We went to our local Freedom Festival, we go every year. This year it was a little different. Sure we went around and collected all the branded freebies we wanted. We went to the Children’s activity tent, where Noah was able to make some really cool crafts, since he wasn’t in a stroller anymore. He doesn’t use a stroller anymore which is such a great thing because his stroller was pretty much a pain in times like this when there are a ton of people in a tent full of booths. It was really nice not to have to try and maneuver it while attempting not to smash people while enjoying the events. Noah was able to make a chain of beads that he strung all by himself. It was supposed to be a necklace but he said necklaces are for girls so I made it just a string and attached a car that he colored on to it. He made a foam picture frame that can be put on the fridge. He had a great time.
We were walking and we saw this thing on a truck. I read the banner and it said something about 9/11. I couldn’t figure out what it was, I thought maybe it was a coffin or something because it had a flag draped over it, but it didn’t really look like one. I asked my mom what it was. She knew. It was a part of The World Trade Center. When my brain registered what she said, I just started crying. My body was covered in goosebumps and my hair was standing straight up. I couldn’t speak. I was so overwhelmed with emotion. It was like wow. I didn’t know what to do or say. I just stared at it and thought about all the lives lost, what a tragedy it was and still is. I thought about all the families that lost loved ones. I was just in awe. I have only been to New York once. It was back in 1997 I believe. So, I wasn’t prepared for this. When you go somewhere like Ground Zero, you are prepared for the emotions. You know you are going to be sad. You understand what is going on. I guess when it totally blindsides you like this you just don’t know it’s there.
I can’t get the image out of my head and the great loss it was and is to our country. It was right there, I was seeing it with my own eyes. It wasn’t on TV, or a picture on my computer or a photograph, I could reach out and touch it. It was real. When something tragic happens, it is no doubt sad, but you don’t fully understand how sad until you see it with your own eyes in real life. It solidifies it, and makes it more real. They are building a monument to 9/11 with two pieces of The World Trade Center in downtown Indianapolis. It will resemble The Twin Towers, it looks like it will be a beautiful and amazing tribute to September 11 th and all the lives that were lost.
One of my grandma Rose’s favorite sayings was When the weather’s hot and you sweat a lot and you can’t get ice cream cones it taint no sin to take off your skin and dance around in your bones. Well, it sure is hot, but don’t take your skin off yet because I have some exciting news to share with you. This Saturday July, 2, 2011 is The Walmart Great Ice Cream Social at Super Walmarts all over the country. The Walmart Great Ice Cream Social is a fun event that Walmart holds every year.
We happened to be at Super Walmart last year when they were doing The Walmart Great Ice Cream Social last year and it was a lot of fun. It is sponsored by Nestlé, Edy’s and Dreyers ice cream brands. This year’s star is the Nestlé Lil Drums, which are small snack sized Drumsticks, which are the perfect size for Noah. I am really excited to take part in it this year. I hope you can make it out to The Walmart Great Ice Cream Social at Walmart and tell me how much fun you have. I will be doing a post about it, so make sure you check back, and I can’t wait to sample some ice cream. It’s the perfect summer treat.
Check out if The Walmart Great Ice Cream Social will be at your local Super Walmart HERE.
This shop/project has been compensated as part of a campaign for Nestlé. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Everyone is on Facebook. One of the coolest features besides being able to find old friends and keep in touch with family is the apps. There are so many of them, there is all kinds of games, horoscopes, television apps. I spend quite a bit of time on Facebook talking to my friends and playing some games. I have found some really cool games and some really boring ones that I only played once. I had the opportunity to try out a game on Facebook called A Better World. I really like A Better World because it is a game about doing good deeds. There are so many games online about shooting and fighting, so I love that A Better World is one of those positive games. I think that it could inspire people to do good deeds in real life.
Here is the official press release about A Better World:
A Better World, a Facebook game that rewards players not just for in-game activities but also for real world acts of kindness and expressions of gratitude, has soared to more than 120,000 players.
Popular with women, A Better World, adds a new layer of social activity to casual gaming. Gameplay activities are designed to help everyone who participates feel better about themselves, be supportive of others and make positive choices in their everyday lives. Players also can play mini games with inspirational themes; personalize their own characters and spaces in the game and play with and care for virtual pets.
The game offers more than 15 locations for community members to explore, including the:
• Department of Do Good – A place you can share real world good deeds you’ve performed and see what other members of the community have done
• Gratitude Grotto – A charming area where you can reveal what you are thankful for and express your support for messages left by others
• Sanctuary of Hope – A building where you can communicate your hopes and dreams and send encouragement to other players
• Arcade – A play area with uplifting mini-games to enjoy alone or with friends
• A new feature is the Better Pets Pet Shop, filled with adorable puppies, cute kittens or even a magical unicorn
A Better World was created by ToonUps, a digital entertainment company that has focused on developing digital content that encourages a positive outlook and altruistic behavior for more than a decade.
ToonUps hopes A Better World’s original approach could usher in a new genre of “do good gaming.” Research shows that being encouraged to think about things they are thankful for and doing activities that provide encouragement to others improves their mental, emotional and spiritual well being.
I enjoyed playing A Better World. It was really cool to see my friends houses were in my neighborhood. We are so far away in real life it is pretty neat that we are so close together in the game. I don’t have to hunt for them, they are all there. I had fun designing my character. I normally make characters to look like me. So, no crazy hair or outfits for me, I found an outfit that was similar to something I own. I even named my character Sheila. I have spent some time looking around the game and I really like the message and how much fun it is. It did take me a little bit to figure out the game. I must have hit invite friends a half a dozen times, when I didn’t want to invite anyone at that time. I hope you check it out and let me know what you think.
I was given the opportunity to share my thoughts and opinions on A Better World. I received a gift card as a thank you for my participation. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
