http://www.viewpoints.com/aboutme/mcc2133 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:36:11 GMT Reviews by mcc2133 http://www.viewpoints.com/Consumer-Reports-Magazine-review-22fe1 When I want to make sure my money buys me the best product I turn to Consumer Reports.  They provide unbiased reviews with as close to a "real life" situation as possible (how well does a vacuum suction, washing machine clean clothes, camera takes clear pictures, etc.)  They review a variety of products each issue (an issue might have items from luxury cars to laundry soap).  Excellent resource & recommended that you research here before... Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:36:11 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Consumer-Reports-Magazine-review-22fe1 mcc2133 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Creating-Keepsakes-review-0f180 Because scrapbooking is such an individual type of craft, with people expressing them different ways, I think it's impossible to say you're crazy about every idea, but Creating Keepsakes does a very good job of providing a variety of styles.  They even show some digital ideas now for those who are into that.  I enjoy the sketches that show ways to use more than a few pictures in one layout.  Lots of pictures, fun new things to try, and realistic tips. —... Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:21:47 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Creating-Keepsakes-review-0f180 mcc2133 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Family-Fun-Magazine-review-f8325 Family Fun magazine provides a great package.  Fun ideas for kids like games, crafts, activities; ideas for traveling with kids; parenting tips ("it worked for me" from other parents), plus family friendly recipes.  No pretense.  It is from the Disney group, but does not shamelessly plug away at Disney, just a few media suggestions here & there.  Fun to read & tear up (I tear out handfuls of pages every month with good... Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:18:21 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Family-Fun-Magazine-review-f8325 mcc2133 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Cathy-Duffy-100-Top-Picks-For-Homeschool-Curriculum-Choosing-The-Right-Curriculum-And-Approach-For-Your-Childs-Learning-Styl-review-97992 I read a huge pile of books to get ready for homeschooling my daughter, and this book was one I was so glad I bought.  It is so much more than just curriculum picks.  Cathy starts at the beginning with you, taking you through different children's learning styles (essential to consider when picking curriculum), your own teaching style, your life requirements (other children, how much time you have, etc.), and more.  She also covers things like different types of homeschooling (unschooling, eclectic, unit studies, etc.).  Then she takes you through her picks and has complete reviews on each.  It was an enjoyable book to read and a great resource for your... Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:14:40 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Cathy-Duffy-100-Top-Picks-For-Homeschool-Curriculum-Choosing-The-Right-Curriculum-And-Approach-For-Your-Childs-Learning-Styl-review-97992 mcc2133 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Linda-Dobson-The-First-Year-of-Homeschooling-Your-Child-Your-Complete-Guide-to-Getting-Off-to-the-Right-Start-review-de5a5 As a new homeschooling mom I have read piles of books trying to get my feet under me for this new adventure.  This book, along with Cathy Duffy's Top 100 Picks, are the "must have's" for a new homeschooling family.  The author writes with a friendly voice that is realistic (you will have rough days) but still encouraging (you can do this!).  She covers every question you may have, along with ones you didn't even think to ask.  Enjoyable to read and very... Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:10:32 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Linda-Dobson-The-First-Year-of-Homeschooling-Your-Child-Your-Complete-Guide-to-Getting-Off-to-the-Right-Start-review-de5a5 mcc2133 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Gamewright-Slamwich-A-Fast-Flipping-Card-Game-review-b0231 This game seemed a bit hard to understand at first.  Once I did get it I felt like it was hard to be fair.  The person putting a card down has the advantage & my husband ended up making a "3 second rule" to make it fair for both players.  This a game that hasn't left it's spot in the game... Thu, 22 Nov 2007 07:28:29 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Gamewright-Slamwich-A-Fast-Flipping-Card-Game-review-b0231 mcc2133 2 http://www.viewpoints.com/Hasbro-Catch-Phrase-review-67ff0 This is the all time favorite of group/party games.  This game is always requested.  It is a fun, crazy, fast paced game that gets your adrenaline going!  It can get loud (shouting out clues and answers) but it is so much fun.  You play on teams & try to get your team to guess your word.  The electronic timer beeps faster and faster (like a bomb about to go off) as time winds down.  Pass it to the other team before time is up!  Have some friends over & play.  It gets everybody... Thu, 22 Nov 2007 07:21:54 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Hasbro-Catch-Phrase-review-67ff0 mcc2133 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Kings-In-the-Corner-review-58d60 This game is great to play with different ages.  It is easy to understand & everyone has an equal chance of winning.  We started playing this with our daughter when she was 8.  It's not as exciting as other games, but it's a game that you should enjoy.  Similar to solitaire but on a group scale.  You can play one round, or play to see who wins by keeping chips/points.  Great addition to your game... Thu, 22 Nov 2007 07:16:11 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Kings-In-the-Corner-review-58d60 mcc2133 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Rat-A-Tat-Cat-review-a47f1 This is a fun game that's challenging enough to make it interesting for adults too!  We played this with our daughter starting when she was 8, and she has won as many times as we have.  The challenge comes in trading your cards (you may not know what they are) remembering what cards you have (whether you've drawn them or gotten to peek).  Cute cards & a nice diversion.  Plus each round is relatively short so it's easy to squeeze a quick game... Thu, 22 Nov 2007 07:11:18 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Rat-A-Tat-Cat-review-a47f1 mcc2133 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Brother-mfc-5460CN-review-ad6b1 This multi-function machine does OK.  It can scan, print, fax, copy.  My real problem with it has been the quality of the color copies.  We were using a laser printer & moved that into the main office.  I mainly use this Brother for home/home office use, but some business use also.  The color (and text) prints that I get from this machine looks very washed out & faded.  This has just been paper documents & labels- I don't know how it would do photos but I definitely would not recommend it for that based on my experience.  I've done everything I can to trouble shoot this, but nothing changes.  If you don't care about the quality of the color it produces, then this machine is OK.  And, of course, the ink is ridiculously expensive, which is the way most inkjet printers... Thu, 22 Nov 2007 06:58:32 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Brother-mfc-5460CN-review-ad6b1 mcc2133 2