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After much deliberation and thought I finally decided what the essentials were that I needed for holiday decorating...well and then a few extras. I now have everything in the cozy underneath of the steps. I now have decided on a new project, to make a little curtain to cover this during the off season of decorating. The feeling of relief is great and I just adore organizing.
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Gift Giving

"Give experiences as gifts, not stuff. Instead of shopping for someone come birthdays or Christmas, think of an experience you can give them instead. A date with you, doing something fun, hanging out, cooking, playing, talking, exploring. A fun time at a park or beach. Something other than everyday. An experience is much more meaningful than an object." This is taken from the article from Zen Habits that I just mentioned.

I have already made up my mind that I am making homemade or as close to homemade/handmade gifts for Christmas and Birthdays.
One reason was the cost of things and how ridiculous gift giving can get. I am always flattered that I have been thought of by so many people, but I also appreciate a card with a handwritten note in it just as much!
The second reason is that when I have given handmade gifts the reaction that people have to receiving that gift is better or more so than getting something mass made. Last Christmas my family exchanged some gifts that were made by women in 3rd world countries and that with the purchase of them it helps them to have a better life and support themselves. To me that is meaningful as well.

A particular gift that I am looking to give is canned goods. People go crazy for the peaches we can and you'd think that we gave them something that cost 100's of dollars. Though I am biased the peaches are delicious and I have yet to have any that are better!

I also agree that taking someone out for a meal and good conversation could be the best gift they could receive. Or a simple cup of wonderful coffee and company. It truly IS the thought that is the most precious part of gift giving rather than what you are giving.

Love not Stuff

It's like Zen Habits crawled into my mind and read it when he blogged about loving life and the experiences we have in it instead of buying anything and everything searching for that fulfillment that we never get through stuff. Ah! So VERY true. I know I am guilty of getting caught up in the materialistic world and struggle with it from time to time. The balance has been better for me and I am only realizing how the free and cherished things in life bring me utter happiness and fulfillment. Check out his amazing article and just soak it all in.

A Vision for a Room

Something that just makes me absolutely *giddy* is having everything organized and in it's place. "A home for everything." Ok, I don't really have it that organized yet! That is my goal. This summer I bought a bookcase to house all my teaching supplies (they would wind up being scattered and crammed in odd places). This way I can go out and grab what I need the night before and have it all set for morning! Ah to not race around like a mad woman would be wondrous. So last night I was out there moving things around, organizing, throwing away (don't worry I only throw paper away, things I find a new home for or donate) and looking at the mess dissolve.

The room where the bookcase is we used to call the "Playroom" it housed a ridiculous amount of toys when I was younger. Now I would love to make it more a library/exercise room. My great-grandfather turned it into a room after there was a fire in that area of the house. It used to be the garage so it does get a bit chilly in the winter, but we have a heater out there. There are built-in book shelves that house mainly books, finally! The goal is to put all books out there and bring up a bench from the basement to put in front of the shelves like you see in magazines. I always think that it looks very inviting eventhough it's placed in front of the books.

The other thing that is out in the room is the treadmill, elliptical machine, and stationary bike, along with yoga equipment, weights, and a gazelle. I called Directv on Monday to set up an appointment to get TV out there. Right now the small 16" or whatever tv will have to suffice till we get a little bigger tv, preferrably with a dvd hooked up. Someone suggested I hook the Wii up to the tv and play while on the treadmill, that is a little to much even for me!!!! I can't wait to go out and watch the morning shows that I have discovered give me comfort and happiness while walking on the treadmill, especially on rainy and snowy days when I don't drag myself outside to walk.

French Taste

There is just something about the romance that is part of the French culture. I love the thought of espresso, croissants, flowers, dining outside, enjoying every bit of food you eat, wine, cigarettes, walking, staying thin, fabrics, colors, gold, the language, poems, mystery, excitement, my list goes on.....

Relaxing with the thumb

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Critical or Helping?

I've been thinking about things lately. While watching tv today and the KDKA show they were interviewing a dog spa at the Nemacolin Resort. The people speaking on behalf of it were all dressed in shirts and then black pants except for the one man that had a spa shirt on and khakis. They all stood around with their hands nervously held behind their backs. It was just very awkward. I was distracted by their appearance and stature.

I like to be positive in life and not be a negative nelly, but there are some things that I think people need to help others with. I have been toying with the idea of making a list. I'm not perfect and I constantly watch people and take note on successful people and those that I admire. Somethings work no matter who you are and others do not work ever..... I think of it as beautifying lives. In a nice critical way but with gentle words.

Goodwill is even on Twitter! Rock on....

I just donated two huge black garbage bags of clothing to the Greensburg Goodwill. I love donating there. It is a really great place! The plus side is you get receipts for taxes! They also had two fliers they gave me. They are on TWITTER, the PA Goodwill that is, but they mention the different locations and what they have. In Greensburg on Twitter they said they had 3 great wedding dresses in fabulous condition! Follow Goodwill via www.twitter.com/gwswpa.

The other flier was how they are accepting computers and electronics. Any brand of computer is eligible, they are encouraging reuse and responsibly recycle unwanted electronics :)

Anniversary decal

My grandparents will have been married 60 years on august 15th. I planned a simple background party ice cream social for them. Ill post pics later. This is the decal my uncle made for them. He makes great decals so I suggested he make them one to show off their long and successful marriage. I'm so proud of them.
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More lillies

They are amazing!
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Lillies

These beauties are in my front yard making it look amazing and smell wonderful. They sure are a gorgeous gift from god!
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Cash for clunkers

The rumor is that the program has a billion dollar budget from the govt but they didn't plan on 400000 dealers doing this! One dealer said it will probably end this friday. Either way hop on it if you're in for a new car!!!
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My town

This is another thing that happens throughout town on special occasions. The guy goes by chick but was born on the 4th of july and uses the name uncle sam for different things and has a partiotic motorcycle and license plates. Come to think of it his house is even painted tastefully patriotic colors.
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My town

This is something that you can see fairly regularly when the weather is good in town. The local buggy company has all different ones to use. I think this one is just like a fairy tale! I just love how my town is small and quaint enough to have this happen.
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Little guy at rest

Finally after being fussy because of his belly he found that thumb and was out cold. This is a friend's baby boy. Isn't he darling
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Giant Eagle produce

Just was going through the weekly specials flier and on the back it says how GE proudly carries produce from many local farms and lists them! :) That is awesome and makes me want to go buy them up!

Aldi's produce

Something I have been wondering about is Aldi's produce. The ladies at church were talking about the unbeatable prices. My concern is WHERE does the produce come from? During summer we get ours locally or at the farmers market, come winter I have to get them from the grocery store. I will not buy from Mexico or China (not that we get much produce if any from there) but I like to try to stay as local as I can. I'm all for a great deal and on food especially. I just don't want to compromise quality.

My little boy

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New Junky Gypsy Goodies

I couldn't pass up the Pink scarf with the Junk Gypsy logo, my all time favorite Mama Tried, but in a Thermal!! woohoo! and a fun pink flowered wooden bracelet. I'll be styling once again with the Junk Gypsy vibe. Pop over to Gypsyville to get yourself some awesome stuff.

My Junk Gypsy Package Came!

I love how they package things. It's super simple and they cram everything into one box all folded neatly, but they sure don't waste packaging! It's always fun to open the box and see your goodies wrapped up!