This coming Sunday is Daylight Savings day. The only way I can remember which way to change the clock is by the little saying I learned as a kid. “Spring forward, Fall backwards”.
So I’ll move the clock forward on Sunday and lose an hour of sleep. Bummer! But on the bright side, it also means that it stays light later in the evenings. …
March 2013 Holidays and Special Events Read More »
Groundhog day has been around for a long time. But his track record isn’t all that great! In my opinion I think he has it all backwards.
The tradition says that if it’s cloudy when the groundhog emerges from his burrow he won’t see his shadow. Because of this he stays out of the burrow which means that Spring will come early.
If it’s sunny out when he emerges he’ll see his shadow and out of fear retreats back into his burrow. That’s his way of predicting the winter will continue for six more weeks.
Now, I understand that while his shadow may scare him he really has it all backwards. …
Groundhog Day–He’s Got It All Backwards! Read More »
Do you remember being taught the fire drill of Stop, Drop, and Roll? This short statement is drilled into our brains from the time we are little to help us know what to do in case our clothes ever caught on fire.
The idea behind this is to condition our brain with a routine to fall back on. This can prevent us from going into panic mode and not thinking clearly. This same idea also is what saves us from running into traffic to chase a ball or cross the street, “Look both ways first!”.
We condition our brain with “fire drill” statements to help protect our physical well being. But many times we tend to neglect …
Fire Drill! Stop, Drop, and Roll. Read More »
It’s that time of year where we are so busy running around we forget to stop and smell the roses. Okay, I know that’s a cliché. For most people, at least in this country (U.S.), the rose bushes are dormant this time of year.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t stop to smell the roses figuratively. Look around for things to be grateful for. It just might be what you need to dress up your mood.
There are always things, people, and events in everyone’s life that are good. Sometimes we just have to stop rushing through life long enough to see them.
Some things to be grateful for:
The list goes on and on. Take a few minutes each day to write down the things you are grateful for. Create a gratitude journal with a fancy journal, spiral notebook, or even on your smartphone or computer. It doesn’t matter how you do it.
The important thing is to write down what you are grateful for. Then read it anytime you feel overwhelmed, out of sorts, or depressed. Heck, you might want to read it first thing each morning to dress your day up right. You’ll be amazed how something this simple can have such a profound positive effect on your attitude.
Below are some previous posts I wrote about gratitude. Check them out for more motivation and ideas on how you can start wearing gratitude to help put a smile on your face.
“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” ~Epictetus
“If you count all your assets, you always show a profit.” ~Robert Quillen
To a lighter load along the way.
Janice
Gratitude, Try It On. It Could Be A Perfect Fit! Read More »
I pulled out my greeting card list to get started with addressing the cards. Wow! I didn’t realize it was such a mess.
Addresses were scratched out. New ones written to the side. My niece got married. A new last name plus a husband’s name were added. A few names are scratched off because either they passed away or I no longer wish to send them cards.
It’s time to update my list on the computer and print out a new copy. I set this list up many years ago. It has been a great organizer when tackling the task of sending out greeting cards.
It’s set up in such a way that I can make sure the Hanukkah cards are mailed on time. Hanukkah starts this Saturday, December 8. Once those are done I’ll start on the Christmas cards.
This list is also set up in a way where if I run short on time it’s easy to prioritize who I want to send cards to and who will be left out this year.
Below is an excerpt from the holiday tip eBook on how to create the greeting card system I use.
Take a few minutes to set your list up today. You’ll then be well on your way to getting those greeting cards out on time.
From the eBook “Tips To Simplify And Organize Your Holidays”
The first step is to look at your address/phone book and write out all the names and of the people you want to send cards to this year. Be selective. You don’t have to send to everyone. Write these on a separate piece of paper or type them into your computer. Don’t worry about the addresses now; you’ll work on those in the next step.
If you already have a list from last year then just add any new names or scratch off any you don’t want to send cards to anymore. Remember, you don’t have to send cards to everyone. Now review each name and decide if you can cross off a few more.
This step will take a little time to set up depending on how many people you have on your list. But the time is well spent by helping simplify the task of sending out greeting cards this year and many years to come.
1. Label a separate sheet of paper with the categories listed below. You can also do this on the computer at this time or after you have completed the handwritten copy.
2. Now write the name of each person/family you want to send a card to under the appropriate category. Do not add the addresses yet. You are just dividing the names right now.
3. Once all the names are listed in their categories you will want to mark next to the name which kind of card you want to send. A Christmas card, a Hanukkah card, or a Seasons Greeting card. A generic Seasons Greeting card can be sent to most people if you aren’t sure about their religion.
4. Now you can make your final list with the addresses included. You’ll do this by making a separate list for each group and each kind of card you are sending. For example:
Customize for the people on your list. Several categories can go on the same page if you only have a few people in each. You might want to include first names of the family members on this list. This will help if you like to personalize the inside of the cards.
This is now your master list. It will help you prioritize who’ll you’ll sent cards to if you don’t have enough time to get to them all. If you want you can even list the names in each category in order of importance. You may want your sister who lives out of town on the top of the list and your 2nd cousin you rarely talk to, on the bottom of the list.
If you didn’t put it on the computer yet now would be a good time. It will be a lot easier to update the copy on the computer before printing it off each year. Step 4 explains how to make the list portable and why.
Your master list will help you determine what kind and how many cards you’ll need to buy.
1. If you have cards left over from last year be sure to check them out before shopping.
2. Look at your categories and determine how many of each kind of card you will need.
3. Subtract the number of left over cards you can use in each category and this will give you the minimum number of cards to purchase.
4. Try to find boxes that are close to the number you need with maybe a few extra. You really don’t want to store boxes of unused cards each year.
1. To make it easy to keep track of which ones you’ve addressed and to make it portable, you can put the printed sheets in plastic page protectors. Check off each name with a dry erase marker once the envelope is completed. When you’re completely done with addressing the envelopes you can take a damp tissue to wipe off the marks.
2. Start with the most important category for you and work from there. Family, friends, co-workers, etc.
3. Sign the cards at this time and put them inside the envelopes. Don’t seal the envelopes now because you may want to insert a newsletter, photo, or write a personalize note right before mailing them.
4. If you make the sheets portable (see number 1) then it’s easy to take the addresses, cards, and envelopes with you while waiting for your child’s dance lesson, music lesson, etc. to be done. You can also address them while watching TV in the evenings.
This is where you will insert a newsletter, photo, or personal note.
Stamp the envelopes and mail them at the proper time. Here is a list of suggested dates the United States Postal System puts out for the latest days to mail cards and packages.
Dec. 17 is the busiest mailing day of the year. Buy your stamps now and plan on mailing your cards and packages before that date.
If you found the above tip helpful you can find 24 more tips in the eBook “Tips To Simplify And Organize Your Holidays”. It’s only $2.99 and is available for your PC (PDF), Kindle (Amazon), or Nook (Barnes & Noble).
To a lighter load along the way.
Janice
Are Your Holiday Greeting Cards Addressed and Ready to Mail? Read More »
