As the long weeks of the year become more and more stressful, every family looks forward to letting lose and relaxing on the weekends. Most families want to get outside of the house and enjoy all of the great activities their city has to offer.

Even though this lifestyle sounds ideal, families who are trying to save money or work with a small budget might find this mentality a little difficult to maintain. Here are six cheap ideas for family weekend fun that everyone can enjoy in any city on any budget.


Watching TV is typically the boring activity that families do when they cannot think of anything else to do. It seems so boring often times because families will watch the same TV shows over and over again. To switch things up while still doing something relaxing, families can watch weekend reruns of a new TV show from California TV packages that will make things more interesting.


Getting outside and enjoying the fresh air is always a weekend activity that families look forward too. Instead of paying a lot of money to go to an amusement park or other expensive place, families can hit the local trails and enjoy a family bike ride or hike together. Stop wherever the kids want to play and explore the great outdoors.


Learning does not have to halt on the weekends just because school is out. Parents can keep the good habits going by taking their kids to a museum. Many small locations have low admission prices and allow families to explore and learn at their own pace.


Most local communities will have a seasonal calendar of events that are open to the general public. These little classes can range from anything like a beginner’s yoga class to a workshop in pottery. Families can choose what interests them and sign up for a fun and inexpensive weekend day.

Power Rangers Super Megaforce: The Perfect Storm
Starring: Andrew M. Gray, John Mark Loudermilk, Azim Rizk
Studio: LionsGate / Saban Brands
Release Date: April 14, 2015
Retail: $14.98
ASIN: B00T94R4FW
Running Time: 115 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Now available to own on DVD and Digital Copy is Power Rangers Super Megaforce: The Perfect Storm, featuring five exciting episodes from Super Megaforce season that aired on Nickelodeon last year. There are no extras or special features!

Power Rangers Megaforce debuted on Nickelodeon in early 2013 as part of the Power Rangers 20th anniversary celebration. The series centered on five teenagers (Troy, Noah, Emma, Gia and Jake), whom are all given powers from the supernatural guardian Gosei, so they'll be able to protect Earth from an alien invasion. Season Two was renamed Super Megaforce and had the Rangers receiving upgrades; giving them ability to transform into any past ranger. With the help of the sixth Ranger, Orion, the Rangers continue their quest to protect Earth.

The episodes include:

Power of Six - After an energy-draining monster, Skeltox, attacks the rangers, Orion must access his new powers that will give him the ability to use all the past sixth rangers' powers!

The Perfect Storm - The Rangers search for the missing Tensou, who has amnesia.

Love Is In The Air - Jake has major problems when a love spell makes Levira fall in love with him.

A.D. The Bible Continues: The Book of Acts 
by Dr. David Jeremiah
Publisher: Tyndale Publishing
Pub. Date: April 14, 2015
ASIN: 978-1496407184
Pages: 184
Buy Link: Amazon.com

Review:

Arriving in bookstores today is the religious book, A.D. The Bible Continues: The Book of Acts by Dr. David Jeremiah, which ties in with the NBC's event series, A.D. The Bible Continues (the sequel to History Channel's 2013 miniseries, The Bible), that airs on Sunday nights.

While the Bible is the #1 bestselling book in the world, not everyone has read it and some people have a hard time following it. The author of the Book of Acts was never referred to, though many experts is pretty sure that Luke, a companion apostle Paul, was the author; written around 61-64 A.D.

The NBC miniseries began with the crucifixion of Christ and his resurrection three days later, which inspired his disciples to spread the Word of God across the lands.This book rewrites the Book Of Acts into a story-style formula (taken from the The New Living Translation of the Holy Bible), so readers can have a better understanding of what life was like for the Jesus' apostles after his resurrection.

Throughout the book there are one-page biographies of the apostles and disciples, such as Peter, Luke, Mary Magdalene and many others; profiling their strengths and weaknesses. The book also features 8 pages of photos from the miniseries.

A Heart's Obsession
Journey of the Heart, Book Two
by Colleen Coble
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pub. Date: April 7, 2015
ISBN: 978-0718031657
Pages: 103
Blog Tour: http://litfusegroup.com/author/ccoble
Buy Link: http://bit.ly/1PsjoPR

Review:

One of my favorite Christian authors is Colleen Coble, whom just released the second installment in her new 6-part series, Journey of the Heart, titled A Heart's Obsession.

Book One, A Heart's Disguise, left Sarah Montgomery in dismay as her thought-to-be-dead love, Rand Campbell, returned home with caused several issues for her suitor Ben Croftner, especially since Ben told everyone that Rand died in the war. Despite everything, Rand wanted her to go with him to Wyoming, but she denied his request. Feeling hurt and rejected, Rand leaves for Fort Laramie and promises himself that he'll never love again.

After tragedy strikes, Sarah and her younger brother Joel are left in the hands of their older brother Wade, who has major anger issues. Fearful of what will happened to Joel if they stay, Sarah packs their bags and takes Joel to Fort Laramie in the hope that she can patch things up with Rand. Shockingly upon arriving, Sarah learns that Rand is already engaged to another woman, but she isn't ready to give up just yet. Until Rand is officially married, she'll find a way to win back his heart.

If you want schedule next week's post, click here to find the next prompt question. To submit a question, fill out this form.

What to do:

1. Post on your blog answering this question:

  This week's question is submitted by Elizabeth!

Have you ever received a bound galley from a publisher for review? What did you think about it? Were you surprised at anything?

2. Enter the link to your post in the linky list below (enter your Blog Name and the direct link to your post answering this week’s question. Failure to do so will result in removal of your link).


3. Visit other blogs in the list and comment on their posts. Try to spend some time on the blogs reading other posts and possible become a new follower.  The purpose of the hop is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.

  

My Answer: 

 I've received several bound galleys over the years. I can't recall the name of the book or the author, but I believe the first one I was sent was a Harlequin book. I don't recall what the book was about.

 

The Rewrite

Now available to own on DVD is the action-comedy sequel Bad Asses On The Bayou. Directed by Craig Moss (Bad Asses), the film stars Danny Trejo, Danny Glover, John Amos, Loni Love. The only Special Feature is Behind the Scenes of Bad Asses on the Bayou.

After stopping a bank robbery, Frank Vega (played by Danny Trejo) and his best friend Bernie Pope (played by Danny Glover) become an internet sensation. Out of the blue, they receive a call from an old friend Carmen (played by Loni Love), inviting them to her wedding in Louisiana. Despite Bernie's objections, they pack their bags and head for the Bayou.

Shortly after arriving, Carmen is kidnapped and Frank & Bernie promises her father (played by John Amos) that they will find her. Using their old school methods, Frank & Bernie turns the South upside down as they search for Carmen.

Yes, once again, I'm a little late with this post! I've been busy for most the day and this post just kinda slipped my mind. I started out this morning with my first workout in the Insanity Max 30 program (yes, I'm actually trying this). No, I didn't pay full price (which is way over $100), but instead I purchased it on eBay at less than half the price. I was worried that I would have problems with my knees or get a few blood clots or something, but I made it through the workout just fine. Actually I maxed out at 7:01, which I've heard is good for a first-timer.

Later, I read the second book in the Journey of the Heart series (A Heart's Obsession) by Colleen Coble, which I'll be posting my review on here around the 10th. Then the rest of the day, I was just busy with other things. However, I did have time to watch the first episode of A.D. The Bible Continues on On Demand, but I wasn't too impressed with it.

Did anyone watch the return of Outlander? While I did like the episode, I think Starz could of toned down the sex scene. I was planning on reading the book before the last half of the season started, but I was too busy last week with spring cleaning, so I'm only about half way through it. Maybe I can finish it this month!

Outcast
Director: Nick Powell
Starring: Hayden Christensen, Nicholas Cage
Studio: Entertainment One
Release Date: March 31, 2015
Retail: $29.99
ASIN: B00QJAZ4J2
Running Time: 98 minutes
Rated: Not Rated
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Now available to own on DVD & Blu-ray from Entertainment One is the action-packed adventure Outcast. Directed by Nick Powell, the film Stars Hayden Christensen (Star Wars II & III), Nicholas Cage (National Treasure 1 & 2), Lou Eiffel, Jo Kr Jun Y and Andy On. Special Features includes Interviews with Cast & Crew, Making of "Outcast" and the Theatrical Trailer.

The film center on a former Crusader fighter Jacob (played by Hayden Christensen), who is struggling to get over the war, but he must come to terms with his past when he comes across two Chinese siblings, Lian (played by Liu Yifei) & Zhao (Bill Su Jiahang), in dire need of his help. Their father has been murdered by their ruthless brother, Shing (Andy On), whom wants to take the throne for himself, though his youngest bother, Lian, is suppose to be the new ruler of the kingdom.


Jacob makes it his personal mission to protect Lian and Zaho from Shing and his army, but to save them, he must rely on an old friend - the mysterious outlaw known as The White Ghost (played by Nicholas Cage).

If you want schedule next week's post, click here to find the next prompt question. To submit a question, fill out this form.

What to do:

1. Post on your blog answering this question:

  This week's question is submitted by Elizabeth!

Is there one book you will NEVER forget?

2. Enter the link to your post in the linky list below (enter your Blog Name and the direct link to your post answering this week’s question. Failure to do so will result in removal of your link).


3. Visit other blogs in the list and comment on their posts. Try to spend some time on the blogs reading other posts and possible become a new follower.  The purpose of the hop is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.

  

My Answer: 

  The Shining by Stephen King
Comes The Blind Fury by John Saul
Suffer the Children by John Saul
Six-Horse Hitch by Janice Holt Giles
Animal Farm by George Orwell
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

 

Fans of DreamWorks' animated Madagascar franchise will have to wait until 2018 for next fourth feature film, but in the meantime they look forward to seeing five brand-new episodes from DreamWorks Animation's Netflix original series All Hail King Julien that will premiere on April 3rd.

Set prior to the original Madagascar film, All Hail King Julien centers on the selfish, party-loving ring-tailed lemur named King Julien XIII (voiced by Danny Jacobs), whom doesn't take the leadership of a kingdom very seriously. Even his big-boned Aye Aye adviser Maurice (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson) and his new bodyguard Clover (voiced by India de Beaufort) can't stop his crazy antics.

These five new episodes are:

Eat Pray Love
He Blinded Me With Science
Viva Mort
The Really Really Big Lie
One More Cup

King Julien is ready to rule with an iron fist … waving in the air, like he just doesn’t care! Photo: DreamWorks Animation All Hail King Julien © 2014 DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.

“There Are” Sentences

Neglecting Commas

Lose/Loose

Parallel Errors

Passive Voice Only

Strong Is The New Skinny
by Jennifer Cohen & Stacey Colino
Publisher: Harmony Books
Pub. Date: September 16, 2014
ISBN: 978-0804140515
Pages: 240
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Wow! I can hardly believe that it is already April 1st today! I guess time flew by while I've been busy with life. I recall receiving the book Strong Is The New Skinny by Jennifer Cohen & Stacey Colino back in December, but it got shoved aside and I'm just now writing the review for it.

Yes, I'm well aware that there are a slew of fitness books on the market that all claim to help you lose weight. I tend to avoid these types of books, but since I'm in a fitness kick this year, I decided to give this book a try.

While this books is intended for woman, there is plenty of great fitness information and exercises that men (like me) can also benefit from. There is a great diet plan that focuses on the best food that will give you the correct amount of nutrients and protein. The book features over 100-pages of exercise routines with pictures and descriptions, which mixes in light-weight lifting, aerobics, yoga and Pilates.