What Do You Do?

We are just shy of a month from Christmas! woohoo! And now that we have hunted for all the candy and stuffed our selves with delicious turkey and fixin's now we are rushing about to find the perfect gifts! Well at least those of us that always wait 'til the last moment to shop, that is. Every year I say I am going to start early....yeah, that doesnt happen, nope not ever,lol.

A couple of years ago, my husband and I decided to start our own "tradition" on the gift giving for when it come to shopping for ourselves and our child. As people in general we tend to go over board with the presents thinking more is better. With all the sales going on, its not hard to do. With the economy the way it has been for the last couple of years, the "wallet" strings have gotten tighter, so do we buy more less expensive things or a few higher quality or expensive items? Since Christmas is a Christian holiday and surrounding the birth of Christ we came up with the idea.....Our child only receives 3 gifts from us at Christmas. Baby Jesus received 3 gifts from the 3 wise men so I think its only appropriate. We wanted to keep the holiday in perspective and teach her it wasn't all about how many awesome toys/gifts you can get. Then we took it a step further, she doesnt receive just any 3 gifts. She gets one clothing gift, one educational gift and one "want or toy" gift. This allows us to afford to give her a good Christmas but as she grows older, it doesnt break the bank so to speak. As for my husband and I. We only do 2 gifts one from each other and one from our child. We didnt want the holiday to be all about the gifts and what you can "get".

We hope that as the years go, that we can instill in her that it is better to give than to receive. We want to teach her that there is more joy and satisfaction in giving than the getting. Sometimes its just a good meal with friends and family, enjoying time together and well you understand.

This year, I am just thankful that my little family has a place to call home, that we are where we can work and bring money into our home, which was scarce back home. We are all healthy and happy. That is a gift in itself.

The other day, I entertained the idea, of writing down a list of all that I wanted for christmas. After I did that, I went back through my list and realized, my wants were more needs than anything, funny how that happens as we get older and have families. Of course this is just my opinion.

My list consisted of things like a new vacuum cleaner, an ironing board, curtains, serving bowls, towels....things you would get at a house warming party or house hold needs list.
I couldnt think of anything that was just a pure want. So I thought about it some more. I came up with another list, I wanted more material, yarn, ribbons....to make more things for the home and others. YIKES, what is wrong with me lol. I mark it down to being that I was raised that way lol. Im okay with that!

What I would love to hear is what is on your list, is it a want or need, is it for you or for the benefit for others? How do you decide how and what you are buying as gifts for your loved ones.
Do you have a tradition as well?

Please share your thoughts, I think it would be interesting to see how alike or different we all are. May even give each other some new ideas for the holiday season.

I wish you all the happiest of Holidays!!!!!

~ Mary

To think that it took a year to figure this out.... &

So what have I been up to here lately? Well, with holidays all around us there is much to do, throw in some school activities, home life, yard work and a gallon of coffee and I'd say we are off to a good start!

Here lately I have been "re-organizing" everything. After a year of "seeing where things go". I have been going back over all that has happened, where my business has gone in this amount of time, and looking at the different things I need to improve on. I want to make sure that my family life isnt pushed to the way side. I want to make sure that I am giving my business the time and dedication it deserves as well. So re-organizing is the solution to the problem at this stage of the game.

I have recently dropped some opportunities that I thought would be great ideas....the pros just dont out weight the cons. I figured that I would look at what was most important and would be more beneficial in the long run. So, all the "side job" opps have/had to go.

I decided that for my family, I needed to concentrate on what I know works, benefits the family, doesnt take away from the family, and something I enjoy.

So here you have it. I am only working on and with these two companies. SoyLicious.com and Symmetry ~ Diet Magic.

Both of these companies, offer great benefits, they are all natural, I can stand behind them 100% with no doubts, they dont "take over" my time for my family and well, I love them!!!

I am spending more time being a mom too. Little bit is growing up so fast and I dont want to miss it. I mean what the heck is the point in working for yourself so that you can have the schedule you want if you dont utilize it??? Right?

I am going to do something for the first time this year.......Im sending out Christmas cards....aaaccckkkk....I know, but hey at least Im finally getting round to it...now where are those cards I got a few years ago! They must be in one of these boxes, yike!

Thanksgiving and Christmas will be hard this year, not having family around, but we will mutter through it just fine Im sure. (yes I meant Mutter,lol, we are good at that,lol) We have made some great friends, more of an extended family, to enjoy the holidays with. Praises be, for that.

I have plans for the new year, getting ready to put them into action. A few things in the works is creating my weight loss journey blog, yes I can post them here, but I need a central place so that the support I have been getting doesnt get lost in the shuffle and when things get rough, well you get the point, not that I wont post about it here though. I am working on a better more organized way of leading my team in my business efforts. I am planning on more one on one time with little bit & hubby. I am also sneaking in a bit more ME time as well.

I have one passion I had set aside, due to time constraints and technology...yup Im picking up the pen and paper again. I remember what it was like to get a handwritten letter in the mail, it always made me feel better and well, its what I like to do, so for the various people out there, watch the mail box tehehehe.

I am finding that other than to post to my blog occasionally, or pal around on FB I am rarely using my social networks like I use to. Maybe this is for the better at this time, who knows, but doesnt mean I dont miss everyone, I do, but just needed more real life time so to speak. Ill be back, just needing to (heres that word again) "re-organize".

I'll never get to where I need to go, If I cant figure out which road to travel. The only way to do that is learn to read the road signs. And at times I will need to ask for directions, so for that...thank you for being there!

Just so its not mistaken....this isn't an early New Year's resolution.....its a life change. yup, that sounded hillbillyish, but that is me. I want a better life, I want my child and husband to have a better life. I want to enjoy the years...not pass them by trying to catch up with the rest of the world.

Okay thats enough rambling....so lets see where it goes from here!

As the saying goes...Take life by the horns, and enjoy the ride,
~ Mary