It's official - Holiday shopping is here! Santa has arrived at the mall and there are Chrstmas trees on display in every store. Are you ready?
Last week I asked my children for Christmas Wish Lists..and within a day I was given four very long lists; Way more than we can realistically afford or would even conceive of giving them.
What I needed was a game plan. I asked the kids to prioritize wants from really, really, really wants. I was surprised. Some of the things that they really wanted weren't the most expensive!
Now the research. I need to know if they require additional purchases. (Like batteries, games, or memory cards) Next, since my friends and I are hard-core Black Friday shoppers, I've been watching the ad previews online. www.bfads.net If you're not one for Black Friday craziness...many offer are available online and comparable sales can be found from the comfort of your own home (and in your jammies) on Cyber Monday.
Christmas shouldn't cost a fortune.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
"Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."
~ A. Lincoln
People spend countless hours and billions of dollars trying to find happiness. Truth-be-told; you can't rely on any one person to provide you with happiness.
This week, take a pad of Post It Notes and write a happy note to yourself on each one. They can be compliments, Bible verses, positive affirmations, cute things that your kids say, or silly little quotes...whatever will make you smile!
Put an assortment of them scattered through your planner, home, dresser, desk, and car. Anywhere where you will stumble across them at a later date. (trust me - you WILL forget they are there!)
Now find joy in everyday. No matter HOW awful your day is..there is something good and wonderful!
People spend countless hours and billions of dollars trying to find happiness. Truth-be-told; you can't rely on any one person to provide you with happiness.
This week, take a pad of Post It Notes and write a happy note to yourself on each one. They can be compliments, Bible verses, positive affirmations, cute things that your kids say, or silly little quotes...whatever will make you smile!
Put an assortment of them scattered through your planner, home, dresser, desk, and car. Anywhere where you will stumble across them at a later date. (trust me - you WILL forget they are there!)
Now find joy in everyday. No matter HOW awful your day is..there is something good and wonderful!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Dining Room Dilemmas
As a family of six, we actually USE our formal dining room to eat. Although some nights it does need unburied it from the days accumulation of homework, books, and random things people have set down!
If you don't have a formal dining room, use this week to concentrate on your kitchen table. However, if you DO have a dining room and don't use it..ask yourself "why?" Maybe you would love to start having family dinners (or maybe romantic date-nights?) if you could only get it cleaned up..or maybe eating at a big table just doesn't fit into your lifestyle! I'm going to let you in on a little decorating secret...it doesn't HAVE to be a dining room just because that's what the architect called it! What would you use that space for? It's YOUR house. You should use the space how you want to.
If keeping it from being a dumping ground is the problem; make a date with yourself to clean it off. Talk to your family members about your desire to keep the table clean. Keep a large centerpiece on the table to make it look pretty and discourage clutter.
As a family of six, we actually USE our formal dining room to eat. Although some nights it does need unburied it from the days accumulation of homework, books, and random things people have set down!
If you don't have a formal dining room, use this week to concentrate on your kitchen table. However, if you DO have a dining room and don't use it..ask yourself "why?" Maybe you would love to start having family dinners (or maybe romantic date-nights?) if you could only get it cleaned up..or maybe eating at a big table just doesn't fit into your lifestyle! I'm going to let you in on a little decorating secret...it doesn't HAVE to be a dining room just because that's what the architect called it! What would you use that space for? It's YOUR house. You should use the space how you want to.
If keeping it from being a dumping ground is the problem; make a date with yourself to clean it off. Talk to your family members about your desire to keep the table clean. Keep a large centerpiece on the table to make it look pretty and discourage clutter.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
National Preparedness Month 2009
September marks National Preparedness Month. Yes, the kids still need to go to school, and you’re not getting a paid holiday from work..sorry! But ‘celebrating’ this holiday can make you prepared for the smallest emergencies and potentially save your lives.Emergencies happen every day and to prepare for all possible scenarios would be. Well. Impossible. But there are small things that you can do:
· Decide on your IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CONTACTS (ICE). Most new cell phones have the ability to mark these numbers right in your contact list or add the abbreviation ICE before the contacts you would like EMS personnel to call.
· Make a plan for what you will do in an emergency. Where are all of the possible exit points and where do you meet once you get out? Make alternative plans in case of an evacuation.
· Get a kit of emergency supplies. During a storm when the power goes out is not the time to look for the flashlight and extra batteries!
· Make the plan personal to your family. Have a meeting and discuss who, what, when, where, and why. Make an emergency phone chart that your children can understand.
The Department of Homeland Security has put together a very user-friendly website www.ready.gov where there are detailed lists and ideas for all possible emergencies. Use this month to get yourself ready for the unknown.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Your memory is a funny thing - when you're young you take it for grated that the information is up there when you need it - as we age..not so much.
Birthdays, first steps and the like are very important...but more importantly...you need to write down information that only you know. And you need to encourage your family to do the same.
You may be grateful to have this information on hand someday; not only in case of a death. Temporary memory loss can be caused by something as simple as a reaction to medication!
Take the time to go through the web-sites that you visit often and make a list of the site, password, and user name for each. Include social sites like face book or twitter..if something was to happen to you, your family will need this to cancel your account without having to provide a death certificate. Encourage your children to write down their information too.
Have a discussion with your spouse about where the important papers are and what needs to be done in case of an illness or death. Talk about simple things such as: Do you both know where the checkbook & bills are kept? The pin numbers for your debit cards?
If you are single; you need to write down your information and give it to someone you trust or at least make it known to your family where the information is located.
Make the commitment to get it done.
Birthdays, first steps and the like are very important...but more importantly...you need to write down information that only you know. And you need to encourage your family to do the same.
You may be grateful to have this information on hand someday; not only in case of a death. Temporary memory loss can be caused by something as simple as a reaction to medication!
Take the time to go through the web-sites that you visit often and make a list of the site, password, and user name for each. Include social sites like face book or twitter..if something was to happen to you, your family will need this to cancel your account without having to provide a death certificate. Encourage your children to write down their information too.
Have a discussion with your spouse about where the important papers are and what needs to be done in case of an illness or death. Talk about simple things such as: Do you both know where the checkbook & bills are kept? The pin numbers for your debit cards?
If you are single; you need to write down your information and give it to someone you trust or at least make it known to your family where the information is located.
Make the commitment to get it done.
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