Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Crafting in the Rain: Poinsettia Pillow

Crafting in the Rain: Poinsettia Pillow: Don't get me wrong--I'm not trying to skip over any holidays here. I love November because it has Thanksgiving AND my birthday! But while...

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

The American Christmas Tradition

I received an email from a friend that I hadn't heard from in a long time. This is what she sent. I thought it was worth spreading around. I agree with this so Much. Great ideas for gift giving


>   As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are
> kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous
> piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been
> produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be
> different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine
> concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse
> that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is
> produced by American hands. Yes there is!
>
> It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a
> gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese
> produced wrapping paper?
>
>   Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about
> gift certificates from your local American hair salon or
> barber?
>
> Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are
> thinking about some health improvement.
>
> Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small,
> American owned detail shops and car washes would love to
> sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
>
> Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing
> of plonking down the Benjamines on a Chinese made
> flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like
> his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or
> driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf
> course.
>
>   There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all
> offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the
> fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the
> local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big
> National chains -- this is about supporting your home town
> Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep
> their doors open.
>
>   How many people couldn't use an oil change for their
> car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American
> working guy?
>
>   Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE
> the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.
>
>   My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find
> some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business
> up and running.
>
>   OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local
> crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into
> scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden
> boxes.
>
>   Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated
> restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about
> going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theater.
>
>   Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing
> local bands.
>
>   Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten
> thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five
> dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the
> community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave
> the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.
>
>   You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American
> pockets so that China can build another glittering city.
> Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American
> small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their
> dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care
> about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in
> ways we couldn't imagine.
>
>   
>   THIS is the new American Christmas tradition
>
>
>
>

Bucket List

This is my entry in the Just Ask Bucket List Getaway Giveaway. Just Ask offers a breast and ovarian cancer screening and is encouraging people to share 15 things that I want to enjoy in my lifetime as a reminder to be aware of my health. Want to enter? Head over to TodaysMama.com to get the details. 
Of course number one on my bucket list should be to Have a Successful Blog. I want to have time to post on my blog regularly.
I want to be able to quit my Job and work from home selling on Ebay . I have been relatively successful at that doing it just part time. I enjoy it so much more than I do my 40 hour job.
I want to be completely debt free. ( Working at it and we are getting closer to crossing this off our list. Two years ago after my husband lost his job without warning, we hunkered down and learned to live on very little to try and get rid of the debt. My husband has a new job now which will help to move forward a little more quickly)
We haven't had a vacation in three years and would love to get away for even just a weekend.
Spend lots of time with our grandchildren
Visit my Best Friend in Florida
A vacation in the Bahamas
Travel to Alaska
A Hawaiian Vacation
My own successful online store
Design and Create a Fabulous Purse Pattern
Someday I would like to be able to give more to the less fortunate -
Have a bigger place to do my Repurposing Hobby and all my sewing Crafts.
Open a shop in a Craft Mall
or own a craft mall
Sell my Parents Farm.