New Years Resolutions:2010 Goals

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 Coundown 2009: Christmas Cheer

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.

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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Family Easter Traditions

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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Webkinz Valentine’s

Come on come all…

Webkinz has done it again.  On valentine’s Day this year be sure to log in to your Webkinz account.  I know what you are wondering.  “Is there something in it for me?”  The answer my friends is yes there sure is something in it for you.  If you log on to Webkinz on Febuary 14, 2009 you will be sure to recieve a free gift for your Webkin pet.  I am so excited to see what it is.

Becca

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6 Days Until Christmas

White Christmas this year?

So there are only 6 days left and I can not believe it but I hear that we may have a white Christmas here in NY.  I am so excited about the possible magic.  This snow will be on top of the now we are suposed to get today and the snow that is to come on Sunday night as well.

I wish that I had thought to buy a sled of two for the kids.  I think that we are going to have fun all snug in our beds.  I know that I have been dreaming of w White Christmas and all of our dreams may just come true.  I guess we will see as it gets closer.

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7 Days Until Christmas

Wow!  This season has gone so quickly.  I would love to say that my planned went as planned and that I was able to get to everything.  I would say that this year has been a challenge.  Perhaps it wa the short season.  Perhaps it was my unhealed broken foot.  Perhaps I procrastinated.  Either way it is here!

One week until Christmas means that there are many things that I have to do in little time.  These things are vital to assuring that I am not stressed on Christmas Eve.

• I need to complete my shopping.  It has been difficult because I can only shop for an hour or so with my foot.  I think that I have gone out everyday this season.
• I need to Wrap.  This is something that is vital.  I think that while this is obvious I need to keep in mind that it is important.
• I need to do my cards.  Although they may be New Years cards I still want to send them out to all of the people who I do not get to see or talk to often.
• I need to be an elf to my mother-in-law who broke her thumb and cannot wrap this year.  This is important to me.  She would do it for me so how could I not make it a priority.

Well 7 days is enough time.  I just want to assure that I have a reduced stress Christmas.  We are now counting down.  Get ready Christmas will be here soon.

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Holiday Survey

Today I would love to do a few quick surveys:

1. What is your favorite Holiday Movie? Mine is Miracle on 34th Street. I just love how it makes me feel by the end. There are some others that come in a close second but that is the winner.
2. What is your best holiday memory? Mine is the first Christmas I was married. We were married on week before Christmas. We lived with my Mother-in-Law. Both she and Rob were sick. I had hurt my wrist and was in a sling. By 9 at night we had not opened presents. I was in bed crying when my mother-in-law opened the door and said are we going to do this. She then dumped bags of unwrapped gifts in the center of the room and we looked through them. This Christmas was not a good Christmas but it was my favorite. It made me realize for the first time in my life that it would all be alright if Christmas was not perfect. It certainly had not been that year and by the end of the night it was alright again. I was happy at the end of the night and that was what was important.
3. What is your most loved holiday song? I love “Baby it’s Cold Outside” It is not about Christmas but is so nice and makes me want to belt it out. There are many many others because music is so vital to a holiday season.
4. What Tradition does your family have that is closest to your heart? I think that the best tradition to me is Elmer the Elf. As I discussed a week or so ago he is special because not only is he magical but he also is an heirloom which has been passed from generation to generation.
5. How do you stay sane during the holidays? I cannot answer this one because I so do not stay sane. I am a nut time and time again. But it is all a great time in the end which is all that matters.

I would love to hear where everyone stands with each of these. I find it fun to share where I have been and how I have been impacted and why things are so special. I hope you will take a moment to do the same.

Becca

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White Christmas

I am dreaming of a white Christmas. Aren’t we all though? We look at pictures of snow men, movies with that magical snow falling just as you are falling asleep, and Santa Clause needing a sleigh. I can hear the song in my head right now as I am typing this. These things are what keep the magic around. For many people though a white Christmas in unlikely. I think that the portion of the country that can expect a white Christmas is far less then those who have no chance. Here in New York it has been known to happen from time to time. I remember one year, and I can not tell you which year it was, that it snowed. It was not too many years ago. Here in NY it was a very white Christmas. I think that there but it had its downfalls.

1. We were stuck at home. While this could have been nice we had plans for the evening and afternoon that were to be quite enjoyable.
2. We could not get all dressed up to go trudging through the snow. It would have been too wet and messy.
3. We had not planned on cooking a special Christmas dinner ourselves so we had no food in the house.
4. It was not what I had planned for. I like to plan, as we all know, and I HATE when things ruin my plans.

I guess that what I am saying is that we have to be careful what we wish for. Sometimes we get more then we bargain for. A nice blanket of snow can be beautiful and magical. Anything more can be a downright bummer. Trust me I know. So when you are all dreaming of a white Christmas this year remember to dream small!

Becca

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49 Days Until Christmas

The Christmas elf

Does your family have an elf?

Elmer the Elf has been around for quite some time. I know that he was there for my grandfather, he was there for my father, he was there for me and now he is there for my children. I can only begin to imagine how old he must be. I am not sure if it goes back to my great grandfather or even further. What I know is that Elmer has been the family elf for at least four generations now. It is such a magical addition to the holidays and a great incentive for all to be good. So what does an elf do for you? I know that this is a question that many have asked me over the years. So here is the secret of Elmer for you. It is not something to take lightly. Disrespecting Elmer is an automatic naughty list violation. Keep this information safe and secure and have fun with it.

1. Elmer is an Elf who watches over you from Thanksgiving until Christmas. Now my sister-in-law says he is already watching. This is unfounded information. He ONLY watches from Thanksgiving until Christmas. He spends the rest of his time busy making toys.
2. Elmer is there to make sure that children are behaving all season long.
3. If you are caught by Elmer being good he will leave a little something in your room for you. These are not big toys. I have heard rumors of Elmer buying Movies and other such things. This is very atypical elmer behavior. He usually buys neat toys such as a Chinese yo-yo or a holiday bubble necklace that can be warn all season long. It is just a little something to let you know that you are still on Santa’s “nice” list.
4. Elmer has been spotted. My older brother still to this day remembers seeing Elmer in his room sitting on his tuba while he was sleeping. You never know who will spot Elmer and it is always great to hear what he looks like.
5. Elmer is a magic that can not be abused. The kids are so receptive to him and love that he comes around year after year.

As you can see this simple little elf really helps to add to the holiday spirit. Perhaps your family should write to Santa and get an elf. You will be glad you did. Just a side not… Elmer is taken!

Becca

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Holiday Movies

Being that I am person who loved the holidays at some point you can imagine that I love the movies as well. There are the classics like “Miracle on 34th Street” which has a magic to it that even as an adult I can not understand and “It’s a Wonderful Life” which reminds us that there is always a community out there who lob=ves someone who give of themselves. These movies will live on forever and will always be the classics people remember.

Each year there is a nice mixture of new and old movies for us to see. I know that ABC family is a place that you can go all season long to see great movies. They have their 25 days of Christmas and this year they are off to an early start. In just 11 days ABC Family will be kicking off their holiday season. It, like so many other things this year, is early. I am kind of looking forward to this one though.

How can you use ABC Family Countdown to 25 days of Christmas to your favor?

1. You can bribe the kids that once their homework is done you can all watch a movie. A lot of them are 30 minutes long.
2. You can tell your husband that he is right.;.. There is no need to hang the holiday lights outside you would much rather watch a mushy holiday movie with him.
3. You can have a girls night. Some of the movies are a bit much for the guys so invite a few friends over and enjoy a holiday get together.
4. Use it as your me time. As I said in yesterday’s post it is important to have some me time.
5. Let the kids invite a friend over to watch a movie. Perhaps have a cookie decorating addition would top off the day.

Click on the link to view the whole schedule:

Countdown to the 25 Days of Christmas

25 days of Christmas

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