Organizing & DIY Monday Link Party – Week 13

Easter Preparation

 What are your Easter preparations?  Do you decorate your house?  Hang plastic eggs from the trees outside?

We always make Easter eggs.  I’m going to share some of our Easter pictures from 2005. The triplets were five years old and Tim & Drew were 13 and 14 yrs old. They still enjoyed coloring eggs too.  Can you tell which one I did? lol

The dates on the pictures aren’t right, not sure what happened with my camera back then.

 

Easter morning – the kids did an Easter egg hunt outside in the yard and then had to find their hidden Easter baskets.

Alex with his kangaroo…. obviously also has a mouth full of Easter candy!

 

I love Easter memories!

 

Link up to my Linky Party! I’d love to see your Easter, organizing or DIY projects!

1) Link to your specific post – not your blog
2) Please Link back to my blog with my button or link (url code under button tab )
3) Blog post related to Organizing or Cleaning or DIY or crafts or decorating are WONDERFUL!
4) No sales pitches or web sites.
5) Feel free to link up more than 1 post.

 

Looking for other link parties? I have a whole list of them. Thumbnail via day above and keep scrolling down to find a more extensive text lists by day on my link party list. If you aren’t sure how to link up… see my link party tutorial here. It is simple. If You Are On A Reader and Want to View All the Great Link Up’s on this post please Click here 
This party will be open until April 8, 2012 at 11:59pm

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Fav Pin Friday Linky Party – #Pinterest Week 10

Easter Ideas from Pinterest!

There are some of the cutest ideas for Easter floating around out there!  Who doesn’t love bunnies and all the spring colors.    I saw this idea from Pinterest and thought it was SO cute!

Peep S’Mores

Make a Peep S’More.. at home!   You use your typical graham crackers and Hershey chocolate bars – but you add a Peep for the Marshmallow (after all it is marshmallow).  You put just the bottom half (1 cracker, chocolate and Peep) in the microwave for about 8-12 seconds I think. I know marshmallows really puff up huge in the microwave. I can’t wait to try this with the kids!

You can find this post at Eclectic Recipes 

Lori found the Peep S’mores on Pinterest and she put another spin on them.  What a neat idea this is! She made up Peep S’More packs for her kids parties at school.  She got the little bags and then she printed up the instructions and put on the back.  Hopefully the kids will wait until they get home to open and make them, rather than opening and just eating all the ingredients out first!  I LOVE this idea!

You can find this darling idea at My Wood Spoon

Bunny Cupcakes

Isn’t this cupcake darling?  So simple, yet looks so awesome!  I first saw just the backside shot of the bunny in the cupcake. When I went to the post I found this pic with the front of the bunny done up too.  It is a blog written in spanish, but some awesome recipe. Worth hitting the translator for.

You can find this idea at Cupcake Perfecto.

Angry Bird Easter Eggs

How cute are these?

You can find the post for these on The Tip Junkie party ideas

 

Would love for you to link something you would like pinned!

Guidelines

1) Add a link from one of your blog post you want pinned.
2) Be sure to use the picture you want pinned for the picture we see on here.
3) Would love for you to tweet this out, or stumble or pin it. (Only pin my Fav Pin Friday button, not any of the pics I put up from pinterest please – those aren’t my pictures.)
4) Be sure to pin a couple other pins you see on here too!
5) Please click on the pictures, it will take you to my pinterest boards where I pinned these pics.  Please repin these pictures, as it will help the people who originally posted the picture. Visit their posts to help them out.

If you like the pinterest parties you can go to Kim’s at Crafty Mama of 4. She has Pin it Friday 

If you need some help knowing how to link up, this link party tutorial should help.

Fav Pin Party – Week 9 #Pinterest

St. Patrick’s Day Pins!

These were some of my favorite pins for Saint Patrick’s Day!

This just looks SO awesome! Look at the green sprinkles on top. lol

Love whoopie pies!!

These look too good to eat… and expensive!

 

Would love for you to link something you would like pinned!

Guidelines

1) Add a link from one of your blog post you want pinned.
2) Be sure to use the picture you want pinned for the picture we see on here.
3) Would love for you to tweet this out, or stumble or pin it. (Only pin my Fav Pin Friday button, not any of the pics I put up from pinterest please.)
4) Be sure to pin a couple other pins you see on here too!
5) Please click on the pictures, it will take you to my pinterest boards where I pinned these pics.  Please repin these pictures, as it will help the people who originally posted the picture. Visit their posts to help them out.

If you like the pinterest parties you can go to Kim’s at Crafty Mama of 4. She has Pin it Friday 

If you need some help knowing how to link up, this link party tutorial should help.

St. Patrick’s Day Milkshake

Surprise Your Kids with Green Milkshake!

Saint Patrick’s Day can be a lot of fun.  You can do something as simple as give your kids a green milkshake and they will be thrilled.

Fun thing about it, is that it can be a really healthy shake and they don’t realize it.

It tastes like banana and peanut butter, so the kids will not even realize there is spinach in it (if you don’t want them to know).

Recipe for Green smoothie Shake

1/2 cup vanilla low fat yogurt
1 cup skim milk
1 banana
1 Tablespoon peanut butter
3-4 Cups leaf spinach
5-7 ice cubes

I haven’t tried this but you could substitute ice cream for the ice cubes if you wanted.

Makes about 48 oz of shake.

You can see my full post here for Green Spinach Recipe

 

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Organizing & DIY Link party – Week 7

Link Up Your Posts or Get Some New Ideas!

What is Valentine’s Day like at Your Home?

We have a special dinner which is a bit different. We have chocolate chip pancakes! I did it one year for fun and the kids haven’t forgotten. When they mention Valentine’s Day, they mention chocolate chip pancakes! I have done them in heart shapes, but I didn’t last year when I took these pictures. We’ll see what tomorrow brings when I make them this year.

This is what Dave had waiting for me for Valentine’s day one year. I came in late that night from a trip and this was on the table for me.

Share your DIY, crafts, decorating, organizing projects and Valentine’s Day posts!

You can find the link for my button on my top “Buttons” Tab. (right now I only have the Organizing Mission Monday button, so it is fine to continue to grab that) 
1) Link to your specific post – not your blog
2) Please Link back to my blog with my button or link (link just above underneath my button)
3) Blog post related to Organizing or Cleaning or DIY or crafts or decorating are WONDERFUL!
4) No sales pitches or web sites.
5) Feel free to link up more than 1 post.

I also have a Pinterest Favorite Pin Friday Linky Party! Be sure to watch for that!

Looking for other link parties? I have a whole list of them. Thumbnail via day above and keep scrolling down to find a more extensive text lists by day on my link party list. If you aren’t sure how to link up… see my link party tutorial here. It is simple. If You Are On A Reader and Want to View All the Great Link Up’s on this post please Click here 
This party will be open until Feb 19, 2012 at 11:59pm

Fav Pin Friday – #Pinterest Linky Party – Week 5

Want Your Post Pinned on Pinterest?

Then link it up! Super simple.  You can also look at some other great posts and pin them to your boards too!

Valentine’s Day is coming up quick! Here are a few things I really liked that I saw on Pinterest this week.

I’m so into cupcakes – I love this one! The color is so delicate and goes perfect with the look of this cupcake.

This table arrangement I thought was really cool looking for a party, a romantic dinner or even to make a family dinner fancy.

The last thing I wanted to highlight was this fun idea to surprise your honey with.  You get a balloon for each year you are married and tie a message to the bottom of each one telling him/her why they are so special to you.  It’s also a neat idea for an anniversary.

Guidelines

1) Add a link from one of your blog post you want pinned.
2) Be sure to use the picture you want pinned for the picture we see on here.
3) Would love for you to tweet this out, or stumble or pin it. (Only pin my button, not any of the pics I put up from pinterest please)
4) Be sure to pin a couple other pins you see on here too!

If you like the pinterest parties you can go to Kim’s at Crafty Mama of 4. She has Pin it Friday 

If you need some help knowing how to link up, this link party tutorial should help.

If you click on these pictures, it will take you to my pinterest boards that I pinned these pictures to.  Please repin these pictures from my pinterest board as it will help the people who originally pinned the picture. It will benefit their posts.

If you would like an invitation to join Pinterest, please let me know in the comments and I’ll invite you.

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Fav Pin Friday – #Pinterest Linky Party

Link Up A Post You Would Like Pinned

If you are going to help pin on this post, please only pin my Fav Friday Badge (which I would really appreciate).  I do not want anyone pinning pictures that aren’t mine.  I did link the pictures up to my pinterest board where they are located. I would love for you to go and repin those, and that will help the person who originally pinned the item.

 

Look at the awesome use of space under these stairs.  I love this.  You do have to have the proper set up to be able to use this space. In my home, you can’t get under the stairs like this, so I couldn’t do it.

But I have also seen this used in basements (and the shelves hold extra pantry goods or such). I’ve seen it in a garage /workshop where there was an upstairs room.  He had his tools and had organized containers to hold his supplies and had them on the stairs.

 

 

If you know me, you know I have shoe envy.  I can’t wear these, but I sure do appreciate and love them!

 

Aren’t these darling?  Someone pinned them as Valentine boxes for boys, but I went to the web site where she made them. They are actually Tattle Monster boxes.  She made these for the teachers, and the kids can put their “tattles of other children” in here, to help reduce the tattling in the classroom.

Guidelines

1) Add a link from one of your blog post you want pinned.
2) Be sure to use the picture you want pinned for the picture we see on here.
3) Would love for you to tweet this out, or stumble or pin it. lol
4) Be sure to pin a couple other pins you see on here too!

If you like the pinterest parties you can go to Kim’s at Crafty Mama of 4. She has Pin it Friday 

If you need some help knowing how to link up, this link party tutorial should help.

If you would like an invitation to join Pinterest, please let me know in the comments and I’ll invite you.

Organizing & DIY Link Party – Week 3

Valentine’s Day Craft Projects

Valentine’s Day is coming fast!  I wanted to find a couple DIY projects that you might enjoy.

I did some searching on the internet and found a couple things from Martha Stewart.com and also Disney Family Fun.

 Romantic Candle Garden

I must really like the idea of the candle’s in coffee beans because I showed you one the other day I liked from pinterest too.  But how simple would this be to do?  Grab a few of those pillar candles that you probably have in a drawer somewhere, find a neat bowl or basket, pour in some coffee beans, place your candles and wah-la.. you’re finished!

Candy Hearts and Flower Arrangement

I think this would be super easy. It might take a trip to a craft store, but just for the jar and flowers.  You could use either real or artificial flowers in this, but personally I would suggest artificial if you want to feel ok about eating the candy hearts.

How cute would this be sitting on your daughter’s bedside in the morning?

 

Heart finger puppets Disney

These next couple ideas came from the Disney site.  This would make a cute craft for the kids and would also make fun home made Valentine’s Cards. They could write their messages on the back of them.

Your a blast

I’ve seen a couple people who have made this project, on pinterest. They have said they use Rolo candy in the center tube to stabilize. This would also be a fun craft for the kids to make for others, or something easy to make for them.

Valentine’s Day Coupon Checks

I loved things like this when I was young.  You can print these coupons for the kids to fill out for Valentine’s day gifts.  Another idea if they planned to give them to parents, siblings and Grandparents would be, if you have your old checks from a closed checking account sitting around – let them use those. If they are going to close family members you wouldn’t have to be so concerned with getting personal information off before using.

Share your DIY, crafts, decorating or organizing projects!!

You can find the link for my button on my top “Buttons” Tab. (right now I only have the Organizing Mission Monday button, so it is fine to continue to grab that) 
1) Link to your specific post – not your blog
2) Please Link back to my blog with my button or link (link just above underneath my button)
3) I’d love if you’d follow me on google and/or FB. The google is new and I’m trying to build it
4) Blog post related to Organizing or Cleaning or DIY or crafts or decorating are WONDERFUL!
5) No sales pitches or web sites.
6) Feel free to link up more than 1 post.

Looking for other link parties? I have a whole list of them. Thumbnail via day above and keep scrolling down to find a more extensive text lists by day on my link party list. If you aren’t sure how to link up… see my link party tutorial here. It is simple. If You Are On A Reader and Want to View All the Great Link Up’s on this post please Click Here.
This party will be open until January 22, 2012

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New Year’s Goals

Goals not Resolutions

What is the difference between a New Year’s Goal and a New Year’s Resolution?

A goal is something you are striving for.  A resolution is something you say “will happen before next year”. You are resolved that it is going to happen.  I think that is the reason people don’t like them. There is no “give”.  Then people feel defeated when they aren’t living up to what they want to do, and they quit.

What are your goals?

By the way, doing what that guy is doing is NOT one of my goals! lol  (photo from Google photos)

The same thing happens with organizing.  Someone wants it “perfect” and when they aren’t achieving that, they end up just giving up and things get out of control.

I have goals this year. Many of them are things I’m always working on.  But here is a list of my goals:

1) Get up around 6am. Go to bed by 11pm
2) Work on my blog in the morning BEFORE I open any other windows to start my job.
3) Work towards working my job 9-5 M-F instead of 7am-11pm M-Sunday.
4) Exercise everyday. Walking (with goals of jogging 1 mile) and maybe a Zumba DVD the other day.
5) Lose this extra weight I am carrying around (that is heavy to carry! lol)

Sit down today, if you haven’t already done so and write out at least five goals you have for this year. Something to strive for, something to work towards.  Don’t beat yourself up & give up, if you aren’t where you need to be at a certain point.  Work slowly and steadily.

Exercise has always been a thorn in my side. I wasn’t athletic in school and I’ve never had a good routine that I have maintained for any real length of time.  I picture myself as someone in shape who can run! I am inspired by watching the Biggest Loser. I always think, “hey, if people that have that much extra weight can do this, then there is no reason that I shouldn’t be able to do this.”

With work there is so much work to be done, that I could work 15 hours everyday and still have things that I could be doing. That is one down fall of working from home – work is always there. lol  But I think it is about the only down fall I can think of. I love everything else about it. I love being able to sit in my family room with my feet up, with my turtle neck and hoodie and tennis shoes on and working. cool huh? (I’m not a PJ worker).  But I’ve not been able to keep up with my blog and one of my goals is to give it more time this year.

What are your goals for the new year?

Happy New Year 2012!

New Beginning, New Start, New Year

I think it is wonderful that we can “start fresh” each year. Make goals (resolutions if you like) and plans for what’s to come.   My husband got me in the habit of actually writing down my goals for the year.  He has done it for years. So I also began doing this several years ago.

I opened up my goals for 2011 the other day and evaluated what I did and didn’t accomplish.  There were several I did accomplish and several I didn’t. (that will be included on this year’s list of goals).  It’s wonderful if you can accomplish everything on your list, but chances are you won’t… and that is ok. Goals are that.. what we strive for.

It is a time of reflection, evaluation, a moment to stop and think what we are doing…. where we have been and where we want to go.

We need to not take our lives for granted.  We all do, it is human nature to get comfortable and think life will never change. But all you have to do is pick up a newspaper, or look at the latest online headlines and we know there is no predictability in life. Life is fragile, it is precious and we need to do our best each day to make our short lives that which would make our children proud, our parents proud, our spouses proud, God proud and ourselves proud.  Most of us (including myself) have a long way to go before we can say that, but it is a goal we should all be striving for.

My suggestion to you today would be to sit down by yourself and write out your goals for the year.  What would you like to accomplish, what would you like to strive for? What would make you feel good next year to see you had worked towards?

Think about it.

Happy New Year!

Reflections of 2011

This Has Been An Awesome Year!

I want to look back at some of the highlights of this year. Although I don’t really have an event or pictures for it, the biggest highlight has been that we are all healthy and happy.  To have ten members of your immediate family there can always be so many things that can happen.  Knock on wood, but we have all been safe and without any serious illnesses.  For that we are TRULY BLESSED!

January

I was asked to go to Disney World with Collective Bias and Murphy USA to attend their National Managers Meeting. They wanted some bloggers who could assist in teaching some of their managers the value of social media, namely Whrrl (which is unfortunately no longer available). I had an awesome time!

February

My two oldest boys graduated from Army boot camp. They both joined the National Guard and had just completed the toughest training they had ever experienced. They  both came through with flying colors and I was the proudest Mom ever! They went on to San Antonio where they went through training to become lab techs. Talk about basically a medical degree in 6 easy months! Wow…. this was intense. They graduated from there in August and are now serving 6 months in an internship working and learning and still taking tests at Fort Campbell, KY (until March 2012)

March

I returned to Disney World, but this time with Disney Social Media Moms. ( Day 1 , Day 2, & Day 3 posts ) I had SO wanted to take the kids with me this year. I signed them up, but when it came down to actually getting the plane tickets, we just couldn’t spend the money.   I of course still had a wonderful time. We got to be a part of a Disney Wedding, oh the magic in a Disney wedding…

 

May

Gleek Retreat

This was my 2nd year attending Gleek Retreat. It was in Holland, MI. I was one of the speakers this year at this small conference.  Being in such a small group is really nice.  We had loads of fun (as always).  This picture was taking on a dinner cruise that we got to go on.

Joe gets Married

This was one of my two big shocks this year.  Joe and Fulton had only met about 3 months ago. She was going to be shipped to another location and they decided to get married. Turned out that they sent her back to San Antonio after just a week and they did get to spend some time together. But it has been very difficult for them as even then, they were both in their barricks and not able to be a couple unless they went off base on the weekends. Then she was shipped to Ft. Lee, VA and he went to Ft. Campbell, KY. They thought they would get to stay together, but because she is active and he is National Guard, the Army rule didn’t apply to them.  They won’t be able to be together until March when Joe graduates.

Tim’s Graduation

Tim graduated from HS this month. He had an awesome senior year and really poured it on with his grades this year. We had a small family graduation party at the house afterwards. This is a picture of my Dad (80 yrs young) and Tim.

 

Here is a video I made for his graduation party

 

June

Family Vacation

We stayed close by and got some great opportunities to review some fun places due to my Explore Ohio with Sandy blog.  The favorite for all of us was getting to do the Canopy Tour in Hocking Hills. Alex doesn’t look too happy in this picture, but it is because he didn’t want to lean out over the edge (we were high up here, although you can’t tell from this picture). The guide was making them do it to trust the their lines.

Here is a video I made of our canopy tour

Collective Bias Job

While we were at the Columbus Zoo, riding on the train I got a call from Courtney Velasquez.  She offered me a job working with Ted Rubin helping to manage a new division they named cbSocially.  I was in shock.  I had worked as a member of Social Fabric with CB for almost two years, but had been doing less with them lately and was trying to figure out where I was going to go from there. I was scared to get excited, fearing things were going to fall through.  I was jumping up and down in my head, but I think I came across as very subdued on the phone.  It has turned out to be nothing but absolutely wonderful!  I started off as a consultant and was officially employed by Collective Bias in September. Can’t imagine a better job! I get to work in social media with my “CB Family” from home.

Type A Parent Conference

This is the 3rd Type A conference I have been to.  I drove to NC with Debba from Girlfriendology. It was fun having someone to talk to on this trip. Getting to see all my social media friends is always great. We talk online, but getting to see each other in person is always fun. You can’t beat a real life hug!  Here I am with Kim from CraftyMamaof4 and Debba.

 

Bentonville, Arkansas

Visiting the corporate office of Collective Bias for the first time.  I got to be there for their official ribbon cutting of their new location (which they have already outgrown!)  I’m not in the picture, because I’m taking the picture, but the Mayor of Bentonville Bella Vista is there in the red tie. John Andrews and Amy Callahan are holding the scissors.

July

Joe & Fulton visit

I was glad to get to meet my new daughter in law for the first time. She and Joe were so cute together, and I’ve never seen my son happier.

Evo

I was so excited to go back to EVO conference which is in Utah! It is just so beautiful there! As I was riding up the ski lifts looking all around, I was determined to bring at least my husband next year, if not the kids too.  I’m working on it for 2012!

August

Blogher in LA

I loved the weather in LA and the non-hectic pace! I had never been to LA before and really enjoyed it.  I was photographer for CB for our big Cheap Sally party we helped sponsor.

I think this was the first time that I went to a conference and really didn’t attend much of the conference, or parties. I was working while I was there. I had been putting in bunches of hours 80-90 per week on my job with cbsocially helping to get it off the ground.  But I still had a great time!

Here I am with Courtney Velasquez and Kim Janocko from CB.

October

Drive my Dad to VA to see my Sister

I have become my Dad’s official chauffeur to see my sis. I took him last year and he talked about going this year before we had even left there last year! My brother came this year also and we all had an awesome time.

November

Dave and I celebrate our 5th Anniversary

We went to Colorado to celebrate. Dave had been stationed out there when he was in the service and has always talked about and loved Colorado Springs. I found an awesome cabin to rent not far from that. It was so beautiful. I didn’t think we would have any problem with the altitude, since I was fine in UT, but I didn’t consider that the difference between 6,000 feet and 9,000 feet would make that much difference. Well it did. We both had problems with headaches and not feeling well, even though we were downing the water. But other than that, it was a great few days.

 

Thanksgiving

I got to have most of my family home for Thanksgiving.  Drew (striped shirt) came home from Ft. Campbell and my other son John (blue shirt to my left) came home from Lexington KY.  Joe went to VA to spend time with Fulton, so they weren’t able to make it.

December

Christmas

I did get to have all my kids home, but not at the same time.  Joe came from Dec. 19 – 22. He then went to VA to see his wife since she was unable to go further than 250 miles away from base (she was out of leave time). Drew my other son in the military came in on the 22nd, just in time for Tim’s 19th birthday. So the group in the picture above was the group we had home for our Christmas.

We celebrated Christmas eve on Friday December 23rd and our Christmas morning on the 24th. Then the triplets and Dave’s Drew went to their mom’s and my three boys went to see their Dad who was in town. But we had an awesome time.

I’m excited for 2012, and pray that it can be as wonderful as this year has been.  I don’t want to take any of it for granted.  I pray for healthy, safety and wise decision making for my entire family. Lord willing, I’ll be recapping 2012 with just as much joy and happiness.

 

 

 

Triplet’s 11th Birthday

December is Birthday Month in our House as well as Christmas

Our two oldest living at home turned 18 & 19 this month, along with the triplets having their 11th birthday today.  They were 3 1/2 years old when I first met Dave. It’s been a joy getting to watch them grow up.

We don’t have them today on their birthday (one of the negatives of divorce, but if not for divorce Dave and the kids wouldn’t even be in my life… so I can’t say it is all bad! )  So we celebrated with them on Wednesday.

We took them to a Japanese restaurant.  We tried one for the first time (for the kids) for Dave’s birthday in October, but it was disappointing. We wanted them to see the kind of display you normally get at a nice Japanese restaurant.  We went to Genji’s in Reynoldsburg Ohio because we knew it wouldn’t disappoint. We were right!  Excellant food, excellant service, excellant show.

I didn’t take my good camera with me, but I got a few pictures from my camera phone while I was there.

They used their chopsticks with “training wheels” as they were told.

They are all good eaters (not like my boys) and enjoyed the food.  Alex got steak and looked over at us and said… “This is AWESOME!”

Zach was loving the food – they got the kids plates (since they were still 10 when we went on Wednesday they were still legal! lol)  He just got his new glasses this last weekend… looks great doesn’t he?

The kids had a great time.  Of course they had the birthday celebration at the restaurant. They came out banging a drum and singing. They brought them a pineapple all decorated. Fun!

We then headed to the Aeropostal store so they could use their gift cards. They are finally big enough to fit into their clothes and they are thrilled!

Once we got home, we gave them their joint birthday gift.

A new laptop. Having triplets it can be interesting when they all three come home with the same projects due at the same time. They all want to use the computer at one time.  So this laptop will help to eliminate that stress. There will be a computer in the house that they can all be on one at the same time if necessary.

Happy Birthday kids… love ya!

 

Organizing Mission Monday Link Party – Week 50

Christmas Ornaments

Do you get new ones each year? Buy a special one for the kids or your family? Are they dated?

When the kids were young I used to get them each a new ornament each year. I wanted them to have something for their trees when they got older. So far, I still have most of them. lol I do think my two oldest have taken some of their ornaments the last few years to have on their own trees though.

Over the last several years I have just gotten a new “family” ornament. I used to find them at the craft shows and would have our names and year put on them. But the last couple years I’ve not been able to find someone who makes them when I go to the shows. This year and I think last I didn’t even go to any craft shows.

I’ve found a kiosk in a local mall that has really cute ones. As my family has grown (with four step children and now a daughter in law) it has become more difficult to find ornaments with enough spots for all of us.  I hate to say it, but I had to get what I’m sure is a “grandparents” ornament this year. But… with Dave having white hair and I wear the reading glasses… it worked. ugh

Here are a couple others we’ve had the last couple years.

2010

2009

2008- I just did the kids we had at home this year.

Link up to My Linky Party

I’d love for you to share your Christmas DIY projects, decorating and recipes,  but as always you can link up any organizing or cleaning or DIY post to my link party.

You can find the link for my button on my top “Buttons” Tab.
1) Link to your specific post – not your blog
2) Please Link back to my blog with my button or link (link just above underneath my button)
3) I’d love if you’d follow me on google and/or FB. The google is new and I’m trying to build it
4) Blog post related to Organizing or Cleaning or DIY or decorating
5) No sales pitches or web sites.
6) If I feature you I will use one or more of your pictures with a link back to your blog.
7) Feel free to link up more than 1 post.

Looking for other link parties? I have a whole list of them. Thumbnail via day above and keep scrolling down to find a more extensive text lists by day on my link party list. If you aren’t sure how to link up… see my link party tutorial here. It is simple. If You Are On A Reader and Want to View All the Great Link Up’s on this post please Click Here.
This party will be open until December 25th, 2011

Tips For Organizing Your Holiday Festivities

Making a List – Checking it Twice…

If only our lists were this easy?  Making list and keep track of what you are doing, what you have done and what you still need to do can be your survival for the holidays. I will be referencing Christmas, because that is what I celebrate – please just insert your own holiday. Thanks!

Preparing your Home

*With decorations comes moving things around, rearranging and cleaning.
*As you go through your decorations this year. Look in that box. How many things have not come out of that box to use in years?  Hint- It’s ok to get    rid of it. Just because it is from Christmas’s ago…doesn’t mean you HAVE to keep it. Take a picture with it…and let it go. This will make more room  if someone gives you more decorations, or there is something you just have to have in the store this year.
*Cleaning and sorting as you put things out, makes putting them away that much easier.

Holiday Meals – Things to Think of

*Which big meals will you be preparing and on which dates?
*How many people will be there?
*What will you serve? Along with appetizers, side dishes, desserts and beverages.
*Make out your grocery list.
*Look for coupons (big meals can be expensive! – this is one expense that many people don’t think to budget into their holiday spending
*If people ask what they can bring, give them an answer – salad, appetizer, dessert. Don’t hesitate to let them help.

Christmas Parties

*Be sure to write any invites on your calendar with times to keep track.
*Be curious and RSVP  (so many people don’t do this anymore. Let the hostess know how many to plan for)
*Plan what you are going to wear ahead of time.
*Do you need a gift for a gift exchange? Put that on your list
*Plan babysitters early (and get one for New Year’s Eve now if you need one!)

Christmas Cards

*If you still send them (and I hope you do…. I do) then purchase your cards if you haven’t already.
*Update your address list.
*They are great to take with you to appointments – sit in the Dr. office waiting room and fill out your envelops!
*Buy your stamps.
*Fill out your cards. Personally I love the letters (I save and open those last when I get cards) – but at least a short note is appreciated to let people
know that you are actually thinking of them when you write your cards.
*If you are ordering a Christmas card with pictures, be sure to order SOON if you haven’t done so.

The Christmas Gift List

*Decide on your budget! (before you start buying)
*Make a list of all those you need to buy for
*Write down what you plan to buy them, or thoughts of what you’d think they would like if you don’t know specifics
*Watch for deals!
*Suggest no gifts, just time together (if possible). You may be surprised – other family members may thank you for this!

 

This was originally posted on Dec 2, 2010. I’m revitalizing it for this year.

Organizing for Christmas

Starting Early is the Key

There is a lot to do the month of December, so much that most of us can get really over whelmed.  Here is a list of things that I need to do.

Step One – Make Your List

1) Take Family Christmas picture
2) Order Christmas cards
3) Write Christmas letter
4) Send out cards
5) Shop for gifts
6) Decorate the house
7) Decorate the tree & inside
8) Wrap gifts
9) Schedule Christmas parties & events
10) Plan for family over night
11) Plan Christmas eve dinner & Christmas morning breakfast
12) Plan for five December kid’s birthdays
13) Travel to Bentonville for work

Step Two: Schedule each event

Use your calendar or paper and write down your timeline of when you plan to complete your project.

Step Three: Follow your list

Key – Start early.

We took our family Christmas picture at Thanksgiving when as many of my family members as were able, were home.

I just ordered our Christmas picture and they will come next week.

Shopping – I used to have my shopping completed really early, but not the last few years.   I just started my shopping this weekend. I didn’t go out for Black Friday shopping (another tradition that I didn’t do this year) but I did go out this weekend.  I still have a lot to do, but will try to have most of it completed by next weekend.

Wrapping – I normally don’t wrap as soon as I get the gifts. There are times I end up wanting to return something because I find it at a much better price or find something I like better. But I do wrap once I have my shopping completed.

We don’t have a Christmas party here, but we usually are invited to a few, so we have to be sure to get them on the calendar. Since we have all five of our kids birthday’s that still live at home, in December – there is more planning in respects to that.

The real key to having things go smoothly is planning
Don’t  wait until the last minute and don’t be scared to ask your family for help.

 

 

Organizing Mission Monday Link Party – Week 49

Christmas time!

We are moving into the Christmas season! Decorations, Christmas carols, lights and cooking!

What is your favorite recipes or projects for Christmas?

There are years that I don’t feel inspired the month of December for the holidays. It is almost like it comes up too fast or something.  But this year we have our decorations up this weekend and I want to enjoy the entire month!

We also have five birthday’s this month in our house, so it is a full month of celebration!

Link up to My Linky Party

We are going into December, Christmas month! I’d love for you to share your Christmas DIY projects, decorating and recipes,  but as always you can link up any organizing or cleaning or DIY post to my link party.

You can find the link for my button and also my “Proud to Be Featured Button” on my top “Buttons” Tab.

1) Link to your specific post – not your blog
2) Please Link back to my blog with my button or link (link just above underneath my button)
3) I’d love if you’d follow me on google and/or FB. The google is new and I’m trying to build it
4) Blog post related to Organizing or Cleaning or DIY or decorating
5) No sales pitches or web sites.
6) If I feature you I will use one or more of your pictures with a link back to your blog.
7) Feel free to link up more than 1 post.

Looking for other link parties? I have a whole list of them. Thumbnail via day above and keep scrolling down to find a more extensive text lists by day on my link party list. If you aren’t sure how to link up… see my link party tutorial here. It is simple. If You Are On A Reader and Want to View All the Great Link Up’s on this post please Click Here.
This party will be open until December 25th, 2011

Organizing Mission Monday Link Party – Week 48

Thanksgiving – What are You Thankful For?

I think so often we don’t really know how thankful we are for some things, until they are gone.  Loved ones in our lives, the health of our families and ourselves etc. Don’t you think?

I don’t know that it is because we are selfish, I think it is because we don’t really know what life will be without those things, people or health.

But those people who have gone through loss, serious loss of family, health, job or more have a better idea. They have lived it.   Have I? To an extent I have, but not like some.  I had the loss of my first marriage.  I didn’t want anything to do with a divorce and I was a mess for several years.  I can look back on it now and be thankful it happened. I have found a man that I have a better relationship with than I ever did my first husband.

I have lost my mother after an almost seven year battle with cancer.  But it was gradual and I had time to grieve along the way, time to prepare for what was to happen.  But I have my father, and today is actually his 81st birthday. He told me he doesn’t want to celebrate being 81.  I said, “But Dad, you should then celebrate that you are still alive to have another birthday! lol” He laughed so hard at that one.

Thank goodness I’ve not had to go through a sudden death or tragedy with my family. My family is healthy and happy.  We don’t have oodles of money, but we blessed to have what we have.

I know that I take things for granite, and I try to appreciate what I have and how wonderful it is.

Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect on those things, be thankful for them and know how truly blessed we are.

 

Link up to My Linky Party

What are you thankful for? You can link up a Thanksgiving post or something you are thankful for,  but as always you can link up any organizing or cleaning or DIY post to my link party.

You can find the link for my button and also my “Proud to Be Featured Button” on my top “Buttons” Tab.

1) Link to your specific post – not your blog
2) Please Link back to my blog with my button or link (link just above underneath my button)
3) I’d love if you’d follow me on google and/or FB. The google is new and I’m trying to build it
4) Blog post related to Organizing or Cleaning or DIY or decorating
5) No sales pitches or web sites.
6) If I feature you I will use one or more of your pictures with a link back to your blog.
7) Feel free to link up more than 1 post.

Looking for other link parties? I have a whole list of them. Thumbnail via day above and keep scrolling down to find a more extensive text lists by day on my link party list. If you aren’t sure how to link up… see my link party tutorial here. It is simple. If You Are On A Reader and Want to View All the Great Link Up’s on this post please Click Here.
This party will be open until November 27, 2011

Organizing Mission Monday Link Party – Week 45

Halloween Revisited from 2005

I was looking through old Halloween photos and realized how fun this Halloween was with the kids.  The triplets were 4 years old. I think Drew was 11 and Tim was 12.  We went to Boo at the Zoo that year at the Columbus Zoo.

I think this one is my favorite. One of my older son’s John came with us. Elise thought it was so funny that she was on his shoulders along with her horse! I just love the laugh!

Hope you all have a fun Halloween.  Our trick or treating is tonight, so I didn’t have any pictures from outfits this year. But what can beat the young kids costumes?

Link up to My Linky Party

What is happening in your life this week? But as always you can link up any organizing or cleaning or DIY post to my link party.

You can find the link for my button and also my “Proud to Be Featured Button” on my top “Buttons” Tab.

1) Link to your specific post – not your blog
2) Please Link back to my blog with my button or link (link just above underneath my button)
3) I’d love if you’d follow me on google and/or FB. The google is new and I’m trying to build it
4) Blog post related to Organizing or Cleaning or DIY or decorating
5) No sales pitches or web sites.
6) If I feature you I will use one or more of your pictures with a link back to your blog.
7) Feel free to link up more than 1 post.

Looking for other link parties? I have a whole list of them. Thumbnail via day above and keep scrolling down to find a more extensive text lists by day on my link party list. If you aren’t sure how to link up… see my link party tutorial here. It is simple. If You Are On A Reader and Want to View All the Great Link Up’s on this post please Click Here.
This party will be open until November 13, 2011

I’ve Been Boo’d!

What a Cool Halloween Surprise!

The kids and I got home from running some errands this morning and I found this box had been delivered!

The kids were saying, “Open it.. I think someone has Boo’d us!”  They were practically jumping up and down with excitement!  I knew we had were had some Boo’s going on at Collective Bias called Don’t Be The Dark House-  but I had NO idea I would get one!!  (I was excited too… just sayin)

Look how cute!  Then there was a bit of a thank you from my “Boo-er” .   I’m pretty sure I know who it is from the last name on the return label…
Now to see what is!

Oh look… there are five boo bags!!!  Plenty for the kids!

When I actually told them to sit down and handed them each one you would have thought it was Christmas morning!  They were SO excited.  I just realized looking at this picture that 2 of them don’t even have their coats off yet from when we came in the door.

Then they went to it…

Mini Snickers and Snickers Peanut Butter, MilkyWay and 3 Musketeers bars!

There were also little decorations in each bag..

and some mini pumpkins.

I was going to leave the other two bags for my teenagers…. but the dogs were driving me crazy. They kept sniffing one of the bags left in the box…

Look what we found… the dogs got a Boo bag too!!!  lol  Love it!!

I had a hard time getting any good pictures of them.  Sadie (the one in this picture) is scared of my new camera.  When I first got it, it was programmed with the “beep” when I took a picture. She is scared of that tone due to a shock collar for an invisible fence we had when she was younger. Anytime she hears it she gets scared. Even though I immediately reprogrammed my camera without the beep… the damage has been done.  So I had to get a couple quick ones when she was almost more enticed by the food than her fears.

 I have to tell you this… in total honesty. I asked Alex to bring me out the candy so I could see exactly what was in there for this post. I heard Zach saying, be careful Alex. I said.. why do you have to be careful bringing me in the bowl of candy?
“Because… look what we did with it!!!” he said… I was shocked!! Absolutly no lie I had NO idea they had arranged it like this. Isn’t this cool?

Thank you much Lisa from East Texas Saver – I know for sure it is you after I just found your post!!!  You totally made our day!!!

Organizing Mission Monday Link Party – Week 43

Halloween Is Fast Approaching

Are you a big Halloween buff?  Have you started decorating the outside of your house in lights and accessories?

I have seen several houses in my town that have up more Halloween decorations than most people do for Christmas!  It is amazing how big this holiday has become.

I have to admit that I’m not a huge Halloween participant.  We have fun with a few little decorations, carve jack-o-lanterns and take the kids trick-or-treating – but I don’t have major parties, or do the blood & guts decorating or costumes.

How extensive do you do Halloween?

Here are some photos from our recent visit to Pigeon Roost Farm. We just discovered this place this year and loved it.

They had So much for the kids to do. There were a couple gift shops, food to eat, animals, and all kinds of pumpkins of course.

The corn maze was huge!!  If you looked at it from an airplane you would see the outline of a rooster.  There is Alex & Elise coming out of the maze.

 These tubes were a favorite of the kids.  There was a big area and several of these tubes that everyone took turns in.

The kids each picked out a pumpkin before we left. It was a pay per pound system.  I think they averaged out to $5 per pumpkin, which was pretty much the going rate for the sizes they picked out.

Elise got one of those gross warty pumpkins. I can hardly stand to look at those things!!  It should be interesting carving that one. She plans on making it into a witch.

Next up will be carving the pumpkins!

 

Link up to My Linky Party

What is happening in your life this week? Feel free to post your halloween preparations this week! But as always you can link up any organizing or cleaning or DIY post to my link party.

You can find the link for my button and also my “Proud to Be Featured Button” on my top “Buttons” Tab.

1) Link to your specific post – not your blog
2) Please Link back to my blog with my button or link (link just above underneath my button)
3) I’d love if you’d follow me on google and/or FB. The google is new and I’m trying to build it
4) Blog post related to Organizing or Cleaning or DIY or decorating
5) No sales pitches or web sites.
6) If I feature you I will use one or more of your pictures with a link back to your blog.
7) Feel free to link up more than 1 post.

Looking for other link parties? I have a whole list of them. Thumbnail via day above and keep scrolling down to find a more extensive text lists by day on my link party list. If you aren’t sure how to link up… see my link party tutorial here. It is simple. If You Are On A Reader and Want to View All the Great Link Up’s on this post please Click Here.
This party will be open until October 30, 2011

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