History of Board Games

Board games have long been a staple in most homes. New games are still being created, but odds are that you have a copy of a long time favorite tucked away on a forgotten shelf or better yet is still played often. I’m talking about age old favorites, such as Monopoloy or Clue. This list takes a look at the top selling oldest games from Parker Brothers, which was started by 16 year old George S. Parker in 1883 with $40 of his $50 life savings. These are in no specific order.

8. Rook (1934)


Card game published in 1906 and was PB’s best selling game until Monopoly in 1934. Rook was invented as a game to rival Bridge. Rook is played with a specialized deck of non-faced and non-suited cards. This was to appeal to those who thought face cards were used for gambling or fortune telling. Rook is also called missionary poker.

7. Clue (1944)



Originally named Cluedo, but renamed Clue for distribution in North America. Cluedo was created in 1944 by Anthony E. Pratt, a retired solicitor’s clerk in England. Pratt had Waddington’s Games manufacture the game and in 1949 PN obtained the rights from Waddington’s Games. Clue is a mystery game where you try to find clues to be the first to solve the murder of Mr. Boddy.

6. Monopoly (1934)



Who hasn’t played Monoploy? I thought it best to let Hasbro speak on this one:

The MONOPOLY game was brought to PARKER BROTHERS in 1934 by Charles B. Darrow of Germantown, PA, but at the end of the initial play-test by company executives, the game was unanimously turned down. It took too long to play, the rules were too complicated, and players kept going around and around the board instead of ending up at a final goal. Advised that the game contained 52 fundamental playing errors, Darrow proceeded on his own. When reports of the game’s success began to reach PARKER BROTHERS, the company reconsidered, and early in 1935 bought the rights.

5. Mahjong (1923)



Mahjong is an addicting game of matching tiles. These tiles are divided into Suits, Honor and Flower categories. I have found no clear history on who created Mahjong, but 1 myth is that it is created by Confucius around 500 BC. But I can tell you that PB signed a distribution deal in 1923 and started making different quality and priced sets out of Bakelite and ivory.




4. Tiddly Winks (1880’s)



The main object of this game is to flip your wink either onto your opponents winks or inside of a cup. Tiddlywinks were created by Eugene V. Tiedler in the 1880’s. Tiedler owned Tiedler’s Quality Timing-Pieces which had a specialty of animal shaped clocks. The original idea for tiddlywinks were eye scraps from owl clocks. PB obtained the rights in 1938.

3. Risk (1957)



A classic conquer/conquest game. La Conquête du Monde (The Conquest of the World), created in 1957 by a French movie director, Albert Lamorisse. Risk is based upon a Napoleonic-era map of the world divided into 42 territories in 6 continents. Acquired by Parker Brothers in 1984

2. Ouija Board (1966)



The game of Ouija known today was marketed by William & Issac Fuld. The game itself is thought to have been around since the ancient Egyptians. The game was not originally sold as a game, but as a device for communicating with the dead. To be honest, I don’t know anyone who has ever played this as a game in the traditional sense. Parker Brothers bought the William Fuld Company in 1966.

1. Sorry (1934)



The goal of Sorry! is to be the first player to move all 4 tokens from the Start Home. Sorry! is played with cards instead of dice. I haven’t found much info on the history of Sorry!, but Wikipedia states that the earliest variation of today’s Sorry! can be traced back to England. Sorry! was adopted by Parker Brothers in 1934 and was based on an ancient Indian game named pachisi.

my favorite   Trouble

Sparkling Stemware

What You'll Need
Spray paint
Masking tape
Newspaper
Stemware

How To Make It
1. Clean your stemware and let dry.
2. Cover the glass using tape and newspaper, leaving only the area you want painted exposed.
3. Apply spray paint. (Spray from a distance of at least 1 1/2-feet for a more even coat).
4. Repeat with all of your glasses and let dry.
5. Remove newspaper and enjoy your new stemware!

New Years Eve Crafting

Hanging Clocks

What You'll Need
Construction paper
Hot glue gun
Tape
X-acto knife/scissors
Fishing wire

How To Make It
1. Cut construction paper into long strips that are half as wide as the circles you want to hang.
2. Accordion fold the strips, trying to keep the folds as even as possible.
3. Adhere two or more strips together using tape until you can form a circle.
4. Hot glue gun the center of the circle to keep the shape.
5. Cut 3, 6, 9, 12 and clock hands out of card stock.
6. Attach the embellishments with tape or hot glue.
7. Hang with clear fishing wire.

Cork Countdown

What You'll Need
Craft knife
Card stock
Star hand-puncher (or different shape)
Scissors

How To Make It
1. Cut a slit in the top of a cork.
2. Cut the numbers 1-10 out of colorful card stock.
3. Punch the numbers with a star hand-puncher and then stick them in the cork slits.

56 lines......... OH SO FAMOUS......

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

May the Ones we Love 

Love Us Back!

21 Things You Should Never Buy at Garage Sales

21 Things You Should Never Buy at Garage Sales



Bargains are great, but cross these gross, broken, and unsafe items off your list when you head out to garage sales.

Helmets

Helmets are designed to protect you from one accident, and one accident only. Sometimes damage isn’t visible, so buy a new helmet to make sure you’re getting full protection.

Child car seats

Like helmets, car seats are really only meant to protect in one accident. But damaged car seats are common; a survey found that one in ten have been in an accident. Plus, car seat technology improves each year.

Tires

If they've been in an accident, tires are likely to be unstable and unreliable. Make sure you can get an accurate history.

Wet suits and swimsuits

Personal products that hug your body are technically safe if you wash them in hot water... and still we're cautious. But constant changes in water pressure also wear out swimwear faster than regular clothing, so it's likely a used wetsuit or swimsuit will tear.

Mattresses

With bed bugs infesting homes in record numbers, chances are the critters could lurk in any used mattress. You might also end up sleeping with other people’s mold, mites, bacteria, and bodily fluids (yuck!).

Cribs

Scores of crib recalls, as well as changing safety standards, make it hard to verify the safety of a used crib.

Laptops

Laptops are more likely to be dropped, knocked around and spilled on, simply because they’re out in the world, while a desktop computer sits (mostly) safe at home.

Plasma TVs

It’s hard to determine how well TVs, DVD players, and other electronic devices have been cared for by their previous owners. Plus, technology changes so quickly that you can often get a better quality device. If you're buying refurbished devices directly from a manufacturer, you'll be covered by a warranty—but a random TV at a garage sale could be hit or miss.

Shoes

Used shoes have been molded to their previous owner’s feet—and poorly fitting shoes will make you miserable, or you'll just never want to wear them.

Sheets and Pillowcases

Sure, you can wash them in hot water, but that might not protect against bed bugs.

Baby bottles

While sanitation and cracks can be an issue, the real culprit is the chemical BPA that's present in most older bottles—and as of June 2012, the FDA no longer accepts that as safe. Go with new bottles to make sure you're getting the safest, most up-to-date bottles.

Worn plates, pots, and other cookware

Rust, flaky non-stick coatings, and chemicals that leach out are just a few of the safety problems you can run into with older cookware.

DVDs, CDs, and VHS tapes

Scratches have ruined many a DVD or CD—and VHS tapes can lessen in quality the more times they're played, and disintegrate over the years.

Upholstered furniture

Just like mattresses and sheets, any upholstered furniture can be home to bed bugs, fleas, and spiders, as well as unknown odorous and stains. Unless you're going to reupholster the piece, steer clear.

Clothes that require a tailored fit

It might look like it fits—until you put it on. Unless you can try something on, it's often not worth the money you'll spend on alterations.

Video Games

You might want to quickly Google the video game—manufacturers are now including codes for one-user only play, either for the whole game or special bonus sections.

Fragrance or make-up (new or old!)

The quality of both can lessen over the years (and yes, they do expire!). Even if an item is brand new in the box, skip it unless you can tell that it was recently manufactured.

© iStockphoto/Thinkstock

Stuffed animals

Stuffed animals can be hard to send through the extra-hot cycle on a washing machine, and like mattresses and upholstered furniture, they can be full of creepy crawlies and other unsavoury finds.

Blenders and other kitchen electronics

Blades and mechanisms can become dull and wear down over time, even if the machine looks fine on the surface.



© iStockphoto/Thinkstock

Running shoes

Used running shoes are often devoid of the cushioning that runners need; stick with new shoes for the cushioning and fit that will protect knees, feet, and legs.

Hats

How's this for gross: Hats may contain remnants of hair products, sweat, or skin infections.

Marriage Advise from the Fifties

Start with your looks.

If you happen to have a husband who is paying less attention to you than you would like you have to ask yourself if it is in any way warranted. Take an honest look at yourself. Do you need to work on your weight? Do you need to work on your hair or nails? Do you dress in nice clothing, or run around in sweats?
It won't help to demand his attention. You need to begin on a program to improve your visibility. You are the woman he loves and married. Keep yourself up for the sake of your marriage.

Use your mind

Just because you are married and have made your family your number one priority (which it should be) is no reason to let yourself become too narrow in focus. Keep up on current affairs, have some outside interests, do some volunteer work, have some friends, or even take up a new hobby or sport.

Don't analyze and re analyze your relationship or force him to talk about it.

You've probably heard that one of the major differences in men and women is the amount of words we have to use up in conversation in a day. Most of us women not only have lots of words to use, but we love to use them to torture our husbands with heart-to-heart talks and questions about your relationship. We like to know what he's thinking and like to hear him avow his love for us. Big mistake. Work on yourself, be secure with yourself, gain your husband's attention, but talk to a friend if you need some deep conversation and he is not ready for it.

Leave him alone

This is sort of related to the above point. Men are more inward and at times they need to unwind and relax. If he's watching a game or reading the news, let him do it in peace. It's better to leave him uninterrupted than to annoy him and possibly feel rejected or unloved. This most likely is not the case. Get involved in your own activities and let him seek you out. The man is the pursuer and it works this way even for married couples.

Don't be a nag

Don't complain about the things your husband provides for you such as, the house, the income, the car, etc. Don't nag him about his friends. Quit complaining about jobs he needs to do around the house or yard. Instead of tearing him down, build up his confidence. Let him know how much you appreciate him and how happy you are. Sometimes these gripes are valid, but nagging is never the answer. Work on accepting him while making yourself the best you can be.

Let him initiate romance

Perhaps your husband isn't as romantic as you would like. He married you and you shouldn't expect him to have to prove it daily. He may bring you flowers and gifts, if so, be grateful. But again, the best advice is to work on yourself and remember, you reap what you sow. If you go out of your way to make his life sweet, you may benefit in the end.

Don't be jealous

Put your energy into being confident, fun and intelligent. Don't be clingy and worrying if he talks to another female. Jealousy is a flaw in your veneer. You need to have the attitude that your husband got quite a catch when he got you and that there are plenty of men who would be glad to have you.
Take the high road with friends and family.
It is doubtful you will get along with every person in his sphere. You must let your noble character qualities shine in cases where you clash with his friends or family. Don't belittle yourself by criticizing them. A man wants a woman he can look up to as being a better person than himself. Don't waste your time on cattiness.

Try to compromise

What if you have opposite tastes and goals? You must be flexible and open-minded. Don't be stiff and rigid, but be ready to enjoy life with your man.
Be quick to say you're sorry, preferably first.
Fighting is a part of married life at times, I'm sad to say, but there are fights and then there are fights. Don't be mean, spiteful, hold grudges, hang onto hurts, and stay angry. Don't let the sun set on your anger. Be the one to make up first.

Be neat

The authors tie this in to being sexy saying disorder - stockings hanging around, dirty clothes on the floor, papers strewn all over, dishes undone - is not sexy. Very true, but not the only reason. Disorder in the home shows disorder in the mind to my way of thinking. It hurts your progress and creativity. Besides, the home is your haven. You should strive to be successful in the area you operate best in.

Be independent

Dependency on a man is a distinctly feminine characteristic. Men love to know their women depend on them, however, you need to have a balance. Can your husband depend on you in a crisis? Does he know you have inner strength and spiritual fortitude? Does he know you will be there for him when he needs you? I think sometimes we confuse "independence" with "strength". Men do not want another man, they want a woman - a feminine woman at that. If you are too independent and don't need him, you may find one day, he realizes it.

Have time out together

Alone-time with your spouse is important and it's good to get out in a different atmosphere. Hire a sitter now and then.
Lock the bedroom door.
This is an excellent practice in any home. Make it a habit to lock the door all the time and you will relieve yourself of any embarrassment you may feel if you only lock it at "certain times."

Say things nicely

You keep throwing water on your relationship if you speak with a sharp tongue, find fault, or use snippy answers. Especially, don't let little things bother you. It can be easy to do. Stresses and strains can build up and it's easy to take it out on those closest to you.

Don't have exaggerated expectations

When you have expectations, and they aren't met, it's always a let down. I have found it's better to expect little, then when you get more, you are pleasantly surprised. If he's working long hours, don't brood over your lack of attention. If he didn't pick the right gift for you, don't show disappointment. Learn to enjoy the simple things of life.

Christmas Decor for Families on a Budget

Glass Bottles, Primer, Epsom Salt 

Gather up old wine bottles at a yard sale or second hand store or even friends and neighbors, get the primer from the garage or local store the salt if you do not have any Dollar Store carries it.

Now lay out some paper or a tarp, an old shower curtain  .Your going to spray the clean dry bottles with the primer then roll in the salt!

Easy, Simple, Cheap, Elegant!