I talk about everything that comes to mind in everyday life from parenting issues, Celtic jewelry, shopping, and everything else that shows up in my life like holidays.
For months now all my son and husband have talked about was Star Wars the Old Republic. They both had their pre-orders in as soon as they could. They were on the Star Wars the Old Republic website and forums every single day. I knew more about the Star Wars MMORPG then I ever expected.
I think the last 6 months were all about Star Wars. The countdown to the release was even more important than Christmas. Fortunately they both got to be part of the Beta testing, which they enjoyed immensely. As a result they became even more enthralled by Star Wars the Old Republic.
We have two copies of the game, and two brand new laptops to play the game on. It was a Star Wars the Old Republic Christmas in our house. I even made them wait until Christmas to open their laptops, though they had been playing the game for several weeks at that point – thanks to beta testing and early access.
They are now part of the V Squad. At first the idea of being part of a guild was not something my husband was interested in. When we played Lord of the Rings we had some bad experiences with guilds more interested in getting their numbers up then the actual members. Update - my husband has changed servers. He will be creating his own guild - We are not a guild, guild. If you are interested in joining please contact Fenwolf on the East Coast server - the Jedi Covenent.
There have been days when it has been difficult to pry them away from the game. It is addictive. Huttball is a lot of fun. Though right now Fenwolf (my hubby) is playing Huttball and is getting his butt handed to him. Usually he does ok, but today, even though teams are created by random, it seems to be high level players against lower levels. Just the way things go.
So far the only main issue is the lag time. It has been frustrating players. As Fenwolf said, what is the point of upgrading to better computers if you have to reduce your graphic quality to low just to keep the graphics from lagging? Hopefully that will be fixed sooner than later. (Update was done Dec. 29 that seems to fix the lag)
Fenwolf has some of the Datacron locations. I will be listing them once they are confirmed to help out people playing Star Wars the Old Republic.
I hope everyone is enjoying the game as much as my family is.
I would love to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
I hope that things are better next year.
I am tired of seeing people go hungry in a world of plenty. And I am not just talking about people being affected by droughts and other natural causes. I am talking about poverty right here, and all over the world. People go hungry every day, most of them children. I hope that this next year people don’t let other people go hungry.
I also want the adults to have jobs and be able to take care of themselves and their children, and for those with jobs, and are still living in poverty, that they get a raise or better paying jobs. I know, more people are looking for work then there are jobs, but maybe that will change this year.
I want children to stop killing themselves or others. Bullying is bad, and kills. I want children to find help, or a place where they are safe and feel safe. I don’t want them to kill themselves to get away from it. I don’t want them to kill others to make it stop. I don’t want bullies taking it to the next level and killing their victims.
I would love to see people being less angry and more caring. I don’t know when people started being angry most of the time, but it would be nice to see people being more accepting, and less angry. If we accept others for who they are, we have no reason to be angry because they are different. At the same time I don’t want people letting themselves be taken advantage of because they are trying to be more caring. I guess it’s a fine line of protecting yourself and being able to care for others. I want there to be a healthy balance in every ones lives.
Most importantly I want people to enjoy their lives and the people in it instead of having to worry about having a roof over their heads, food to eat or a safe place to stay.
May your Christmas be Merry, and next year full of love, security and safety.
In that last few years we have held events to collect non-perishable food items for Hamilton food share. This year we are also collecting unwrapped toys for the CHML toy drive. This year we are holding two events, a Christmas gift and craft show during the day and a Concert and Dance during the night. Please come out and join us Dec. 17, 2011 in Hamilton and help us raise lots of food and toys for girls and boys in need. Christmas is a time to give, and enjoy time with friends and family. The Craft show has wonderful gifts and crafts, and is a wonderful opportunity to find just the right thing for the people on your Christmas list, though you will be tempted to pick up a few things for yourself. The concert and dance is a great time waiting to happen, have a fun night out and support Hamilton Food Share and CHML toy drive.
We Care to Share Christmas Gift and Craft Show:
Door fee, we are collecting non-perishable food for Hamilton Food Share and unwrapped toys for CHML at the door.
Location: ACCA Center
754 Barton St. East, Hamilton
Doors are open from 10 am to 5 pm
The Christmas gift and craft show will officially end at 5 pm however there will be a music concert/show that evening. Tickets for We Care to Share Christmas concert available at the Christmas Gift and Craft Show.
Vendors with crafts and unique gift items
1st Mount Albion Pathfinders and Ranger - Hand knitted items, fleece scarves, chocolate Mint Cookies, Christmas Crafts, Kernels Popcorn, Gifts in Jars, soup and baking, handmade Christmas cards and more.
Mar-Lee Enterprises Inc - Tarot readings, hand crafted dowsing rods, pendulums, angels, jewellery, books and calendars in support of the Erland Lee (museum) home.
Sharon Tousignant - handcrafted wood gift items and works of art, crochet.
Kynk Naturals - fair trade organic Shea Butter & other handcrafted personal care products.
Allie Kat Originals - Michelle of Allie Kat Originals designs and crates beautiful hand-crafted bridal jewellery that can be customized to enhance any bridal gown or coordinate with any style and colour of the wedding party and theme of the wedding. Michelle also designs fun, fancy and fashionable everyday fashion jewellery, perfect for every occasion. Allie Kat Originals are high quality at a very affordable price.
PeachieBeads - PeaschieBeads is a green company with jewellery designed and created to giving new life to unwanted jewellery. Very unique jewellery.
Karen Cooke - giftware, toys, games and handcrafted items.
Meghan Candler - Crocheted hats ranging from size newborn to adult as well as crocheted photo props.
Country, Rock, R and B, Reggae and Calypso Christmas Concert and Dance
We Care to Share 2nd Annual Reggae Christmas Concert on December 17th, 2011 at 754 Barton St. E. Hamilton, Ontario. Doors open at 6 pm.
Christmas is a time to give and receive. A unique night out to enjoy live music and support Hamilton Food Share and the CHML toy drive - Bring a non-perishable food item or new unwrapped toy and you receive $5.00 off the door admittance.
This list is of the top Star Wars Christmas or Birthday gift ideas put together by a Star Wars fan, my husband. My husband’s Birthday is only two weeks after Christmas, so we get him to make only one list for both. Now he does have a list with things on it that are not Star Wars, I think there is three things on it. I know he only looked at one website, but that is fine. If you find the perfect gift for your Star Wars fan on this gift list still shop around, you may be able to find it in a local store or other websites. I did not do any price comparisons, this is just a Star Wars gift idea list. I was just going to put the links, titles and pictures but decided the descriptions and video's are needed. Enjoy! I had a blast (no pun intended) putting this together once my husband gave me the list.
The Star Wars Cookbook is loaded with different types of inter-galactic recipes: drinks, breakfasts, main courses, desserts, and more. Age is no issue when it comes to Star Wars cuisine - kids as well as adults will have a great time with this book.
◦60 wipe clean pages with over 25 recipes
◦Recipes include: Greedo's Burritos, Twin Sun Toast, Tusken Raider Taters, and more!
◦Concealed wire-O binding - so each page lays flat while you cook
◦Includes 13 foil stickers to label your completed creations
•Gourmet whole bean coffee hand roasted by Stormtroopers
•Perfect for Dark Lords of the Sith... or your friends and loved ones
•Spicy undertones with smoky, dark-roasted complexity
•Coffee blend is comprised of coffees from Africa and Indonesia. Even though these are not certified fair trade, they are specialty-grade coffees which means that droid farmers receive a higher price/pound, compared to exchange-grade coffees.
•Officially licensed Star Wars product designed by ThinkGeek
•Officially licensed Lucasfilm products, made with love by ThinkGeek
•Included in the set: Vader's Dark Side Roast Coffee, Hoth Cocoa, or Dagobah Green Tea
•Vader's Dark Side Roast Coffee:
◦Gourmet coffee hand roasted and ground by Stormtroopers
◦Spicy undertones with smoky, dark-roasted complexity
◦Coffee blend is comprised of coffees from Africa and Indonesia. Even though these are not certified fair trade, they are specialty-grade coffees which means that droid farmers receive a higher price/pound, compared to exchange-grade coffees.
◦Each can contains 3 oz of ground coffee
•Dagobah Green Tea:
◦Loose leaf blend of Green Pu Erh, White Peony, and Matcha
◦Ideal steeping time is 2 - 3 minutes
◦Each tin contains 1 oz of tea leaves, enough for 14 cups
•Hoth Cocoa:
◦Blended from deep-roasted cocoa beans, sugar, unsweetened chocolate, and real vanilla
◦Each bag contains 8 oz of cocoa mix, enough for 4 - 5 cups
Star Wars Lightsaber Ice Pop
Each Star Wars Lightsaber Ice Pop set comes with four saber hilts: two Luke and two Vader. Just add juice (or any delicious liquid) to the mold, stick on the hilts, and pop the whole shebang in your freezer for 4 hours. Run a little warm water over the mold and the full saber can be removed. Activate your saber's LED for a light up treat that screams awesome and tasty all at once. Included is a recipe book with wonderful flavors to try, like "Chewbapple," "Ponda Berry," "C-3POrange," and Admiral Ackbar's favorite: "It's a Grap(e)!" It's always time for Jedi refreshment when you have some Star Wars Lightsaber Ice Pops. May the force-icle be with you
With the press of a button on the concealed speaker box, the Death Star begins the firing sequence. You'll hear the deep hum of the superlaser powering up, then the background chatter of Empire technicians preparing to fire, finally a massive blast is let forth with light and sound effects. Crank the volume for even greater effect; this is one of the loudest shirts in the galaxy.
This kit has everything you need to construct a lightsaber and mount it on your wall. Choose from 8 awesome color effects, plus auto-spectrum using the remote control!
•For Ages 6 and Up (with help from a friendly grown-up)
•WARNING: SMALL PARTS - Not intented for children under 3 years of age.
•Awesome lightsaber room light with sound effects and remote control
•Construct and display a lightsaber room light with this kit
•Learn about electronics and how lightsabers work
•Mounts to the wall
•Over 25" long!
•Choose from 8 color effects plus auto-spectrum
•Remote control for easy on/off from anywhere in the room
Every boy is different, but there are some common gift ideas that most boys between 7 and 9 would like to receive. The good thing about kids between 7 and 9, they usually are more than willing to let us know what they would like for their Birthday or Christmas.
1. This year video games, computer games and game consoles are on the top of most boys 7 to 9 Christmas or birthday gift lists. The Wii and Xbox Kinect are both popular this year. Hand held game systems are also popular such as Nintendo 3DS. The real problem I have is not finding the games boys 7 to 9 want as Christmas or birthday gifts, but finding ones that are ok to give to them. They seem to want games that are rated for 10+, 13+ and even 18+.
Top video games are going to depend on the system or console they have. On computers the new Star Wars The Old Republic MMORPG is being released Dec. 20, 2012. Star Wars has been popular for generations. So both parents and children are interested in Star Wars - The Old Republic MMORPG. Even though this game is not considered a children’s game many parents are buying it for their children and getting them monthly subscriptions. There are many guilds that include family groups. Kids and parents are both playing. I have been lucky enough to see the game being played by my husband and son as part of the beta testing. From what I have seen the game is amazing, and does the Star Wars legacy proud. However, if children are playing it they may need a parents help unless they are already experienced MMORPG players. You may be able to control what your children do, but you cannot control the other players your kids may come across. Fortunately the game is set up so that kids and adults alike can play in a player verses environment instead of player versus player environment.
The Wii always has several popular games available. I do think that The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword is going to be a big hit this year. The limited edition bundle with the special Wii remote will probably be extremely popular. Any and all of the Lego Wii games are popular. The Harry Potter 5 -7 will be popular, but I think more because it is a Lego Wii game then because it is a Harry Potter game. Happy Feet Two: The Videogame looks like a lot of fun and so does Puss in Boots. Jaws Ultimate Predator is for teens. Many boys may have this on their Christmas or birthday gift list because they love anything to do with sharks. This has a Teen rating for a reason and should be checked out by the parent before ever letting their son play it. Though I can clearly see why it would be popular with 7 to 9 year old boys.
Xbox Kinect has many games that are of interest. However, Halo is still the game boys seem to want. I think it is too old for them, but for some reason it is very popular with 7 to 9 year olds who have been shown the game. I know my son has been asking for two years to get an Xbox so he can play Halo. There are quite a few other games on the Xbox that 7 to 9 year olds, and older, boys have on their birthday and Christmas gift lists.
2. Hot Wheels wall tracks have got to be one of the more popular toys for boys 7 to 9 this year. They are great, with a starter set and two extra expansion kits. The best part is that they can be moved around, be put up, taken down and put up again. It even looks like it can be easily set up and taken down. I think they are perfect for people with limited room. I know my son loves Hot Wheels. This would be perfect for him. It looks like a lot of fun, and the best part is there is no real clean up when he is done. The cars get put away, and the track stays where it is, up off the floor for the most part. It is not all over the place and because it is on the wall it is less likely that parts are going to go missing.
3. Lightsabers are still big with 7 to 9 year olds. There are new lightsabers out ever year, usually just in time for Christmas. With the popularity of Star Wars it is not surprising that Lightsabers are on many Christmas and birthday gift lists.
4. Lego. The joy of Lego is that there are so many different kits that you can find one for just about any kid. You can find theme items like Star Wars, Ninjas, Cars, Transformers and just about anything else in Lego. There are castles, dragons and even pirate ships. It is difficult not to find a great Christmas or birthday gift in Lego. Also when kids have a lot of kits they can always use the basic box of Lego to build even more stuff. This year the hottest Lego Christmas gift are the Lego advent calendars, the Lego City Advent Calendar and the Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar both have a lot to offer. However, they are going quick. If you want a Lego Advent Calendar you need to buy it early.
5. Yu Gi Oh and other collector or game cards are still popular. There are always new collector game cards coming out. Always check with kids which cards they are into now. It seems to change in the blink of an eye. Also some boys will not be interested in cards anymore, even though they were asking for them just a few weeks ago. My son and his friends still play Yu Gi Oh and have not moved on to the “newest” cards. There is a Wii Yu Gi Oh game out, Yu Gi Oh 5D’s Duel Transer. This came out last year and can be found on sale. It can still make a great Christmas or Birthday gift for boys who love Yu Gi Oh and have a Wii.
6. Bayblade Metal Masters is creating new interest in Bayblades. Bayblades Metal Fusion is becoming more popular again, now that they have the TV show and real live Beyblade battle competitions. There is a huge variety of Bayblade Metal Fusion toys available.
7. Bakugan is still popular. It combines a toy and cards in the game. There are always new cards and actual Bakugan. However, I have noticed a decrease in popularity. I am not sure how much longer this toy/game is going to last. I do think that Bayblades are becoming more popular.
8. Though many boys 7 to 9 may not admit it, Build a Bear is still fun.
I am sure I will come up with more great Birthday and Christmas gifts for boys 7 to 9. Right now Star Wars is the biggest thing in my home. For others families it will be Transformers or other themes. I do find it interesting how many children are being given the new cell phones. They are really mini handheld computers. People like them because they can load music and movies onto them, or go online and play games. I can see that it is like having a phone, hand held game system, computer, camera, GPS tracker and more all in one. I know my son is not ready for one, but some 7 to 9 year olds are.
