Everybody’s Fine – Movie Review

March 5th, 2010
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Everybody's FineEverybody’s Fine, stars Robert Deniro, Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale, and Sam Rockwell.

This movie is about a Dad with four grown kids who have moved away from home…scattered across the country.

The Dad, played by Robert Deniro, had planned on getting all the kids together for the holidays, but none of the kids could make it.

So, Deniro decides to travel across the country to visit each one individually.

The movie follows Deniro across the country to visit his children only to get the impression that they are too busy to enjoy his company.

When in reality they are all hiding something from him..!

This movie, Everybody’s Fine, was a slow paced movie, but it did leave me wanting to see what would happen next.  It left me hoping that the next kid would have time to spend with their Dad.

And in the end, you will definitely be shocked by the surprises and secrets that are revealed.

As a Dad, it also made me think about how I want my son to think of me when he gets older.  Am I doing everything right?  Am I too hard on him?  Am I too easy?  All of these themes come up in the movie and it is interesting to see how their interaction with their father as a kid affected their lives as an adult.

Everybody’s Fine is available on DVD.  It’s a good movie to watch on a Friday night with your wife after the kids go to bed!  Pop some popcorn, cuddle up on the couch, and enjoy!

Disclaimer:  The DVD, Everybody’s Fine, was supplied, as a sample for review on this website.

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Posted in: Movies |
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Colgate 360 ActiFlex

March 5th, 2010
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Colgate 360 Actiflex

I’ve never been one to buy the “fancy” toothbrush.  I mean how much better could one be from the other?  I usually just use the one I get from the dentist…nothing fancy…just a handle and some bristles.

The Colgate® 360°® ActiFlex toothbrush was sent to me to review.  I received two different types.  One vibrated and the other was just a “manual” brush.

After trying out both brushes, I have to say that I am impressed with how well these brushes clean my teeth!  They just feel exceptionally clean…

The bristles are not too hard, nor are they too soft.

The angle of the brush makes it easy to reach every part of my mouth…and the tongue scrubber is the cat’s pajamas!

Did you know that when you are sick and brush your teeth that it is possible for the germs to live on your toothbrush?  And then after you are feeling better it is possible to get sick again…from brushing your teeth?

Quoted from the Reader’s Digest:

You think your toothbrush gets your teeth clean–and it does. But once you’ve finished brushing, it can be a breeding ground for germs. Most dentists recommend you change your toothbrush every two to three months. It’s also a good idea to replace it after you’ve had a cold or flu to prevent reinfection.

Source: http://www.readersdigest.ca/health/cms/xcms/7-ways-to-avoid-getting-sick_3522_a.html

So, the next time you change your toothbrush, why not try something a little different?  Try the Colgate® 360°® ActiFlex…I was pleasantly surprised with it’s performance…

and here are a few more facts:

Colgate® 360°® ActiFlex Toothbrush – Product Benefits

  • Colgate® 360°® ActiFlex has a unique flexible action that cleans in all directions for a healthier whole mouth clean
  • Colgate® 360°® toothbrushes remove more oral bacteria than a regular manual toothbrush.
  • The cheek & tongue cleaner removes bacteria from teeth, tongue, cheek and gums
  • Colgate® 360°® Actiflex is available in new vibrant shades of blue, green, pink and yellow

Disclaimer:  The Colgate® 360°® ActiFlex toothbrushes were sent to me as product samples to review on this web site.

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Posted in: Dental, Hygiene |
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Slippery When Wet!

February 12th, 2010
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ShavingSystem-aI shave.  I shave a lot.  It takes me a while to do a good job and not miss any spots.  Especially on my big ole’ noggin!  :D

One problem with not being able to see what you are shaving(the back of my head) is that I have to go over it a few dozen times to get everything.

This leads to skin irritation.

I remember the first time I shaved my head.  If I had a dollar for every infected/ingrown hair I wouldn’t have to work again for the rest of my life.  I was miserable!

I tried every shaving cream, after shave, and shaving lotion until I found something that worked.

Then a few months later I was asked to review the Skin Therapy Shaving System by Shaver’s Choice.

The Slick shave gel squeezed out of it’s tube and was completely clear.  There was no PFFFTTT as it puffed up in my hand like I was used to.  I rubbed it on my head and face and instantly noticed how slippery my skin was.

I guess that is the beauty behind this stuff.  It lubricates your skin to keep the razor from nicking and cutting.

I gotta say that it worked well, on my head…but I did not like to use it on my face. Why?

I have always had a problem with getting razor bumps on my neck.  It does not matter if I go with or against the grain, use plain water or some super shaving cream…it still gets irritated from time to time.

I think this stuff was a bit too slick and caused me to push a bit harder on the razor to get the wild hairs growing out of my neck.  :D   But then again, I still have not found a shaving cream or gel that works 100% of the time on my neck area.

The samples provided also included the Smooth Skin Therapy for use after shaving with the Slick shave gel.

I used the Smooth product twice and didn’t try it again.  It was just too oily.  It left my skin shiny and the smell wasn’t the greatest either.

So, in conclusion…I really like the Slick shave gel for shaving my entire head minus my neck…which has always been a trouble area.  It  left my skin feeling nice and smooth even after a rigorous shave.  The after shave lotion, Smooth?  Not for me.

You can read more about the Skin Therapy Shaving System by Shaver’s Choice on their website.

Disclaimer: The Skin Therapy Shaving System by Shaver’s Choice was provided as samples for review on DadThing.com

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Posted in: Shaving |
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POM Wonderful

February 2nd, 2010
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Juice_POMI always wondered what a Pomegranate was.  Ace picks them up in the grocery store and says “Apple!”  That’s about all I know about pomegranates until recently.

Did you know that 100% pomegranate juice by POM Wonderful has extremely high levels of anti-oxidants?

Well, first I should explain what an anti-oxidant is…but since I am not a scientist, I will quote the POM Wonderful website:

Every day, your body is exposed to free radicals, unstable molecules that can damage the cells in your body in a process often referred to as oxidative stress. Where do they come from? Everywhere. Not only does your body produce them as part of normal metabolism, there are also many external sources such as air pollution, alcohol, pesticides, sunlight, tobacco smoke, drugs and fried foods. Even our stressful lifestyles are related to excess oxidative stress. That’s where antioxidants come in. Antioxidants are scavengers that neutralize free radicals. Although your body produces its own antioxidants, they are often insufficient to protect against the total oxidative stress we all experience. In fact, scientists have already linked free radicals to many different types of diseases. Consuming a diet rich in natural antioxidants, like those that come from fruits and vegetables, may help protect against free radical damage.

When I first tasted POM Wonderful my mouth exploded with a burst of sweet and tart.  At first I was not sure if I liked it or not.  It was different.  Different than anything I have ever tasted.  The flavor was extreme!  It was not watered down.  It was for sure 100% pomegranate juice!

After I drank the first bottle, I found myself craving the second bottle.  And then the third…and finally the fourth! (They only sent me 4 bottles to review) :D

I drank 4 oz per day (1/2 bottle) every morning for 8 days. And I do have to admit that I felt better.  I’m not sure if it was the POM juice making me feel better or just the fact that I knew I was putting something good into my body.  Either way…I liked it, and it’s effects on my life!

If you would like to try some POM Wonderful you can most likely find it in your local grocery store, or you can visit the POM Wonderful Website to find a distributor near you.

The POM Wondeful Webiste also has many recipes to use the POM Wonderul juice to make all kinds of tasty treats.   I want to try the POM Velvet Cupcakes with POM Cream Cheese Frosting…!!

Disclaimer: POM Wonderful supplied me with 4 bottles of their juice to review.

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Posted in: Food, Healthy |
Views: 62 views
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Safety Tat – The Tat That Brings Kids Back!

December 6th, 2009
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Safety Tat - The PackageMy most recent post at DadThing was about how we could have lost Ace…in our own home!

My stomach wrenched.  I felt sick when I couldn’t find him.

What if we were at an amusement park?  a shopping mall? a county fair?

If I lost Ace at a big event I think they would have to restrain me or something.  :D

I recently had the opportunity to review the Safety Tat – The Tat That Brings Kids Back!

What an ingenious idea!  A temporary tattoo to put on your kids that has your cell phone number on it!

Big amusement parks are designed to get your attention.  That’s the whole point.  And as a parent, you know that it can be a chore in and of itself to keep an eye on a toddler, let alone a five year old….  :D

With all of these distractions, it is tempting to put your kid on a leash…at least I am. :D

Well, worry no more.  By simply putting the safety tat on your kid, if they do wander off…the person who notices them wandering around without their parents can simply call the number displayed on the tattoo!!

The safety tat sample that I received contained instructions, three temporary tattoos, three alcohol wipes, and a marker.

Safety Tat - What's Included

Applying them was as simple as applying a band-aid!  Then you just take the supplied marker and write your cell number on it.  Simple!

I even checked to make sure that the marker did not smear…and it didn’t.

The temporary tattoo will remain on the skin for up to two weeks.  However, removal is easy.  Just use your fingernail to peel up one edge and peel the whole thing right off.

It was so easy to remove that Ace did it himself….that was the only downfall.  :D

The instructions suggest putting it on their arm.  If your kid is like Ace and turns OCD when there is a sticker on him, put it on the back of their neck.  That’s what I will do next time!  :D

Overall, I was really pleased with the quality, simplicity, and comfort knowing that if Ace ever wandered off somewhere that it would be easy to reunite him with us!!

Safety Tat - DadThing.com

Have you used the Safety Tats before?  Has the Safety Tat ever reunited you with your kid?  Let me know in the comments…

DISCLAIMER: The Safety Tats were provided as samples to be reviewed on DadThing.com.

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Posted in: Child Safety |
Views: 183 views
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Men Of A Certain Age

November 24th, 2009
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Men Of a Certain AgeHave you seen the previews on TNT for Men Of A Certain Age?  From the previews it looks pretty good…

The TNT website gives a good summary of the show:

“MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE explores the unique bonds of male friendship among three men experiencing the changes and challenges of mid-life. They have been best friends since college but now, in their 40s, are navigating through the second act of their lives. Joe (Romano) is a friendly, slightly neurotic, recently separated father of two who had dreams of being a professional golfer. Now he owns and runs a party store. Terry (Bakula) is a laid-back, handsome actor who seems to breeze through life (and women). Lately, he’s spending more time working as a temp than as an actor. And Owen (Braugher) is an overstressed husband and father of three who endures constant criticism from his father, for whom he works as a car salesman.”

I received a sneak preview of the first episode of Men Of A Certain Age to review here on DadThing Reviews.

From the previews that I had seen on TV, and also with the writers being Ray Romano and Mike Royce, from Everybody Loves Raymond, I expected the show to be a comedy.  The show had it’s funny parts, however those moments were more dry humor, than laugh out loud funny…although I did laugh out loud a few times.  :D

The first episode seemed to be a bit slow getting to the point.  Maybe this was because it was more about introducing the characters, but I would have thought the first episode would grab my attention a bit more.

Sorry to say, that if I would have been watching this on a normal Monday night, I probably would have changed the channel to a show I typically watch.

The previews keep mentioning that this show describes the “second act” of their lives.  Hopefully, this episode was the “first act” and the “second act” is a bit more lively!

Knowing the talents of the three main actors, I think that the show will only get better, and I look forward to watching the story line unfold.

Men Of A Certain Age premieres December 7 at 10/9c on TNT

Full Disclosure: The sneak preview was provided by YouCast for review purposes.

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Posted in: TV Shows |
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Vans French Toast Sticks

November 19th, 2009
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Vans French Toast SticksI recently had the opportunity to review both the Homestyle and Cinnamon (Gluten Free) french toast sticks from Van’s!

Ace and I usually have breakfast on Saturday morning and let Momma sleep in.  I usally whip up some pancakes, or eggs, or even french toast, but not this past Saturday…

This past Saturday I got out the toaster and in just a few minutes we were eating Van’s French Toast Sticks.  In fact we ate an entire box on Saturday morning, and then the second whole box on Sunday morning.

The only downfall with the french toast sticks was their packaging.  The box is rather large and somewhat deceiving.  In reality the box could be about half of it’s size and still fit all six toaster size french toast stick slices.

Van's French Toast Sticks - Nutritional InfoIn fact, I think the over sized packaging may have been responsible for some of the slices being broken apart before I even opened the box.  Each slice is about the size of a slice of bread and breaks into thirds…creating three french toast sticks.   I tried putting the broken pieces into the toaster, but it would not work.  I ended up having to throw out two of the twelve slices that were sent to me.  If I had paid for this product I would not have been happy about throwing away 1/6  of what I had bought…

However, what I liked the most about these French Toast sticks was their texture.  Usually things that are frozen end up being soggy once warmed up.  The french toast sticks were not even the least bit soggy.  I cooked them on a low heat setting…and ran them through the toaster twice.  The outcome was a perfectly crisp shell covering a soft and fluffy inside.

In conclusion, I think if Van’s looks into their packaging and can guarantee that I will be able to put every single french toast stick into the toaster, then I would buy this product.  I liked them…and I didn;t hear any complaints from Ace either!  :D

Full disclosure: I received the Van’s French Toast Sticks as a sample.

EDIT: I should mention that after writing this review I received some feedback from the person who supplied the Van’s French Toast Sticks to me.  She said that the reason the French Toast Sticks broke apart is because they were shipped to me in a cooler with dry ice.  This environment was much colder that the normal storage temperature for the french toast sticks which caused them to get brittle.  She assured me that the ones you buy in the store do not have this problem.  :D

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Posted in: Breakfast |
Views: 251 views
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Coghlans Magnesium Fire Starter

November 18th, 2009
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Coghlans Magnesium Fire StarterYou are hiking.   You are way out in the wilderness.  You get lost.  You can not find your way back to your car.  It gets dark.  You trip on a rock along the creek bed and fall in the water.  You and your matches are wet.  It gets cold at night…really cold.  All you want is to start a fire.  What do you do?

Pull out your Coghlans Magnesium Fire Starter that you keep in your backpack!

The Coghlans Magnesium Fire Starter is made of metal…magnesium.  So it works wet or dry.

Magnesium burns extremely well in all sorts of extreme conditions including high altitudes, low oxygen levels, and even very wet conditions!

The Coghlans Magnesium Fire Starter is  small enough to keep in your pocket with your pocket knife, which is the only other tool you will need to start a fire.

Hold the pocket knife at 90 degrees to the Coghlans Magnesium Fire Starter and scrape.  You will produce tiny magnesium shavings.  Pile these shavings up until you have enough to cover the top of a quarter.

Then pile up some dry material…grass, papaer, leaves, etc…next to the pile of magnesium shavings.

Flip the Coghlans Magnesium Fire Starter and strike your knife against the striker bar, which will create a very large spark!  Aim this spark towards the pile of dry material and…POOF…you have a fire!

I tried this fire starter out in my basement…the most extreme condition I could find at the time.  :D     I piled up some shavings in the middle of a piece of paper, hit the striker with my pocket knife, and voila…the magnesium flashed and then the paper burned!

The Coghlans Magnesium Fire Starter generates a flame as hot as 5400 Degrees Farenheit!!!

What I Liked About This Product:

  1. It was small and portable
  2. It has a built in chain to hook to your keyring or backpack.
  3. The striker bar is built in
  4. It is reliable
  5. It is reusable
  6. It works!

What I Disliked About This Product:

  1. It takes a lot of time to scrape off enough magnesium shavings to generate a decent sized fire, but if you are lost in the wilderness…I guess all you have is time.  :D

You can purchase the Coghlans Magnesium Fire Starter at Amazon.com

Full disclosure: I received the Coghlans Magnesium Fire Starter as a sample.

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Posted in: Camping |
Views: 296 views
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Lands’ End’s Men’s SnowSystem Jacket

October 27th, 2009
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Land's End JacketI recently got the opportunity to review the Lands’ End’s Men’s SnowSystem Jacket. With Winter on it’s way (and I needed a new coat anyways) I agreed to review it here on DadThing!

I’ve owned quite a few jackets in my life time and am usually pretty rough on them. I have a Carhartt coat that I have been wearing for almost three years now because it is about the only thing that will take the abuse I will give it. :D

However, it is not so great for the semi-cold weather…and it is heavy.

That’s what I liked about the Land’s End jacket system It is a dual layer jacket system that can be worn in three configurations. You can wear just the inner layer for the semi-cold weather. You can wear just the outside layer for more of a wind-breaker with a hood. Or, you can combine the two for an ultimate jacket!

The jacket is extremely light, yet warm.

We recently went on a mini-vacation to Indiana (post coming in the next few days) and it was quite cold. We went on a nature hike along the Ohio river. Momma did not have a warm jacket, so I let her wear this one. She was not cold at all while Ace and I were popsicle-esque. :D

The only complaint Momma had about the jacket was that it was slick. It was hard to keep Ace’s diaper bag over her shoulder without it sliding off.

Now while I would not wear this jacket go out to cut fire wood or work on my truck, I would definitely wear it to go to work, the grocery store, or even skiing! (Which I might actually do again this year after not skiing for the past 7 years).

So if you are in need of a good warm winter jacket, check out the Lands’ End’s Men’s SnowSystem Jacket.

Full disclosure: I received the Lands’ End’s Men’s SnowSystem Jacket as a sample.

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Posted in: Winter Wear |
Views: 371 views
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Family Party: 30 Great Games Outdoor Fun

October 17th, 2009
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family-party-boxFamily Party: 30 Great Games Outdoor Fun is a new game for the Wii that I had the chance to review.

With winter coming and the fact that I will be inside the house more, I was looking for some fun Wii games to pass the time.

This game’s description said that this game has something to offer everyone exclusively on the Wii™ with a wide variety of engaging and addictive party games featuring martial arts, team sports, individual athletics, and challenging brain games.

So did it live up to it’s promises?

I would have to say that it did. I played the game for a few hours and have only played a fraction of the games available. The games were challenging, and with my perfectionist personality, quite frustrating at times… :D

The game is designed for a whole family (up to four people) to play at a time. The characters are just normal looking people..no muscle bound freaks or scandalous looking women…just your average every day Joe, Jane, and their children.

One downside of this game is the controls. I found them quite cumbersome at times. Every single game has a different control configuration, and you have to actually read the instructions before playing the game or you will have no idea what to do.

We let Olivia, Ace’s 4 year old cousin, play the prequel to this game with very similar controls, and it was just too much for her to understand. I would say this game’s age range is better suited for 8 yrs+.

Overall, I think this game is great fun for the whole family and may be just the thing to keep your kids active during the cold winter months.

You can purchase the game from Amazon.com for $19.99. A very good price for the amount of family fun you can have with this game.

I’ll leave you with a few screen shots from the game…

family-party-screen-3 family-party-screen-2family-party-screen-1

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Posted in: Wii Games |
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