B    P    T

Three letters that represent your financial successes over the Holiday Season

Budget,     Plan,     Track

Avoid the January Financial Hangover by budgeting, planning AND keeping track of your expenses this month.  It is easy to get carried away this time of year.  Not just over-indulgence in gift spending, but over-indulgence in food buying as well.

If you sat down and actually calculated how much you spend every year on ONE day of the year – you would be flabbergasted to say the least.

To help you in your quest to save you from financial difficulties come January, initiate … Read more...

Less than 2 weeks to go – are you panicked yet?  I hope not….  The past 13 Days should have you whipped into such a state of organization that even Martha Stewart would be impressed.

Today it is time to focus on that great big, metal box in the kitchen that sometimes holds a treasure trove of science experiments gone horribly awry.  Like the décor inventory post from the other day, today we take on Refridgerator Inventory! Woo-Hoo!  I know you are just as excited as I am….

The Refridgerator

Take a hard look at what is lurking in your … Read more...

Tree Trimming Time!

Are you a Real Tree Person?

Or

A Fake Tree Person?

I am a real tree person, rather, our family has been since, well, my husband and I started our family many moons ago.  Even as a kid, we always, always had a real tree.  I love the smell of a real tree as soon as you bring it in the house.  They need to bottle that smell as I would buy a ton of it.  I know what your thinking, they already sell those cardboard tree scent thingies to hang in your car – but trust … Read more...

Décor Inventory

If you haven’t yet ventured into the recesses of your attic or basement…then do this FIRST before you head off to wander the land of disheveled décor.  Grab a pad of paper and a pen and then poke your head into the cobwebbed areas of décor holdings and get ready to perform an inventory list.  This will serve 2 purposes…

1.  It gives you a detailed list of WHAT exactly you have amongst the many bins and boxes.

AND

2.  It gives you the opportunity to divest yourself of stuff that no longer ‘fits’ your decorating style or … Read more...

UFO’s

Have you started on your home-made gift items list yet? If not, you are in serious trouble with only 14 days left.  So what do Home-Made gifts have to do with UFO’s?

UFO’s are “Un-Finished Objects”

You know, those crafty things you start every year for family members but never finish them all and the un-finished ones are stuffed in the back of your craft closet awaiting completion….some year.  Now I know you have the best of intentions every year, but usually Father Time has a way of kicking you in the teeth and yanking time out from under … Read more...

And a one and a two….Hit it!

I hope by now all you folks are organized, less stressed and groovin’ to Bing Crosby or Dean Martin…and speaking of cool Christmas tunes – here is a must have list to play over the Holidays when company comes a calling.  There is something for everyone on this list….except for the Beibs…I don’t think I will be purchasing a Christmas CD of his anytime soon….

1. Bing Crosby – White Christmas…compiled with John Trotter & his Orchestra, a great collection of nostaligia masterfully done!

2. A Very Special Christmas – a collection … Read more...

Impending Doom….January Toy Clutter

No matter the age of your children, it is safe to say most households with 2 or more children under the age of 12 have mountains and mountains of toys and hardly any room to store them.  How many times have you walked into your child’s room and stepped on a Lego or Hot Wheels car and cursed the darn things?  They hurt!  Or have murderous thoughts towards that Tickle Me Elmo doll everytime it goes off?  I am so glad my kids were grown by the time that annoying thing came to being….

Children’s rooms … Read more...

Company Comes Calling

This is a simple treat for when you have unexpected company with children drop in.  Have some of these pre-made and stashed under your tree to hand out to the kids to brighten their day and warm their tummies!

Snowman Soup

Take a single-serving package of hot chocolate mix, a couple chocolate candy kisses, marshmallows and a candy cane, package in a mug or holiday-themed goody bag, then add a gift tag or bag topper for a cheery winter gift.

Ingredients

1 Individual packet of Hot Chocolate Mix
2-3 chocolate Hershey’s Chocolate Kisses
10-15 mini marshmallows
1 … Read more...

Gag Gift Time

We all have that one relative, friend or co-worker that has a penchant for handing out gag gifts, jokes, pratfalls, etc. all year long.  Well, now is your chance to get back at him/her with this simple, easy-to-make stocking stuffer.  Also a fun gift idea for handing out to kids too.

Reindeer Poop

Instructions:

To make Reindeer Poop, place a handful of malted milk balls or chocolate covered raisins in a decorative gift, snack bag (available at party supply stores).  Seal the bag and attach a gift tag printed from here that includes the Reindeer Poop Poem.… Read more...