The Insanity of Black Friday

Well we’ve survived another Thanksgiving, this year.  While the rest of the family was all snug in their beds, I was still wound up and wide awake when midnight rolled around.  I decided to venture out into the scary world that is known as Black Friday.  I thought to myself, I live in a small town there shouldn’t be too many people out… right?  WRONG!  Boy did I get a wake up call.  Not only was our Walgreens not open (is ours the only non 24 hour walgreens?), but Toys R Us was like insane.  I drove around and around in the parking lot, which was packed to the brim to find a spot.  I finally found one about 1 block away, parked and started the hike up to the store.  I swear the entire town was packed into that TRU.  When I walked in, there was a line of people waiting to check out, that line wrapped from the door all the way to the back of the store and then around again to the front.  The wait was more than 1.5 hours just to check out!  I couldn’t believe it.  I couldn’t even get through anyone to be able to shop.  I somehow made my way back out of the store, but not before getting practically run down by two people with shopping carts.

Before I went to TRU I had looked at their ad, and there really was nothing so terribly exciting that everyone was packed in there so bad!  Most all of the advertised items could still be had online via their website, or amazon and even walmart.  It is so not worth it to save a nickel and dime and have to fight those crowds.

If it was this bad here, I hate to think of what it’s like in a City atmosphere.   I learned my lesson and won’t be venturing out later today either.  I’ll enjoy shopping in my pajamas without the headache!

Take my poll and share what you’re doing this Black Friday:

Add a comment November 27, 2009

Zhu Zhu Pets Fun Game Ap

Zhu Zhu Pets fever continues with it’s newest release of a fun game ap.   I am lucky enough to have an Iphone and was able to take advantage of the fun with this ap.  At $1.99 it is a very reasonably priced game for anyone to download.

You play as Mr. Squiggles on a search for his other Zhu Zhu Pet friends and to bring them home safely.  The Goal is to find the big checkpoint flag at the end of each level.  Collect veggies and fruit for points, dodge pests and avoid the traps.  finish the level fast enough and you will move onto the bonus round and a chance to get more points.

The levels include:

Zhu Zhu Living Room part one (this is the training or practice course)

Zhu Zhu Living Room Part Two

-level 1

-level 2

-level 3

Zhu Zhu Garden

-level 1

-level 2

-level 3

Cliff

-level 1

-level 2

-level 3

Tube City

-level 1

-level 2

-level 3

I’ve only played the game twice so far but have only reached level 3 in Tube City.  I believe that might be the last level of the game but I need to beat it to be certain.  I’ll update with a screen shot once I’ve been able to beat it.

Below are some screen shots I’ve taken from game play.

I’ve already found a couple of problems or issues with the ap, such as when you go to “level select” and then you choose a level it goes to a blank screen no matter which level you choose.  Also if you choose to continue a game that has ended, it goes to a blank screen as well.

What I feel this game is lacking:

Since Mr. Squiggles is searching for Num Nums and the other hamsters, I would love to actually see them being found instead of just a message saying that I’ve found them.  Children who can’t read yet don’t know that they’ve found them or not.

Over all I’d rate this game 2 1/2 stars out of 4.

Add a comment November 18, 2009

Sneak Peek of Zhu Zhu Pets Woodland Animals!

Continuing from my last blog post, the wonderful Zhu Zhu Pets website www.zhuzhupets.com recently released a very sneaky sneak peek of upcoming Zhu Zhu Pets that may be released next year.   They include some adorable woodland animals.  They appear to be a beaver, bunny, chipmunks, racoon, skunk and hedgehog or porcupine.   I’ve captured a few screen shots of the very fast movie and would like to share them here.   No need to not blink this time.  Take your time.

I am in love with the bunny!  BTW I’ve seen a lot of rumors floating around the web that Gold Crown Hallmark stores may be getting an exclusive Zhu Zhu Pets bunny in March for Spring time.   What a great Spring/Easter gift that would make.

Watch for more updates as I learn more and for the sneak peek of upcoming outfits & other pets.

Add a comment November 17, 2009

Zhu Zhu Pets Playsets Sneak Peek

After a very busy weekend that continued into Monday, I’m back.  I was so excited to see the newest sneak peak of Zhu Zhu Pets on their official website:  www.zhuzhupets.com.  It most certainly was a “sneaky” peak though, since those hamsters go so quick it makes sense they would talk & show fast too.

I however was able to capture a few screen shots to show off some of the amazing playset products that will hopefully debut next year!

Don’t worry about blinking this time, because you can take your time.

My favorites have to be the Baby Stroller, Pizza Parlor & Airport, but I really love them all.

Stay tuned for more sneak peeks, including chipmunks, other animals and outfits.

Add a comment November 17, 2009

Are these a sneak peek at the Upcoming Zhu Zhu Pets?

So as my Zhu Zhu Pet saga continues, I was browsing the web for some info on the upcoming baby hamsters we see on the back of some packages.   I came across a very interesting site and noticed something even more interesting!

I found the babies, and upcoming dress up outfits for a pre-sale online.  Also I noticed something very different about some of the models for the outfits.  Not all of them look like hamsters!

Take a close look:

Do all of these look like hamsters to you?   They don’t to me.

Who is the Princess?  No hamster we’ve seen yet has that long of a tail and stripes on the face.  Could this possibly be a Chipmunk?

What about the scuba diver, he has a black nose.  None of the hamsters have black noses, they are all pink.  Could this possibly be a ground hog or another woodland creature?

Pretty interesting!

These are all being Pre-Saled on the following website for $51.99 for what is called a case, I believe to be one of each outfit.   It says they are to be released in January.  Plus it says they are subject to change, so I wonder how they are preselling them.  Very interesting.

http://www.entertainmentearth.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MPA86660A

Personally, I will wait until they come out in the store to decide if I want to buy them or not.

Add a comment November 13, 2009

Happy Friday the 13th!

I didn’t even notice that today was Friday the 13th until someone mentioned it online today.  I’m very happy because 13 is my lucky number (and has been ever since I was little).  Normally the 13th of each month is lucky for me but Friday the 13th is almost always Very Lucky for me.

There are some interesting facts from the 13 Wiki.

“

Lucky 13

In Sikhism, the number 13 is considered a special number since 13 is tera in Punjabi, which also means “yours” (as in, “I am yours, O Lord”). The legend goes that when Guru Nanak Dev was taking stock of items as part of his employment with a village merchant, he counted from 1 to 13 (in Punjabi) as one does normally; and thereafter he would just repeat “tera”, since all items were God’s creation. The merchant confronted Guru Nanak about this, but found everything to be in order after the inventory was checked. April 13 also usually turns out to be Vaisakhi every year, which is the Sikh New Year and the major Sikh Holiday.

Several successful sports figures have worn the number 13. Ozzie Guillén, manager of the 2005 World Series Champion Chicago White Sox, has worn the number throughout his baseball career. Alex Rodriguez began wearing it upon joining the New York Yankees (three, the number he had previously worn, is retired by the Bronx Bombers to honor Babe Ruth). Dan Marino, an American football player known for passing the 2nd most yards in NFL history, wore the number 13. Basketball great Wilt Chamberlain wore the number 13 on his jersey throughout his NBA career. Also, FIBA rules require a player to wear the number in international competitions (only numbers from 4 to 15 could be worn, and as there are 12 players, one must wear 13); Chris Mullin, who wore #20 in college and #17 in the NBA, wore #13 for both (1984 and 1992) of his Olympic appearances. Shaquille O’Neal wore #13 in 1996, Tim Duncan wore #13 in 2004, Steve Nash is currently wearing it for the Phoenix Suns, Yao Ming wore it in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and Mats Sundin and Bill Guerin wear 13 in the NHL. One of Iceland’s all time best handball players, Sigurður Sveinsson, wore the number 13 when he played for the national team. In association football, both Gerd Müller and Michael Ballack have favoured the number 13, among others.

In Italy, 13 is also considered to be a lucky number, although in Campania the expression ‘tredici’ (meaning 13) is said when one considers their luck to have turned for the worse.

Colgate University also considers 13 to be a lucky number. They were founded in 1819 by 13 men with 13 dollars, 13 prayers, and 13 articles. (To this day, members of the Colgate community consider the number 13 a good omen.) In fact, the campus address is 13 Oak Drive in Hamilton, NY and the all men a cappella group is called the Colgate 13.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13_%28number%29

So I’m not the only one who has 13 as being lucky!

Take my poll and share what you feel about Friday the 13th:

Add a comment November 13, 2009

Tips on How to Find Zhu Zhu Pets at a Low Price!

Tips on How to Find Zhu Zhu Pets for a Low Price!

Continue Reading 1 comment November 12, 2009

Zhu Zhu Pets Homemade Outfits & Accessories

We are still more than a week away from Thanksgiving and yet thoughts turn to Christmas Shopping already.  People all over Twitter, eBay, blogs and forums are talking about the hottest toy of this season, Zhu Zhu Pets.

I myself have fallen hook line and sinker for the soft, interactive, lovable hamsters.   Of course my daughter loves them too.

DD loves to dress up and as the outfits for the Zhu Zhu Pets have not been released yet, I decided to make a few myself.  I am somewhat handy with a needle and hand sewing.

My first try was making a dress with Minnie mouse on it and a pair of Mickey Ears for Num Nums (DD’s favorite ZZP)

I had seen many outfits that others had made on eBay, but most of them said they would not allow the hamster to run around still and were only for dress up purposes.  What is the fun of that?  With my outfit, I specifically designed it to stay on and allow the hamster perfect movement.

My daughter simply loves this outfit I made.   I also didn’t really like the itty bitty blanket that came along with the carrier.  I decided to also make a reversible, Disney Princess blanket in a better size for Num Nums.

This was just my first attempt, and I have a few more ideas of more outfits/accessories to make.    I’ll share them as I create.

Add a comment November 12, 2009

Hello Wide World of the Web!

This is my very first blind stab at a blog.  I have had so many things on my mind that I’ve wanted to share with others and now I have an outlet.  WordPress as I use my keyboard as my microphone, you are my speaker on to the world!

About me:  I am first a Wife & Mother.  I’m an old soul.

My hobbies include: Collecting vintage toys (80′s mostly), Collecting 1904 World’s fair items, Collecting vintage cookbooks & Pyrex kitchenwares (which I use!), sewing, doing crafts, cooking & baking, drawing, watching classic movies, going overboard for every Holiday, I love animals too.  Plus so many other things I may later list.

Add a comment November 10, 2009

zhu zhu pets

Many of you have heard about the newest Hot Holiday Toy craze for this year, Zhu Zhu Pets.  If you have not heard of them yet, you must not have kids.  The closer we get to Christmas, I’m sure the more you’ll hear!

You can check out what these fuzzy little interactive toys are all about here at their official website: www.zhuzhupets.com

Since my daughter saw them advertised on Disney Channel, I had thought they would make a good Holiday gift for her.  I went looking for them and found out they are sold out everywhere!

I’ve joined in the frenzy officially as of this past weekend.  Walmart had them advertised as being on sale for $8.00 starting this past Sunday.  Online forums said people would be lining up on Sat. night for them to be released at 12:01 am Sunday morning.   As I am lucky enough to live out in a rural area, one of my Walmarts was very quiet.  I was there at 11:30 pm on Saturday and was the 1st and only one waiting for Zhu Zhu Pets.   That was very lucky since they only got in 2 boxes, each box with only 4 pets.   Walmart limited 2 hamsters per customer.   I was able to buy my two, but you wouldn’t believe how the associate treated them and me.   I asked her to show me the different colors so I could choose and she wouldn’t let me hold them or touch them to look at them.  I guess she thought I was going to grab them and run all the way through and out of the store LOL!  She acted as if these $8.00 toys were made of solid gold.  What a joke.

There are a lot of people who did have to compete with others for these and had long lines.  Another great blog only about Zhu Zhu Pets is from a Twitter friend of mine, ZhuZhuHunters her blog is here: http://zhuzhupetshunters.blogspot.com/

Let me know what your experiences were and if you’re searching for them for this coming Holiday season.

1 comment November 10, 2009