Revving up your computer

I spend alot of time on my computer. From using it to upload and save my digital pictures, to connecting to friends (through Twitter, blogging, email, Skype and Facebook) to playing games and aimlessly surfing. We use our computer for games and research, to order products and talk to friends far away. If I'm not sitting here at the computer desk, either my husband or my oldest daughter is (and she's only allowed on when we are nearby). The other two still require closer supervision.

Many times, we are simultaneously working on a project in word or excel, looking at PDF's, listening to music, chatting and playing a game. So many, many windows open at one time. Most of the time, to computer runs without any hic-ups.

But like all computer owners, eventually the computer starts to slow down. Things get saved. Memory gets used. It just starts to bog down. And when your used to having high speed internet at your finger tips, any slowdown can be highly frustrating!

The people at Norton's, makers of Norton anti-virus which keeps your computer safe and virus free, have come out with a product called the Norton PC Tune-up. This product is designed to assess and evaluate your computer to figure out where hangups are occurring, to improve the speed and stability of your PC and to ensure protection and security.

So if your computer takes a long time to start up and bogs down when you have multiple programs open, I suggest you check out this product. Even better, I have FOUR free trials to give away. All you have to do is leave a comment here by midnight EST Friday, December 5th with your email address telling me what types of hangups your computers have that bug you the most. Seriously, it's free.

Thanks to the people at MOM Central for bringing this blog tour to me.

You wouldn't let your car miss a tuneup, so why make your computer wait?

Barbie and the Diamond Castle

When the ladies at Mom Central asked for volunteers to review the new Barbie and the Diamond Castle DVD, I jumped at the chance. Moe loves the Barbie DVD's and had been begging for it already. Plus, it would give us something else to rotate into the mix of Barbie Mermaidia, Twelve Dancing Princesses, Swan Lake and Rapunzel. She was very excited and asked everyday "when is Diamond Castle coming?" She was very disappointed when the shipment was delayed.

But the day finally arrived and within moments of it arriving at the door, it was in the DVD player and she was on the couch. The first week we had it, we watched it 625 thousand times. Okay, that might be an exaggeration, but it was watched numerous times. So much, in fact, when Moe and I were snuggling on the couch after lunch, watching it yesterday, Moe was singing all the song's along with the DVD. It was so cute, to hear her sing Connected.

While I initially did not get the girls into watching the Barbie videos, they have come to find a home here. They are fairly easy to take and the girls love them. The plot lines are usually similar, with Barbie as the heroine, but overall, the movies have all be great.

Barbie and the Diamond Castle was no disappointment. The girls were captivated by the singing and the castle at the end. The story is about two friends, Liana and Alexa, who befriend a girl named Melody who is trapped inside an enchanted mirror. To save Melody, they need to find the Diamond Castle and reach the magical instruments, freeing the two muses before Lydia (the third muse, who wanted the Diamond Castle to herself) can stop them. Along the way, the girls find two lost puppies, befriend twin brothers and have their friendship tested by the temptation of a mansion in the middle of nowhere. When offered the gift of the mansion, Alexa chooses to stay and live in comfort, while Liana wants to continue on her quest to save the Diamond Castle. Unknown to them, it was a trick by Lydia to try and tear the girls apart. Without the crystal to help her, Alexa falls under Lydia's power and Liana must choose who to save, her friend or the Diamond Castle. In the end, the girls make up and save the castle. Melody is rewarded for her part and made the third muse.

While I would recommend this movie to my friends, it seems like the lesson it is trying to teach is more geared for older children. My four year old (and even my six year old) certainly don't have the level of friendships that gets tested at the beginning of the movie. While friendship is important and I agree with the message, it seems like my kids were out of range of their target audience. Regardless, they love the movie anyway! The top of their Christmas lists include merchandise from the movie (specifically the horse and carriage) and the new Barbie Christmas DVD. I'm sure if there is a Wii game, that would be a highly coveted item as well!

Overall, the meaning of the movie was clear. Friends may have their differences and may not always agree, but friendship is a very important thing to have.