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New Years Resolutions:2010 Goals

December 29, 2009 By Becca 4 Comments
Sydney. Fireworks Newyear 2006. Opera House an...
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Now that we are winding down 2009 it is time to look ahead into the future.  This is always a tough time of year.  You feel like doing nothing.  All of the holiday hype is over and now I am TIRED!  I am sitting on the couch having a Jamma day wondering what will make 2010 different from 2009.  It is always fun to think of what you will do new and different.  For me it is implimentation that is the issue.  I, like many others, tend not to meet myresolutions.  Is there a possibility that 2010 will be different?  My answer is yes.  This is my year to shine and here is why:

  1. The kids are a little older now so perhaps I will have a little more energy to focus on myself.
  2. I am preparing myself to be a success in my mind.
  3. I need to get healthy.
  4. I have a nice support system set up this time

So with all of this going for me I am sure to be a success.  I know that last year I most likely said the same thing but this year I am going to do it.  I will be embarking on my weight loss journey on January 2, 2010 and would love to have some of you join me.

If weight loss is not a resolution please share your resolution with us.  Support is the most effective way to accomplish your goals.  So what do you hope to accomplish this year?

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Christmas Countdown 2009: Holiday Checklist

November 1, 2009 By Becca 2 Comments

75 Days of Christmas Countdown:

55  Days Until Christmas

It is so important as the holidays approach to have a game plan.  I think that there are some simple things that can be done early.  These are not things that will be rushing the holiday.  They are things that will help you to be more prepared when they get here.

Image by disneyspeak.com via Flickr
  • Start Baking: There are many holiday treats that can be frozen and thaw well.  By starting holday baking a little at a time now you will have a chance to enjoy friends and family more at the holidays.
  • Get the calender out: It is never too early to start firming up plans for the holidays.  If you are planning a holiday party discuss them with friends and family now.  If there is a special trip you would like to pick the weekend now.  If there is a special day you would like to go shopping with a friend confirm the date and make the plans now.  If you would like to go see Disney‘s, “A Christmas Carol in 3-D” pick the date now.
  • Update Address Book: All through the year people move, pass away and change their phone numbers.  Go through your address book and make sure that you have all of the correct addresses for friends and family.  This will mean that when it comes time to send out Christmas cards you will be ready.
  • Make a Master Gift List: Write each person you need to shop for.  As you think of things that they will enjoy add it to your list.  Remember to leave room to check off when you buy it.  ALso remember to keep it away from the kids.  This also helps you hunt for the best price.
  • Develop a Budget: This is more important this year than it may have been in years past.  Many people have said that they will be spending less this year.  This means that we will all have to plan more and spend less.  
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Christmas Coundown 2009: Christmas Cheer

October 27, 2009 By Becca 4 Comments

75 Days of Christmas Countdown

60 Days Until Christmas:

Unfortunately this year we have had some turbulent, personal issues.  This has meant that I have neglected the first 15 days of my famous 75 Days of Christmas Countdown.  With all of that being said I think that the most important thing to address this year is Christmas Cheer.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (TV special)
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What is Christmas Cheer you ask?  It is that special kind of happiness that only comes one time a year.  It is a time that we should all be a little nicer.  For some it is a time for family and friends and for others it is a time for giving back to their communities.  It is the desire to gather around with others and just be cheerful.

Now I am not sure why, but many people are lacking in their holiday cheer.  I have kept my mouth closed about this long enough.  I cannot contain my disappointment any longer.  It seems like Christmas has been taken over by the Grinch.  Christmas cheer is a quickly dying experience.  In the stores, on the street, in community centers, Christmas Cheer is dying.

So here is what I plan on doing about it.  I am going to be the Christmas Cheerleader.  I am going to spread Christmas cheer even to those whose hearts are three sizes too small.  I am going to help out our troops with the Girl Scouts, I am going to visit the nursing home with some presents, I am going to do everything I can think of to infect the people in this country with some good old fashion Christmas Cheer!  Join me in my quest to revive what we all love about Christmas!

Becca

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Easter Traditions: Dying Easter Eggs

April 8, 2009 By Becca 10 Comments

Our Eater Egg Dying Day

easter-5

Emma and Analiese are all smiles

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Abigail with a rare smile

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Abigail and Rob having fun together

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Emma pouring carefully

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Our Left over dye

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Our finished product!

I love Easter eggs.  They are a sure sign that Easter is closer then we think.  The kids had a blast.  Everyone was smiling and getting along and for the first time ever we had a lot of fun doing it.  We used two different dying kits and I would have to say that the PAAS brand really does work the best.  The other brand did not fully dissolve and I was not as pleased with the colors.  Either way we have some great looking eggs this year.  We used the clear wax crayon and made polka dots and designs.  Daddy even made an egg that says Eat Me.  I hope that you all have a great time dying Easter eggs this year.  I would love to see some pictures.

I had wanted to make the Easter eggs from an earlier post but it was a little too hard this time.  The kids just wanted to dig in.  I am not sure that I really want them to attempt the leaf ones.  I would try on my own but how many hard boiled eggs does one family need?  I think that 18 is more then enough for this family.  I hate hard boiled eggs as does Rob.  Emma will only eat the middle and Analiese just makes a mess with them..  I do not want Abigail eating them all on her own!

Becca

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Family Easter Traditions

April 4, 2009 By Becca 5 Comments
Calgary Zoo Easter Bunny 2
Image by thivierr via Flickr

I became so interested in Easter traditions this week because so many people visited. It is a shame that more people did not leave their family Easter Traditions in the comments section. I was really hoping to post all of the great ones that I hear this week. I know that one that was mentioned time and time again is dying Easter eggs. Today is our big Easter egg dying day and I am so excited! I think that we are going to have a blast. I know that the smell of vinegar can turn some off the the entire thing but I think that it is important for people to give it a try!

Another tradition that people mentioned is spending time with family. This is what the holidays are all about. Being in a room with the people who share your gene pool. I know that for a lot of people this can be the down side to a holiday but I think that without the mother who wants to know when you are going to have another baby, the stinky grandparent and the kid who is eating dirt there are no memories. These are the people who have formed us into the person we are today. They really are the fabric of our lives. If we love ourselves then we have to love them. It is a guilt by association thing.

The Easter bunny is a tradition that I had forgotten to mention. I cannot believe that I left him out! Here is a little bit of Easter Bunny History! It is said that the Easter Bunny has been around before Easter. I know this is hard to believe! He is said to have originated in Germany in the 1600s. The Easter bunny can either just leave a basket out in plain site or he can hide it. In our house he is always hiding it here and there. The kids have a blast trying to find it and figure out whose is whose. I wish he had more time to write a name or two down.

There is one more tradition that I forgot to mention. The Easter Bonnet has always been my love of Easter. There are not many times in this day in age that a lady can wear a hat without people looking at her funny. I think that the hats and the white gloves just make Easter what everyday used to be. I wish that we all still dressed to the nines like this for church. I think that it is sad that it is now acceptable to wear jeans and a tee to Church. You should be in your Sunday best. That used to mean a hat and Gloves. Now it means jeans? What are we thinking people? Either way, Easter is a time when we can dust the hat off and slip the gloves on and walk a little taller!  Oh and do not forget to play the song Easter Parade when you are walking down the street in your bonnet and gloves!

Becca

I would still love to learn some more about what Easter traditions your family has.  Please let me know in the comment section.  I think it adds to the fun!


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20 Days Until Christmas

December 5, 2008 By Becca 5 Comments
Jim Carrey as The Grinch
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OK I know I missed a few.  In the last 20 days I have been sick as have all of the kids.  Today is the first day that everyone made it to school and I am breathing a sigh of relief.  Needless to say I am way behind on my schedule.  I had wanted to be so much further along by now.  I have a bit of catching up to do!

I feel like the Grinch has stolen my Christmas! The house is not decorated, pictures of the kids have not been done, shopping is started but not complete, Abigail thinks that I am Santa Clause and no cookies are baked.  This weekend it the big one for us.  I would like to get everything decorated and all set.  This will leave time over the next week or so to do some baking.  I think that this will have me all caught up.  Wish me luck.  I think that I am going to need it!

Becca

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42 Days Until Christmas

November 14, 2008 By Becca Leave a Comment
After the party.

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Have a Christmas Party

This past week I did something great.  I had a PartyLite party.  It was nice for many many reasons.  I want to start by saying I do not sell PartyLite so I do not care if we talk about an At Home America Party, A Tupperware party or a PartyLite Party.  The point is that I had a party.  Why was it so great?

  1. It was fun.  The ladies and I had an evening to relax and unwind.  There was no pressure to buy.  I told everyone I do not care either way.  All I wanted was a night full of friends, laughter and fun.
  2. I Christmas Shopped.  You know what the best part of this for me was?  I did it for free!
  3. There are good deals.  This is the time of year that these companies are trying to make their extra money.  The are all offering deals.  My guests had two pages of half prices items to choose from.  They also could pick out any half priced item they wanted with the purchase of just one regular priced item.  Even if the regular priced item was $1.  They could also choose from a few other offers.  This made Christmas shopping for them discounted!
  4. I gathered some orders from outside the people who came.  This is a great way to boost what you will get for free.
  5. It was nice to entertain.  I never get a chance to have people over.  I am usually too busy.  I was able to have a nice time and enjoy.  We had some great snacks and cakes and laughed.  We all needed it.
  1. Other then the baby throwing up in the middle of it the party was a great success.  I was able to cross three people off of my list without spending anything and the whole time I was able to enjoy!  I would suggest you have a party this month and you will be able to Christmas shop for free too.
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43 Days Until Christmas

November 14, 2008 By Becca Leave a Comment
Little Drummer Boy, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Pa...

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Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just about two weeks away. It is a holiday that often gets overshadowed. I think that it is quite unfair but I also fall right into it. I do not rush though it and start my Christmas season early but I still look forward to all that it brings because it is Christmas.

What are the things I love about Thanksgiving?

  1. It is a sit back and enjoy kind of holiday. We usually eat somewhere else so I have virtually nothing to do other then assuring my kids are dressed an in the car after the parade. We sit and chat while the men watch Football and the kids play outside. It is a holiday where you do not have to buy anyone a present, you do not have to be dressed to the nines and you can relax. It is really a day OFF!
  2. We have a chance to watch Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and see all of the floats and balloons. It is the most special part as far as I am concerned. It is a Thanksgiving tradition and one that I never want to end. I love it.
  3. Most stores are closed. Thanksgiving is a holiday for EVERYONE. It is not based on being from a certain racial or religious background it is all about being American. Some store have ruined this tradition and I want to say that I think that it is wrong. People in America should all have the ability to go home and enjoy this holiday with their families and any store that stays open, yes I mean you K-Mart, are un-American.
  4. It is a time for family with little stress. There is no hustle and bustle yet. You can take it all at your own pace. You can enjoy each other. Family is not always traditional. I have a few friends who are “family”. They know that they are always welcome for any holiday to be a part of our family! You can have discussions with people you only see a few times a year.
  5. It is a time for giving thanks. How may other holidays do we have where we sit all together and talk about what we are Thankful? I can not think of any!

All in all I would say that Thanksgiving is a special day that comes only once a year. Make sure that this year you sit back and enjoy all that it has to offer.

Becca

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45 Days Until Christmas

November 14, 2008 By Becca Leave a Comment
Christmas Santa 2006 - 044F

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Santa Clause

We all know him and love him. Some of us know him as Saint Nick, some know him as Father Christmas and some know him as Santa Clause. The point is that we all know him. Young or old, Jewish or Christian we all know who he is and what he is about. He is about giving.

Santa was always a special part of Christmas for me. He is where all of the magic of Christmas starts. He is Christmas to so many kids. I know he is in our house. We make sure to give him his cookies and eggnog. We watch out our windows as we fall asleep. I know that I have seen Rudolph the red nosed reindeer out my window many times in the past. It was what always made fall asleep quicker because that meant that Santa was just a few houses away. I remember laying in bed feeling the magic as a child.

The truth of the matter is that I still lay in bed and feel the magic. As a child Santa came and visited me one year. I was quite sick with pneumonia and was feeling down. On Christmas Eve. Santa walked right into my house and told me to feel better and with a blink he was gone. I am not sure if it was really him or a helper but that night I was convinced that it was him. It was one of the times as a child I felt special and felt the magic that Christmas has to offer. Perhaps that is what I feel such a love for Santa.

Santa will be checking his list soon. I am trying to be extra good this year. You never know what Santa will place under the tree for you this year! Be sure that you make it onto the nice list this year!

Becca

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48 Days Until Christmas

November 7, 2008 By Becca 2 Comments
HOLLYWOOD - NOVEMBER 03: Actor John Michael H...

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Christmas Caroling

Long gone are the days of people going door to door singing happy joyful Christmas music.  You see all of the Norman Rockwell pictures of old time people singing in the center of town.  It all looks so great.  I remember as a child we used to go to Christmas Caroling with church.  It was so nice.  We would bundle up and hit a whole neighborhood with our joyous song.  People would invite us in for a quick cup of cocoa and we would move on to the next house to spread some joy.  So where have all of the carolers gone?

Now the Girl Scouts go to the local senior center for caroling.  No more are they outside singing and having fun.  They are herded into the senior center and put on more of a concert the “caroling”.  I think that it really is quite sad that we have lost the desire to go out caroling.  It is something I remember and cherish from being young.  It makes me think about what is happening to this country.  Why do we not want to share joy with each other?  Is it the we do not wish to offend people who are not Christian or is it that we just can not get away from our too busy lives?  I think that either excuse is just that, an excuse.  If you do anything this year please go out and do some Christmas Caroling.  Let’s put Christmas Caroling back on the map!

Becca

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