Thiry-One Days ~ Day Six - Holiday Travel Needs

In keeping with the planning aspect of holiday preparations, will your Christmas plans have you traveling?

Now is a good time to get the details set, confirmed or get the ball rolling if you haven’t even begun.

Will your travel plans include…Air travel, Hotels, Car rental or airport shuttles?

Making and confirming schedules and reservations now could save you from headaches later.

What about your mail or your plants?

Will you need a house sitter or pet care while you are away?

Will you need to do any shopping to get ready to travel?

Will you need to ship any gifts ahead of time?

Check your luggage is it in good shape? What about prefilled travel size bottles of your favorite products or an empty set to fill with your own products? Get these ready now.

Take the time now to not just acknowledge these needs, but begin working on them.  You have the opportunity to greatly reduce confusion or other problems that can arise and therefore reduce your stress.

If you are lucky enough to stay home you may not need these tips. But do you have a friend or neighbor you know will be traveling? Could they use some help with these needs? A ride to the airport or their home watched and the mail brought in, you see where I’m going I think. What a great gift to give to someone during the holidays and it shouldn’t cost you anything and be of great help to them. What a great way to extend Christ’s love to another.

Now that this is on your mind it’s a great time to get your travel plans set and confirmed so that you don’t have to worry about it later

Thirty-One Days ~ Day Five -Sprucing Up Our Exteriors

Depending on where you live time could be a big factor in you ability to complete this task. So before any more of our precious time gets away let’s talk about sprucing up outside before winter hits.           

Do you need to have your gutters cleaned?

What about your windows?

Are there weeds in your flowerbeds?

Do you have bushes or trees that need trimming?

What do you need to get your home’s exterior ready not only for Christmas decorating, but also for winter?

The days are getting shorter and the temperatures’ are beginning to drop a little. So before your time to work is limited by conditions take stock of what needs to be done outside and get that plan ready…I warned you that this week one was full of plans.  

And trust me that as I write this, the to do list around here is growing.  Here’s what I have so far for our house.

We need to add mulch to our beds and deadhead some flowers. I have some pressure washing that needs to be done before cold weather makes itself at home. We need to clean out the gutters and washing at least a few windows {I’m not going over board on that one} mostly to get rid of cobwebs and other trash that have made a home on my windowsills.

There are several items that despite finding or making them a home last spring are still somehow lying around in the garage, along with some other odds & end picking up outside.

Here’s a few more tips sent to me by a home repair company not to long ago.

~Clean out gutters and downspouts. Inspecting gutters and downspouts for debris and fallen leaves can reduce the chances of an ice dam forming. An ice dam can cause leaks that will result in interior damage to your ceilings and walls. After you've cleared as many leaves as you can from your gutters, you can spray water down the downspouts to wash away any other debris. Gutter screens can help reduce the number of leaves that collect in your gutters. Exercise extreme caution when working on a ladder or on the roof.

~Run all gas-powered lawn equipment until the fuel tank is empty or discard of it properly. Gasoline left in the tank loses its volatile components over the winter, making your mower hard to start in the spring. By draining the tank, you are also removing flammable liquid storage from your garage. Make sure you aren't storing dirty, oily rags in a pile. They can ignite spontaneously.

~Prepare your furnace for the upcoming heating season. Consider calling a reputable local heating and cooling company to check your furnace, clean it, and prepare it for the upcoming winter. Keeping the furnace in good working condition will help reduce your heating bills and help avoid serious problems.

~Replace or clean your furnace filter. This will keep the air in your house cleaner, make your furnace more efficient, and help lower your heating bills

Are you asking what this has to do with Christmas preparations? Trying to get a repair man/company to our homes during Christmas can be difficult. Hopefully by checking on these now you can avoid some of these repairs, which can be costly...and have less stress not just during Christmas, but maybe all winter too!

Thirty-one Days ~ Day Four Christmas Cards

Do you send Christmas cards? Do you prefer a traditional boxed card or perhaps a photo card?  Do you always send a card every year or every other year? I have friends that do it both ways. Now is the time to get the ball rolling on this one, if you haven’t already? 

Prefer a boxed card? For a better selection of boxed cards you may want to get those now before the choices are few. Will you purchase your photo card through one of the super cute websites or use Costco or Wal-mart to print your cards? Start looking now at their selection, it might be useful when you begin to plan clothing for the picture.

Since photos cards can be pricey taking the time to shop around could save you a lot of money. I know several sites are offering discounts right now on these.

Need inspiration? Not only are the photo card websites full of ideas so is Pinterest.  Maybe take a little time and look around {don’t get to bogged down with this, it’s so easy to do}.  Photo cards can become major productions if you let them.

How will you get your perfect picture? Will you use a collage of photos from through out the year? Will you hire a photographer? Have a friend take it or do it your self.

Having a professional take it can be less stressful, but will cost more. They book up fast this time of year, so get that appointment made soon. Doing it yourself can save a lot of money, but may take more of your time. You’ll need to plan not only the clothes but also location and props.

Who will you include in your picture? We always have our dogs so I have to be sure that they have a grooming appointment near picture time. Do you have kids away at school or maybe your children are as busy as mine and you have to schedule pictures around dance practice or some other activity time? Keep this in mind as you plan your photo opt.

So spend some time today deciding what direction you want or need for this year and develop your plan to get this going or finished up. 

Thirty-one Days ~ Day Three Appointments

So glad you’re back.

If you’ll remember on day one I mentioned setting appointments. What does that have to with being ready for Christmas? We want a stress free holiday, so we need to cross those T’s and dot those I’s. I know that it may sound crazy but having appointments set will avoid all sorts of problems. Think about how busy and chaotic things can become, as Christmas gets closer because not only is Christmas coming but also the New Year. 

Think about all of the details we have to take care of before the end of the year; with or with out Christmas to celebrate.  Does anyone in your family need to see their doctor or dentist before the end of the year due to insurance needs or requirements?  

My darling hubby is diabetic and our dentist stays booked, so if we miss any of our scheduled appointments it can mess us up. Also stop to consider that a lot of people have met their deductibles and may want to get into the doctor one more time before the end of the year. It can be hard to see the doctor if you wait to long to make that appointment. I know that these things seem to slip my mind and around Thanksgiving I remember that we need to get an appointment before the end of the year and have had trouble getting one.

My husband and I have used the trip to the doctor, who’s in a bigger city about 45 minutes away as an excuse for a date night or even to finish up Christmas shopping during the holiday season.

So today will be short so that you can go look to see who needs to see the doctor or dentist and get a those appointments set now, not later when there are fewer choices…remember we want a stress free Christmas. 

~I hope you are enjoying the series and beginning to get ready for a stress free Christmas.

Be sure and take some time to enjoy some of the many other bloggers and the 31 Day series. There are so many great bloggers out there and they are so generous to share all of their great ideas and insight.

www.thenester.com/2012/09/31-dayers-2012.html

Thirty One Days - Day Two ~ DIY Projects

Ok so what’s next?

I have struggled with this. It was tempting to just create a list of 31 items on day 1 and basically sprint to the finish line, but that won’t work. Since the first few post need to consist of items that timing is imperative to, I think DIY projects will need to be addressed early {and crossed of the list or gotten out of the way}.

We all seem to get that driving force around this time of year to finally start or finish those projects around our home that we have declared necessary must do jobs. Why is that? I guess the thought of visitors’ planned and unplanned gets us motivated to act. Just be sure to proceed with real thought and consideration. Will you get those unfinished DIY projects completed, started or hide them out of sight until 2013; you decide.

Her are few questions to ask yourself to begin to evaluate your situation.

How important are these projects really?

Will it help during or near holiday time to have them completed?

Can they wait?

I have 3 on my list

-Repair a running toilet. We are fortunate to have a big house with lots of bathrooms. However with our layout, we have 3 floors {split-level house} and we have 1 bath on each level with the 3^rd floor having 2, a guest and the master.  Here’s the rub if the ½ bath on the main floor is in use then I need this second bathroom available to send guest to. The guest bathroom up stairs is the best one for company. Honestly I’m just ready to have this off the “To Do” list around here, so this is a good excuse to get it repaired.

-Recover my dinning room seat cushions. This is a project that I’ve done before, so I know what to expect both time and materials wise. I recovered these chairs about 5 years ago, since then I’ve gone in a different direction with the room and what I choose doesn’t work anymore. Since I always host either Christmas Eve or Christmas day for our families I’d love to get this completed for this year.

-Shelves for my laundry room installed. I’ve contemplated for years what to do with the area of my laundry room opposite my washer & dryer; we installed some lower cabinet but left the top open. I love the open shelves look that’s so popular right now. I have cabinets on the opposite wall over my washer & dryer; I think 2 sets in this room would be too heavy. With the addition of shelves to that side of the room they should take center stage away from the washer dryer, they’ll be pretty & utilitarian to boot. Ballard Design has some that I just love, but at almost $300 they are out of my reach right now. I decided to go to a local home improvement center to price doing the job myself {or for my DH to do} and came in just under a $100. A pretty good savings and a project my son will love to help with. 

~ I promise to post a photo of my before and after if I am able to get this one.

Now if it comes down to choosing the bathroom will not get the axe, so it may be a coin toss between the other two items.

Ok what projects are swirling around in your mind?  Do you have any projects currently in the works? Can they be finished without making you or your life more nuts than it might already be? If you truly can’t finish it or it’s just not necessary then pack it up and put it away until next year. There’s no need to create extra stress, especially if it can be avoided.  If you can get it done now is the time, don’t wait finish it this month; you’ll love the satisfaction that it brings. Much success to you whatever you choose.

Thirty-One Days ~ Day One Planning

Tomorrow starts the 31 days series courtesy of the Nester. I hope that you will join me for the next 31 days. We’ll prepare for the Christmas season with 31 Days to a More Enjoyable Christmas (less stressful). I’m excited and scared all at the same time.

This year when I was reminded of the 31 days series coming up, I felt a desire to participate. I’ll be honest and say that I’ll probably benefit more from this series than anyone else. 31 Days to a less stressful holiday hopefully will be the push we all need to get going and not put these items off. Hey that helps in the stress department right? I truly felt God nudging me to take part in this, to get me to write and to keep the commitment that the 31 days will require. He inspired me with a topic that not only could I use a gentle reminder in, but also that I have some idea about before I even began.

I remember growing up when Christmas decorations weren’t much more than a tree; yes just one tree. We had stockings maybe some Christmas candles on the mantle, a simple centerpiece on the dinning table and a wreath on the front door.  Most of these items were recycled year after year. We did have a real tree but I’m almost positive that other items were boxed up and brought back out year after year for years.

Now it seems that we have trees and lots of them some with themes; please know I have done this. One year we had six trees and most of them had a theme. Nativity scenes, villages, centerpieces, garland and bows are everywhere in our homes. There is very little of our homes and perhaps even our yards that aren’t decorated. There is a lot of time, money, and effort that goes into Christmas now. My neighbor has her trees up in mid-October and leaves them until the end of January. Whew!

I want us to first remember that Christmas has always been and should always be about the birth of Christ. No matter how you celebrate…big or small it’s about his birth and the best and perfect gift that he is. We need no other gift than that of our lord and savior.  Whatever your style or traditions I hope that you keep him first in your preparations and celebrations.

If your life is anything like ours each year there is more and more do to, especially if you have children. So with all of the activities, obligations and chores that the holiday season can bring, we can find ourselves overwhelmed sooner rather than later. With good planning Christmas can be not just manageable but enjoyable.

All of that said, I’m super thrilled to have you visit me. We will implement many of our plans and prep-work in October so we could be finished with many of the bigger projects by Thanksgiving. I pray that we all will find several useful and beneficial tips to have a more enjoyable and more meaningful Christmas...as stress free as possible!


A Plan ~ Day One 

I’m recommending for day one that you begin by mapping out your plans for the holiday. What activities do you know you need to include? 
Concerts, recitals, parties, traveling or guests coming in; you get the idea. 

However big or small the events have a plan. 

Decide what needs and commitments you will have and what provisions you will need to make and a then plan days to prepare or complete these. You will want to include days to clean; to shop; to bake and the alike on your calendar.

Start with some kind of calendar paper or your trusty phone. 

Look ahead to make appointments with yourself to be sure you have time to complete your goals and to help ensure that you don’t over extend yourself. Don’t feel guilty for making and keeping these appointments, you’ll be glad you did come December.

These first few post will include ideas for the different projects or needs you might have that require more thought and planning, many of which you may want to get started on if not accomplished within the 31 days, so we will start with those.

*Do you like my button? My sweet son who is 12 made it for me. He's never made one before, didn't even know what one was before I asked him to help me. I showed him a few, told him which ones were my favorites, what it needed to say and he went to work. He did a great job and almost gave me exactly what I envisioned, he did a good job and I'm thrilled to use it after all of his hard work.

It's Been 1 Year!

I started this 1 year ago & so much as happened. Some good, some not so good. But life really when you get right down to it.

I said good bye to my 90 year old grandmother. I witness my mom of 58 become disabled due to back fractures. We said goodbye to our Sophie - she died from cancer at Thanksgiving- she was 10.

We finished our 1st year of homeschooling & decided to continue doing it. We really loved it & hope & pray that it's in God's plan for us to continue to do it.

We added Oliver to our family he is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - so we are into puppy. I may be too old for this stuff, he's sweet, but he's a handful as well.

Kids competed in swim team & Gman went to camp for 2 weeks. Lulu did a theatre camp. Gman competed in his 1st Triathlon, and loved it!

My husband sold his business of 19+ years, and managed to get a job right away (OK the new owners asked him to stay on & he did ) and with this economy we were thrilled. He says it's not to bad, he's just happy not to be carrying the weight of the business on his shoulders. So that is worth it's weight in gold.

My DH & I were able to get away for a long weekend w/out kids.

And I quit blogging, but once again, I will try again. I have missed it, but it always seems to get pushed to the back or bottom of the list.

Whew! What a year. Hopefully I'll do better this year, but I may be slow at 1st DHubby having eye surgery this week & then as soon as we get Dr ok we're headed out of town, NOLA to see friends!

Tuesday Takes!

Here is my view from my treadmill.

It still didn't help me stay on today - Only did about half of

what I should have or was planning to do.

Maybe it was the power lines in the way.

I need to be thankful, about 5 minutes after I called it quits

The power went off for a few minutes, I would have been

boogieing to my view and flying off the thing. I think I'll be

gratefully that I didn't have it in me today.

Simon joined the kids for breakfast a few days ago.


He has better table manners than the kids.
No he didn't get any!

But it looks like Gman ate after him doesn't it?

Monday Musings

Even Diana & Jackie O

Saturday night the hubby & I were able to go to diner & then a quick stop by Barnes & Nobles before retrieving our children from my parents. We lingered every moment that we could. I had been in the children's' section looking for some books to inspire my non reader & my "will I ever read by myself" reader. When the bargain hunter in me stopped at the bargain section.

There they were Diana, Jackie O, JFK, Bono, Eminem, The Beatles, and so many other famous faces. All with bargain stickers plastered across their cover. Let me tell you as a lover of books the sticker on the book alone was enough to irritate me, that glues lasts forever.

But here were all different people from so many different walks of life with similar & different contributions to the world, in the bargain section. It was a little sad at first. But after a moment I thought no matter how big or important someone is, they probably won't always stay at the top. They are human, people just like the rest of us, with faults. They can stumble or be tripped up in life, or their time at the top will pass.

It really made me wonder why it is that so many people worship famous people. Do they all deserve this worship, why do so many want to be them, look like them, act like them, and have what they have? Most have never proven themselves to be worthy of such praise & even so they are still human & capable of messing up like the rest of us. The higher they are the further the fall. Are our lives really so bad that & theirs so much better? What's wrong with who you are?

While I haven't met many if any truly famous people. I've been in the room or arena with a few. It was fun & exciting to be there. But I've never been consumed with someone and felt compelled to keep up with their every move, or know everything there is to know about that person. I don't even want to know what my neighbors are doing, so I can't imagine keeping up with someone who doesn't know I exist.

We're all human so anyone can be famous & therefor end up in the bargain section. I may never be famous (thank goodness) but I should never end up in the bargain section!

Foto Friday

Just a few kiddo shots. They've been asking for some.

My dancer!

I wish I could rent him out.

1st the money would be nice -I kid!

But he is so funny & very quick. Sometimes to quick.

Charity Does Begin at Home

No not the selfish me me me type, or what can we do for our family or home 1st type.

I am referring to doing something for yourself. I believe more & more that we (I mean moms - no offence dads) need to let charity start with ourselves & for us. When we take care of ourselves we can better do the job others need & want us to do for them, even beyond the family in our house.

When we allow ourselves to take care of our needs, we are better for everyone else. I know friends that they are the last thing on the list, that is if they even are on the list to get attention. I've had that same mind set. Quickly, I am realizing that to be my best for everyone else I need to take of me.

Caring for ourselves goes beyond being able to say I had a shower today.

Smart eating.

When you eat better, you'd be surprised how quickly you will try to get your kids to have better meals & snacks. Plus I view teaching right from wrong to include food too. Trust me I'm not perfect at practicing what I preach, but we are trying. Getting more of the right foods helps in every area, energy, mood, attitude, and sleep.


Exercise, we need it & we deserve it.

I found my self unable to sleep a view weeks ago & watching several reruns of Biggest Looser (which I'd never seen before). The lady that went home said that within weeks of being home that she had gained about 10lb back. She was busy seeing to everyone else & not giving herself anything but the leftovers (which were few). When she realized that she was about to gain back what she had lost, she changed her thinking, making sure that she had time for exercising and for herself.
Let's not forget the energy that you'll have to offer others.

It's O.K. to pamper yourself from time to time.

I know money for most is tight, so I'm not saying head to the spa. But find a few "beauty products" that you like. Get everyone out of the house one afternoon. Hard I know, but you deserve it. Have dad take them to a park or something. Do some kiddo swapping with a friend. Take hers 1 afternoon & then give her yours the next day.
Take those products, run a hot tub of water & relax. Paint your nails, scrub your body slick. Just once a month. Give yourself some pampering.

Read, blog, listen to music.

Find something to enjoy. Maybe rediscover a old hobby, find time for a good book or with some favorite music.


Now here's where I've been with these on my list to do for me, lately.

Several weeks ago my DH and I began a new "life style" change, known by most as diet. Even though I don't like the word diet, to call it a life style change sounds odd, or like I can't come to grips with being on a diet. Everyone is on a diet, just what type, healthy, bad or really bad. I've seen some results lost 15lbs, my clothes are pretty loose, so some new clothes will be in my future. Yeah!

It's hard to keep up with what I eat, when I eat, how much & do I have the right foods. Then there is exercise. Ugh! I remember when I was younger I lived on a bike. No really. I rode at least 10 miles everyday that the sun was shining. But to exercise now is a chore & I think of the other things that I should or could be doing. Why do I feel guilty for doing something for me. Even though I know I deserve it & need it. But I do love the energy I have that day.

I've been slowly (not daily) able to have some reading time for me & I get my music in while on my treadmill encounter. I've given my self an extra few minutes in the shower. (O.k. not everyday but a couple).

I've been trying to get more & better sleep.

Over all I feel like a better wife & mom. I'll ask them & see waht they think & if they agree I'll post it, if not oh well!

Baby steps taken & many more to go. But at least, I'm on the right track & getting better each day in taking care of me. So that I can be my best for everyone else and for Me!

I'm working on some things!

Bare with me 2009 has been busy.

I've wanted to make changes to my blog, more substance. I've had a desire to write & never could decide how to go about it. All sorts of ideas go through my head, but don't always seem to get completed or get lost on their way to the keyboard. I decided to take off to try & decide how to use this medium.

February had me making lots of Doctor visits for myself & every other member of my family. Then I had to have some oral surgery and I found out that I'm not as young as I used to be? I would have sworn that I was still in 20's late yes but 20's. Mentally maybe & maturity wise maybe. But physical I'm in my 30's & perhaps beyond!

It was much harder than I was ready for & wiped me out for far longer than I had planned or was ready for. So homeschooling was a challenge & had to be my 1st priority.

I've missed this. I have tried to keep up with my favorite blogs, and usually refrained from commented on most of them. Trying to be wise with my time, that and I knew that they'd survive without my 2 cents worth.

But I've come up with what I hope will be my posting plan. 2 days a week I will cover my family & events. Then 2 days a week I will write about the things that are on my mind. So I'll start there & we'll see how it goes.

Did I mention that I've been attending "diet class" for the last 8 weeks & trying to learn how to eat better for the whole family. That has also taken a lot of my time & energy. My DH is diabetic so I'm trying to do better for him & I had several pounds that needed to stop following me around as well. I'm down about 14 pounds & have about 20 give or take to go.

So please forgive me & know that I've been thinking of you & feeling as though I was missing a few friends (even though I'd come by & read a while with you).