Covid19, Casinos, and Me.

Since the start of the lock down, as well as COVID19 spreading, I've pretty much kept myself home except to go out for groceries. Where I live we have 6 people residing; three of us are working, and three of us are not. We've all gone through the same thing, who is an essential worker, who isn't... Why is unemployment not coming? Where is our relief check. We're all in this together.

Yesterday my family and I met up together; we live 40 miles apart roughly. We decided to try and adventure to a store to go look at some clothing for my Mom. Burlington Coat Factory was completely empty with nothing but baron shelves on each aisle. It was downright eerie. So, instead of going to another store, we drove to get lunch at the local casino and boy was it an adventure!

Fun fact. At the Nugget Casino in Sparks, and many others in the area, you've got to get your temperature taken before they will let you in the building. I had made a joke to the security officer about it "feels like I'm in prison" or something along those lines, and he jokingly laughed back "put your hands behind your back." Which, even now I realize, was probably a poor joke in my taste. I admit it. However, it was very strange.

Casinos in Sparks, and even Nevada alone are almost always bustling with people, the sounds of the machines, people coughing from smoking, drunk people making noise and even people coming and going to Starbucks. It's FILLED WITH NOISE. Not that day. It was completely quiet. We walked through the casino and it was like a ghost town. Everyone however was wearing their masks at the state has now made it where EVERYONE is required to wear masks according to RGJ.

Say Bye Bye to Summertime Blues With These 10 Activities

1. Go on day trips to somewhere local, or within 50 miles in distance. Try AroundMe app

2. Take a trip to the local Library

3. Cook a new recipe together. (Try something from Betty Crocker to Taste of Home)

10 Reasons to be a Girl Scout

The Girl Scouts were founded by Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low on March 12, 1912 when she brought together a group of 18 girls in Savannah, Georgia. With the goal of bringing isolated girls into the world these scouts would not only help with their community, but these girls hiked, played sports, and went on camping trips as well.

As the Girl Scout organization grew, more young women learned what it meant to be a true scout. There are now over 59 million women in the United States that are alumnae according to their official website.  This number continues to grow each year as young girls join every year in order to form friendships, help their community and live by the Girl Scout Promise and the Girl Scout Law.

Seeing as I am a former Girl Scout myself, I can say that there are many benefits to being a part of such a wonderful organization. Below I’ve included 10 things I have learned from being a GS, and the things little girls all over can learn from being a part of this organization.

Homemade Playdough Recipes are Fun!

I've decided to create a new series of blog posts for every Saturday called, Save It Saturday. I'm hoping I will be able to keep up this tradition by linking up to other blog posts of things I think are great and should be shared.

This week I found a great easy homemade playdough recipe online, while working on something else related to projects with play dough, I stumbled upon these great ideas. This week I'm putting down two, but that's only because I think both could be used together and create a ton of family fun.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom. Can you believe you're the big 50? I know we have our differences, and I know sometimes we might have our mother daughter fights, but I know you're always there for me too. I know today is going to be a great day and you're not going to feel a day older. Even if you are, I won't tell! Anyway this post is about you, and I wanted to share a picture of me and my Mom to the world.

Happy Birthday Mom. 

I love you.

Have Fun with the Family this Winter Season

Winter weather have your family feeling down? No problem! With the following family activities the entire family can play together and avoid those winter blues. Each of these activities requires a family of at least two or more and a few around the home items. From an indoor sandbox to a cookie contest, members of the family at any age can enjoy the time spent with each other as well as have some fun without the sun.

Build an indoor sand box for the little ones in the family to enjoy. This is a fun activity that can be done inside the home with ease and only a few sensitivities. Fill an inflatable pool or plastic storage bin with oatmeal or rice and place plastic shovels and buckets inside. This is great for smaller children who really enjoy sand play. This will give them the idea of being at the beach and with the help of a older sibling or parents they can imagine they are at the beach.

Credit: stockimages

Have an indoor movie night that involves family movie favorites such as Toy Story and Mary Poppins. Make your favorite movie snacks for everyone, or try making some healthy movie snacks instead. No matter what the movie is gather the family together in the living room and have a great time. If the weather permits going out for a movie is also an option while there are many family choices that come out during the holiday season.

Another great option on how to enjoy the winter weather together and have a family activity is by hosting a cookie baking contest. Each member of the family or groups of two can make their favorite cookies, and they can be judged by an outside party. A trip to the store may be necessary to pick up essential baking needs for each set of cookies. If there are smaller children pair them with the older children so they have help mixing dough, and putting cookies in and out of the oven.

As it can be seen from the above activities, the sun is not a requirement to have fun with the family and enjoy each others company. Staying inside and playing with items that have been around the home since summer and warmer seasons makes it easy to bring the family together for bonding and give everyone their own special treats. Stay warm this winter inside and out and have fun with your family.

Family Date Night Ideas

When living the family life it can be hard to find time to go out on a romantic date with your significant other, well that doesn't have to happen any longer with fun and romantic date nights that both the kids and adults can enjoy. Take in to account things that your children and you two as a couple will enjoy. These dates can be a variety of things, but included below are four top notch family date night ideas that will get you out on the romantic night of your dreams, and satisfy your children's fun and crazy side, so everybody wins.

Movie night

When it comes to having a date together with your significant other sometimes it can be hard to think of something romantic to do while the two of you are at home with the kids. Well, this is where a movie night is a wonderful choice. The two of you can pick out a family appropriate romantic comedy, or a family film that everyone can enjoy. By getting favorite snacks and giving the kids the option to lay on the floor on their favorite blankets, and pillows to watch a movie while the adults are on the couch, you two can snuggle close together and the kids can eat their snacks, talk among each other and watch the movie. 

Arcade

The arcade isn't only for the children anymore but for the adults too.  By going to the arcade for a date night, you and your significant other can have fun and play games like air hockey together. The arcade may offer games that the children can win tickets for prizes, and the adults can even do so to. Maybe your significant other might want to be romantic and win you the biggest teddy bear that night. The arcade depending on where it is, might even offer live entertainment or a circus act like The Circus Circus Hotel and Casino.

Make a Pizza night 

Pizza night is a great family date for the whole family, but rather then ordering in or baking a frozen pizza this time make your own pizza from scratch. With a raw dough from the grocery store that needs to be rolled out, or flour tortillas for mini pizzas, this is an easy thing to do and provide fun for the whole family. Get everyone's favorite ingredients for pizza, pepperoni,

shredded mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, etc etc, and make it a team effort. You and the significant others, and the kids can make their own together. Follow a recipe on how to make pizza from scratch, and you will be set to have this fun and adventurous night.

These are examples of how to have a date night that the entire family can enjoy and have a good time together.