Love Is The Most Important Gift Of All

Now that the holidays are behind us, we are all looking forward to a new year.  It's funny how it seems like right around the beginning of November, folks get a little nicer and more patient.  There seems to be something in the air that says, "This is the season of love!"  As Christmas gets closer, that love among family, friends and strangers seems to grow.  We smile more, say hello to strangers, feel more giving and have more compassion for others.

After the new year rings in, we still feel some of that.  We make our resolutions, look forward to new beginnings and enjoy our time with family.  Slowly though, something happens.  Vacations end, Christmas decorations come down and bills from the holiday shopping start to roll in.  We tend to forget the warm fuzzy feelings of the months before and settle into our daily routines once again. 

February brings us Valentines Day and for a minute we rush around trying to figure out what to get for that/those speical people in our lives.  In reality, the most important gift we can give is our love and our time.  I know my kids enjoy going out and buying things but what I have found out is that what they enjoy more is ME.  Me just spending time with them, playing games, talking/listening, watching a movie, cooking.  Anything that allows us to connect with each other.  I also enjoy going out and being with my husband at dinner or movies but what makes me even more happy is just sitting and talking to him and knowing that him and I are connected and enjoying being together.  Somtimes when I'm in the kitchen, he'll come in and help (that's a big thing since he doesn't cook). 

Everyday, there are so many ways we can show our love.  A smile to a stranger may not seem like a big deal but maybe to that stranger it's a huge deal.  While driving, don't always be in such a hurry that you don't let people through.  It only takes a second to extend our love no matter how big or small.  LOVE is the greatest gift and God gives his love everyday whether we deserve it or not. 

Bittersweet End To Christmas

Well, Christmas is offically over for 2010 and it's a bittersweet ending.  Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year but I have noticed that each year, I enjoy it less and less.  Maybe it's because instead of savoring every day and really taking in the sights, smells, sound and meaning of Christmas, I instead am running around like a crazy woman trying to cram shopping, baking, decorating, etc., etc., into the week before the big day.  I used to start enjoying the holidays the week before Thanksgiving when I looked forward to seeing family and planning all the fun activities for Christmas.  That was when I had so much less responsibility and didn't really have much in life to do but have fun.  I didn't have to cook, clean, run kids around town, handle a family budget and deal with life's rollercoaster ride of unexpected challenges.  It seemed back then that it took forever for Christmas to get here and now it's as if it just finished and there it is again. 


This year, finances were strained and I kept putting off doing things that should have been done a long time ago.  I have realized that doesn't help because they need to be done anyway and waiting till the last minute not only causes much more stress but it actually ends up costing much more money.  Yesterday as we drove to grama's house, once again we were behind schedule by about 45 minutes.  As we drove on the freeway, I decided to write down my feelings in a little book I carry so that in a few months as I look ahead to next Christmas and that feeling of frustration for lack of planning is no longer there, I can look in my little book and relive the way it feels to be unorganized, unprepared and lacking the "Christmas Spirit!"  We didn't buy gifts this year except for our kids and kids in the extended family.  It was really hard for me to not have something to give everyone.  I thought it would be rude to receive and not give or that people would be upset if they didn't get anything from us.  But not having money forced me to realize a couple of things though.  Sometimes we give to "look good" or just because someone gives to us, or maybe just out of a feeling of obligation.  This is not giving in the spirit.  As my 9 year old son says, "It's not about the presents, it's about Jesus."  This is true and I believe we have gotten away from the true meaning of Christmas.  If money hadn't of been tight, I would have done what I always do...give gifts whether I meant it or not.


I have vowed for things to be different in 2011.  This is the year I look at life as less of a chore and more of an adventure.  I have vowed to plan ahead, put money away now, even if it's just $5-$10 per paycheck, and think about ideas for Christmas.  The secret I think is also not just to think but to act.  Many times, not just with Christmas but with anything, I think of something I should do but don't do it.  I read somewhere that everytime we think of something we should be doing or should do, we need to act on it and just do it.  That way things don't slip by us and pile up for later.  Giving shouldn't just be about buying gifts but giving of ourselves out of love.  I have received homemade gifts this year and I have received store bought gifts this year and I must say that there is something special about receiving something that someone took the time to actually think about and create just for me.  Don't get me wrong, I do like receiving gifts but sometimes when shopping for others, we just buy something just for the sake of buying it without thinking of what the other person really likes and wants.  There are also times we buy for people who we may not even feel connected to but do it out of obligation.  I choose not to do that anymore.


I vow to make 2011 the year I look ahead at what needs to be done and do it that way I have more time to enjoy life as it comes.  No more running around the day before birthdays and holidays getting things ready so that by the time the "special day" arrives, I am too tired and frazzled to enjoy it.  No more worrying about what other people think.  When I plan things it will be what's best for me and my family and not to impress others.   No more looking back wishing I would have enjoyed Christmas more.  Next year, I will enjoy everything about the holidays starting with cooking Thanksgiving dinner.  I plan to enjoy decorating for Christmas, going out looking at Christmas lights, taking my kids to see Santa, wrapping gifts and I actually plan to mail the Christmas cards I write out next year instead of just leaving them sit until it's too late to mail.  I also hope that I can be a better mother, wife, sister and friend by just being a more relaxed, organized and happy me!

What Do You Do When You Can't Bake?

Well, you get a little creative.   I actually did bake a little on Tuesday nite.  My sister let me come by and use her oven.  Baked 6 mini loaves of Cranberry Orange Bread.  Mmm!  It was so good.  Then last night I made chocolate covered pretzels with sprinkles on them for the kids in Neecy's class.  I also tried something I have been wanting to do for a couple of years now.  I made Marshmallows!!  Oh my goodness....they were sooooo good and much easier than I thought.  I had homemade marshmallows a couple of years ago and they were great.  Ever since then, I have thought about making my own but for one reason or another I don't get to it.  Now that the holidays are here and I usually make homemade gifts I had to figure out what to make without my oven. 


I went to the Dollar Tree and bought some of the mini Chinese take-out type boxes.  They have them 4 for $1.00 and are really decorated cute for Christmas.  I added a small sheet of tissue paper and put some chocolate covered pretzels in each one and gave those to her classmatess.  Then for the teachers, I took one loaf of bread, a package of hot chocolate and I packaged some marshmallows in Cello bags and packaged them up in really cute bags I also found at the Dollar Tree and tied them with ribbon.  I attached a homemade card letting them know what was in the bag .


Those marshmallow were so good, I didn't get a chance to take a picture of them...they're gone!  I plan to make more this week-end and add these to my homemade treat bags.

Purse Party Tonight!

Well, the day is finally here.  Tonight is our 1st Purse Party for Chic Boutique.  We will have it at Jessica's apartment complex for the residents of the complex.  It's an open house type sale and we are hoping for a positive response.  We are so excited and can't wait to see what happens.  We already have parties lined up for the first of the year and haven't even had a party yet. 

Tomorrow is our 2nd party at my house and it's for our family and friends.  This is exciting and I can't wait to see where this takes us.  Maybe someday, we'll be designing our own purses!!

Will post pics and details of how tonight went.

Pictures of Purses

Here are some pictures of the purses, wallets and purse hooks we have.  Didn't get a chance to take many pictures but it was nice.  Not a huge turn-out (her building would only let her put flyers out the day before) but we met many of the people that live there and they seemed really interested in us doing another one before Christmas.  They loved the purses!

CHIC BOUTIQUE

Well.....the time has come to announce my new business.  It's called "CHIC BOUTIQUE!"  I am sooo excited.  Together with my niece Jessica, we have partnered to start this new venture.  We will sell purses and wallets.  The concept of the business is just like Tupperware, Partylite, Pampered Chef etc.  We will do "Purse Parties."  The only difference is there is no presentation to sit through.  Just attend a party (or host one of your own) and shop.  Very fun, relaxing and convenient.

We will have our first purse party in December.  We are in the process of creating a Blog for our business since we don't have a website yet.   We will also post pictures of our purses on our Blog.

Wish us luck!

Finding fault with everything you see

We all know people who just like to complain. It seems that no matter how good they have it, they're always spreading negative energy. Even the best, most painstaking listener can have trouble with someone who finds fault with everything around them. You can shine even in the worst situations if your character is strong. If you're starting to see the "dark side" too often and find yourself blaming your circumstances on other people, take another look. If you think a change of scenery will solve all your problems, think again. Change can be good. Moving on to new things can be an exciting chance to stretch yourself and break a rut. But it's important to start with yourself when you're finding things to improve. No matter where you live, work or play, the only constant is you. You can't escape yourself. Change on the outside will have no effect on your happiness or fulfillment unless you change on the inside, too.


A very wise person told me this exact thing many, many years ago.  I didn't quite understand it at that particular time in my life, but over time and many pep talks, I began to understand the importance of looking inward for change instead of blaming others for problems or for our unhappiness.  

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Hoping you and your loved ones have a very Happy Thanksgiving.  Let's all remember to stop and give thanks for everything in our lives.  Not only the big things but mostly the small things that we take for granted every single day!

Enjoy your day, your meal and your family and friends:))

Camarillo Road Trip

Yesterday I was invited to drive up to Camarillo to check out a business I'm interested in getting into.  My aunt had mentioned there would be a chance for me to see what it's all about and I decided I wanted to really get as much information about it.  Robert and I were going to go but since Amber couldn't be left alone, I decided to take Alyssa.  We left O.C. about 3pm and thankfully the rain stopped when we left. We headed out the 91 and cut across the 110 to the 101.  We enjoyed the view of Downtown LA with the sun peeking through the clouds and shining on the tall glass buildings.  We got stuck in some traffic near the Staple Center and again when we got on the 101 in the Northridge/Van Nuys area. 

As we continued to drive north, we could see less and less congestion and more open space.  It was about 4:15pm and the sun was hiding behind the clouds but the colors of the sky were like orange, purple and reds.  It was absolutley beautiful.  As we drove through the hills and crossed into Camarillo, the lights of the city were just coming on and the air was a cool 55 degrees.  It felt like we were so far from home and yet not so far. 

We left Camarillo about 7:30pm and as we drove home, we listened to the music as loud as we wanted, we talked and laughed.  We stopped for Starbucks in Van Nuys and enjoyed the 49 degree temperature.  It really felt like the holidays were near.  We sipped our Starbucks and enjoyed the last little bit of being away from home and wondered why we don't take more road trips.  This is definatley something I plan to do more of.  Fun trip just mom and daughter!

Exciting News To Come!!!

Oh, I'm so excited about a new venture I am starting.  I can't say anything about it right now but had to just write a snip-it before I bust.  I hope to make it known by Thanksgiving but right now there are some loose ends that need to be taken care of first.

Me along with Jessica my neice are partnering to start a business. (We promised each other we wouldn't say anything until we have all the legal stuff done)  Oh, can't wait to make it known.  The only thing I can say is we are doing home parties.  I think it'll be alot of fun!