Festive Fridays: Operation Christmas Child

Really late on this post. Sorry! But anyways...

I hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving coming up and you may be looking at my post thinking, "why are we already talking about Christmas?" Well, because there is a deadline tomorrow to help out on a special Christmas charity called, "Operation Christmas Child!" Please, please, please, spend some time looking at this wonderful charity and think about getting involved, or even GET involved! :) See the awesome details below which include a video from a special vegetable. ;)

SamaritansPurse.org - Operation Christmas Child - Pack a Shoe Box

Travel Thursdays: City Websites

I recently had a friend of a friend ask me, so what is fun to do in this city and what should we see before we leave? Honestly, I didn't really feel like I could give her a single activity as my answer. I know there's probably a lot to do in our city but the answer is going to be different for everyone depending on what you like to do. My husband for instance, does not like beer, dancing, motorcycles, clubs, gambling, or garage sale shopping. But she sounded like she was interested in going dancing and possibly having a drink somewhere. I did give her one bit of advice for our area which I felt could be applied to any vacation and that was, "visit the city website." This is the one thing I think is most helpful to me when I travel. I recently visited Bradenton Beach, Florida with some friends who wanted to go there and because I like to research and plan our trips, I visited their main website:

CityOfBradentonBeach.com

I already knew my husband was interested in dolphins (and I figured we might be able to find some type of dolphin activity because wouldn't Florida have dolphins... Florida's NFL team mascot is a dolphin after all?!) What I found on Bradenton Beach's Visitor's Guide was kayaking (which included the possibility of seeing dolphins, yay!) That was something both he and I thought we would probably appreciate. (Although, when we got there, our tour guide put us in the "divorce" kayak which was a two seater like we had asked, and well, we are still married but now understand why that kayak is not the best one to go with for couples, ha ha!) The kayak tour, despite the "divorce" kayak, turn out to be great! We saw dolphins, manatee (a mommy and her two babies), star fish, birds, and more. This adventure was listed on the city's website (which thankfully I checked out), was in the price range we were looking to spend on trip activities and was convenient to where we were staying, (bonus! No extra gas money!) It was a wonderful/trying experience we can look back on with enjoyment and laughs for years to come and it did not take a travel agent to discover, it just took us researching our destination's website.

Ultimately, there are a plethora of cities, websites, activities, price ranges and resources out there. By sticking close to your destination's local activities via their website, you can save money and hopefully have an awesome time. Plus, you never know if they have some special festival you can attend during your stay. The city's website can also be a good indicator of whether or not you actually want to stay/visit that city because if you cannot find anything to do there, well, maybe you shouldn't go there. Hope this was helpful. Blessings!

Weighty Wednesdays: A Handwritten Letter

I am so thankful for our Veterans in the United States. I hope that my fellow Americans were able to take some time this past Monday November 11th Holiday, Veteran's Day, to sit and take notice and honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. I recently was thinking about the last time I sat down to write a handwritten letter. I write little notes on cards, but that is just a little tid bit. It has probably been over 15 years since I have written a letter by hand. Well, I put the two together (veterans + letters) which instigated a Google search and this is the site I discovered:

OperationGratitude.com

They have this wonderful service opportunity that you can get involved in to write a letter of gratitude to a veteran. I hope you will take the time to do this small yet big act of gratitude to show someone just how much weight they carry in this life. The website below (option "II . Letters to Veterans of previous conflicts,") hopefully provides enough information for you to get involved. Even if you are from another country, I hope that you are able to once a year, take the time to do the same for your veterans. Thanks and blessings!

OperationGratitude.com - Write Letters

Manor Mondays: Go Vertical

Really late on this post but it is going to be a simple one. A great way to improve your utilization of your living space, is to go vertical.

Take the room you are having problems with and go vertical with a collection. Could be plates, cups, cooking utensils, pots, pans or cookbooks for a kitchen. For a closets or bedrooms try hats, scarfs, belts, shoes, mittens or accessories. And for most other areas try photographs, drawings, maps, blankets, cork boards, dry erase boards, chalk boards, posters, sports gear or mirrors to fill up a space, just make sure that the wall can actually support your objects.

Have fun going vertical! Blessings!

Turf Tuesdays: How Much Are You Willing To Pay?

I did not intend for this to happen but because I am working on a lot of projects all at once, I think God blessed me with this idea. 

So, what is it you want to do with your yard? Write it down. 

[Through all of this... you see a theme in my posts huh? You might want to keep a journal of all the things you go through on my blog. I actually keep a binder because it is easy to add in papers and possibly an excel file for numerical or money related items. I guess it just depends on what I am working on.] 

This past weekend I wrote out a list of all the items that I wanted to complete in my yard. This list includes things like: 

1.Prepare my outside faucets for winter weather (you should have already done this or being doing it now). 

2.Install a french drain. 

3.Fix sprinkler heads (one is too low in the ground, another is hitting the bottom of the fence). 

4.Remove or move unwanted bushes. 

5.Plant house/environment appropriate bushes/plants. 

6.Install pavers/patios/stairs if needed. 

7.Create an outdoor kitchen and hot tub or pool area. 

Then I started my game plan. I started going through all of the advertisements I receive in the mail and also going to sites like Groupon, Living Social, etc. to see what deals were out there. Once I found all of the available deals and researched the best rated candidates, I started calling those advertisers to see if they provided a free estimate or could give me more information on the phone. Then when I have these prices, my plan is to see the amount of work it will take to complete it, the amount of money I will either save or will have to spend to complete it, and gauge my expertise. 

Expertise came into play on my last yard work decision. We decided to pay someone to trim our trees because we did not have the correct tools to handle them and the task could prove to be slightly dangerous. 

So then, write down how much it will cost and the pros and cons of saving the money and doing it yourself or spending the money to have someone do it for you. That money you have the chance to save could be the incentive you need to start and complete the project or have a pizza party to have friends help you! As always, feel free to bring questions or add on! Blessings!

Savior's Sunday: Whom Do You Love First?

Wow, I am really late with my posts this month.

"Whom Do You Love First?" is the title of this post, but I actually want you to answer this question. Answer it. Write it down.

My answer or at least what I hope my true answer is, would be Jesus. I hope that would be your answer as well since Jesus is our greatest treasure. :)

Often times, I do have to catch myself to see where my attentions are and those thoughts that no one else knows about except me and God. I unfortunately spend hours upon hours on Pinterest.com and I do not like that about myself. Not that Pinterest is bad, just that my use of it is not desirable. The same could be said of many things, watching too much TV, decorating the house, or working on the yard. If I could have my true heart's desire, it would be to sit and ponder on God, His goodness, His love, His holiness, and everything about Him. Of course, I do have to eat, sleep, work, etc. so where is the balance?

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." See this verse in full context here: BibleGateway.com - 1 Corinthians 10 - ESV

I love God, and want to obey Him, in the simplest of things, writing a blog, organizing paperwork, baking, how I treat my spouse, the list goes on but at the center, the true meaning of why I do what I do and act the way I act and the One I am thinking of when I do these things... I want it to be focused on the one I love, Jesus.

The second question I want you to answer is, "Are you actions showing that you love Jesus first?"

If they are, awesome, praise God! If they aren't or they just need an adjustment to get back on track, this is what this post is here for, a way to check and then encouragement to set your sights on Jesus. Below are some things to help. Please share anything you have to add to this post! Blessings!

DesiringGod.org - Blog - God Desires You Far More Than You Desire Him

YouTube.com - Song - Stephen Curtis Chapman - Do Everything

DesiringGod.org - The Desiring God - By R W Glenn - by John Piper. ©2013 Desiring God Foundation

Simply Organized Saturdays: A Place for Everything

Sorry, this is a little late for Saturday. :/ Really, this is what I feel I should have majored in at college. You know how people have things they do to relax themselves? Like, read a book, go to a movie, or bake. Well, I organize to relax. I enjoy it so much! Anywho, enough about mio! Here are some guidelines I go by:

1. Find and attack your problem areas with storage ideas.

For some people it's the laundry, others it is shoes, hats, jewelry, paperwork, etc. Whatever it is, discover your weak spot and do something about it! :)

2. Have a place for everything.

"Everything," you say? Everything! ;) Now, I am not saying that your junk drawer has to be organized, but I am saying, you probably need a designated catch all place for your junk so it does not clutter around the house. Now if you do decide to organize even your junk drawer... awesome! :)

3. Sometimes to organize, it gets messier before it gets cleaner.

My mom sometimes doesn't get this. She'll say, "why is it getting worse?" Well, it takes a lot of room to organize papers and so it will spread before it gets filed.

4. Have these on hand to handle the mail.

• a letter opener
• a basket or container for papers to file (file these later, maybe once a month, in binders or folders)
• a basket or container for papers to shred
• a basket or container for papers to recycle
• a basket or container for coupons to keep (coupon books and 12 mini-expandable folders are great for filing these)
• a trash can for all the extra items

5. And last but not least, hAvE fUn!

If it is hard for you to do this, find something that encourages and energizes you that WILL NOT take your attention off of what you are doing, like music or a good movie you memorized that can play in the background.

I hope this post has helped you. If you need more ideas for your specific problem area, just let me know and I will try my best to help. Also, if you feel like sharing some of your awesome ideas, I sure would appreciate it! Blessings!

Foodie Fridays: Gigi's Pecan Cookies

Gigi's Pecan Cookies-this recipe is my friend Gigi's recipe. She gave me permission to share it with you on my blog. Now these, are my favorite cookies. I hope to be making a ton of these for an upcoming holiday bake sale! Here it is!

This recipe should make about 2.5 dozen cookies depending on the size of your dollop of dough. ;)

*Prior to preparation, see important safety information about baking below.

Ingredients:

-1 1/3 cups packed brown sugar (squish it down with a spoon to get the accurate amount)

-3/4 cup margarine or butter, softened (microwave 20-30 seconds to get it softened)

-1 teaspoon of vanilla

-2 eggs

-2 1/4 cups of flour

-1 1/3 cups of pecan chips (chopped pecans)

-1 teaspoon of baking soda

-1/2 teaspoon of salt

Directions:

-First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees

-Second, (not including the chopped pecans) mix all the dry ingredients separately from the wet ingredients and then slowly mix them all together. Mix in the pecans last.

-Then, grease a cookie sheet and drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 3 inches apart.

-Next, with correct protection insert the cookie sheet into the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until light brown. (I say more toward the brown side.)

-Lastly, with correct protection remove the cookie sheet from the oven, place the cookie sheet on a pot holder, let the cookies cool slightly and then move the cookies off the sheet with a spatula to a wire rack for further cooling.

And the best for last, enjoy with your favorite type of milk, hot cocoa or even ice cream! Even better, share them with a friend, co-worker, neighbor, bake sale, etc. Yummo! Blessings!

*Please see these sights for backing safety information:

BakingInfo.co.nz

QuakerOats.com

eHow.com

**Please see this sight for a helpful chopping tool for the pecans. :)

BedBathandBeyond.com - Fine and Coarse Nut Chopper

Tranquil Thursdays: Little People

Well, I am stressing out trying to find out what to write about relaxing. Somehow I do not think that will work. ;)

I think the first thing that popped into my mind that would make me relax is to look at photos of stuff I enjoy. Which is easy but I tend to always do that. I thought this month, since Thanksgiving is coming up, maybe an easy 5 item reflection would be more fitting. Answer these 5 questions and reflect on your answers. Even if the question might suggest to answer with a singular answer, feel free to give more than just one. :)

1. Who entered your life this year that you are most thankful for?

2. What event happened this year that you are thankful for?

3. Who are you thankful to still have in your life?

4. What thing are you most thankful for God allowing you to have?

5. What treasured memory are you thankful to still be able to remember?

Here are my answers:

1. My softball league friends. They have allowed me to enjoy playing on a team that just likes to play. It has allowed my competitive spirit to calm a little.

2. God helped place me at a new job. I thought I was going to have so much trouble with it, but He opened doors and put me under great supervisors.

3. Those friends who have gone through so many medical problems. It amazes me how much of a fighter so many of my friends are. Whether it be the unknown illnesses, high blood pressure, c-sections, cancer, or even brain disorders.

4. Food, a home, a shower, the Bible, freedom, air, family, friends, health, music, movies, popcorn, hot cocoa, rain, good books, window views of birds and squirrels, trees, a working vehicle, clothes, a working computer, internet, and a cell phone that works.

5. Memories of those who have passed away. I still remember my grandma's voice, silly things she used to say, and memories of playing with special toys in the house. I recently had some friends over with their sons and they played with some of my old toys (little people in a playhouse and cars) and that reminded me of when I used to do the same at my grandparents. Except they had an entire town! The town had a gas station, a garage, cars, a barber shop, a prison, and a fire station. So glad and thankful to God that I still have those memories. See what I am talking about here: Etsy.com OneCoolCentury Shop listing for Little People

Please, if you are inclined to, feel free to share your answers, I would enjoy reading them. Blessings!

Wild Wednesdays: The Bucket List

What is wilder than planning wildness!? (Doing it). But that comes later, ha ha! Right now we get to be creative and let our imagination run wild! (Well, within reality). I have actually never done this and so I thought, "what is the criteria to make it on a bucket list?" Really, it doesn't have to be as adventurous as skydiving or visiting a foreign land or owning a motorcycle. It just needs to be something you want to do before you die. So, I figured the best way to go about this is to just start writing down things I have not done that I want to do and then put them in order from most important to least important later. Here is my list so far:

1. Sing karaoke or go caroling
2. Learn to play the guitar
3. Walk through Japan's Tunnel Of Lights (http://www.wherecoolthingshappen.com/spectacular-light-tunnels-in-japan/)
4. Publish a book
5. Feed the chipmunks in St. Elmo, Colorado (http://st-elmo-colorado.com/chipmunks.htm)
6. Run a marathon
7. Visit the Grand Canyon
8. Learn to surf
9. Ride a gondola in Venice
10. Learn sign language
11. Go to Disney World
12. Visit all of the states in the USA
13. Be part of a flash mob
14. Learn to play the piano
15. Visit every continent
16. Learn at least 5 more languages
17. Retire
18. Visit Four Corners USA
19. Take a cooking class
20. Dance ballroom dances at a party

Here is the little bit I sneaked out of my husband:
1. Swim with Dolphins
2. Visit Wimbledon
3. Visit a foreign country
4. Host a sports talk radio show
5. Go to outer space
6. Retire
7. Play a round of golf at Augusta National

Well, that is all for tonight. There are more things I would like, to have kids, adopt, be a foster parent, go on mission trips, serve in soup kitchens, etc. I am just not sure those things belong on a bucket list. They just seem more special and more constant than a one time bucket list event. Time will tell. Please share yours and look at these other websites that inspired me! Blessings!

http://www.bucketlist.net/lists/all_lists/?sort=count

http://projectlighttolife.wordpress.com/

Teach Me Tuesdays: How To Get Stuff Done!

Okay, this post may not be all encompassing, but please take it as a strategy if you will or encouragement or maybe, enlightenment on how to actually get stuff done. Do me a favor, right now, first, think about what is it you need to get done, one thing, the biggest thing on your list, and then write it down for me. For ease of something to write a post on, I will share one of the things on my to do list was, clean my hair brush. Did you write yours down? Don't read any further until you have written it down.

When you have finished writing down what you want to get done, I want you to go do it, NOW. If it is something that has to be planned, plan it NOW, make that appointment, call the doctor/dentist/optometrist/landscaper/painter/etc. Whatever it is, do it NOW. Don't read any further until you have done it.

If you are having trouble because it is going to take a long long time to do, then at least make the first step. And if that is too difficult, call someone who will go do it with you, and schedule it, and do it. Calendars and mobile reminders are great because they are a type of accountability partner, but the best type is an actual human being that cares for your best interest and wants you to succeed. Because they can remind you if you forget, and then if you forget multiple times, they can get on to you like your mother no longer does, and then still if it does not get done, they might actually make you do it!

That is what I like so much about Churches. I share my life with my closest friends at Church and I share my shortcomings and they continually ask, how I am doing, and if I need prayer. So if you need someone in your life like that, get involved in a Church and hopefully along the way you can do the same for another. Like family. Even your family will hopefully do the same for you. Have you at least done one of the above? If not, do it NOW! Getting tired of me saying that? :)

Well, hopefully you have made some progress. I have left my hair brush there for a month now. It is a simple task, so why have I put it off? Probably because I know it is just going to get hair in it again so I put it off. But I want/need to do it because I put some weird product in my hair and brushed it while that product was in my hair and now it is stuck on the hair in the hairbrush. So, that is what I am doing right now, cleaning my hair brush. Making it a priority, setting a goal and accomplishing it! Guess what, I did it! I hope you get stuff done! Blessings!

Remember:
1. Write it down. (Realize what needs to happen.)
2. Take action. (Make it a priority.)
3. Don't be discouraged. (Be realistic, maybe just the first step will do.)
4. Don't be afraid to ask for help. (Accountability is a beautiful thing.)

I think next Teach Me Tuesday I will try to discuss something more close to my heart, reading the Bible daily.

Marriage/Relationship Mondays: What's in a Name?

Whether you are dating or married, I think something that will help you go a long way in your relationship is to know the other person's name... just saying, you may have another opinion and think hunk or babe may pass but eventually you need to find out their name. ;)

Obviously that is not all that this post is about but often times we just leave our special someone's name at just that, a name. Well, I dare you to dig deeper. Another obvious, start with first, middle, last, and nick names. Have fun researching what each name means biblically, where it's orgin came from, how popular the name is or isn't, if it came from a relative, and why your/their parents decided to choose the name for you.

This is a fun way to get to know your special someone a little more and to have (hopefully) a little fun doing it. With one of our friends from school, because they didn't have a middle name we made one up and for those that do not have a nick name, it is fun trying to come up with one! (Just remember to be nice, otherwise this could turn out to backfire).

Fun fact about me, I was named after a character in a TV show my parents watched at the time. I think they said they were going to name me Crystal/Krystal but decided not to, which now that I am grown up, I don't fit the Crystal/Krystal name but definately own my name. I found out that my grandma actually chose my middle name for me and my nick names mainly came from my boyfriend (now husband). My husband was named after one of his uncles and he really does not like his formal middle name, so now I know not to call him by that name. In addition, he has some nick names but doesn't like to me called by all of them.

From here, you can take a step back in time to research about your parents and family names. Or if you are interested in procreating, then you can discuss the future and what you would like for girl/boy names of your future kids!

If you have any more ideas you feel I have left out, please feel free to share them with me below. Also, please find some other fun websites that you use to act on what was mentioned above! Well, I hope this has been a good start for sparking interest in your special someone to dig deeper and know little things that make up the big picture of loving and enjoying someone in Christ.

http://www.behindthename.com/

http://www.meaning-of-names.com/

http://www.last-names.net/