for the couple's retirement.
"Moving here has revitalized my life in a way I didn't expect. I thought it would be fun and interesting and stimulating ... but I didn't think it would transform me. Yet I feel like a new person. Moving abroad is the best way to reinvent yourself ... you get to become the 'you' you want to be at this stage of life."
Source: International Living


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Curley Creek Antiques & Collectibles
Barbara and Dave Sundberg, South Colby, WA
Antique German wire whisk is an essential tool for doll kitchen. It measures 1 1/8" wide x 4 1/4" tall and is in very good condition with light wear.
Specializing in DOLLHOUSE MINIATURES from the mid 1800s to late 1900s. Indulge the child within you!
FREE 1st Class Shipping on items up to 15 ounces.


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Oldham Family Fun
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Monday, September 30, 2013
CONTEST! $50 Gift Card to The Parent-Teacher Store and Toys too! from Foster Chiropractic
Foster Chiropractic
wants to help take some of the stress out of the upcoming holidays for one of our lucky readers! Being a parent himself, Dr. Foster really loves finding family fun in our area and supporting other family-owned businesses. So, he's sponsoring this awesome prize - a $50 Gift Certificate to
The Parent-Teacher Store and Toys too
Remember, if you tend to tense up around the holidays, you might want to give Dr. Foster a call.
Thanks Dr. Foster for sponsoring this wonderful contest - find his
practice on Facebook
Good luck, enter to win below.
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Sunday, September 29, 2013
WINNER! Heartland Music Together Gift Certificate
I am so excited to announce the
Heartland Music Together
$50 gift certificate winner!!!
It's Nikki Snow!
To claim, please email firstname.lastname@example.com from the email address with which you used to enter the contest!
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Family Friendly Bike Paths in Louisville, KY
I get asked a lot "Where is a good safe place for my family to ride our bikes around Louisville?". It always makes me smile to hear this question because kids on bikes with parents are an amazing thing. I hope this post will help some of you answer that question.
A great flat place to take the family is the
Louisville Loop trail system
. I like this a lot for families because it is labeled with mileage, has great signage and can be short or long. The best place to start this ride is the
Big Four Bridge lot
. It has parking, a nice bike fix it station, and if you are lucky after your ride a place to buy some treats for a job well done. Click
to find more information on the Louisville Loop.
Another good trail that is 100% no cars, short and pretty is the Beargrass Greenway at Irish Hill. It runs along a portion of Beargrass Creek and is great for seeing some wildlife (like turtles). You can start the trail at 2001 Lexington Rd., 40206, this is the intersection of Lexington and Grinstead near I-64.
My last recommendation is
Cherokee Park
. Yep, there are a few big hills but with some practice they are fun. I would not start with this trail system but add it in as the family progresses. The park has a dedicated recreation lane that cars are not allowed to drive in. There are also several water fountains, playgrounds and rest areas. A great place for a daylong of play and maybe a fun family picnic.
Please make sure to wear your helmets, bring plenty of water, and have fun. Louisville has a great biking community and some good online resources- check out the city's bike page
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Thursday, September 26, 2013
Things to do this weekend around Louisville - September 27,28,29
First things first: Today is my parents' 43rd Wedding Anniversary! Now that deserves some attention! Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!
Now, let's get down to business. You are looking for things to do this weekend and I certainly have a few ideas to share.
Don't forget to check our
Halloween Post
and our
Fall Festivals Post
I'm going to have to pick the trusty
F.A.T Friday Trolley Hop
. The weather is going to be lovely to walk around, visit the shops, grab something to eat and some dessert. All around good fun.
Oh - lots of choices this day!! So hard to choose. I'm a sucker for Nulu so I'd definitely recommend checking our the
Nulu Festival
. It keeps evolving each year and getting better and better. It's from noon-11pm. Don't be fooled by the fact that a beer store is sponsoring the event. Yes, that's definitely an option at this event but it's a totally family friendly vibe there (before say....8pm). It's on the 700 block of E. Market in...well, Nulu. This year, they are adding the
Louisville Mini Maker Faire
(noon -6pm) so that's super cool and you'll find all kinds of "
" there showing off some mad skills and unique stuff.
It's also
so you can grab 2 free tickets to some local museums around town like the Kentucky Derby Museum or Kentucky Science center to name a couple. You have to register
and print your tickets.
As of my typing, there's a good chance of rain on Sunday so I thought I would mention a good ole favorite - Roller Skating! Champs has public skating on Sundays from 2-6pm for $6.50 (skate rental $2.50). I bet you will get lots of giggling in during that time and awaken some muscles and actually get some exercise! See our review
Have a fabuLOUs weekend!
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Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Review of Kidizoom Camera Connect
The holidays are approaching so I want to tell you about this product that we were given by VTech to try! (We'll also be giving one away to a reader so be looking for that!). It's the Kidizoom Camera Connect from
This camera allows your kids to take real pictures or make movies. They can zoom, record and more. Then, they can be creative with the photos because in the camera, they can edit them or play games that incorporate their photos. My kids giggle like crazy when they are playing with this camera.
Here's some info about the camera:
The Kidizoom Camera Connect from VTech equips your child to take and edit digital photos, make movies and play games!
Offering 4x digital zoom for 4x the fun, your child will become an instant photographer and movie director with the press of a button.
Your child can take digital pictures with special built-in photo effects and even record video movies with sound! Watch your child's creativity come alive!
Take and edit photos with wacky effects, shoot video movies with sound and even play three cool games right on the camera!
Kids can even string a series of pictures together to create fun stop-motion animation videos.
Specially designed with your child in mind, this kids' camera has an easy-to-use viewfinder and a design that's safe and durable for kids.
With storage of approximately 800 photos, an expandable memory and the ability to connect to a computer, your child can easily keep all of their creations so they can be treasured by the family forever.
Save and send pics on a PC and share with friends!
The kids have been playing with this camera for a few weeks and haven't used up all of the internal memory or the batteries, that's impressive considering how many photos they have taken. They really like the games and using their own faces in the games as well as all of the silly sounds the camera makes. I think this is a great camera for a young child! It's available on Amazon.
VTech Kidizoom FFP Camera
Here from Facebook/Twitter to win one? Simply go to our
Facebook page post
about this review and in the comments, comment ONCE with your favorite color. That's it. We will use random.org to choose the winner, you have until 10pm on 9/26 to enter.
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Top 5 Fall Foliage Destinations in Kentuckiana
Enjoying fall without taking in the beauty of the fall leaves is like eating a warm brownie without ice cream. It just should not happen!
To help you avoid such a mistake, here's our top 5 favorite family favorites to enjoy the fall foliage:
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest
: An easy drive south of Louisville, this forest is a great one for a morning or afternoon trip with the family. The Tree Canopy is an easy walk to view some fall foliage being 75 feet above the forest floor. Be sure to read our review
and check out their
for more on exploring Bernheim with children
Clifty Falls State Park
: This park is a family favorite to get immersed with the colors of fall with the views, the waterfalls, and variety of rugged trails to hike. It is a great day trip (about 90min from Louisville) to pack a picnic and go. A short
of the park
and the park's
are helpful.
Jefferson Memorial Forest
: This forest gives you a chance to enjoy nature's beauty without leaving home too far behind. Check our
and their
for more information on their trails and other activities.
Knobstone Trails
: For the families with older kids or feeling more adventurous this fall,
Knobstone Trails
is a great place to do some backcountry hiking and camping.
Indiana Outfitters
has some great info on these trails. We have only hiked the one close to Deam Lake with our young family. We enjoyed the geocaching and the views.
Mammoth Cave, Brown County State Park, and Red River Gorge Area
: So I have combined my favorite- farther- away- places to take in the changing leaves of the trees. They are all trips doable in a day. However, if you have a free weekend in the fall, they are worth spending more time there.
After touring the cave,
Mammoth Cave
trails has some great overlooks perfect for fall. Here's our
I may be bias since I grew up near Brown County, IN, but
Brown County State Park
is one of my favorite places in the fall. However it is a very popular place to be in the fall - meaning lots of people! The park has spectacular overlooks.
Red River Gorge
has it all - the scenic views, good mix of different levels of trails, the natural bridge, outdoor adventures - rock climbing, zip lining. You will not be disappointed enjoying the season of fall here for sure! For a review of Nature Bridge State Park and Resort which is a part of the Red River Gorge area check out this
Kentuckiana has so many fantastic outdoor places to enjoy the season of fall, it was difficult to choose a top 5. What are your family's favorite places to visit to see the oranges, browns, and reds on trees?
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Tuesday, September 24, 2013
LouFamFun $10 Challenge - September
A week of after school adventures-using only $10!
I did a lot of thinking and researching once I heard I was given the $10 challenge. I wanted to do something that would take myself and two kiddos around to various places all over the city. But, that's hard to do when you are working around two different nap schedules. So, with the start of preschool last week, I decided to try and do an adventure everyday after school to celebrate their first week back. This was a lot of fun and I may do this again for a birthday week. Here's what we did:
- We hit up
Plehn's Bakery
for a cookie and a handful of their mint meltaways. I love it there because it has such an "old time" feel. There's plenty of "eye candy" in their cases of baked goods for the kids to see. Afterwards, we took the short drive to
St. Matthews Eline Library
where I let each child choose a book from its sale corner. The sale of these books benefits Friends of the Library. It's a bargain at .50 per book! Spent: $3
- I redeemed a coupon for a free ice cream at Chick-Fil-A leftover from the Lyndon Family Festival. I bought an additional child-size cone for .90 as well and we headed over to the
St. Matthews Community Park
(directly behind Chick-Fil-A). What a hidden gem of a park! Their equipment was new and different and had baseball fields galore. We wandered to the back of the park to the exercise path-which we renamed the "forest" and took a "hike". There were lots of bridges to throw sticks from, completely surrounded by trees and a paved pathway throughout. Spent: $.90
- We are members of
My Gym
, so on this day we took advantage of our free access to free play. Non-members are also welcome for $5 per child. We have been enrolled here for over 3 years. Both of my kids love it!
is only a few stores down from My Gym, so next we had races down the sidewalk to grab our free samples. The staff here is always super friendly. Spent: $0
- This adventure took a bit more planning, but worth every minute. My four year old is obsessed with all things tennis and is a big CARDS fan. I called the
UofL tennis club
and they allowed us to come visit. We got to watch the team practice, take a walk around their facility, and even got to hit a few balls on an empty court-FOR FREE! Tennis may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it may be worth checking with the other athletic departments-either at UofL or other universities such as Bellarmine for practice times. Afterwards, we cooled down at
Dairy Kastle
with dreamy orange ice cream. Spent: $3
- We opted to check out the
Flea Off Market
this day. It wasn't that crowded, which was a bonus for us stroller users. I let the kids peruse around and look at everything. My eldest was most excited about the Ultra Pop booth-wielding lots of Star Wars and anime themed toys and candy. There was a group performing belly dancing, but mine didn't seem too interested in that. Ultimately, we decided to use the remainder of our $10 on some amazing doughnuts from
Hi-Five Doughnuts
. One word. YUM. Spent: $3
The remainder .10 I plan to let the kids use at the Zoo or Science Center's spiral penny donation well.
Thanks for a fabuLOUs week, Louisville Family Fun!
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Monday, September 23, 2013
Contest! Heartland Music Together Gift Certificate
Fall is in full swing! The kids are back to school and you think, I missed enrolling my child in music class!!! Well, you are just plain wrong. Lucky for you, Heartland Music Together offer music classes all over the Louisville area and you can enroll any time for a prorated rate!
Music classes are great for kids of all ages and wonderful opportunities for parents to join in tunes with the kids.
Heartland Music Together
has classes all over town and has been doing business in Louisville with many many families since the days of Beethoven (exaggeration, obviously).
One lucky reader will win a $50 gift certificate to put toward enrollment in one of their classes. With so many location and times, there's one close to everyone!
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Sunday, September 22, 2013
Review of Disney on Ice "100 Years of Magic" and Dinner at Bearno's bythe Bridge
We decided to check out this year's Disney On Ice at the KFC Yum! Center with tickets courtesy of the show promoters.
We got to downtown a couple hours early and parked in the
KFC Yum! Center
parkinggarage for $5. It's nice and close, and getting there early means we get a close spot to the exit. We walked up the sidewalk to
. It was only $25 for 6 of us to eat, it's good pizza, and it's
so convenient! A very family-friendly place to eat and there's usually coupons available (online, city saver etc.).
We had plenty of time to walk over to the Yum Center, take some
pictures outside, and then head in for the fun. Be prepared for lots
of overpriced toys and snacks - we talked to the kids ahead of time to let them know that we would not be buying anything that night, but they were welcome to look at everything. Plenty of folks treat their kids to these special items though - they do have really cute things. To kill time before the show, we walked around the building looking at the Ohio River and merchandise stands. We used the family bathroom before the show started so we wouldn't have to leave in the middle of the show. It started right on time, but people continued to arrive for 15 minutes blocking our view of the show - it may be worth it to pay for the closer seats if this bothers you at the beginning and intermission.
The skating was great! The princesses, Small World characters, and Pinocchio did an especially excellent job with neat jumps, flips and tricks. During the 15 minute intermission we got drinks at the water fountain and saw several moms filling empty water bottles from home -very smart! Then we sat down to enjoy the rest of the show. At the end, they do allow the kids to give high fives to the skaters, but the characters don't stay at the bottom very long, and it's hard to battle the leaving crowd. If you're not close to the bottom with your camera ready, you may want to prepare your kids in advance that you are not going to head down to the ice level.
Overall, it was a great night. With easy parking and dinner, no
rushing to get to your seats, it is a great night to remember for your little ones.
By guest contributor:
(Stephanie too)
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Winner! Kings Island tickets!
Most people think of
Kings Island
as a summer activity but it's open through the end of October!
With more than 100 rides, shows and attractions from world-class roller coasters to giant animatronic dinosaurs to an award-winning kid's area, this family-friendly theme park has something for everyone. They also have fantastic family events and special activities leading up to Halloween, a great time of the year to visit Kings Island.
Last week, we gave you a chance to win
SIX tickets
to visit Kings Island!
The winner is: Ashley Wolfe!
(Yay Ashley, long time LouFamFun.net reader, so happy for you!)
email firstname.lastname@example.com using the email address with which you entered the contest to claim the tickets. Send your mailing address!
(tickets are good for this season only, ending at the end of October an open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. As soon as the winner claims the tickets, we will contact the nice folks in Warren County, OH to get you the tickets ASAP)
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Thursday, September 19, 2013
Things to do this weekend around Louisville - September 20,21,22
We are headed to
Disney on Ice at the Yum Center
this weekend, we love it! We aren't planning a Disney vacation for a while so it's super fun to see the characters come to us - cheaper than airfare and hotel! Our weekend will round out with two
soccer games and fun with friends.
Be sure to check out our
Halloween post
and our
Fall Festivals
post each weekend too because there's so much there, I can't list it all here!
It was very difficult to narrow down some events for your family this weekend, but here are my picks:
Start the weekend off with some thrills at the
Fairdale Community Fair
(more event details
, runs Fri and Sat) or the
Crestwood Festival
. Both will fill your bellies with cotton candy goodness and your ears with the screams and squeals!
Looking for a really unique show? The
Louisville Magic Club
is putting on It's Magic! at the Ursuline Arts Center. Thanks to
Steve-o the Magician
for this great tip. Adults $10 Children (12 and under) $5 Doors open at 6:00. Close-up performers will entertain early arrivals. lmcmagic.com for ticket info.
Family Canoe Day at Tom Wallace Lake
10:00 - 2:00 PM Learn the basics of canoeing and spend some time on the lake practicing. All equipment (canoe, paddles, and personal flotation devices) is provided. This program is suitable for ages 5 and to adult. Activities Free; $10.00 canoe rental
Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve
has a new event - Creatures of the Night starting at 6:30 p.m. "James Kiser and Tony Evans, biologists, will stay for the evening to introduce visitors to creatures of the night. They will set up a mist net to capture and band bats on the nature preserve grounds. What other creatures are active during the night? Come and learn! Maybe we will see some owls!" Fees are: Members $3; Non-members $5; Under 2 years Free
I so wish I could go to this!!! "100 Years On the Ohio: A Living Timeline of Louisville's First Century" from 10 am to 5 pm (Saturday also) at
Farnsely-Moremen Landing
. Historical re-enactors demonstrating the tools, weaponry, clothing, pastimes and cooking of each period and an 1860s-style base ball game between the Cincinnati Red Stockings and the Cincinnati Buckeyes on Sunday afternoon! $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $3 for children. Family Rate is $15 (2 adults with up to 3 children under 18)
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Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Review Kentucky Science Center, Science in Play Exhibit in Louisville, KY
My toddler and I recently joined Ms.LouFamFun and her two kiddos on a rainy day in downtown Louisville. She invited us to check out the return of
Kentucky Science Center
Science in Play exhibit
. This exhibit was at the Science Center last year, and it has returned and will be moving permanently into the Center's exhibit space.
We arrived bright and early as the Science Center was opening, and had the place to ourselves for a good 45 minutes or so! The Science in Play exhibit is currently housed on the first floor, in the temporary exhibit space right next to the KidZone. There are five main areas to play, engineer, and use your brain! They are a Sensory Course, Getting Moving and Small Build, Testing, Big Shapes, and Shapes and Stuff Store.
The LouFamFun kids are ages 4 and 6; my little guy is just about to turn 2. He had fun sprinting around the space, rolling balls, climbing under the ropes course, and playing in the mirror maze. The LouFamFun kids are the perfect age for this exhibit. They built roller coasters and used their minds to problem solve and figure out what pieces needed to connect where, disassembling pieces where needed, and just trying to get just the perfect set up for the right momentum for the ball to make the entire loop and span of the coaster. It was fascinating watching her son as an architect, building and rebuilding to get it just right.
We stayed in the first room for a long time. In this room is the above mentioned roller coaster making station, along with a fun mirror maze, a ropes course mat where kids try to figure out how to cross from one side to the other sticking with the same color ropes, a huge mirror with wooden blocks for building, and a large magnetic space on the wall with fun cups, spoons, pails, etc. for kids to experiment making different designs.
All of our kids really loved this entire area; my little boy really liked the magnetic space and pulling the spoons off and sticking them back on! He also loved the musical sound floor, where you move your hands over the space and make music! We then ventured to the next room, which is adjacent to here. In this room is the Big Shapes and Shapes/Stuff Store area. Once again, the LouFamFun kids just went at the huge foam blocks in this area, building and assembling to their heart's content. My little boy immediately saw small, toddler sized grocery carts and went to grab one. In the Shapes/Stuff Store, kids can grab a huge shopping list card that is color coordinated and you can go shopping for the shapes listed on your card. When you're done grabbing all of your shapes and colors, you can follow the directions on the card to build a new shape out of the shapes you've shopped for. It's a really neat concept! Of course my under 2-year-old didn't quite catch onto that concept, but loved looking for the colors and naming them things that he is familiar with in his own world, like orange balls became oranges and yellow shapes became bananas. This was a very fun space, a great place for kids' imaginations to run wild. There is also a nice little reading nook in the corner, for some quieting down time for your kiddos.
All in all, visiting the Science in Play exhibit was a huge hit. Of course, after you've had your adventures there, the rest of the Science Center awaits you. We also took our kids over to the ever popular
space, where they played and had a blast. My son and I had to get home to lunch/naptime, but the LouFamFun family stuck around and explored the rest of the center, stopping for a packed lunch that they brought along with them. The
Kentucky Science Center
is a very engaging, educational center in the heart of our downtown, and it's the perfect place to spend an entire day learning! I would recommend this exhibit for kids ages 9 and under, although we saw kids of all ages exploring in their own ways; there were even some older kids that may have been middle school aged there the morning we went and they were really enjoying themselves as well. The entire center is geared for a wide range of children, of course.
The Kentucky Science Center is located at 727 West Main Street. Click
for hours and admission prices. Remember you can visit the Center for $5 after 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays. The
Science in Play
exhibit is included in your general admission.
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Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Review of Plehn's Bakery in St. Matthews
This nearly 90 year old bakery,
Plehn's Bakery
, is at 3940 Shelbyville Rd Louisville, KY 40207 in St. Matthews and it is fantastic. I cannot express how sugar-happy I was when I walked into this bakery. I grew up in a town with the most perfect bakery that distributed rolls and baked goods all over the NY area and I have been seeking some place that can provoke the reaction from my kids that was like what I had growing up - walking into a baked wonderland! Plehn's did this!
This bakery has been on my list of places to go and now it will be family favorite. People were coming and going so quickly with bags and boxes of goodies. It was a busy Friday and my kids and I spent a good amount of time choosing what we would order. The kids were squealing with delight over the decorated items, the turning display case and the old-fashioned diner counter. I cannot express the abundance of choices!
I narrowed it down and got a loaf of
pumpernickel bread
, a
(because it's not something I have ever had) and we each got a doughnut. The kids got standard doughnuts but not me. Thanks to a
FourSquare tip
I read at check-in, I ordered the Yum Yum (see it on the counter in the photo of my daughter) and it was INSANE. It was a twisted double (or triple!?) sized doughnut with cinnamon sugar throughout with chocolate and vanilla icing. It is definitely one to share and you need to go get one! For all of these items, I spent around $17.
At home, my husband and I really like the kuchen for dessert for several nights. It was a custard pie of sorts and it was really unique. And, my son and I devoured the fresh pumpernickel bread within 24 hours with just a little butter. It was the best bread I have had in a very long time.
I highly recommend that you go to Plehn's bakery - it's an experience and you can treat yourself to something different each time. I didn't even tap into their entire menu so go check it out for yourself, you deserve a treat.
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Monday, September 16, 2013
Contest! Kings Island tickets
This summer, we explored
Kings Island
for the first time and I wrote a review. It's published with other ideas to about places to visit it Warren County, Ohio. It's open through the end of October so here's your chance to visit Kings Island one last time before they close for the 2013 season....and it's on them! Good Luck!
With more than 100 rides, shows and attractions from world-class roller coasters to giant animatronic dinosaurs to an award-winning kid's area, this family-friendly theme park has something for everyone. They also have fantastic family events and special activities leading up to Halloween, a great time of the year to visit Kings Island.
The contest entry is below for a chance to win
SIX tickets
to visit Kings Island!
(tickets are good for this season only, ending at the end of October an open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. As soon as the winner claims the tickets, we will contact the nice folks in Warren County, OH to get you the tickets ASAP)
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Sunday, September 15, 2013
Review of Madame Alexander Dorothy Plush Doll Toy
My daughter is one of those girls who really has always been enamored with dolls. So when the opportunity came up for me to review a washable doll and let her tell me how she used her imagination to spark life into her play, I knew she would jump at the chance!
I decided since she is in 5th grade to let her write up her own version of how she played with this doll and what her thoughts were about it: "I made up a game with this Dorothy doll where she was sent out into the woods for no apparent reason. While she was in the woods she came across many animals and had to keep hoping that someone would come save her. She was told that there would be a small river at the end of a path that she started walking on. She started following the path through the woods until there was no more forest and all she could see were buildings. At the end of this long path, there was no river and there was no end of the path, there was a giant spider! 'Now is the time I really need to be saved' said the Dorothy doll."
What an imagination! I like how my daughter makes up these imaginary situations and really engages her characters throughout her stories. There always seems to be a conflict and then resolution. In this story, she leaves it with a cliffhanger! We really don't know what might happen to Dorothy and the giant spider, much like in the movie she faced the witch and those flying monkeys! She is continuing to have a lot of fun with the Dorothy doll and I really like it because it is washable and very easy to clean.
Since this Madame Alexander doll is a Dorothy doll, the character from The Wizard of Oz, I'd like to remind readers that
Derby Dinner Playhouse
does offer the play,
The Wizard of Oz
, at their dinner theater. It's over for this current season but my husband and I have been to that play on a date night and really enjoyed it. We've also been to a couple of the children's theatre shows at the breakfast showings and have absolutely loved them. Check out their shows for children
. The Madame Alexander Dorothy doll can also be found locally at
Rabbit in the Moon
. The company that set the Dorothy doll for Louisville Family Fun to review is going to giveaway one doll to a lucky reader! Be on the lookout for that contest!
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Winners! Disney on Ice Tickets!
Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic
Coming SEPT. 19 – 22
KFC Yum! Center
Tickets info
Join the celebration as 65 of Disney's unforgettable characters from 18 beloved stories come to life in
Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic
! You'll be captivated by the one and only Mickey Mouse, the irresistible Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio and many Disney Princesses. Be thrilled by exciting moments from The Lion King; Mulan; and Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and Toy Story films; in a skating spectacular filled with magical Disney moments you'll remember forever as
Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic
3 lucky winners will receive 4 vouchers good for tickets at the Thursday September 19th 7pm show at the KFC Yum! Center.
The winners from last week's contest are:
Tickets claimed!
email email@example.com using the email address you entered in the contest form. Send you your mailing address!
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September Family Book Review
This month's family book review is two-fold. The first book I have to share with you is
The Busy Family Cookbook
...I thought since school just started and we're all trying to get back in that groove of keeping everything on schedule, a cookbook would be a great tool to share to help you drum up some new and interesting family meals, some of which only take 10 minutes to get on the table! This cookbook contains 275 recipes that are pegged for quickness and flavor for your weeknight family meals around the dinner table. The thing that drew me to this cookbook was flipping just 2-3 pages in and seeing a section on dinnertime solutions for your family. Some recipes included take 10 MINUTES or less from start to table! I'm sold. Most recipes are designed for approximately 30 minutes of your time. I've already tried this recipe, which was in the 10 minute section: Mozzarella Beef Sandwiches - fabuLOUs as we like to say! For the most part, cookbooks are pretty much cookbooks. What I really like about this cookbook is that it supports the
Kohl's Cares
endeavor where 100% of the proceeds from sales of this book in Kohl's department stores goes to support kids' health and education initiatives around America. I love to give $5 to causes that help children in our nation.
The other two books I have to share with you are
Curious George's Dinosaur Discovery
Curious George's First Day of School
. The
Kohl's Cares
charity generously donated these items for a lucky reader to share the books and this cute plush Curious George toy with your kids. I love that mischievous monkey, I always have and when I began my storytimes as a librarian at the Jeffersontown Library, Curious George was my sidekick and always helped me welcome my little ones with a song and a hand shake. Kids love him and parents love sharing him with their kids because they remember him themselves. In these two stories, George is always curious and goes on his normal frolicky adventures, getting in a little bit of trouble along the way and ending his excursions with his usual lessons learned. Thanks to
Kohl's Cares
Louisville Family Fun
would like to reward a lucky reader or two with these fabuLOUs books for your family book shelf, along with this cute guy for one of your loved ones to cuddle. Be on the lookout!
Sharing the love of reading with families = my day is complete! Happy reading!
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LFF Staff
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Friday, September 13, 2013
Things to do this weekend around Louisville - September 13,14,15
Eeeeeek! It's Friday the 13th!!! I just had to post that because it's cliche. I don't really get into that stuff. What's going on this weekend? It's the height of family fun in Louisville. September and October are huge months in our area for all sorts of options that at times, it's actually overwhelming. That's when you stop, reflect and thank LouisvilleFamilyFun.net for making things so easy for you to find. You're welcome and note, I like lattes and chocolate if you want to send gifts.
Be sure to bookmark our
post and
post so you don't miss things!
And, there are
consignment sales this weekend
if you want to scope out the deals.
Here are my picks for the weekend....even more choices on the calendar above!
How about taking in a
University of Louisville men's soccer game
? You know, this university has more sports to watch than football and basketball. My kids are playing soccer now so we are taking them for some family fun to watch a real game! They play at 7pm on Friday. Ticket info
, kids 2 and under are free, kids 3-18 are just $3 and adult tickets are $5.
Archaeology Day at Falls of the Ohio
- 9:30-4pm. Here's a
with all of the details (it's from 2012 but they said it's all the same). I love Falls of the Ohio and what a glorious weather day to be out there.
Hermitage Classic
is a free horse competition to enjoy in Goshen. It starts at 10am on Saturday and finishes up at 3pm. There are kids activities, petting zoo, pony carriage rides and food vendors! Plus, you get to see the races at a really nice farm
free movie at Iroquois Amphitheatre
- "A Christmas Story 2"- starting at 8:30pm (doors open at 7:30). It's FREE. Head to the park before the movie, bring a picnic dinner and make an evening of it!
Have a fabuLOUs weekend,
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Louisville Family Fun
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Thursday, September 12, 2013
Events and things to do around Louisville for Halloween 2013
Halloween Events 2016
This post is sponsored by
It's HALLOWEEN TIME! So, what's going on around the Louisville metro area?
A funny by LouFamFun!
You know we love lists! Here's a fabuLOUsly long list of Halloween activities around the Kentuckiana area this year!
Like us on
Worlds Largest Halloween Party is at the Zoo
and tickets are on sale now! Even members wanting to attend on free nights have to reserve tickets It runs pretty much the entire month of October.
Halloween Harvest Party at the Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve.
October 5th from 3-9pm. ($5/person, $20/max per family for Haunted Hike; $5/Haunted House entry)
The La Grange Fire Department is hosting Oldham County's largest Safety and Halloween Festival
on October 5th from 4-7pm. Trick-or-treating and more! Hayrides, bouncies, climb in firetrucks and more- all at the Oldham County Fairgrounds
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
at Iroquois Park October 10th-Nov. 2nd. Open at 7pm nightly. Kids 2 and under are free,
range from $9 to $15.
Caufields Halloween Parade
is on October 11th at 7pm on Baxter Ave and full of crazy costumes and lots of tossed candy - bring a bag for the kids. FREE
October 12th Mary T. Meagher is having a Halloween Festival from 5pm until 8:15pm. After, you can watch
Hotel Transylvania
. They also have old school
fright night movies on the lawn at the Mary. T. Meagher
Aquatic Center throughout October. They start at 9pm and are FREE 10/4,10/11,10/18.
Main Library Downtown After-hours Halloween party
Friday, October 18, 20136-8pm Storybook-themed evening of storytelling, games, crafts, and more. Be sure to wear your costume!
Sunny Acres farm
is having a pumpkin festival on October 19th from noon-6pm. Pumpkins for sale to carve, corn maze, pony rides (fee for some activities)
Bass Pro Shop has Halloween freebies
starting starting mid-October. We'll update this list when it's on their website!
Museum of American Printing House for the Blind
: Saturday, October 19th 10:30 a.m.–12:30pm
Make your own Halloween masks! Museum staff will guide your children to make a scary or friendly, for kids of all ages. Free to the public: registration is required. Call 502-899-2213 by October 17th to register.
Belle of Louisville has special cruises for Halloween like the
Scaryoke cruise or the Boo cruise
. Different dates, times, prices!
Jack O'Lantern Stroll
: October 25th Louisville Slugger Field
A community event that features over 1,200 carved pumpkins, carved by community members and those supported by Dreams With Wings.
F.A.T. Hop - Halloween Hop
October 25th 6:00-10:30pm on Frankfort Ave.
Gattiland Westport Village Halloween event
10/25 5-8pm
"Haunted Halls" at Beechmont Community Center
- Friday, October 25, 6:30-8:30pm. Snacks, games, haunted tour. 502-361-5484 for more info.
Haunted Hay Rides in Vissing Park
- Jeffersonville FREE 10/25 6-9pm
Trick or Treating at Tyler Village (near Jeffersontown)
- Friday, October 25, 6-7:30pm
Jeffersontown Pumpkinfest
- 11am to 2pm on 10/26/13 in Gaslight square. Trick or treating, entertainment and more.
15th Annual Halloween Festival in Brown Park
- music, hayrides, lots of games, haunted forest and more.
(corner of Kresge Way and Browns Lane) October 26th 11am- 2pm Trick or Treating is from 11:30am – 1:30pm
Halloween Festival
in Jeffersonville. October 26th Details
Norton Commons Halloween Fun
- October 26th from 3pm-6pm. Bouncies, train rides, balloons, trick or treating and much more! FREE
New Albany Trunk or Treat
October 26th at 5pm
Halloween Party at Sun Valley Community Center
- October 26th, 6:30-8:30pm. Trick or treating, haunted hay ride, games, bounce house. Ages 0-10. 502-937-8802 for more info.
Boo Dell at Yell Dell gardens
is just $5 for parking with free admission. It is on October 26th from 11-3 featuring trick or treating, a pumpkin carving contest, Magic show (2pm) and more.
Corn Island Storytelling at Blackacre Conservancy
- October 26th at 7pm. Spooks and spirits with storytellers.
Fright Light Halloween Party at the Rauch Planetarium:
October 27th for the party but they also have Fright Light shows throughout October!
Trick or Treating in downtown Jeffersonville
- October 28th 6-8pm
Ghouly Games Carnival & Spooky Book Night at Baxter Community Center
- Tuesday, October 29th, 6pm-8pm. 502-574-2670 for more info.
Halloween Party at Southwick Community Center
- Wednesday, October 30th, 6pm-8pm. 502-775-6598 for more info.
Trick or Treating at Oxmoor Center
- Thursday, October 31st 5pm-7pm. Rain or shine.
Trick or Treating at Mall St. Matthews
- Thursday, October 31st, 5pm-7pm. Rain or shine.
Green Tree Mall trick or treating
: 10/31 6-8pm, kids 1-12 years old.
Fall Festival at Highland Park First Baptist Church
- Thursday, October 31st, 6:30pm-9pm. Candy, food, fun, free for all.
for more details. 7321 Billtown Rd.
Highland Park First Baptist church
- 10/31 6:30-8:30pm - Trunk or treat, games and more
Hetzer Haunted House
- October 31st. Free haunted house for Halloween night. Probably for teens and older.
Bass Pro Shop has Halloween events, trick or treating and freebies
starting starting mid-October through 10/31. Trick or treating, crafts and more.
If your kids 10 and up need some screams, there's a haunted attraction called
Grim Trails
in Middletown on Friday and Saturday nights.
Here's the
link to our Facebook page thread
with all of the indoor Halloween ideas from you great readers you!!
This list will be updated continuously! Know of a Halloween event we missed? Email firstname.lastname@example.com
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Louisville Family Fun
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Wednesday, September 11, 2013
A Family Getaway to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Back in July, my family and I were given the privilege of representing
Louisville Family Fun
on a hosted travel assignment to Pigeon Forge, TN for a mini-getaway. We stayed 3 nights and 4 days in this tourist's town and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. And boy were those a busy 4 days worth of minutes.
We arrived on a Tuesday in the early afternoon; because we were hosted by the
My Pigeon Forge
tourism department, they scheduled us to stay mid-week and be there during the non-peak days (i.e., the weekend). If they have a non-peak time, we didn't see it! This place was jam-packed full of people, from everything to families with young children and older children and teens alike, to young couples, to church youth groups, to older, retirees.
We started our first day by stopping at the
Sevierville Tourism Center
and the
Pigeon Forge Visitor's Center and Tourism Department
. There are a couple of tourist/visitor's centers along your way into Pigeon Forge. We picked up some brochures and other pertinent information about Pigeon Forge, the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
, and the surrounding area. Sevierville is a small town on your way into Pigeon Forge and it has its quaint feel to it; we did not spend any length of time here (on our way out of the city and back home we did stop at the
Russell Stover's Candy Outlet
store here and picked up an entire box of one of my favorite candies!) After we drove through Sevierville, we continued down "the Parkway" as its known in this area toward Pigeon Forge. Once the traffic lights on this road turn to #0, you are in Pigeon Forge. This is a nice feature of the city - each traffic light along the Parkway (or "strip" as its also known) is numbered right above the light and it helps you keep track of where you are and how to navigate where the many attractions are in Pigeon Forge. When asking for directions to a particular place, many people would say it's at Traffic Light #4, for example.
After we drove down the Parkway and got the lay of the land, we ventured to Traffic Light #6 and turned off to where our hotel was located. Since we were guests of the Pigeon Forge Tourism Bureau, we received our lodging complimentary and were give a suite at the MainStay Suites. It was a great property, I highly recommend it for families especially with younger kids. The room had two queen beds, a kitchenette complete with a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, and microwave plus ample cabinet and drawer space, and a balcony. The hotel amenities included four pools and two whirlpools and an exercise room. A hot complimentary breakfast was served each morning that included a waffle-making station (kid-friendly, bear shaped!) sausage, biscuits, gravy, cereals, hard boiled eggs, and the usual assortment of continental items like bagels, pastries, and breads. It was definitely enough and then some for anyone. From the
, a one-night stay at this hotel costs $129 without any deals or coupons involved.
We arrived before we could check-in, so once we saw where the hotel was located, we drove back out on the strip in search of a restaurant property we had heard of called
Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant
. We found it very easily a few miles back up the strip nestled in a little valley. It reminded me of Joe Huber's Family Farm here in Louisville. There was a restaurant, a winery, an apple cider and gift shop, an apple orchard and an ice cream shop. We splurged a little bit at this restaurant and ate for a family of four for $33 before tax and tip. They had a great kid's menu and many fixins' like chicken dinners, green beans, and mashed potatoes, along with the most delicious apple fritters and apple butter. I got a chicken salad plate on greens with fruit and my husband got a chicken dinner. My daughter and our toddler ordered corn dogs and macaroni and cheese off the kid's menu, which also came with a dish of ice cream and a drink. After eating and walking around the gift shop and orchard, we got back in the car and drove back down the Parkway, mentally checking off all of the tourist spots we definitely wanted to check out. We went back to the hotel and checked in, and went swimming for a couple of hours. There was a regular size pool, a lazy river pool, an infant/toddler pool, and another indoor pool. Plenty of options for our family!
After our pool time, we got ourselves ready and headed back out to the action. It was early evening by this point and we decided to check out the
Titanic Museum
first. Since we had eaten a late, very hefty lunch, we decided to wait and get a lighter dinner later. This museum was very cool, especially interactive enough for older kids 5+ probably. Our visit to this attraction, along with most of the other places we went, was way over the head of our youngest who is just barely 2 years old. I believe he fell asleep in his stroller for the duration of our walk through this museum. There is a lot of the back story about the ship Titanic, and many artifacts, photographs, and history lessons to learn about throughout the exhibits. My daughter is 10 and is fascinated with the Titanic, so I knew she would love this one. When you arrive outside, a greeter hands you a boarding pass with the name of a passenger, and at the end of your journey you get to find out if your person survived or not. It's a neat souvenir to take back with you. Our favorite parts of the museum were the water pool, where you could touch the 28 degree water that the passengers endured. We tried to see how long we could stand to keep our hand in the water – less than 30 seconds. Other favorites were the water trapped behind one of the elevator doors in the 3rd class area of the bottom of the ship and the mirrors in the 1st class that allowed you to see how long the hallways were. We also loved the replica of the grand staircase, which was done in exact measurements to the actual ship.
The museum excursion took us 1 1/2 hours to walk through, so keep that in mind for younger ones. After we left Titanic Museum, it was around 8pm and we decided to head to a local grocery store and buy a few snack and lunch items for our room. We bought fruit, deli meat, cheese, milk, and the like and when we got back to our room we made some eggs and sausage in the kitchen and had some fruit with it for dinner. I really appreciated the convenience of having the "home away from home" essentials like this, which made staying here very family-friendly. With the options we had of free breakfast and groceries in our room, we only ate out at dinner times during our whole stay. Families can certainly save a lot of money that way! We turned in and got an early start the next day, which was jam packed!
We woke up bright and early the next morning and ventured downstairs for the free, hot breakfast at the hotel. We then got ready to embark on our full day of fun and began the day at
, a quirky, bizarre-filled museum of awe and wonderment for all ages! I mean, when you walk up to the front door, the building is creaking at you and the entire thing is upside down! WonderWorks is a very stimulating, loud, bright place: think Kentucky Science Center to the Xtreme 10th power! When we walked inside, you slither your way through a dark tunnel with flashing lights all around you and you feel like the floor is moving, forcing you to tip all the way to your left side. In actuality, you're completely upright. Heard of the television show, 'Brain Games'? This place was all about tricking your mind and playing optical illusion games with you each step of the way. As you enter the first room, there is an electricity game that sounds off pulses of light about every 30 seconds. Our young toddler had enough (of the stimulation) after 30 minutes! He endured though, just like he always does! In this first room there was a huge Google Earth map that we spent quite a few minutes navigating and finding Louisville, and other places we've visited in the past. There is an experience called "Quake Cafe" where you are placed into what an earthquake would feel like in San Francisco. There is also a hurricane tunnel with winds blowing at you at 65 MPH. It's a lot of fun!
The entire science museum took us about three hours to get through, really taking in each area. Other areas to explore are a challenging ropes course, lazer tag, the space zone, bubble lab, a bed of nails...the list could go on as there are over 100 interactive exhibits to explore. On this same property of WonderWorks is the magic show entitled
Wonders of Magic
that you do not want to miss. We came back the following night to see that show, and it was worth every second. It's an extremely family-friendly magic show with many illusionist and slight of hand tricks that will keep you wondering for days. We really enjoyed the magician, Terry Evanswood. He was phenomenal.
Wonders of Flight
is also located directly behind WonderWorks. It is a giant tethered balloon ride that was widely popular - my family did not ride this one though.
Throughout the remaining two days that we vacationed in Pigeon Forge, we played miniature golf at a putt-putt place called
Firehouse Golf
. One note about putt-putt: you will see a golf place about every other site on both sides of the Parkway! Some are very elaborate while others are simpler. You'll have plenty to choose from though! We also rode the giant ferris wheel at
The Island
, a neat, newer shopping and dining district that opened up earlier this past summer. It was pricey to ride, and my daughter really wanted to so we bit the dust of the tourism bug and paid the price. The ticket lady told me it was about a 15 minute ride, but it really ended up being about 9 minutes. It is the one of the tallest attractions of its kind east of the Mississippi River in the U.S. and it was a spectacular view of the area. We also spent a good 2-3 hours of an afternoon at
The Track
, one of those entertainment centers that has bumper cars, arcades, go-karts, more golf, bumper boats, and little kiddie rides. There are a lot of options at this type of attraction, and there are just as many of these as there are mini-golf places all along the Parkway. The Track was awesome fun, our highlight was driving and zipping around on the go-karts. We also checked out
Hollywood Wax Museum
. It was great, especially for older kids who are familiar with some Hollywood stars. At the end you can enter a celebrity you'd like to see added to the museum-we picked Kate Winslett and "Sheldon Cooper" from Big Bang Theory. This museum didn't take as long, probably about 30-45 minutes and was a nice, cool place to wander around.
There are several dinner shows for families and those without kids - Pigeon Forge is sort of known for doing these types of dinner theatre shows and there are plenty to suit your fancy. My family and I opted for the
Lumberjack Feud
show; we did not partake in the dinner portion but that is an option. When you walk into the huge warehouse building, you will be greeted by a host or hostess who tells you that you are either a McGraw or a Dawson. We ended up being McGraws, and all that really means is determining which side of the theatre you sit and which family you are going to root for during the feud! It's a rousing, entertaining show full of lots of action with ziplines, saws, log rolling, and dog tricks. We had a blast at this show, and I highly recommend it.
Other tips about dining: we ate dinner on the other two nights in Pigeon Forge at
Bennett's BBQ
The Old Mill Restaurant
. Our bill at each of these came to between $30-35. Bennett's was very good. I loved the sticker sheet they give to kids as opposed to the same old coloring sheet you're used to. My kids loved that and used the stickers on themselves to make goofy faces and make the time pass by. The Old Mill Restaurant is located at the
Old Mill District
and was also very good and affordable. Almost every restaurant we ate at, the kids meal came with a dish of ice cream. I really loved how kid-friendly all of the restaurants we went to were, they obviously are used to catering to families in this city and it shows. The Old Mill District is an extremely neat place to walk around and get pictures by the Old Mill. It is the original mill that has been working since 1830. A neat insider's tip: the flour and corn meal used in their food and baking is milled on site to this day. The corn fritters with butter that tasted like syrup were scrumptious! After eating our late afternoon/early dinner, we had a special treat of ice cream at the
Old Mill Creamery
. It was reasonable, as were all of the prices of food I saw-they were all pretty comparable to what I see in Louisville restaurants. After we had our ice cream and watched passers-by in their nice outdoor seating area, we walked into the
Old Mill Pigeon River Pottery
and sat down to watch a potter at work. My daughter thought that was really cool. Be sure to check it out! There is also a neat candy store and toy store and a few other cafes here. Also, eat at one of 17 pancake houses through the strip. We ate at one called Reagan's House of Pancakes. They all seem the same to me!
On our last day, we checked out of our hotel and packed up our van, then headed to do some sightseeing at the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
. What a gorgeous park, with so many hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty and length, and nature to discover. The day we were there was so neat because the temperature kept dropping as we climbed in altitude and we walked around quite a bit at Newfound Gap, which is near the Tennessee/North Carolina border. I recommend driving all the way up to Clingman's Dome, and take in spectacular views from the overlook. There is a lot of history about the Smokies, and we learned how they got their name and a lot about the logging tradition and way of life for families way back when. We actually learned a lot of that throughout the Lumberjack show.
Here is the approximate pricing for adult and child's admission to all of the attractions mentioned (most attractions have free admission for children under age 4) Plus you can save if you buy advance tickets online through individual attraction websites:
Titanic Museum: $22/$11
WonderWorks: $22.99/$14.99
Wonders of Magic: $14.99/$14.99
Wonders of Flight: $15.99/$9.99/3 and under free
Firehouse Golf: $10/$6
The Island: $13/$9/2 and under free
The Track: $48 average for Great Value Pack (rides are on a point system)
Hollywood Wax Museum: $17.95/$8.95
Lumberjack Feud (show only): $26.95/$7.95
As you can see, because we had a tourism V.I.P pass to be able to experience a lot of the attractions in
Pigeon Forge
, we did a lot. I was hoping to experience some of the main museums and report about what was really cool, and honestly, they all were. But I would say for much younger children, The Track or other places like it would be the #1 pick for that age range. For 4-8 years, they'll absolutely love WonderWorks. For kids 9-12 years, all of these are suitable. If you have teens in your family, I think they will also enjoy all of these, plus there are other options like
, indoor skydiving, or
Hannah's Maze of Mirrors
. Your whole family will enjoy the Wonders of Magic. If your family is more of an outdoors/adventure taking family, spend more time at the national park. There are tons of trails and I did hear about this area called
where they do reenactment type of scenes and kids can go swimming in the creeks. They also do bonfires and those types of things as well. Of course, if you like shopping, there are plenty of tourist-y shops along the entire strip, plus the
Tanger Outlets
shopping area right between Sevierville and Pigeon Forge.
Click on the first photograph for a slideshow of highlights!
You won't be bored, trust me. Pigeon Forge is about 3 hours away from Louisville, a very easy drive and very family-friendly. There is a
trolley service
that runs from anywhere along the strip with stops every 15-20 minutes, 9am-midnight everyday. It's $.50 per trip/per person or you can purchase a daily armband for multiple trips for $2.50. We drove everywhere because of our little one, and it's all very navigable. Some good advice to sum up: you can't do everything there is to do in Pigeon Forge the first time you vacation there. We packed in a TON of things to do, but normally we would have done one, (two tops), major attractions a day. One of the travel agents I spoke with about Pigeon Forge told me that most folks who visit Pigeon Forge come three-four times a year. They go for long weekends and keep coming back, and do something different each time they go. Your family can definitely do something different and have new memories each time. We can't wait to go back again!
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text:
Order of skincare application makes big difference
04 June 2014The majority of us apply skincare products on a daily basis, in the hopes of improving the appearance of our skin but have you ever noticed times when your skin still feels dry and patchy, no matter how much moisturiser youve used?The solution for great-looking skin lies in the order of application; get this right and your skin will love you forever. Rule number one is to pay attention to the weight of the various skin products youre using by starting with the lightest product, youll give anything subsequent the chance to penetrate your skin and work its magic. Secondly, use a cleanser. Every skincare routine should begin with the use of cleanser to remove any dirt and unclog pores. That way, youll start with a clean base. Moisturisers and serums tend to be the lightest of all skincare products so these should be applied next. Before applying any more products, you should focus on your eyes apply an eye cream now to give it chance to start working. Regular touch-ups throughout the day can give your skin a refreshing boost, as long as you take into account any make-up. If youre using Acne skincare products however, these should always be applied to a clean base otherwise, any moisturiser or serum will act as a barrier, rendering your Acne product useless. Do you always apply your skincare products in the same order each day? Send us a tweet with what works best for you.


text:
It seems as though our prediction could well be correct with the release date of Watch Dogs being set for May 27, 2014. Ubisoft has today revealed that the Watch Dogs release date is scheduled for May 27 for PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.
Watch Dogs is a brand new IP from Ubisoft, the makers of hit games like Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag and Splinter Cell: Blacklist. The game will hit worldwide on May 27, as per the official press release issued by Ubisoft.
The action-adventure game was originally planned as a launch title for PS4 and Xbox One. But the developers took the decision to delay the game for something better.
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"We are pleased to be able to reveal to gamers all over the world the new release date for Watch Dogs," said Geoffroy Sardin, EMEA Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Ubisoft. "We are extremely confident that the additional time we afforded the dev team to refine and polish the game will be more than worth the wait."
In the meantime, Sony has confirmed that the company will offer Watch Dogs bundles for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 in Europe that include a console and a copy of the game. Moreover, gamers will get an additional 60 minutes of exclusive gameplay on PS3 and PS4 via the PlayStation network.
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Although there were rumors in the past that Ubisoft had scrapped the Wii U edition of the Watch Dogs, but today the publisher reiterated that the Watch Dogs for Wii U "will release at a later date".
Want to know more about the Watch Dogs? Take a look at the recently released trailer video of the game.

Stay tuned to GizBot for more updates!