tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80078580331044576502024-03-09T18:46:14.331-08:00PrettyOrganizedPalaceHassle Free HomemakingPretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.comBlogger246125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-11374916249646220192011-11-30T11:09:00.000-08:002011-11-30T11:09:31.269-08:00A Change in the Air... Moving!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.onhomedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Creative-Christmas-Tree-Decorating-Ideas-Maximize-Your-Medium-Size-Christmas-Tree-silver-ornaments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.onhomedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Creative-Christmas-Tree-Decorating-Ideas-Maximize-Your-Medium-Size-Christmas-Tree-silver-ornaments.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Friends of Pretty Organizer, <br />
<br />
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I've received a lot of loving letters and questions about where I've been all year. Well, I've always said that I work with priorities and this year the priority has been my family. Like many of you dear readers, the Pretty Organized family has been busy with budgeting, job hunting, teenager raising, preschooler schooling and figuring out how to keep all of our plates spinning at the same time. Thank you to you sweethearts who amid your own busy lives, take the time to reach out to the bogging recluse (me) and spread your well wishes and desire to keep in touch.<br />
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In an effort to keep in touch, I happily announce that the Pretty Organized family is moving! Yes, that sweet friend Melissa at<a href="http://theinspiredroom.net/"> The Inspired Room</a>, I'm in the middle of packing during Christmas... and it's a bit messy, and chaotic, and at the same time, a great excuse to slow down all of the fluff and focus on things that matter. We're leaving beautiful Arizona and heading to Dallas, Texas! Hubby has been working there since the beginning of October so you can imagine my excitement to join him with the six kids. Don't be a stranger. I may get back to regular posts and would love to hear about how "ya'll" are doing:)<br />
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As a result of simplifying this year, North Pole Secretary will not be offering Santa Letters. Santa's secretary decided to buy a $9 silver tinsel Wal Mart tree and set it in a corner this year. That's it. We plan to move the day after Christmas so decorations are on the sparse side. Please visit again next year as I'm sure Santa's secretary will be ready to take orders for deserving kids to receive their personal letters from Santa. I actually miss the letter business terribly right now. It was such a blessing to read the accomplishments of children all over the states.<br />
<br />
I hope you have a blessed holiday season and please feel free to keep in touch!Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-82761328190570095542010-12-01T21:08:00.000-08:002010-12-01T22:35:43.536-08:00Send ME your kids letter to Santa!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhk832RfXiZA9f_esWNSaEQEAoB-muPnWflZyao8idfGtJlT_8vHJU9hK9FnyKbL9-3-ejh8GwgiFeBl_I9AkAh5s8PkOT6vfLO3Z-jixCARB6ezDHYM8q2St9eYaBTf7zXDOwTze2-s/s1600/bhgss_101202005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhk832RfXiZA9f_esWNSaEQEAoB-muPnWflZyao8idfGtJlT_8vHJU9hK9FnyKbL9-3-ejh8GwgiFeBl_I9AkAh5s8PkOT6vfLO3Z-jixCARB6ezDHYM8q2St9eYaBTf7zXDOwTze2-s/s320/bhgss_101202005.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Okay,<br />
I'll admit. Business is slow. VERY slow. The economy has taken it's toll and my usual first batch of letters has shrunk to below 2/3rds of what it normally is. SO, being the momprenuer that I am, or have to be, I'm adjusting my business strategy... tweaking things to make them better.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Send ME your kids letters to Santa.</span></span> <u>I will reply with a personal note on their letters, send the original letters WITH a personalized letter postmarked from North Pole Alaska, and an instruction for the kids to put them in their scrapbook!</u> I'm only offering this bonus to people who purchase letters on my website and mark "Write Back" in the PROMO code area (so I know to look for your letters). Letters to Santa need to arrive at my house by no later than DEC. 10th! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuJokZYoSxzupUQFWSn-ewYGP2uDsBAGJcL85jwIJlY88wByPaeJIpde3tci908utv6lfeN_zQsEu9VAIdPumNNn0MPqz1BxfpqgAz6MOj_hSaG5JplpayPFOLjEXWNviUn9uOQDx6Yk/s1600/Christmas_Tree_Decoration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuJokZYoSxzupUQFWSn-ewYGP2uDsBAGJcL85jwIJlY88wByPaeJIpde3tci908utv6lfeN_zQsEu9VAIdPumNNn0MPqz1BxfpqgAz6MOj_hSaG5JplpayPFOLjEXWNviUn9uOQDx6Yk/s320/Christmas_Tree_Decoration.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
If you're interested, hurry and purchase your letter(s) at my website www.NorthPoleSecretary.com and contact me via email at NorthPoleSecretary@cox.net so I can match up who has purchased and start looking for your letters in my box. Letters can also be emailed to NorthPoleSecretary@cox.net I will print those letters and include them with your personalized letter.<br />
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Looking forward to reading all of those wish lists!<br />
Thanks for your business and please pass it on!!<br />
Pretty Organizer<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Visit the Website, Click on the Button Below!</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://www.northpolesecretary.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuF-4FMSbow7Hih5SswFUnpSAbXHMNWZh0YSIzBoufnePVpIFjQaOKOljBij9gE30MmV09w54AVCblMCyGqdWYNvbxKK7ey_hZq0Oxnsr-wLdrbs6KA-y9vV2ykXdqLnZH2BKhErTtZ9E/s1600/npssmall+%25281%2529.gif" /></a></span></div>Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-61468737320752760452010-11-29T12:31:00.000-08:002010-11-29T12:32:14.531-08:00A Mom's Letter to Me about convincing her "doubter."<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbz4mBAddjWQEPM9LNZx2chR8c4DJ_GH5YKHgXdyw-6jLNBIJ6fKL2eTuHFTGM0G_EVlBJ8qi7UFSWXZnUGH30uYcoj1UBHLjOfsXCR3pF0Y2b-UQic09AgsyK5h0ZM4CpujIxNcjthuN7/s1600-h/mailleatherlabel.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278946740183391826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbz4mBAddjWQEPM9LNZx2chR8c4DJ_GH5YKHgXdyw-6jLNBIJ6fKL2eTuHFTGM0G_EVlBJ8qi7UFSWXZnUGH30uYcoj1UBHLjOfsXCR3pF0Y2b-UQic09AgsyK5h0ZM4CpujIxNcjthuN7/s400/mailleatherlabel.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 259px;" width="259" /></a><span style="line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I think I have glue poisoning from licking all of those Santa Letter envelopes... I might go blind. I'll need a braille machine soon. Still not too late to order from</span><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><a href="http://www.northpolesecretary.com/"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here</span></b></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Friday, December 10th is the LAST DAY!! Your letters help me to wrap up Christmas for my kiddos and I know they'll help make Christmas special for your kiddos too. </span><br />
<div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Check out what one mom said about the letter she sent her kids from Santa...</span><br />
<div style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've had the North Pole Secretary send my kids letters for the past 2 years now. The first year, my skeptic 8 year old looked at the return address on the envelope for probably 2 minutes straight. You could see the "wheels turning in his head" as he finally had to admit that Santa had indeed sent him a letter. At that time, my 6 year old was ecstatic that Santa sent him a letter and even more excited to find out what Santa might bring him! Last year we wrote to Santa to let him know we were okay with a few less toys so he could give them to other kids who needed them more. They were touched that Santa would acknowledge their kindness.<br />
These letters have helped my older children hang on to the magic a little longer, my younger children glow with excitement - and reminded all of them that Christ is the real reason for this joyous holiday.<br />
Heidi B.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Whether Santa delivers your mail into here...</b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGVvru6T9XgxMQxp4Lq8W9Q9RPQFGgWdoAzSuTi7277QfATMNAYgbXaBYBoZGdEAsmOtdhl0oNWZ33CyQvDgV5XG64oEoZevuhW0bz4GDBUy9iBUcqlej5nhngkpIPCan3ZRQQcy3xMV7/s1600-h/300507.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278946728067627682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGVvru6T9XgxMQxp4Lq8W9Q9RPQFGgWdoAzSuTi7277QfATMNAYgbXaBYBoZGdEAsmOtdhl0oNWZ33CyQvDgV5XG64oEoZevuhW0bz4GDBUy9iBUcqlej5nhngkpIPCan3ZRQQcy3xMV7/s400/300507.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
<div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>or this fancy lady here....</b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YLt0LPCYkBwQtK56rKGGR5qPHHt77AGRgKZ6vQK_TR4TPCSG2hqSSziUV3G0mPi9G8lJ03rPFvJf4y9vXfY_HH5FFLZUG7jABBGzrCdw3Xu4l0IvHTWcHW9ujNRRJ9nV48GUaQhluJ3X/s1600-h/mailboxhead.bmp"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278946735668729922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YLt0LPCYkBwQtK56rKGGR5qPHHt77AGRgKZ6vQK_TR4TPCSG2hqSSziUV3G0mPi9G8lJ03rPFvJf4y9vXfY_HH5FFLZUG7jABBGzrCdw3Xu4l0IvHTWcHW9ujNRRJ9nV48GUaQhluJ3X/s400/mailboxhead.bmp" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 393px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I<b>t will all arrive from the North Pole </b>(with cancellation stamp),<b> with a message from Santa about Christ and service</b>, and<b> be personalized to your kiddo</b>. Check out the sample letters at<span style="color: #bf9000;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.northpolesecretary.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">NorthPoleSecretary.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">. Due to the amount of families with tight funds, we have made Family Letters this year to reduce your cost. Just $18 to include everyone in one letter WITH a pat on the back from Santa for a family accomplishment!</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm printing tonight, mailing them to the North Pole tomorrow and every Monday until they're out!</span></div>Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-62868200989564950072010-11-23T22:48:00.000-08:002010-11-23T21:34:08.948-08:00Teaching your Kids to Serve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIQjxzKidkxRWVIIyU_aq5C7_-2j739jv77W2-6enRvfew00OMWZwjztAlbRbDtLAPLRrYNvVXl69z_8jvjPVdfPecK6U0T88WRDKqSqNRLMqWvafWMC1PmA-XXdZQWDqr1Ke4AkdmkM/s1600/car-wash-19-500x327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIQjxzKidkxRWVIIyU_aq5C7_-2j739jv77W2-6enRvfew00OMWZwjztAlbRbDtLAPLRrYNvVXl69z_8jvjPVdfPecK6U0T88WRDKqSqNRLMqWvafWMC1PmA-XXdZQWDqr1Ke4AkdmkM/s400/car-wash-19-500x327.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As Thanksgiving and Christmas quickly approach, there are many opportunities to involve our kiddos in one of the greatest life teaching experiences available: Service. Somehow, our children transform when they are serving... and so do we. Whether you host a car wash to raise money for a needy family, mow a neighbors lawn or offer to babysit for free so a couple you know can enjoy a much needed night out... the act of serving softens hearts and creates relief for those you've served and gratitude, empathy, love and family unity for the ones who offer service. True service is born of love and enlarges the capacity of those who give to give more the next time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvGFbPEnIxrcEF4fCC7nkNGTG2r-JQj6iUUDfckYcZIAVL2P060jrXSlMlQYEa56ZdwxeRhRmCu0Dcf_hPvcEZvdhu0lhktgW9elBawE-OeVpbpumEmLfPO-iL53hD2-u-VzmpNSctXQ/s1600/Maggie_sitting.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvGFbPEnIxrcEF4fCC7nkNGTG2r-JQj6iUUDfckYcZIAVL2P060jrXSlMlQYEa56ZdwxeRhRmCu0Dcf_hPvcEZvdhu0lhktgW9elBawE-OeVpbpumEmLfPO-iL53hD2-u-VzmpNSctXQ/s400/Maggie_sitting.jpg.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">This little punk-a-noodle is mine. She's 4. She worries about how much milk is in HER glass, who's playing with HER doll, and why the gift we brought to her friend's birthday party isn't going home with HER. As a family we have enjoyed small moments of serving together and as a parent I LOVE watching the transformation in my children. We clean the church together on Saturday.... on Sunday they treat the church with more respect. We babysit for a family who has kids with special needs... my kids take pride in teaching those kids all of the things they're good at and together all the children feel love and are unified. We make cookies for a neighbor who's struggling.... we watch with excitement and love when those neighbors smile and know we love them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>What I have learned from giving service:</b></div><ul><li>We love those we serve... if we didn't before, we do after we truly serve them.</li>
<li>My capacity to accomplish MANY things increases when I serve. Somehow everything gets done. There's always time to do something for someone in need.</li>
<li>My children feel better about themselves.</li>
<li>My children are grateful, excited to serve again, and truly happy.</li>
<li>We all have SOMETHING to give. </li>
</ul><div><b>WARNING:: </b>Sometimes it is necessary to receive service... graciously. PLEASE, when someone wants to serve you, let them! Perhaps you could fold those clothes all by yourself or would get around to mowing your lawn but it's OKAY to allow others a chance to serve and love you... and it's okay to feel relief that a little burden has been lightened. Just consider how good YOU feel when you give service and allow others the opportunity to bless you!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">What opportunities are you taking to teach your kids service? Do you have traditions this time of year that help you focus on service and the spirit of Thanksgiving or Christmas? </span></b></div><br />
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<center> </center>Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-26854273051137383252010-11-22T21:01:00.000-08:002010-11-22T21:01:32.491-08:00Kids Activities for Thanksgiving Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://familyfun.go.com/assets/cms/crafts/turkey-day-awards-thanksgiving-craft-photo-260-FF1106THANKA10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://familyfun.go.com/assets/cms/crafts/turkey-day-awards-thanksgiving-craft-photo-260-FF1106THANKA10.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://familyfun.go.com/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-craft-decorations/thanksgiving-turkey-crafts/turkey-day-awards-671385/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">Family Fun:: Turkey Day Awards</span></a></div>I love gathering with my family for Thanksgiving Day. While I look forward to visiting with relatives and eating fantastic food there are the moments that I try to rehearse in my head.... they involve hungry children- 6 of them, a well decorated house FULL of people( the house isn't mine), and nice dinnerware.... a combination that is sure to make any mothers heart fail. And, if the mother's heart doesn't fail, the grand-mother, great-grandmother or OCD Aunt's WILL!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.makeandtakes.com/wp-content/uploads/front-turkey-crispy-061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://www.makeandtakes.com/wp-content/uploads/front-turkey-crispy-061.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blissfullydomestic.com/2008/turkey-treats-for-the-table"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">From Blissfully Domestic</span></a></div><br />
So how do you get the family together, let the parents talk, watch the kids, AND keep them out of the kitchen and away from the china? Well, if you're my family, you give up on china. My mother informed me we were having decorated paper plates over gold chargers... problem solved for me, no breakables... problem solved for her....less dishes!<br />
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Here are a few other links for crafs and things to keep your kiddos occupied during dinner prep.<br />
<a href="http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/thanksgiving/"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>Several Thanksgiving crafts, coloring pages, puzzles ect. at Kaboose.com</b></span></a><br />
<a href="http://familyfun.go.com/printables/thanksgiving-activity-what-are-you-thankful-for-704271/"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>Thankful Leaf pages... let your guests write what they're thankful for! Family Fun</b></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://familyfun.go.com/assets/cms/crafts/pilgrim-napkin-rings-thanksgiving-day-craft-photo-420-FF1107TABLEA11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b><img border="0" height="320" src="http://familyfun.go.com/assets/cms/crafts/pilgrim-napkin-rings-thanksgiving-day-craft-photo-420-FF1107TABLEA11.jpg" width="320" /></b></span></a></div><b><a href="http://familyfun.go.com/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-craft-decorations/thanksgiving-napkin-rings/pilgrim-napkin-rings-673452/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">Photo Pilgrim Napkin rings... featuring your family! Let you kids put them together.</span></a></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0eCJ2Atwwnh4p9Y8c7Wu5Rsxxpz_IHnBRFatFlbQysBVPOT6ZjVFebpoTZrw3vO5K6qRPdDrDILRGBA0MqgE2EetdzeZ6lcpKt5irYXXU-rfnVi2ov2NpODbX6tAw9eYdNVTdZYsYts/s400/Farnsworth+House+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0eCJ2Atwwnh4p9Y8c7Wu5Rsxxpz_IHnBRFatFlbQysBVPOT6ZjVFebpoTZrw3vO5K6qRPdDrDILRGBA0MqgE2EetdzeZ6lcpKt5irYXXU-rfnVi2ov2NpODbX6tAw9eYdNVTdZYsYts/s320/Farnsworth+House+017.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">Time to Get Ready for Christmas. Order a Letter from the North Pole... Only 18 days left. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://northpolesecretary.com/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">NorthPoleSecretary.com</span></span></b></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">What do you do to keep your chipmunks under thumb for Thanksgiving Day?</span></b></div>Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-29835321848939566492010-11-19T08:25:00.000-08:002010-11-19T08:25:11.853-08:00Getting your kids to Write Letters To Santa... with a reply!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NXhiICWHojWbdv93qDB9OLnJsnDfQEqKAZtE2MCqDeOnxLURCOcBtgWi4Od5o5d1QV8N0ii-iGusdw5Ze3MydMNWsz7PMq_tfYqWDY7qSIA1dQ-bFhIzqSYRi9gVeE_fpfXmnNp38ts/s1600/41N6XE088ML__SS500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NXhiICWHojWbdv93qDB9OLnJsnDfQEqKAZtE2MCqDeOnxLURCOcBtgWi4Od5o5d1QV8N0ii-iGusdw5Ze3MydMNWsz7PMq_tfYqWDY7qSIA1dQ-bFhIzqSYRi9gVeE_fpfXmnNp38ts/s320/41N6XE088ML__SS500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Just had a friend send me the letters her kids wrote to Santa. I'm going to put them in with the letters she bought for her kids with a note from Santa to put them in their scrapbooks. Santa will also scrawl a few comments on their lists! If you want to buy letters and send me your kiddos Christmas lists or letters to Santa, Message me or leave a comment and I'll give you my address. (No axe murderers or crazy people please.) <br />
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Visit<span style="color: #bf9000;"> </span><a href="http://www.northpolesecretary.com/" style="color: #bf9000;">my website to order the letters</a>. If you want to send me all your kiddos Christmas lists and just purchase a Family letter (a cheaper option for large families) I'm happy to send your kiddos lists back in the envelope postmarked from the North Pole. What will your children think!?!?!? So much fun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnuKWkJjxeegwem-VSsqr-8Gc8TzA0Md8oRFzMlh9PfkSyh79VTVHDNnPcWBlLH0PlaiuPY0ecVBAMhM7HzK2abr_uT9306cxqtVwgeBJHFU3Al-tKeElREytychXy00JLyh55dyVwj0/s1600/pbtwins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnuKWkJjxeegwem-VSsqr-8Gc8TzA0Md8oRFzMlh9PfkSyh79VTVHDNnPcWBlLH0PlaiuPY0ecVBAMhM7HzK2abr_uT9306cxqtVwgeBJHFU3Al-tKeElREytychXy00JLyh55dyVwj0/s320/pbtwins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Don't forget to put RR (Reeces Rainbow) in the PROMO code area to dedicate your funds to little Jaysons adoption expense fund! <br />
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Only accepting orders until Dec. 10th. Hurry and order now while you have the change in your pockets (think Black Friday) and cross one thing off your list. TRUST ME, this will be something your kids will LOVE. It's an amazing magical memory. Visit <a href="http://northpolesecretary.com/" style="color: #bf9000;">NorthPoleSecretary.com</a>Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-85525411026029304252010-11-16T23:07:00.000-08:002010-11-16T23:07:48.819-08:00The Angel Tree... Christmas with Reeces Rainbow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_A4h_bx77e-TKCKBpEPmJshmRxChZ03itzeXrsG0iU5Mi247p6Hx-jo0zLigmxwpph02wi-WwDv7MJS7ZS6LHWVcDnpqA7K_kodyRXS0bVo1GyInejp2timV6WVKf0sGOX3VKO3MgCk/s1600/jayson-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_A4h_bx77e-TKCKBpEPmJshmRxChZ03itzeXrsG0iU5Mi247p6Hx-jo0zLigmxwpph02wi-WwDv7MJS7ZS6LHWVcDnpqA7K_kodyRXS0bVo1GyInejp2timV6WVKf0sGOX3VKO3MgCk/s320/jayson-1.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>This is Jayson. I love him. I've never met him and if I didn't already have 6 punk-a-noodles, I'd be on a plane to get him! I'm so excited to tell you about our Christmas Angel Fund Drive.<br />
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<a href="http://www.northpolesecretary.com/"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">North Pole Secretary</span></a> will be raising funds for <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/"><span style="color: #bf9000;">Reece's Rainbow</span></a> , </div><div style="text-align: center;">a non-profit agency that helps fund adoption expenses for children with Down syndrome</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">35% OF ALL SALES<span style="background-color: white; color: black;"> </span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">WITH THE PROMO CODE: RR</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">WILL GO STRAIGHT TO </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">JAYSONS ADOPTION GRANT.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Individual letters are $8<br />
A letter to your family is $18<br />
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The letters are very detailed and are personalized for your kiddo/family and come <span style="font-weight: bold;">postmarked from the real North Pole</span>, Alaska. All letters also recognize your child for an accomplishment this year and talk about the Savior,serving and the true meaning of Christmas.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">THE STORY</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4wildangels.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #bf9000;">::My Amazing Friend Shawnie::</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTxH4woOJ1p_U0tNytvEoSO2Mgl7OUYXGmNEXmafFU3UJY-gptl46ugIsl6Hb5MPcD8eAPXCflbKBmmZRbmJ9voTWwo1bG7vEHiYXNApzcbJpZYjs3JXvaYFl5uUQohJLPRLImC9DBcI/s1600/Huff+family++133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTxH4woOJ1p_U0tNytvEoSO2Mgl7OUYXGmNEXmafFU3UJY-gptl46ugIsl6Hb5MPcD8eAPXCflbKBmmZRbmJ9voTWwo1bG7vEHiYXNApzcbJpZYjs3JXvaYFl5uUQohJLPRLImC9DBcI/s320/Huff+family++133.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Shawnie has 4 children with Down Syndrome. 3 of them she birthed on her own (Braxton returned to Heaven after a year), and the fourth is a cutie she adopted from Serbia. Shawnie and I share a <strike>love</strike> no a PASSION for adoption. After going through the adoption process, your heart is forever empathetic to parents who are searching for their children and the struggles (financial, emotional, etc.) that they go through to get their kiddos. Shawnie is even more empathetic to parents lookng for children with Down Syndrome. I love Shawnie.<br />
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My friend Shawnie introduced me to an organization called Reeces Rainbow. This non-profit helps to provide adoption grants to parents for orphan children with Down Syndrome. These darling children are waiting for families and find them quicker when their adoption expenses are paid down.<br />
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You may know that I run <a href="http://www.northpolesecretary.com/"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">NorthPoleSecretary</span></a> to help pay down the adotion debt I incurred with my 2 girls. That's a whopping $50K price tag. Jayson's adoption will cost $25K. Well, we've been very blessed by the kindness of others over the years to have our wonderful girsl. We wanted to find a way to give back and help with those outrageous fees and help Jayson find a family even faster.<br />
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I hope you will consider purchasing a letter for you kiddos. I'd love to see Jayson's adoption fund beefed up for those future parents who are looking for their boy and who may just need to have a little relief in the pocket book. <br />
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This is such a fun memory for your kiddos. This is also a fun way to keep kids on their toes through December... parents tell me that their kids were extra good because they got an early letter and knew Santa was watching them! I have clients who order this as a tradition every year!<br />
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Last day to order is Dec. 10th.<br />
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Letters will begin to be sent out right after Thanksgiving for a Pre-Christmas delivery!<br />
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Please visit the website <a href="http://www.northpolesecretary.com/"><strong><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">www.NorthPoleSecretary.com</span></strong></a> to order and pay with debit/credit through PayPal. ON THE ORDERING PAGE THERE IS A PLACE FOR A <span style="font-weight: bold;">PROMO CODE</span>. PLEASE ENTER <span style="font-weight: bold;">RR </span>SO WE CAN RAISE LOTS FOR THE ANGEL TREE FUND!!!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">through Dec. 10th.</div>Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-3155828376440233442010-11-13T13:53:00.000-08:002010-11-13T13:53:01.793-08:00Organizing BEFORE the Holiday Rush.<div align="right"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJubKhKsl6RW66TxqlkFsnIHfeo-Z46qsz3LQ27yKWYfCS_xenq9Uz2r5UITLZ3jaW0U3DrlY1PLcIwrVHL-GklKzcyX5CXcTaIqArSJ2-cxWqpzqD7DrG-gKTuP6GgzTyffcv6SeAQ3Q_/s1600-h/ss_100910232.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285094875964348898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJubKhKsl6RW66TxqlkFsnIHfeo-Z46qsz3LQ27yKWYfCS_xenq9Uz2r5UITLZ3jaW0U3DrlY1PLcIwrVHL-GklKzcyX5CXcTaIqArSJ2-cxWqpzqD7DrG-gKTuP6GgzTyffcv6SeAQ3Q_/s400/ss_100910232.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a> <span style="font-size: 78%;">Photo Credit: BHG.Com</span><br />
<div align="left">This is the week of goal setting and New Year's resolutions. Before I get caught up in a never ending list of lofty goals, I like to tackle a few easy projects that I know I can finish before January even begins. Here's a few ideas to help spring you into your organization frenzy!</div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">Clean out that make-up surplus.<br />
</span></strong></div><strong></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0PxOL0IU6MgGctmGtp49-z2ysiMfYGGTava-RlZkistemeyrw64MUaLyHFsYcEp9tIPA3Zz_xSR1Wf2UgfB1yLZTtaoZzFUUFVxAVndwCXgAXdh7mkN3MhPDwwrbHOcYZoSRcqo0UtH_/s1600-h/organize-makeup-pink-600.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285088322614969938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0PxOL0IU6MgGctmGtp49-z2ysiMfYGGTava-RlZkistemeyrw64MUaLyHFsYcEp9tIPA3Zz_xSR1Wf2UgfB1yLZTtaoZzFUUFVxAVndwCXgAXdh7mkN3MhPDwwrbHOcYZoSRcqo0UtH_/s400/organize-makeup-pink-600.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 265px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Time to get rid of the excess. If you're like me, you have your staple eye-liner, shadow, and blush. I try new things but always manage to revert back to my staples. Well, why keep it if you don't use it. <strong>Throw out anything you haven't worn in the last 2 weeks</strong> (okay, maybe 3 weeks if you count Christmas week).<br />
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This includes the gajillion bottles of nail polish you bought for special occasions that aren't that special anymore and are half used up. I have 3 basic colors... done.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">Clean out your lingerie drawer</span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">s.</span></strong></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFRB6yMvlNWbWnIhAi-yBoKEqgy2nkw5CeUYHX2qLzOTguQowJZNtl8YC9PGlrfcIm6purkKLeBnZPOaR0Smj4lCitaOMBM2kaol0hliVIed3Ri5eyNDrVChyFgDxmqWTpPZyr6WYE_wl/s1600-h/StockingDrawerBefore.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285087901928065970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFRB6yMvlNWbWnIhAi-yBoKEqgy2nkw5CeUYHX2qLzOTguQowJZNtl8YC9PGlrfcIm6purkKLeBnZPOaR0Smj4lCitaOMBM2kaol0hliVIed3Ri5eyNDrVChyFgDxmqWTpPZyr6WYE_wl/s400/StockingDrawerBefore.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Nylons with runs, socks without matches, panties that don't fit anymore... even when you suck in... bra's that you don't use... you get the idea. <strong>Why keep more in that drawer to search through?</strong> Less is more (calming). Simplify.<br />
<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-IOz9E24s1x8OmimBCRajfogNYhHH-JNcw2Oaj2_MA3MOHwR-iydg3LuyGaSYjudbZAjY6BjfY8dMcWjLcxcNfLAuhZTw5r0lHHjqhO-fafTYRq8noEOvOVlAY8AtjZUeQq0M7wzg2Ev/s1600-h/LingerieDrawerAfter.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285088316860126754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-IOz9E24s1x8OmimBCRajfogNYhHH-JNcw2Oaj2_MA3MOHwR-iydg3LuyGaSYjudbZAjY6BjfY8dMcWjLcxcNfLAuhZTw5r0lHHjqhO-fafTYRq8noEOvOVlAY8AtjZUeQq0M7wzg2Ev/s400/LingerieDrawerAfter.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">Inventory your first aid and medicine supplies.</span></strong><br />
<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLRrDZ_XGRsrxC8yhcg0TON5UIn6FPFI_HCJl_uoh7Or2o69ho8Y2zGoCiYdfmUXk1uNubNsAoSeVSF9Bx5Zkykg17MNuXOlpPK-u-WwjDdiTk9FdarE3Qmqq1paemEdqMrueU5gdiWvS/s1600-h/supply_lines.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285087888125494610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLRrDZ_XGRsrxC8yhcg0TON5UIn6FPFI_HCJl_uoh7Or2o69ho8Y2zGoCiYdfmUXk1uNubNsAoSeVSF9Bx5Zkykg17MNuXOlpPK-u-WwjDdiTk9FdarE3Qmqq1paemEdqMrueU5gdiWvS/s400/supply_lines.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 324px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 322px;" /></a><br />
If you like me, you have 6 kids all of whom have got ill while you're on vacation, necessitating another purchase of ibuprofen or allergy medicine. (Okay, maybe you only have half as many kids but they always get sick when you're on vacation!) The result is a collection of half used medicines.<br />
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Take inventory. Can you combine 2 of the same kinds of medicine and toss a bottle? Are there a few past expirations? Are you keeping empty packages of band aids (my kids raid the stash but never toss the box or tell me we're out.) or holding onto prescriptions that you haven't used since your last childbirth? Make room for the new year and de-clutter the first aid box.</div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">Toss the junk in your junk drawer.</span></strong></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-b_EGFwwBi5Dh5q_cfoJMwijoRj3n6UZ-OEBDdYRqILZ0o9ivDmYlfdiEgUnZZNrwDxe56Ndmu55KJKvOW_VIt-o1Xrdw3ouSetmWKKSEJd03CAPGVWXulaGDYdgB8w-VJ_kMNV2J7DAU/s1600-h/junk.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285087890129417602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-b_EGFwwBi5Dh5q_cfoJMwijoRj3n6UZ-OEBDdYRqILZ0o9ivDmYlfdiEgUnZZNrwDxe56Ndmu55KJKvOW_VIt-o1Xrdw3ouSetmWKKSEJd03CAPGVWXulaGDYdgB8w-VJ_kMNV2J7DAU/s400/junk.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<strong>If you haven't used it in a reasonable amount of time... it really IS junk!</strong> Toss the odds and ends, the broken whatchamacallit you meant to glue ages ago, and feel your guilt flee! You can organize it in pretty organizers later... just pare down the clutter.<br />
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</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bINsOuR46Y7oq4sI3dbPOP4qIl-FX2REskuMxAVxfmmqqdT3CHNUT28avwCew6TfIfZX7apX33RYe4LBDK12V78iiBHFfdQpxYU6Izdu-lZzX058iDaVHH94MJghsEZH2dlgXC1H1kZr/s1600-h/martha_stewart_junk_drawer_courtesy_oc_r.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285087882719114018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bINsOuR46Y7oq4sI3dbPOP4qIl-FX2REskuMxAVxfmmqqdT3CHNUT28avwCew6TfIfZX7apX33RYe4LBDK12V78iiBHFfdQpxYU6Izdu-lZzX058iDaVHH94MJghsEZH2dlgXC1H1kZr/s400/martha_stewart_junk_drawer_courtesy_oc_r.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 312px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">Photo credit:Martha Stewart.com</span> </div><div align="center"><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><strong>Weed out your closet.</strong></span></div><div align="right"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDK-ihOEMqbIU-hO4MMpCJJzJnwHG4YgClYluTMfaYgnWpXMuF-EovEX-iiUIN9smenn4ApxGRPa-HGYnDS-B8jI7K6ULV3Q3xMEW3xE1OHZTB62k60PNWU7Ie7XS-EKSzRSq9GjJnr23/s1600-h/closet-lane-bryant-closetmaid-medium.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285087877266063426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDK-ihOEMqbIU-hO4MMpCJJzJnwHG4YgClYluTMfaYgnWpXMuF-EovEX-iiUIN9smenn4ApxGRPa-HGYnDS-B8jI7K6ULV3Q3xMEW3xE1OHZTB62k60PNWU7Ie7XS-EKSzRSq9GjJnr23/s400/closet-lane-bryant-closetmaid-medium.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 269px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> <span style="font-size: 78%;">Photo courtesy of Lane Bryant/Closet Maid</span></div><div align="left"><br />
It doesn't take a great deal of effort to say, "No, I haven't worn that for 2 years." Don't bother organizing the closet. Just get rid of the clothes that you don't regularly use. This is a great liberation ladies. I'm queen of this. After 6 kiddos, I have clothes in EVERY size. Literally. <em>Fat</em> clothes, <em>not-so-fat </em>clothes,<em> pretty much happy with this size</em> clothes, <em>wish I were that size</em> clothes, and <em>I remember when I was THAT size</em> clothes. They're officially gone. Simplified! Now my closet is really ready to tackle when the real organization bug hits in January!<br />
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<strong>What are your organizing projects for the new year?<br />
</strong></div></div></div>Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-62119876155538838492010-11-11T21:27:00.000-08:002010-11-11T21:34:11.476-08:00Paying for Christmas on a Shoestring Budget<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6MYZffwUr218lHPTYpiGALphsgUqeSfOGi19WvedsU3tEp-PwaUCR0nTVyvysjEYeonx3apDj7E4gHNnaNFPviKXxjDU3HCt7DWQhs8SMLZgG5ajPQF_cF5COdvEmeoQWtbiMiSQ_RA/s1600/shoestring-budget-Dacotah+media.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6MYZffwUr218lHPTYpiGALphsgUqeSfOGi19WvedsU3tEp-PwaUCR0nTVyvysjEYeonx3apDj7E4gHNnaNFPviKXxjDU3HCt7DWQhs8SMLZgG5ajPQF_cF5COdvEmeoQWtbiMiSQ_RA/s1600/shoestring-budget-Dacotah+media.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>With Christmas just around the corner and many families feeling the nations "econcomic slump" first hand, I would just bet my box of Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds that a few mothers out there are trying to plan Christmas on a shoestring budget. There may even be a few of you mothers (and I'll include myself) who are trying to make Christmas do on a dental floss budget. Whichever category you belong to, the task seems overwhelming.<br />
<br />
With 6 kids, a mom who stays at home, and a hubby who makes "just enough" Christmas has ALWAYS been done on a shoestring budget. I thought I'd put together a few of the things that have kept us on track financially and kept the cost of Christmas down:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdbnkgCo59P4Jv2OgbpaC4O90JLa1OtadYpiMl7FsyO2ewL9FCt6FuTcLyXOqPeXuRqES15PdpZc_MCajIvFf7_Xixb-6fIxuElDLfPKpjKpEEMyqtatj4RCwCGt0Y_x-4i2TENBTSuo/s1600/Women-circus-performers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdbnkgCo59P4Jv2OgbpaC4O90JLa1OtadYpiMl7FsyO2ewL9FCt6FuTcLyXOqPeXuRqES15PdpZc_MCajIvFf7_Xixb-6fIxuElDLfPKpjKpEEMyqtatj4RCwCGt0Y_x-4i2TENBTSuo/s320/Women-circus-performers.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<strong>DON'T START THE CIRCUS</strong><br />
If you have one or two little kiddos, brace yourself. Too often Christmas becomes a givefest to a 1 year old (or 2 or 3). Young mommies are super fun and soooo excited to let their kiddos experience Christmas (as is EVERY other grandma and auntie) that they over gift a kid.... only to find that the child is more interested in the box the toy came in than the toy itself. <strong>Begin with moderation</strong>... don't set out to make it look like Santa came in and spilled his sack.<br />
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<strong>NO CREDIT CARDS</strong><br />
My husband and I decided early on that we would not put Christmas on our credit cards. It was never THAT important to us. Ideally, we've been able to dedicate a portion of one of his extra pay checks to Christmas (... not this year) and use ONLY what we set aside. Credit cards let us fool ourselves into thinking we can give a gift that really.... we have no business giving because we can't afford it! <br />
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<strong>SET 2 LIMITS</strong><br />
2 limits? Yes. First, you must set a dollar amount for Christmas and what the breakdown will be for each person. Second, I set a gift quantity. Because I have 6 kids, I want to make sure they open an equal amount of gifts. So, my bigger kids get a larger amount and my little kids get less. My 3 year old will be getting 1 $25 dollar gift with dollar store items while my 14 year old will get a more pricey gift. As a matter of principle, I rarely go over $100 for any one child.... this year it will be FAR FAR less. Larger gifts are given to the family. Some families do a Victorian Christmas: Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read. 4 simple gifts.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xQbrarWsobFLyZl3abqlgPsfujym8GajX-UJtHNi3x_u5C4s_sP6-Xs1Jn5Dhlbzl4Ws407Fqjnlu3Vb6cLWF5ejIRWB83yXAtwrThIgDNZrKaU-CiAXE7j2SJqrWO7wG3O9X24A1_4/s1600/Jeans%255B1%255D.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xQbrarWsobFLyZl3abqlgPsfujym8GajX-UJtHNi3x_u5C4s_sP6-Xs1Jn5Dhlbzl4Ws407Fqjnlu3Vb6cLWF5ejIRWB83yXAtwrThIgDNZrKaU-CiAXE7j2SJqrWO7wG3O9X24A1_4/s320/Jeans%255B1%255D.gif" width="320" /></a><br />
<strong>WEIGH NEED vs. WANT</strong><br />
Typically, my kids get 1 or 2 things they want and the rest are things like socks, new school shirts, underwear, and a gift certificate dedicated for items like shoes with a "special day" out with me to find the items. I use Christmas as a time when I can catch up with providing the needs to the family and let it count for Christmas. My kids don't know any different because that's what I've always done. Again, don't start the circus.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuIfzmgNqVhveDYsNz2CAv6BLgQu6zXLWzbO_SsczRGw_unV1eW_6IiFmLa5G7LxbKDod7KFQeRwcknIIqqoxAqfpSzKhrvqccwIWHXbyt_UMwICrX2xyfdrvJzpoQYES1KMMuso9-oE/s1600/christmas-list2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuIfzmgNqVhveDYsNz2CAv6BLgQu6zXLWzbO_SsczRGw_unV1eW_6IiFmLa5G7LxbKDod7KFQeRwcknIIqqoxAqfpSzKhrvqccwIWHXbyt_UMwICrX2xyfdrvJzpoQYES1KMMuso9-oE/s320/christmas-list2.jpg" width="192" /></a><strong>HAVE KIDS PRICE OUT THEIR CHRISTMAS LIST</strong><br />
Every year I have my kids make out their Christmas list. Of course my kids ask for things like laptops and cell phones (are any of us immune?) but they also list things they need. They show me the list then I say, "Wow, that's a great list! Could you please look these up online and write next to them how much they cost so I will know?" They return and I let them total what their wishes would cost... $2500 later, they understand how crazy the requests are ( times 6) and they give me their top 3 of the list- one of wich is the realistic #1 wish.<br />
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<strong>GIVE THEM A JAR OF PICKLES</strong><br />
Every year my kids put down a few crazy things on the list.... 2 years ago my 6 year old wanted his own jar of pickles. Done. Easy gift! My 14 year old asks for his own bag of Andes mints EVERY YEAR! Done! Two years ago he wanted his own pound of bacon that he didn't have to share. DONE! Over the years we've given favorite cereal, boxes of gum, bags of chips, cans of hot cocoa... you get the idea. Our kids LOVE having a favorite item they don't have to share (6 kids... remember? A pound of bacon means 2 slices per person) Every day items that are treats are FUN to get. So, don't hold back, go ahead and give your kid a box of twinkies!<br />
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<strong>GIVE USED GIFTS</strong><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwESxZf2PEssuCyRUOAQ9UlgGMyOtnPshi-1Uyeb-yQVNa8Ed9ue_PLGxDE05CEJ7bQGDdH3j3AN2Kzdfa-h3yw_C5SAyDYqz7J9XqDqvYhSPbiY_jRT11m9Qo7tr-DqwLnHiF1rLqZLQ/s1600/bhgstackedboxtree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwESxZf2PEssuCyRUOAQ9UlgGMyOtnPshi-1Uyeb-yQVNa8Ed9ue_PLGxDE05CEJ7bQGDdH3j3AN2Kzdfa-h3yw_C5SAyDYqz7J9XqDqvYhSPbiY_jRT11m9Qo7tr-DqwLnHiF1rLqZLQ/s320/bhgstackedboxtree.jpg" width="288" /></a>I used to think this was a tacky shameful strategy until one year we HAD to do it. I try to buy new shiny gifts but if I know my kids wants a fabulous do it all MP3 player that I can get for WAY less on Craigslist, I'll do it. Often times, that is the deal breaker for them even getting the gift because we could not afford such a luxury otherwise. My teenagers are totally fine with this now. Learn how to dust things off, clean things out, and shine and repair used items to regift. Toddlers and children DON'T CARE. How many of us have walked into a thrift store and had our kids begging for some gosh aweful, ugly, dirty used toy? Plenty. Trust me, they don't judge you like you judge yourself. It's okay.<br />
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<strong>TRADE TOYS WITH A FRIEND</strong><br />
Last year I gave a few of my kid's toys to a friend who was going to wrap them up for her kids. Some people have SO many toys, their kids can't play with all of them. Before you take your things to a thrift store, see if you can trade them with your friend! <br />
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<strong>USE YOUR KOHLS CASH</strong><br />
I love getting Kohl's $10 cash cards in the mail. I head right over, but a $12 pair of jeans for my kids and feel like I robbed the store! It's great for a shoestring budget.<br />
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<strong>GIVE CASH OR GIFTCARDS </strong><br />
$50 cash card in a teenagers pocket is just as exciting as a $200 gift that you give. Really, teens just want the experience of buying thier own "stuff" and going out with friends. My kids think $50 is $500. They dream and conspire about what they can get for days, even weeks! If your kid thinks $50 is chump change, time to change your ways. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7sNgzITZ8eFOv5yLE1pJFwRPmV_xr6kIg2mHtZUb2G-hPSat1gzNBVYcVgCX45pcSIN0hnRpqkCtH1XvO447j0tPPsCCK9wH0OOg_M4iNAs9ZAxgkzjxcDyZbh6g-pNrgpRfSv-N_a4/s1600/mom_to_the_sixth_power_tshirt-p235104632815869731tr1k_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7sNgzITZ8eFOv5yLE1pJFwRPmV_xr6kIg2mHtZUb2G-hPSat1gzNBVYcVgCX45pcSIN0hnRpqkCtH1XvO447j0tPPsCCK9wH0OOg_M4iNAs9ZAxgkzjxcDyZbh6g-pNrgpRfSv-N_a4/s200/mom_to_the_sixth_power_tshirt-p235104632815869731tr1k_400.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<strong>FORGIVE YOURSELF... BE HONEST</strong><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVzXunLyxTi2n6IuBgMtr2Tgsi5vOSje1ziXRHen6OBCsE-wtwUQt-a48t74G_kHT0TbRIKhrsDk4YWL9ovB1HhUTO_7xqUou7TMUWr9BmNFEh-RMeuTUZHNKzmu6SP2-w9fAFTfcJis/s1600/ShowThumbnail.aspx+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVzXunLyxTi2n6IuBgMtr2Tgsi5vOSje1ziXRHen6OBCsE-wtwUQt-a48t74G_kHT0TbRIKhrsDk4YWL9ovB1HhUTO_7xqUou7TMUWr9BmNFEh-RMeuTUZHNKzmu6SP2-w9fAFTfcJis/s200/ShowThumbnail.aspx+%25281%2529.png" width="131" /></a>Moms, the worst enemy to the Christmas budget is ourselves. We want to make Christmas perfect, we want to give our kids what our friends are giving theirs. Stop. What you give is enough. There is no rule about giving more than the last year, or making sure they HAVE to have a cell phone when they're a certain age. You are NOT worth less if you give less. Some years are more frugal than others and that's okay. Let it be okay.</div><br />
<strong>REMEMBER WHAT CHRISTMAS IS REALLY ABOUT</strong><br />
Gifts are secondary. Focus on Christ and His gift. Make this holiday about the birth of the Savior.<br />
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<a href="http://www.northpolesecretary.com/"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Santa Letters</span></a> Onsale Through TOMORROW.... $6 for each kid or $12 for a letter to your family! Prices go up on the 14th! This is how I'm beefing up my shoestring budget.Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-40555367074585070322010-11-10T09:20:00.000-08:002010-11-10T09:20:23.608-08:00Nature Vs. Nurture<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioifamtApcGdINAS1ElpenuwH2xRVR1lmEjM3-CYxthnVCF_b73GB1jQnUZ2KgZjdMJi4PctMGe79dOqP8I4rKbsT5kPGvXC5OUUd5FSN6Bow8MMAuEGaCGxJmwAQ03qlF6YajB4_aj-yE/s1600-h/ss_100175757.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300885533351693762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioifamtApcGdINAS1ElpenuwH2xRVR1lmEjM3-CYxthnVCF_b73GB1jQnUZ2KgZjdMJi4PctMGe79dOqP8I4rKbsT5kPGvXC5OUUd5FSN6Bow8MMAuEGaCGxJmwAQ03qlF6YajB4_aj-yE/s400/ss_100175757.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 333px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a>I'm convinced that there are<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">two types of people:</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Those who are compelled</span></span> to clean up messes due to a genetic composition completely foreign to me (and they ENJOY this. It makes them feel good!) ; <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">and those who compel themselves </span></span>to keep up with those kind of people... I am the latter type. <br />
<div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">I was not born a fanatic housekeeper.</span> My mother was. My mom rose at 4:30 or 5am, laundry was folded and done, dinner in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">crockpot</span> and bread made before any child stepped foot out of bed. The woman was a homemaking machine, although, I admit, I never saw her sleep.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfT5RG3y7zxSwn3mBrvO6U4tQU5nFX0s_3ugW4iPuwYZzJIfOwxvOCdbEDME74dvZoaWORVvJ_cnJkqomg90c8IW-4V9lt5fiWocYBqKkG9xAQNZDXXqw87GBJ-bAaw0orC00UhSaO_OK/s1600-h/ss_TDH709796.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300885302857175474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfT5RG3y7zxSwn3mBrvO6U4tQU5nFX0s_3ugW4iPuwYZzJIfOwxvOCdbEDME74dvZoaWORVvJ_cnJkqomg90c8IW-4V9lt5fiWocYBqKkG9xAQNZDXXqw87GBJ-bAaw0orC00UhSaO_OK/s400/ss_TDH709796.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a>I on the other hand, was born her genetic opposite. I<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> was the arch rival to my mothers clean system</span>... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">go ahead and ask her how many milk glasses I had next to my bed</span> (which, my sweet hubby now patiently deals with... some things never change.) I loved a clean room. I loved the feeling of no clutter and the smell of baked bread. When I married, I was completely <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">baffled</span> as to how all of these things got done in a home.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4GMk1ZrQTaj9BHaneeZo_vI4Zvh47u-3ujGDDV7of9EQ1DUZsVTYgZZl5xrj-QXbuVxMVTCZMqXDCgFoJNwWcfniInfoX5-TeTqG-npXh00Q5wL7eX5GpCoYm-cKZEyO5uKC5yvMIwrxk/s1600-h/ss_100085854.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300885300175151298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4GMk1ZrQTaj9BHaneeZo_vI4Zvh47u-3ujGDDV7of9EQ1DUZsVTYgZZl5xrj-QXbuVxMVTCZMqXDCgFoJNwWcfniInfoX5-TeTqG-npXh00Q5wL7eX5GpCoYm-cKZEyO5uKC5yvMIwrxk/s400/ss_100085854.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a>Now after nearly 14 years of marriage I get it. I get that I wasn't born with the genetic clean freak gene.... even though I wish I were. I battle my disability daily... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">I have had to be nurtured</span> (by my sweet mother) over the years <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">on how to get it all done</span>. It is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">possible</span>... I'm living proof!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfGIv7LtbCS7qugw8Ju8ocWtLetOe9iRBM7FhBqiytfWRtIXoMvPhnvEo9sRK66K48wjV4RS3Nep8tOzY9wHQhpVn23xbMapiZmY9I9PSuwskFR5XqSnrUDPYhCwM7RfdC-BkZEznh5-3/s1600-h/ss_100655656.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300885300265717602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfGIv7LtbCS7qugw8Ju8ocWtLetOe9iRBM7FhBqiytfWRtIXoMvPhnvEo9sRK66K48wjV4RS3Nep8tOzY9wHQhpVn23xbMapiZmY9I9PSuwskFR5XqSnrUDPYhCwM7RfdC-BkZEznh5-3/s400/ss_100655656.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">T</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">his week I'll be sharing a few of the tricks that have not come <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">natural</span> to me but that have been <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">nurtured </span>by me to help make my homemaking effectiv</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">e. </span> I am not perfect, but I have an absolute love for homemaking and a conviction that there is no other role on earth I could do that would bring me more joy than this... even if it means I'm fighting a genetic flaw and feel like a 3 legged greyhound in a high stakes race!</div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">How has homemaking come to you? Are you a natural </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">homemaker</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> or one who's nurturing her homemaking skills?</span></div>Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-33727538768193807552010-11-08T22:04:00.000-08:002010-11-08T19:08:54.818-08:00Introducing Africa to My French Provincial Style<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWSCIHYW9HuDTf6Y6CWpiaTsKMQ80nR804j_oRT1NcsSaI9ZkIsEXLbAYK2wLCdA-DX-fEpGkKhm5xfR4mVk4VAQbHht-vG1XX6o7GPpAJOTPpizAPlSI2IXx9asiANyFGjI8DH2fUHrA/s1600-h/PB010636.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267653917264878610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWSCIHYW9HuDTf6Y6CWpiaTsKMQ80nR804j_oRT1NcsSaI9ZkIsEXLbAYK2wLCdA-DX-fEpGkKhm5xfR4mVk4VAQbHht-vG1XX6o7GPpAJOTPpizAPlSI2IXx9asiANyFGjI8DH2fUHrA/s400/PB010636.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">I love these Pictures.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7odeOd3yWrsnTsmxwtXXXZDkP99sRtal4ErG1v4M9UD1ICZpIe3onqUIPHRZK4IIHUBKAd1vbP-0oIFtuvowYk10KvvcvT__Zm8wG8nKyUGyKAtJxcg8MLfCT2D7sX1grPwYli7aWLalw/s1600-h/MomandDadWalking.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267653938399846786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7odeOd3yWrsnTsmxwtXXXZDkP99sRtal4ErG1v4M9UD1ICZpIe3onqUIPHRZK4IIHUBKAd1vbP-0oIFtuvowYk10KvvcvT__Zm8wG8nKyUGyKAtJxcg8MLfCT2D7sX1grPwYli7aWLalw/s400/MomandDadWalking.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">They were sent to me from my In- Laws who I LOVE DEARLY!</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3U-zhDWHb6Th8P4KqTi7_Obt-P05CbOWWjb6u5BhoI26QhOgRAZgR5nKHwTUrM_IBnf1t4sP0MGeHKlL4HubTROJqVPkBzQxLSqhsv8HNg9qrXmGAkDWK0xkO_YqGf2K9tI3vFLTJHFa/s1600-h/HPIM6750_0684.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267654370402683858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3U-zhDWHb6Th8P4KqTi7_Obt-P05CbOWWjb6u5BhoI26QhOgRAZgR5nKHwTUrM_IBnf1t4sP0MGeHKlL4HubTROJqVPkBzQxLSqhsv8HNg9qrXmGAkDWK0xkO_YqGf2K9tI3vFLTJHFa/s400/HPIM6750_0684.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 301px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">They're in Uganda, Africa and will be for 2 more years... *Sniff, blot eyes* I miss them.</span><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YtMtlGFMHEbSrabxi9uIJIauI9tni4RjMu2ht9pjaAsAEICyR230kOkPJesShDJlLrE4wSdhW7-OTnGGvWJJUXfyhvEzlnNgc4T6e0Pe95wirFZIji2_ah4c-M51KU4n-0KNzJLXVoZH/s1600-h/Gulu+trip+Dad+with+boy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267654364320796562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YtMtlGFMHEbSrabxi9uIJIauI9tni4RjMu2ht9pjaAsAEICyR230kOkPJesShDJlLrE4wSdhW7-OTnGGvWJJUXfyhvEzlnNgc4T6e0Pe95wirFZIji2_ah4c-M51KU4n-0KNzJLXVoZH/s400/Gulu+trip+Dad+with+boy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 301px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Last year they sent me a Christmas Card made of finely cut grass and leaves glued together to make a nativity scene. I {heart} these pictures!</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzB3fo3EuHmmVC7idASjIilk_kS0MbSt8-ymjT9V544I5EoKE8cwaIWGEsSTDjUd6Cd7f64EO7I2nNPqHs-Q4aLkS2dydk6HDsd0O5_PGj_m8u3E2lNEdQ9-Xa1f2vMWCXHzUZgMiA66hV/s1600-h/blog.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267849568289499106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzB3fo3EuHmmVC7idASjIilk_kS0MbSt8-ymjT9V544I5EoKE8cwaIWGEsSTDjUd6Cd7f64EO7I2nNPqHs-Q4aLkS2dydk6HDsd0O5_PGj_m8u3E2lNEdQ9-Xa1f2vMWCXHzUZgMiA66hV/s400/blog.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1_jS95OoKKGghk4f445tErPGCN-aau9bFgZyS9xbutHHN3vIBBGwt9WJv7T8_WrMJt2Ay2ucJXVLUXd41qqe5UUlWL4U4UFsnGBG1QMLxPtTuLs1v6zOZpH8TAY6GZ0c8UtpmuWI9Dpn/s1600-h/PB010640.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267653933614341218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1_jS95OoKKGghk4f445tErPGCN-aau9bFgZyS9xbutHHN3vIBBGwt9WJv7T8_WrMJt2Ay2ucJXVLUXd41qqe5UUlWL4U4UFsnGBG1QMLxPtTuLs1v6zOZpH8TAY6GZ0c8UtpmuWI9Dpn/s400/PB010640.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I asked my mom to send me more so I could hang them up... we have a couple of beautiful brown daughters in our house and I wanted something that reflected that on my walls.</span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdBR15TyV5cq4qxBSEOYcWQsyjqr1YWeiPy3MmV8VBpkYmaLGbvrjU4i7_ozk1Ywn6nRcaHBsSdwNxkzIyFqQvB2cduoQ7haa2lDgSE-xUCe9W_WQBa3pNQ4a-VSSHHx9PP7b0b58VlAY/s1600-h/PB010638.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267653925516135762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdBR15TyV5cq4qxBSEOYcWQsyjqr1YWeiPy3MmV8VBpkYmaLGbvrjU4i7_ozk1Ywn6nRcaHBsSdwNxkzIyFqQvB2cduoQ7haa2lDgSE-xUCe9W_WQBa3pNQ4a-VSSHHx9PP7b0b58VlAY/s400/PB010638.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I was trying to figure out how to put this ensemble together with what I had: 2 shadowbox frames, one black frame... I decided to glue a cheap dollar store frame ON TOP of the glass of the black frame. You're right, it's not straight- I don't care. It took me forever to center it this well.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaThVit6WunDsNfebovFF3KYKYT1Xk2SiS4aobq5IwcIXFWfikEOWXNQmhKpVUDiy_t1Pz-HSAaTz1kvPuDcTHS7mkrPZzQOMrHsoG0INfAxu6r44w5YhNH3AgfsTrvZni03AI6bydUKbt/s1600-h/PB010642.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267653934884308210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaThVit6WunDsNfebovFF3KYKYT1Xk2SiS4aobq5IwcIXFWfikEOWXNQmhKpVUDiy_t1Pz-HSAaTz1kvPuDcTHS7mkrPZzQOMrHsoG0INfAxu6r44w5YhNH3AgfsTrvZni03AI6bydUKbt/s400/PB010642.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ta-da!- A year round nativity of African art in my very girly office (which is such a mess from writing <a href="http://www.northpolesecretary.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #33ff33;">Santa's letters </span></a>(and other things) that it's not able to be photographed.</span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjm8WcT2caGfCbkuoOnmcM6Pb4VQeELZvAwnMGBH65nQU5YAn7zRAA4vYihva7wXhf1oTSEvT958JzBrYbvN1Mn6mN5AjP5v7ICkKAsO_43cxIcdnfNW3rnVhXShjNTnUHpV9OTCzL__WB/s1600-h/PB010644.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267656126464870546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjm8WcT2caGfCbkuoOnmcM6Pb4VQeELZvAwnMGBH65nQU5YAn7zRAA4vYihva7wXhf1oTSEvT958JzBrYbvN1Mn6mN5AjP5v7ICkKAsO_43cxIcdnfNW3rnVhXShjNTnUHpV9OTCzL__WB/s400/PB010644.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a></div>Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-67838234856801626312010-11-03T00:10:00.000-07:002010-11-03T00:10:52.959-07:00Christ-centered Letters from Santa... a Christmas Tradition.<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0" height="412" id="flashObj" width="486"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=53761246001&playerID=49625183001&playerKey=AQ%2E%2E,AAAABvZFMzE%2E,IXjx0MpOF0pugpuviAwD9l3_WMhvmNP7&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=53761246001&playerID=49625183001&playerKey=AQ%2E%2E,AAAABvZFMzE%2E,IXjx0MpOF0pugpuviAwD9l3_WMhvmNP7&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="412" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" swLiveConnect="true" allowScriptAccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object> <br />
<div style="border-collapse: collapse;"><div align="center"></div><div>If you think Christ Centered Santa Letters are a good idea, please share them with your friends! <iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=www.northPolesecretary.com&layout=standard&show_faces=true&width=200&action=like&font=trebuchet+ms&colorscheme=light&height=80" style="border: none; height: 80px; overflow: hidden; width: 200px;"></iframe><br />
<div align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">Some of you already know that I do Santa Letters this time of year. I'm sending out the information to kick off our 38 day business season and announce our sale. Please feel free to email, facebook, blog, text, twitter, tweet, squawk, quack or hollar the info below to family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, blog followers, email groups and community sites that you feel would be interested! <i>Any help is sincerely appreciated.</i> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pleae forgive if this should visit you again on Facebook.</span></span></span></span></div></div><div><div align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">Merry Christmas!<br />
Pretty Organizer ... AKA, North Pole Secretary</span></span></span></div><div align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"><br />
----------</span></div><div align="center" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">Spread the News</span></span></div><div align="center" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">Pass this offer along </span></span></div><div align="center" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">to all your family and friends!!!</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div align="left"><div align="left"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">All letters From Santa are </span></span></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">on <u>sale </u></span></span></span></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">through November 13th</span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"> </span></span></span></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">at Rock Bottom Prices!</span></span></span></b></div></div><div align="left"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;">Personalized Individual Letters: </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;">Only $6 (Regularly $8)</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;">Personalized Family Letters: </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;">Only $12 (Regularly $18)</span></span></span></span></div><div align="center"><div style="text-align: -webkit-left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"><br />
</span></b></span></div></div></div><div><div align="left"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">North Pole Secretary will be partnering with several non-profit groups and organizations the week of November 15th. 35% of all sales will go to the designated nonprofit group. If you would like your group to participate, please email us at NorthPoleSecretary@cox.net</span></span></b></div></div></div>Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-48111227786127225912010-11-02T01:11:00.000-07:002010-11-02T01:11:00.790-07:00Wetting your Christmas Whistles...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCsdX3DSm7x-iYf65Rew0vCmpqAGjJGzzt9ArflFXdx60J4PoDMIfZ7Tej3sQyX6hCCf1-gIiB3uAVJ3XAm4RiFa-HqN6PDRxXHLsp_ARLvmT1FD7pCLiN5EczwU1s_RSY8ZRHR4wYL4/s1600-h/potterybarntoilebed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCsdX3DSm7x-iYf65Rew0vCmpqAGjJGzzt9ArflFXdx60J4PoDMIfZ7Tej3sQyX6hCCf1-gIiB3uAVJ3XAm4RiFa-HqN6PDRxXHLsp_ARLvmT1FD7pCLiN5EczwU1s_RSY8ZRHR4wYL4/s400/potterybarntoilebed.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Is it too early? Na, I haven't posted for nearly a year and admittedly, Christmas is on the brain. I even told my 6 chill'ns that we were pulling out the tree.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnuKWkJjxeegwem-VSsqr-8Gc8TzA0Md8oRFzMlh9PfkSyh79VTVHDNnPcWBlLH0PlaiuPY0ecVBAMhM7HzK2abr_uT9306cxqtVwgeBJHFU3Al-tKeElREytychXy00JLyh55dyVwj0/s1600-h/pbtwins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnuKWkJjxeegwem-VSsqr-8Gc8TzA0Md8oRFzMlh9PfkSyh79VTVHDNnPcWBlLH0PlaiuPY0ecVBAMhM7HzK2abr_uT9306cxqtVwgeBJHFU3Al-tKeElREytychXy00JLyh55dyVwj0/s400/pbtwins.jpg" /></a></center><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"WHY?" the 12 year old son says. "WHY?!?!" I say, "So I don't have to do it in December!" </div><br />
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHIJFIx8pHFvj4EkjWyBdlrK4_XKI7x5vEC_TKnflSPTL9TVonkdWVb_kjWE-n4XPKs-fsBzBAzLeSCvuEGPX1wyIicM0k7XneYRmTMdnT2Rdhnl7_3vzB0Tq63pLCn5g430E2MccGb4/s1600-h/pblogcabinquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHIJFIx8pHFvj4EkjWyBdlrK4_XKI7x5vEC_TKnflSPTL9TVonkdWVb_kjWE-n4XPKs-fsBzBAzLeSCvuEGPX1wyIicM0k7XneYRmTMdnT2Rdhnl7_3vzB0Tq63pLCn5g430E2MccGb4/s400/pblogcabinquilt.jpg" /></a></center><br />
So, yes, I'll be pulling out the garland... and the tree... but no ornaments. I'll be decorating a Fall tree. (But I'll secretly be thinking of Christmas).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_qAwFofsDn-VYnGhLHv5qa2jp5QYqBYJ_T4JEE2uQMehfkrlyu9Yy55TQKnkcsMHlrA7HbeRqEPwkVYULpVPFYZpNbT1syspEFNCEEYDztLFlVr3e-Mef-RwIiCrbLFnucQpHRGX1-M/s1600-h/potterybarnwheattoile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_qAwFofsDn-VYnGhLHv5qa2jp5QYqBYJ_T4JEE2uQMehfkrlyu9Yy55TQKnkcsMHlrA7HbeRqEPwkVYULpVPFYZpNbT1syspEFNCEEYDztLFlVr3e-Mef-RwIiCrbLFnucQpHRGX1-M/s400/potterybarnwheattoile.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And why am I thinking of Christmas? Well.... I'll tell you tomorrow! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_B2fvF2OmPK3-gRV4KoiKPB355dXWBMT2vrNffg1ygy9zmBNwmvPJs1rfOJYgdJGXEikAkC15bQt5ou9RdHr0BmESehn3fwhr6H_otS6gtKx2oA6pNpOafIYe4nouVgNK0AoizMxH3Y/s1600-h/potterbarnesspressotoile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_B2fvF2OmPK3-gRV4KoiKPB355dXWBMT2vrNffg1ygy9zmBNwmvPJs1rfOJYgdJGXEikAkC15bQt5ou9RdHr0BmESehn3fwhr6H_otS6gtKx2oA6pNpOafIYe4nouVgNK0AoizMxH3Y/s400/potterbarnesspressotoile.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Yes, I'm back posting my friends, at least for a season. Have a wonderful day!</div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>Photo Credits: PotteryBarn.com</b></span></a><br />
</span>Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-76969000641801334922010-02-11T22:55:00.000-08:002010-02-11T22:55:48.652-08:00Organizing Life... My Main Priority.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lchouseplans.com/blog/uploaded_images/H-5495-Front-Photo-770613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://www.lchouseplans.com/blog/uploaded_images/H-5495-Front-Photo-770613.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Remember my motto? My Priorities are Organized, My Closets are not... yes, well, if you don't remember it, that's okay. I've managed to be very aloof around blogland for the last 2 months. Somehow my absence has sparked an incredible outpouring of concern and well wishing and you can't imagine how completely wonderful it is to know that I'm missed! My readers are the BEST! ANYWHERE!<br />
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So, for those you itching to know why Pretty Organizer disappeared, I will do my best to do what I do best... Preach. Yep, if there's one thing I'm good at it's letting ya'll know what you should be doing. My kids think I ought to be making money out of this preaching business because they get my preach'n all the time!<br />
<br />
I have had a few priorities that have need'ed some serious tending to here at the Palace. I have wonderful children, however 3 of them are going through a rough spot right now in life and need some extra TLC, prayers, and attention. To tell you the truth, this mother has been on her knees pleading with the Good Lord for inspiration on how to parent each of these children. It's a dang shame that you can work for YEARS on understanding your kid and guiding them to make good choices but that each kid requires a different approach and owners manuals... multiply that out by 6 and you have my life. My kids all came to earth without their owners manual, so I'm kneeling a lot.<br />
<br />
While I love blogging and have made dear friends across the world, those little punk-a-noodles come absolute first in my life and going to bed post midnight isn't cutting the mustard for this mother of 6. I was beginning to look like my grandmother (I'm only 35!). So, I'll be around but less consistently than I was before.<br />
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In case you'd like to poke around the Palace for some of my best posts, here are some links you may like:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYj7oP2f6tZVVKhknN4UFwFUs0uCzH_lCnJTWpWxfo6HJQ4ewMawAWPnUELJIr-K_9CPycBjRMpMghljqy4PvNd_2OUtaFV-svxxbjtKd8CaW8cRxbNOG60d_qUT9iwL12DVBYpMY3A9j5/s1600/ss_100910279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYj7oP2f6tZVVKhknN4UFwFUs0uCzH_lCnJTWpWxfo6HJQ4ewMawAWPnUELJIr-K_9CPycBjRMpMghljqy4PvNd_2OUtaFV-svxxbjtKd8CaW8cRxbNOG60d_qUT9iwL12DVBYpMY3A9j5/s400/ss_100910279.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Check out my posts on<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"><b> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"><b><a href="http://www.prettyorganizedpalace.blogspot.com/search/label/Budget%20Decor">Budget Decor</a> </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nh2u_z9iu3nkWbFZYwOx17JfoJL1KSj7OFtZ3gY1NFY0W9YaWnFaWfvv70RZynfTZ9-dynDbqSe6_54CSO7lhl2G1kgjdf-j0dOSQu4vt-ktFTAptwegbC3o3NbWMuUx9vFafM3oyfs/s1600/03stairs_rect540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nh2u_z9iu3nkWbFZYwOx17JfoJL1KSj7OFtZ3gY1NFY0W9YaWnFaWfvv70RZynfTZ9-dynDbqSe6_54CSO7lhl2G1kgjdf-j0dOSQu4vt-ktFTAptwegbC3o3NbWMuUx9vFafM3oyfs/s400/03stairs_rect540.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.prettyorganizedpalace.blogspot.com/2009/10/painted-stairs.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">My Post on Painting Stairs</span></a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.prettyorganizedpalace.blogspot.com/2009/03/toile-party.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">My Well Attended Toile Party... a Blogland Best for Toile-Lovers!</span></a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjybmbpj65ofhS9Ik105O-V-CVa0k2c8SG2vn9dXgWDHeTo1sVcmG00k2C6sjRSvLMCtnCwMTpfcyMv8lIAT15FbUV_BtWGdeFoR7m05-e5p_BhK8s1rRW7jVQVF1myQEV6e3si4lZ-o2/s1600/avignonlll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjybmbpj65ofhS9Ik105O-V-CVa0k2c8SG2vn9dXgWDHeTo1sVcmG00k2C6sjRSvLMCtnCwMTpfcyMv8lIAT15FbUV_BtWGdeFoR7m05-e5p_BhK8s1rRW7jVQVF1myQEV6e3si4lZ-o2/s400/avignonlll.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaq3ch0OB0etpeM4EfprLSJ-wHVo8o7dj5Ja-1oc3Z1fQg00uQI1UDgTstihj-6Yzm2NHtyWvpH6pxZ23F4mVT9aQqOGvsSGxNOkugGLfzPVqfQoL6CHybg1zrgVansPTW4Z04_Nnx2Hh/s1600/bedroom40-de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaq3ch0OB0etpeM4EfprLSJ-wHVo8o7dj5Ja-1oc3Z1fQg00uQI1UDgTstihj-6Yzm2NHtyWvpH6pxZ23F4mVT9aQqOGvsSGxNOkugGLfzPVqfQoL6CHybg1zrgVansPTW4Z04_Nnx2Hh/s400/bedroom40-de.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.prettyorganizedpalace.blogspot.com/search/label/bedroom"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"><b>My Posts on Bedrooms</b></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR23ywsDrap8qMB46h_QevCp5S65ZI6kS6ztv0kkps8VXVTyb9y_8lFs-ROxg5e0CMNBxbSL-tGO9D1KaO1mDTF_jIMToe5UKSpcUb3AzUTy3O1zXIriNoMEfdjIZFjvfw6guSbeUl-3GP/s1600/ss_100199792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR23ywsDrap8qMB46h_QevCp5S65ZI6kS6ztv0kkps8VXVTyb9y_8lFs-ROxg5e0CMNBxbSL-tGO9D1KaO1mDTF_jIMToe5UKSpcUb3AzUTy3O1zXIriNoMEfdjIZFjvfw6guSbeUl-3GP/s400/ss_100199792.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.prettyorganizedpalace.blogspot.com/search/label/Hassle%20Free%20Homemaking"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">All my Hassle Free Homemaking Posts</span></a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pxWJnxxknB9IqxIpregHbzhrlZ4vGPL-aXmwQ_aKllmjf6ZySrstEhyphenhyphenH_h0Snj8w_8Ean8H96MjmE4FculnppZXYfO-irZBTo-jkBz_23xmQHQZvly6LLNA0aTPYgxj0KNlTg2XzOdIp/s1600/hiFeature2pix2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pxWJnxxknB9IqxIpregHbzhrlZ4vGPL-aXmwQ_aKllmjf6ZySrstEhyphenhyphenH_h0Snj8w_8Ean8H96MjmE4FculnppZXYfO-irZBTo-jkBz_23xmQHQZvly6LLNA0aTPYgxj0KNlTg2XzOdIp/s400/hiFeature2pix2.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.prettyorganizedpalace.blogspot.com/2009/02/laundry-routine.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"><b>My Laundry Routine for My Family of 8!</b></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Feel free to look around at my other labels and see what interests you. I'll update things from time to time but until I feel like blogging is a priority, I may be absent a bit. As always, I love hearing from you all. If you ever have any questions, I DO check in to my email and will do my best to get back to you all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">God bless you dear hearts of blogland and I hope my preach'n wears off on those who need to organize priorities, whatever they may be.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
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</b></div>Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-5324711256189866892009-12-27T21:20:00.000-08:002009-12-27T21:27:08.308-08:00Where have I been?!??! A traggically funny post.No picture? No. Why? Because...<br />
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Because something went tragically wrong at the North Pole. Now, if you've ordered letters from North Pole Secretary, most of you will laugh because your letters are fine. However, I anticipate that several will be annoyed at this post. For good reason. Please, it is only after complete anguish of soul and sorrow that I have found the humor in the North Pole Tragedy of 2009.<br />
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You see... I'ts been a week or so since I've posted. Why? Well, last Monday I received an email from a customer. It seemed the letters arrived but mentioned something about her kid being in day care and calling her other child by the wrong gender. She wondered if she had filled out the information mistakenly or if it had been a blunder on the part of the North Pole. Gratefully, this dearheart was a blogging friend that I knew. <br />
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Upon investigating, I found that indeed the North Pole had made an error on her letter.... and about oh.... many others. Too many. Somehow the database for the first 60 letters was jumbled for just one field. What's one field right? Well, it's everything to a business. It just so happened that the data field that got jumbled was the "Accomplishments" field. This is the field where Santa recognizes a kiddo for the great things they did during the year (positive reinforcement by the Big Guy.). Well, it's great to be recognized for doing good..... like, "You were such a good big sister to baby Alex this year!" Yep, that's a great statement unless it goes to a boy... and it did.<br />
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Here are some of the whopper goofs of the North Pole Secretary Tragedy of 2009:<br />
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<ul><li>"You did such a good job going pee pee in the potty!"..... sent to an 8 year old girl (there were several of these.... bowing my head in shame.)</li>
<li>"You were so good this year and I hear you're getting the braces off your legs!".... sent to someone who has never had braces on their legs.</li>
<li>"I'm so proud that you were able to raise enough money to buy a cow for a family in Rowanda!".... poor children are wondering why they never saw the money, or the cow... where's Rowanda, they ask.</li>
<li>"You were such a good helper to mommy and were a super boy in daycare"... sent to a girl, NOT attending daycare... NOT even daycare age.</li>
</ul><div>Now, somewhere out there children did hear suprisingly fantastic news:</div><div><ul><li>"Congratulations on getting straight A's this year! You've been a wonderful student.".... lucky kid will have explaining to do when report cards come out.</li>
<li>"You have done such an amazing job at learning your letters and numbers this year!"... 9 year old...</li>
<li>"You've done a very fine job as singing this year!"... this parent had a cover-up that perfectly meshed with the goofy letter.</li>
<li>"You have been so good in Kindergarten this year! Your reading is amazing!".... and it ought to be because that 3 year old girl is a wonder if indeed she's reading and in Kindergarten.</li>
</ul><div>So how does one go about cleaning up a disaster as large as the North Pole Tragedy of 2009? Well, after sending an email to all of my clients (to which I only had 5 replies back.... still wondering how that happened) I reprinted the letters correctly and sent them from Arizona. Only a few clients would have got these in time but it was worth it. On the outside of the letter I printed a note.... </div><div><br />
</div><div>Summary: Oh Santa made a terrible mistake! I am so embarrassed. After I sent your letter I received word that all of the computers at the North Pole caught a naughty computer virus and my database that holds all of the information for my Naughty and Nice list was jumbled and tumbled upside down and inside out. The information it showed me about the great things you did this year was all wrong!! That's why your letter may have seemed a bit goofy. Well, thanks to Edwin the Jr. Elf in charge of the Worldwide Database of Naughty and Nice girls and boys, all is well again here at the North Pole. Edwin fixed the database and gave me the correct report about the great things they saw you doing in 2009. I went back to my computer and found your letter and fixed it so you could see that we've been keeping good records and notice all the great things you do!</div><div><br />
</div><div>In addition to sending out a fixed letter we're sending out post cards to those kiddos reminding them to be good for next year. Still, restitution is difficult and will never be able to fully fix the blunder. I could see visions of parents having "The Talk" with their kids... I think this talk will be more difficult for me than the sex talk. Yes, they'll explain all about Santa and if they don't, they'll be casting him into the same category as that ditzy tooth fairy who never remembers the tooth on the first night, often leaves the money and forgets the tooth all together... cuz sometimes it's impossible to find, and sometimes she just gives up and tapes the money to the kids door. We've already had to explain to the children about what a sweet heart the tooth fairy has but that she's a little cuckoo... exchanging all of that money for gross dirty teeth. We pity her.</div><div><br />
</div><blockquote>Anyhoo.... a sweet letter came through a few days ago that gave me that Christmas warm feeling from head to toe. I had to share it....</blockquote><div><blockquote><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Dear Stacey (AKA SANTA), Here is a letter from one of my girls.... Dear Santa Clause, Don't be inbarased because the devil wonts you to be inbarased. thank you for righting me the letters but say thank you to Edwin the J. Elf. Thank you for reminding me of all the good things I did. Because I forgot. Now I remember. Remember to feed those raindeer that are hardly ever full. I hope you enJoy your yummy cookies and milk. I love sugar cookies and milk. (I'd put those people that gave your camputers a virise on the Bad list to)... From, E. Mom continues: I left her errors in there to show you. I hope this brightens your day just a bit more Stacey. All is not lost and she is very excited!</span></blockquote>So, if you dear people got one of my good letters... thank you for ordering. Your business means a lot to me and my family. IF you were a client who got a goofy letter... I am so sorry and hope these steps will rectify some of the damage. If you got a goofy letter, chances are you were a parent who did a lot of explaining or quick thinking... you're AMAZING! If you didin't get a letter this year. I promise... it's worth it. I'm not a complete dunderhead and the problem is fixed and North Pole Secretary will be back again next year. I hope.<br />
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Have a fantastic Monday!<br />
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</div></div>Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-9429151892159245532009-12-10T23:30:00.000-08:002009-12-10T23:30:49.208-08:00Welcoming the Holidays... a day in the life post<center><img alt="http://www.robinshgp.com/terrace_welcome_sign_lrg.jpg" src="http://www.robinshgp.com/terrace_welcome_sign_lrg.jpg" /></center><br />
Sorry dear friends about the lack of posts. I'm working on getting these letters in the mail. While searching for a post from last year, I came across this... yes, all true a year ago. Now days you can add keeping the pyrotechnic loving teenagers from lighting everything from their socks soaked in alcohol to the tip of a sharpie. Good luck on getting the house ready for guests! <i>I'm thrilled to just keep mine standing.</i><br />
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Here's today's effort to get my house <span style="font-weight: bold;">Welcome</span> ready:<br />
<ul><li>Early AM <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Wal</span>-mart run to buy 3 new strands of lights to replace the 3 strands that blew on our tree. Yes, it's the same tree as the one in my other <a href="http://prettyorganizedpalace.blogspot.com/2008/12/warning-this-post-is-not-for-faint-of.html"><b><span style="color: #bf9000;">funny post.</span></b></a><br />
</li>
<li>Run 6 kids through the chore routine... hours later... I'm exhausted and thinking maybe this house will never be clean. Why do we bother with giving kids chores? They all need a play habitat to tear apart while you efficiently clean the house.</li>
<li>Hand the 10 and 12 year old lights and say, "Go decorate the front of the house... make it look nice." <br />
</li>
<li>Find 10 year old on the roof hanging lights. WHAT!!!</li>
<li>Find screen torn in room by roof... the 6 year old was caught trying to escape to help brother. WHAT!!!</li>
<li>String 5 strands of lights back on the tree... hang all the ornaments AGAIN.</li>
<li>Check on outside lights... WHAT??? They're more creative than my 33 year old brain could wrap around. Looks like Vegas meets the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Griswalds</span>.</li>
<li>Let the 12 year old lead dough ornament activity. No harm done. Plenty of ornaments since he tripled the recipe.</li>
</ul>What do I still have to do?<br />
<ul><li>Wipe the boogers off the wall.</li>
<li>Sanitize the bathrooms before the CDC shuts us down. (The Department of Defense is watching our house closely. They believe we've managed to cultivate our own super-germ capable of bio-warfare. Of course, we're all immune because we live with it every day.)</li>
<li>WRAP!! WHAT??? Yes, nothing is wrapped. NADA. 19 people at my house in 2 days. Gifts for all... multiple gifts. NOTHING WRAPPED! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ahhhh</span>...<br />
</li>
<li>Clean my room... I can't find my bed, or my closet, or my dresser, or the carpet.</li>
</ul>I won't bother you with all the other details. <br />
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Merry Christmas to all of you wonderful ladies out there! Good luck getting your lists crossed off and I'll check in soon... (as long as the CDC doesn't haul me off!)<br />
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<b>A note</b>: Thanks to all who bought letters, spread the word, or just plain tolerated the shameless marketing plugs. This means so much to our family, more than you'll know and I am so grateful for my fantastic friends for spreading the word. A special thanks to my pals<span style="color: #bf9000;"><b> </b></span><a href="http://www.asoftplace.net/"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>Kimba</b></span></a> and <a href="http://www.theinspiredroom.net/"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>Melissa</b></span></a> for their sweet encouragement and beyond generous support! These girls are gems. Someday we'll all sit down together and devour a chocolate cake in real life. Love you girls!Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-64493972897096123602009-12-09T17:55:00.000-08:002009-12-09T17:55:42.470-08:00Sumbliminal Marketing... Last Day I promise.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbz4mBAddjWQEPM9LNZx2chR8c4DJ_GH5YKHgXdyw-6jLNBIJ6fKL2eTuHFTGM0G_EVlBJ8qi7UFSWXZnUGH30uYcoj1UBHLjOfsXCR3pF0Y2b-UQic09AgsyK5h0ZM4CpujIxNcjthuN7/s1600-h/mailleatherlabel.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278946740183391826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbz4mBAddjWQEPM9LNZx2chR8c4DJ_GH5YKHgXdyw-6jLNBIJ6fKL2eTuHFTGM0G_EVlBJ8qi7UFSWXZnUGH30uYcoj1UBHLjOfsXCR3pF0Y2b-UQic09AgsyK5h0ZM4CpujIxNcjthuN7/s400/mailleatherlabel.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 259px;" width="259" /></a><br />
<div><span style="line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm opting out of a real post... I think I have glue poisoning from licking all of those Santa Letter envelopes... I might go blind. I'll need a braille machine soon. Still not too late to order from</span><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><a href="http://www.northpolesecretary.com/"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here</span></b></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Thursday, December 10th is the LAST DAY!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Whether Santa delivers your mail into here...</b></span><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGVvru6T9XgxMQxp4Lq8W9Q9RPQFGgWdoAzSuTi7277QfATMNAYgbXaBYBoZGdEAsmOtdhl0oNWZ33CyQvDgV5XG64oEoZevuhW0bz4GDBUy9iBUcqlej5nhngkpIPCan3ZRQQcy3xMV7/s1600-h/300507.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278946728067627682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGVvru6T9XgxMQxp4Lq8W9Q9RPQFGgWdoAzSuTi7277QfATMNAYgbXaBYBoZGdEAsmOtdhl0oNWZ33CyQvDgV5XG64oEoZevuhW0bz4GDBUy9iBUcqlej5nhngkpIPCan3ZRQQcy3xMV7/s400/300507.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
<div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>or this fancy lady here....</b></span><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YLt0LPCYkBwQtK56rKGGR5qPHHt77AGRgKZ6vQK_TR4TPCSG2hqSSziUV3G0mPi9G8lJ03rPFvJf4y9vXfY_HH5FFLZUG7jABBGzrCdw3Xu4l0IvHTWcHW9ujNRRJ9nV48GUaQhluJ3X/s1600-h/mailboxhead.bmp"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278946735668729922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YLt0LPCYkBwQtK56rKGGR5qPHHt77AGRgKZ6vQK_TR4TPCSG2hqSSziUV3G0mPi9G8lJ03rPFvJf4y9vXfY_HH5FFLZUG7jABBGzrCdw3Xu4l0IvHTWcHW9ujNRRJ9nV48GUaQhluJ3X/s400/mailboxhead.bmp" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 393px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>or this unforgettable tower here...</b></span><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMvvgss3R8q3o6PT4W24dr51F7LcoGWHpZ7ElJJayL_dqJD6yC-XZMqp3M87xsNxYbfARbgONIylOh5XUgTuAF2buOs6p4DjnvM9mqBrWeQQPtCUDCDzGRc58WeNgah6oz9ldGuPXhPHQ/s1600-h/lighthouse+box.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278946746652063538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMvvgss3R8q3o6PT4W24dr51F7LcoGWHpZ7ElJJayL_dqJD6yC-XZMqp3M87xsNxYbfARbgONIylOh5XUgTuAF2buOs6p4DjnvM9mqBrWeQQPtCUDCDzGRc58WeNgah6oz9ldGuPXhPHQ/s400/lighthouse+box.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 125px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 94px;" /></a><br />
<div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I<b>t will all arrive from the North Pole </b>(with cancellation stamp),<b> with a message from Santa about Christ and service</b>, and<b> be personalized to your kiddo</b>. Check out the sample letters at<span style="color: #bf9000;"><b> </b></span></span><a href="http://www.northpolesecretary.com/"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>NorthPoleSecretary.com</b></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm printing tonight, mailing them to the North Pole tomorow.</span><br />
</div>Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-17490007392759406622009-12-08T18:34:00.000-08:002009-12-08T18:36:57.795-08:00The Doghouse... 2009<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">If you didn't see Part One last year... get some popcorn, this is worth a look and a laugh...</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I give you Part Two.... Enjoy!</span><br />
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</div><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7_zp-I1mQxc&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7_zp-I1mQxc&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">S</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">omeday, our sweet husbands will go shopping BEFORE Christmas Eve. So, I'm dying to know...... what doghouse gifts have your received?</span><br />
</div>Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-44620693446791986122009-12-07T22:17:00.000-08:002009-12-07T22:17:36.009-08:00Host a Giftwrapping Party!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marthastewartcrafts.com/marthacrafts/projWrappingBoxes0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://www.marthastewartcrafts.com/marthacrafts/projWrappingBoxes0.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/wrap-it-up#slide_1"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>Martha dresses up a few Gifts. See all 75 ideas HERE</b></span></a></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">The average person spends at least 3 hours wrapping Christmas gifts per year. That means if you have an above average size family... you probably experience numb legs, aching back and are sick of hearing Mariah Carey sing "All I Want For Christmas is YOUooo"... my least favorite tune. Yes, after gift wrapping, all I want is an appointment with my chiropractor and massage therapist... if I had one.</div><a href="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/2006Q2/0506_msl_patterns_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/2006Q2/0506_msl_patterns_xl.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/article/from-fabric-to-gift-wrap?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/wrap-it-up#slide_8"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>Photocopied fabric! A quick wrap you have on hand!</b></span></a></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">A few years ago I hosted a small gift wrapping party. I invited a few other moms I knew who had a million children and told them to bring their spoils and wrapping and come enjoy a night of laughs, good chocolate, and decent Christmas songs.</div><a href="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/tv/martha_stewart_show/show_photos/3051_3100/3068_121007_giftcardholders_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/tv/martha_stewart_show/show_photos/3051_3100/3068_121007_giftcardholders_xl.jpg " width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/article/lipstick-101?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/wrap-it-up#slide_11"><b><span style="color: #bf9000;">Gift Card Holders How To</span></b></a></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">They came. It was a hit. We do it every year. One of my friends has a hubby who insists on wrapping all the presents... he LOVES it. SO, she just brings herself and helps us dig in and get the work done!</div><a href="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/features/feature5/ft_wrapping02_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/features/feature5/ft_wrapping02_xl.jpg " width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Back to Nature Giftwrap</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">By the end of the evening we still need chiropractors and massages but we enjoyed the evening instead of racing the clock to Christmas morning.</div><a href="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/tv/martha_stewart_show/show_photos/2051_2100/2056_craft_giftbag_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/tv/martha_stewart_show/show_photos/2051_2100/2056_craft_giftbag_xl.jpg " width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/article/holiday-gift-bags?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/wrap-it-up#slide_17"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>Homemade Gift Bags How-To</b></span></a></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">It's fun to get ideas from each other. I never used bows until Mrs. Holiday brought out her overstuffed bow box and made me tie bows all over my packages for fear my Christmas morning would look frightful instead of delightful. She converted me... I tie bows now (at least for all of the gifts on TOP of the pile).</div><a href="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/2008Q4//mla103942_1208_doilgiftwrap_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/2008Q4//mla103942_1208_doilgiftwrap_xl.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Now I look forward to wrapping gifts and getting together with my wrapping friends. I still manage to spend 1/3 of my time hunting for my scissors and another 1/3 of my time hunting for the tape but just when I think I'm on the brink... I have a few friends who toss me their tape and share in the laugh.</div><a href="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/2001Q4/a99030_1201_wallets_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/2001Q4/a99030_1201_wallets_xl.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/article/gift-wallet?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/wrap-it-up#slide_26"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>Paper Wallets How To</b></span></span></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Remember to keep your wrapping party intimate unless you have a sprawling house, or no presents. I hosted ladies who had 5+ kids each so we kept it REALLY tiny and still managed to fill a room. Don't fret about hosting details. This kind of a party is more of a, "come as you are (in your exercise outfit), stay 'till it's finished, eat 'till your sick," kind of get together. It by all means can be an impromptu affair!</div><a href="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/2009Q4//md105227_1209_naughty_box_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/2009Q4//md105227_1209_naughty_box_xl.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/lump-of-coal-gift-box-with-a-secret?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/wrap-it-up#slide_32"><span style="color: #bf9000;">Hand make Coal Boxes with paper paint and glitter!</span></a></b><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>Yes,<a href="http://www.northpolesecretary.com/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> Santa Letters are Still $6 </span></a>because we have Life and 6 Kids, and Dishes, and Dog, and No Energy and are completely and utterly EXHAUSTED around here. SO, until Mr. Pretty Organized Changes things tomorrow... the <a href="http://www.northpolesecretary.com/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Christ Centered Letters from Santa</span></a> are cheap!</b></span><br />
</div>Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-9194256161306855752009-12-06T22:10:00.000-08:002009-12-06T22:10:36.712-08:00Palace Hopping....Christmas Decor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlSMibL0pvzQZ6KArijwK2LG4BPYlh46Kzd_yLxMKFfZJSO_EGJRRN8b6OKGbUlJACR3m4iQiqJMleLqbxCO0Z9r3GfyCYwTbw2JI3VpdM8QlIXbJqnXULW5T_OtI4ApyNdoELT0qElo/s1600-h/Farnsworth+House+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlSMibL0pvzQZ6KArijwK2LG4BPYlh46Kzd_yLxMKFfZJSO_EGJRRN8b6OKGbUlJACR3m4iQiqJMleLqbxCO0Z9r3GfyCYwTbw2JI3VpdM8QlIXbJqnXULW5T_OtI4ApyNdoELT0qElo/s400/Farnsworth+House+013.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In a perfect world all of our stockings are hung by December 1st. But this isn't a perfect world... it's better... I call it the "Holiday House." I'm friends with Mrs. Holiday and get to see her house transform from Happy Halloween to Happy Holidays... by November 1st. No Joke. Did I mention Mrs. Holiday has 6 kiddos too? That makes this transformation all the more miraculous.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFiyUqn8Y2Rw1E4W82D0s26MLvFFfD3sBU_0buEU8WG5mBxdvdvB0KSOOpmu4mJmEa5TJ-X_zZuiytlQ5_tWh6FX9NY1FX_D6m-pCop5dvdCeQC5pY-PpgioPd2CTK_VtjQ5ab5r13uM/s1600-h/Farnsworth+House+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFiyUqn8Y2Rw1E4W82D0s26MLvFFfD3sBU_0buEU8WG5mBxdvdvB0KSOOpmu4mJmEa5TJ-X_zZuiytlQ5_tWh6FX9NY1FX_D6m-pCop5dvdCeQC5pY-PpgioPd2CTK_VtjQ5ab5r13uM/s400/Farnsworth+House+008.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mrs. Holiday's tree is trimmed in traditional red, white and green colors and because I take crummier than lousy pictures, you may never see it's full splendor, or notice that </span><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">she also hangs snowflakes from the ceiling all around her tree.</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> It's breath-taking in real life. I'm scouring for snowflakes this week.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jpVfR5GsVTDZk8emnVUqTRGPLlS0zpsysCRrANGkcpaIDUhDub_g9DsDI4XisTkkHfqY2ESE561QZdot5EESrjkQFU2Ex3qkgX7uK-x7u_Jy13fxZz4nvjsEx-RqbSy6-lE6bQaOcSQ/s1600-h/Farnsworth+House+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jpVfR5GsVTDZk8emnVUqTRGPLlS0zpsysCRrANGkcpaIDUhDub_g9DsDI4XisTkkHfqY2ESE561QZdot5EESrjkQFU2Ex3qkgX7uK-x7u_Jy13fxZz4nvjsEx-RqbSy6-lE6bQaOcSQ/s400/Farnsworth+House+004.jpg" /></span></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you're a kid this is akin to entering wonderland. Every horizontal and vertical space is neatly and beautifully decorated with Christmas. My kiddo visits and then comes home and tells me we need to decorate for Christmas... even though ALL of my decorations are up. Mrs. Holiday LOVES Christmas and honors it stylishly in her home.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjF3utM3MYN1aazM3W9vZ84xsx4oyTqVZ4aWHzcfHSc_mCclUg-MV_Qj64uwfUm4IR4NVoq87u4fcy4G8hO3XH8FepDjzAKpx2Q8-UJ4rO_rcR4PDvWF_Tdquw-TxNNYjXwWA9p1vVag/s1600-h/Farnsworth+House+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjF3utM3MYN1aazM3W9vZ84xsx4oyTqVZ4aWHzcfHSc_mCclUg-MV_Qj64uwfUm4IR4NVoq87u4fcy4G8hO3XH8FepDjzAKpx2Q8-UJ4rO_rcR4PDvWF_Tdquw-TxNNYjXwWA9p1vVag/s400/Farnsworth+House+005.jpg" /></span></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Right down to the ice-skates hanging in the corner. No detail is missed. </span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJihNycjFnnRRsypjwHC_wwhqIpttvXLjqXM_NlL_RNURenkYTJISscyOK-Np3eFcjvq6Lwy1ZxOgWR69yQazr2Fr3Mv0hD4RKwbH14NC5jkQ8jPT9d1LSXX3QkaYvKnqPVq3A7uaqPOk/s1600-h/Farnsworth+House+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJihNycjFnnRRsypjwHC_wwhqIpttvXLjqXM_NlL_RNURenkYTJISscyOK-Np3eFcjvq6Lwy1ZxOgWR69yQazr2Fr3Mv0hD4RKwbH14NC5jkQ8jPT9d1LSXX3QkaYvKnqPVq3A7uaqPOk/s400/Farnsworth+House+016.jpg" /></span></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">She adds a touch of Christmas to the kitchen (I took a solemn oath on a plate of sugar cookies not to take a picture of her countertops... she's still a mother of 6 after all) by wrapping each cupboard door with ribbon. I stole the idea last year and loved it!</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0eCJ2Atwwnh4p9Y8c7Wu5Rsxxpz_IHnBRFatFlbQysBVPOT6ZjVFebpoTZrw3vO5K6qRPdDrDILRGBA0MqgE2EetdzeZ6lcpKt5irYXXU-rfnVi2ov2NpODbX6tAw9eYdNVTdZYsYts/s1600-h/Farnsworth+House+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0eCJ2Atwwnh4p9Y8c7Wu5Rsxxpz_IHnBRFatFlbQysBVPOT6ZjVFebpoTZrw3vO5K6qRPdDrDILRGBA0MqgE2EetdzeZ6lcpKt5irYXXU-rfnVi2ov2NpODbX6tAw9eYdNVTdZYsYts/s400/Farnsworth+House+017.jpg" /></span></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anything that looks like it's made by hand... probably is. Mrs. Holiday welcomes in the season of giving by working round the clock on handmade Christmas cards, decorations, baking sugar cookies and pumpkin bread... she lets her inner elf take over.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPR3Lu3ZFjL26lSi40nidHo2lR9F653J7MW98cxtqNbrq7eTOBZmnzno_P19fDawlkrWwGsWf1mgQ-n4m_Lsm2Qet0aDW4oK220wZlx_bVcJg9UGZbmYLTYnQ3hiYy-04YeJ2NlkS86oc/s1600-h/Farnsworth+House+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPR3Lu3ZFjL26lSi40nidHo2lR9F653J7MW98cxtqNbrq7eTOBZmnzno_P19fDawlkrWwGsWf1mgQ-n4m_Lsm2Qet0aDW4oK220wZlx_bVcJg9UGZbmYLTYnQ3hiYy-04YeJ2NlkS86oc/s400/Farnsworth+House+023.jpg" /></span></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">She even changes out the wall hangings for hand painted canvas's that wish all who enter this happy home a Merry Christmas. </span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRmWVHB-rjxsvAyCcXp-C0jmjWfUVNhlgjrIWkAgZ2Z0x-EoOrFMeZ0lmgf9UPooPlDXUWO_tE71udxHekZyuNuavI_7NtWaKq2wllGnSos_UIUvjl1o4UvT4oGJA_C-PGrRbU_t4I74/s1600-h/Farnsworth+House+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRmWVHB-rjxsvAyCcXp-C0jmjWfUVNhlgjrIWkAgZ2Z0x-EoOrFMeZ0lmgf9UPooPlDXUWO_tE71udxHekZyuNuavI_7NtWaKq2wllGnSos_UIUvjl1o4UvT4oGJA_C-PGrRbU_t4I74/s400/Farnsworth+House+022.jpg" /></span></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hanging snowflakes around your tree, wrapping cupboards, burning candles.... What other creative ideas do you have for decking the halls?</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thursday is the LAST DAY to order letters from Santa!!! Prices are now $8 as soon as hubby gets around to changing them on the website today. Maybe you could beat him to it and order them for $6! Visit... <span style="color: #bf9000;"><b> </b></span><a href="http://northpolesecretary.com/"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>NorthPoleSecretary.com</b></span></a><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b> </b></span>to order. Check out the story NBC did on the business <a href="http://www.azcentral.com/video/#/News/Santa%20letters%20share%20two%20stories/40280768001/35150280001/53761246001"><b><span style="color: #bf9000;">HERE.</span></b></a></span><br />
</div>Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-58571160814821366042009-12-03T22:38:00.000-08:002009-12-03T22:38:40.584-08:00Silk Stockings on your Mantle...<span style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDjPM6l8-zcmdNK-4eEzIoA9-MtzU1wNFtYkSkS7aO06dwB6j3w74GGvk-4mO1MfN4iM1l-fOZLOexcyYpiyMfOWCQS1U_uMLUDBXxDzn-Rte60lQK6uHhfF5dqL-Z3E9d272Q7TMeLQL/s1600-h/detailFamilyTmp.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270622402108405650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDjPM6l8-zcmdNK-4eEzIoA9-MtzU1wNFtYkSkS7aO06dwB6j3w74GGvk-4mO1MfN4iM1l-fOZLOexcyYpiyMfOWCQS1U_uMLUDBXxDzn-Rte60lQK6uHhfF5dqL-Z3E9d272Q7TMeLQL/s400/detailFamilyTmp.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 282px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 282px;" /></a>These are all from Frontgate.com who boasts, "Outfitting America's Finest Homes" I'll let you believe I have one of Americas Finest Homes... but then again, you've read my<a href="http://prettyorganizedpalace.blogspot.com/2009/10/dear-santa-my-2-scents.html"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b> Christmas List</b></span></a> ... I'm keep'n it real. </span><br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PbF_bASW4ewXF-lb280Ss9kmk3RLSNhab6woqlQsJvGdpOGgXmy39mXKcCcCGvEV3hAkOmrmgNt6Rc7tPDhoxQXlfQAoGxTLRa99zciKAuJYzXHu8U7Vkgfx8vsoJ3ObCpopmVBNU17v/s1600-h/33541B.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270622404581228834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PbF_bASW4ewXF-lb280Ss9kmk3RLSNhab6woqlQsJvGdpOGgXmy39mXKcCcCGvEV3hAkOmrmgNt6Rc7tPDhoxQXlfQAoGxTLRa99zciKAuJYzXHu8U7Vkgfx8vsoJ3ObCpopmVBNU17v/s400/33541B.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 186px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 186px;" /></a>I have to hang 6! My mantel almost falls every year... <br />
</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PdUg-a4Qn_0FdQfO9kMLYWCwoFeWbOkxOGqNPxliOAwxal7aUQRz0ovfarg6Gf34VCnrSa-j3rlA8YlqFLe1zvRRYuG3Wy3hAdQoc03OBRI7ReG0OmuswTvAuKBvJWV9XK-bu0HdxDIc/s1600-h/33558A.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270622129145733842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PdUg-a4Qn_0FdQfO9kMLYWCwoFeWbOkxOGqNPxliOAwxal7aUQRz0ovfarg6Gf34VCnrSa-j3rlA8YlqFLe1zvRRYuG3Wy3hAdQoc03OBRI7ReG0OmuswTvAuKBvJWV9XK-bu0HdxDIc/s400/33558A.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 186px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 186px;" /></a>2 year old loves batting at hung stockings. <br />
</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXUZTN72RqBsN5Gx4KiCt7emGqXVHTq045vV97_IYC2Fw6v-4pN3WuWkHh3gS9NS6spD6HdSfJkbF98dhLSBLY6g-MEq5HlZxvfoYs8E1u4NRjRvlU4vEXLlYSEYqC6wT9sRa3iJJzZw-/s1600-h/33556FVIEWA.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270622129199149698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXUZTN72RqBsN5Gx4KiCt7emGqXVHTq045vV97_IYC2Fw6v-4pN3WuWkHh3gS9NS6spD6HdSfJkbF98dhLSBLY6g-MEq5HlZxvfoYs8E1u4NRjRvlU4vEXLlYSEYqC6wT9sRa3iJJzZw-/s400/33556FVIEWA.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 186px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 186px;" /></a>Thinking of sending these to In-laws in Africa... except ooh they're like $200 EACH!!!! I'm sure they used real zebra fur. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDI8tky11tO4fUNZ_WqOlqVcvK_rm0UvWBOyjtdnwwpCohISG3_jwV4XXR2wvylWcHIzc3V8oPt517oDJV4h8peC2hK3v7I2OGkPMba7g2XykWzDDQAx3MgjL76zTzFMYCIusiiEjxyIWe/s1600-h/33544A.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270622122204030306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDI8tky11tO4fUNZ_WqOlqVcvK_rm0UvWBOyjtdnwwpCohISG3_jwV4XXR2wvylWcHIzc3V8oPt517oDJV4h8peC2hK3v7I2OGkPMba7g2XykWzDDQAx3MgjL76zTzFMYCIusiiEjxyIWe/s400/33544A.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 186px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 186px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZHDhnQT4RYwrCqjmnla7IxuNb00vU3SHA-LWER03MeEdmEmCRTY_5q5sPuchrb5Xj9uLmTJ13IibA2vcHnT4EfJRMMjAKOOQJfVfaDruIyXq1YAMFbv5DCujCeFUxSrWll4KVLdaz7U1/s1600-h/33461A.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270622121978484274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZHDhnQT4RYwrCqjmnla7IxuNb00vU3SHA-LWER03MeEdmEmCRTY_5q5sPuchrb5Xj9uLmTJ13IibA2vcHnT4EfJRMMjAKOOQJfVfaDruIyXq1YAMFbv5DCujCeFUxSrWll4KVLdaz7U1/s400/33461A.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 186px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 186px;" /></a>You can have some as fabulous as these if you have some serious moola.... OR a crafty eye! <br />
</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_uHJOyJC-GvPkdI7KuCsqhb3AVfT2EnMN1RfouZLNeT5JZDy7SO_eWl2bT-s6yvVNMnBkEv_xLPYgQF54oJEVJ88dM-AcpU7g6EBJtnrXZ_fz6Qj061EZ27pLG0M4pOlUzwPYD9SXVG_/s1600-h/33190VIEW.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270622119611599826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_uHJOyJC-GvPkdI7KuCsqhb3AVfT2EnMN1RfouZLNeT5JZDy7SO_eWl2bT-s6yvVNMnBkEv_xLPYgQF54oJEVJ88dM-AcpU7g6EBJtnrXZ_fz6Qj061EZ27pLG0M4pOlUzwPYD9SXVG_/s400/33190VIEW.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 186px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 186px;" /></a> CHEAP at only $55-- I know you can do better!! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-1W087gPYmKTbYi8kbQjckju2DF2W6I9Et7dkIxls0Ft05oIv7VXWfruyXq6LE1JlrRqArTGafz9BTvQ6iq1HHDjgLa2bgJLX8Bqvrg2PCf_bDPtMN0GXN7Yl0ZgfrDczTpHv51YCztd/s1600-h/52051_RED.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270623525333159058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-1W087gPYmKTbYi8kbQjckju2DF2W6I9Et7dkIxls0Ft05oIv7VXWfruyXq6LE1JlrRqArTGafz9BTvQ6iq1HHDjgLa2bgJLX8Bqvrg2PCf_bDPtMN0GXN7Yl0ZgfrDczTpHv51YCztd/s400/52051_RED.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 186px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 186px;" /></a>How about this cutie at 100+? They must not use hot glue to apply all that extra cute stuff! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8HlESJdAa-c0JhMMn8cXXsu6-g4kbNisq6KUxV6jZSZ5krnZSamOn3hkIka6pS6pwV-gtO2k32jwv5O1kXAGkq7QpO79LPPCq64ww0wqbfwwUnJ22xC-urnu75A2k0w3_Lbf2Svt65u4/s1600-h/85307.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270623514324464450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8HlESJdAa-c0JhMMn8cXXsu6-g4kbNisq6KUxV6jZSZ5krnZSamOn3hkIka6pS6pwV-gtO2k32jwv5O1kXAGkq7QpO79LPPCq64ww0wqbfwwUnJ22xC-urnu75A2k0w3_Lbf2Svt65u4/s400/85307.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 186px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 186px;" /></a>Elegant at $299!!!! Yep, fine silk, lined with more fine silk, dripping with silky fringe... poor little worms!! So for 6 kids, let's see... $1,800!!!.. no Christmas until they're 18?!?!? I think the little dears would protest.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu020dVR-FBfcga3HUWjKkeYuq9uWnCNG8-TL5Ckf8BINH_zwrNCjD7MN6tY743igOdGPLGwjCmGTbg3YOXtGeeXLzjURlpI9blc7wESMqYQHTClNBO5WuJSSS0QjhS2gAdBeQsjaXIzVE/s1600-h/52090.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270623515655494818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu020dVR-FBfcga3HUWjKkeYuq9uWnCNG8-TL5Ckf8BINH_zwrNCjD7MN6tY743igOdGPLGwjCmGTbg3YOXtGeeXLzjURlpI9blc7wESMqYQHTClNBO5WuJSSS0QjhS2gAdBeQsjaXIzVE/s400/52090.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 186px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 186px;" /></a>Tree Skirt anyone?.... This put the silk farm out of business... $800! Ouch... us moms can do MUCH better...There's no shame in calling all your neighbors for their 40% off coupons! Now get to that fabric store, haul out your glue guns and get to work! <br />
</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wDy2HSHmZIwWXwyLy7eq8H0XKKCN1AAz7NTOGu_CC-PI7jn7oNkhRHGtBG4c09L4UwInjfVr_tyVStNR3D6y7BQqV0YxhQ-uK7UMdpbAWteNRZ_jHwQEjQqjGJx6h5uBckniKtt9UZyj/s1600-h/52092.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270623529887939906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wDy2HSHmZIwWXwyLy7eq8H0XKKCN1AAz7NTOGu_CC-PI7jn7oNkhRHGtBG4c09L4UwInjfVr_tyVStNR3D6y7BQqV0YxhQ-uK7UMdpbAWteNRZ_jHwQEjQqjGJx6h5uBckniKtt9UZyj/s400/52092.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 186px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 186px;" /></a> <br />
</div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">What Christmas projects have you been up to your ears in?</span></b><br />
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</div>Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-14701791105107869932009-12-02T22:36:00.000-08:002009-12-02T22:39:26.138-08:00Pretty Organizer Revealed on the 5 O'clock News... an I SPY Game<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Shhhh..... they use my real name...... don't tell anyone. If you're an axe murderer, I have 6 children; 2 of those children are teenagers and dream of the day they can put all of their "how to kill a home invader using two fingers and the right pressure points" skills to use (those skills aren't allowed in the house). The husband, he's an Eagle Scout with 13 years of wrestling kids under his belt. You don't want to come near our house.</span></span></span><br />
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Let's play I Spy....<br />
Can you find...<br />
<br />
<ul><li><b>A crock pot on my counter</b>... oops thought I put that away.</li>
<li><b>A half revived, half rotting jar of cilantro on the counter</b>.... oops thought I cleared that too.</li>
<li><b>Brown bananas on the counter</b>.... yep, never got that bread going.</li>
<li><b>Crap all over my office file cabinet.</b>.. the camera team had a gag order to not film or speak of the condition of the rest of the room.</li>
<li><b>A FREE tree to replace<span style="color: #bf9000;"> </span><a href="http://prettyorganizedpalace.blogspot.com/2009/11/charlie-brown-meets-grinch-my-christmas.html"><span style="color: #bf9000;">THIS ONE</span></a></b><span style="color: #bf9000;"> </span>decorated with $15 worth of Walmart Plastic bulbs, and $6 worth of Dollar Tree stuff and tea cups and gold spoons pillaged from my china set wired to the limbs? After 14 years of marriage this is my first matching grown up tree. Yes, the tree was my greatest joy today.</li>
<li><b>My second chin and the 20 lbs I THOUGHT I lost.</b></li>
<li><b>Grey hair</b>. Um... I had to part my hair on the wrong side to avoid looking like my Grandma.</li>
<li><b>TALKING WITH MY EYES CLOSED!!! </b> Geesh, I look like a goon. Can you tell I went to bed at 1 AM the night before?</li>
</ul><div><br />
</div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #76a5af;">Deadline for ordering is Dec. 10th.</span></b> We're cranking the prices up to the full $8 on Monday because I'm pooped and need to feel like I'm making a million dollars for operating on 5 hours of sleep a night. SO, get ordering and spread the word before the weekend! </span><br />
</div>Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-73017129415964154752009-11-24T22:40:00.000-08:002009-11-24T23:04:31.054-08:00$6 letters from the North Pole<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NXhiICWHojWbdv93qDB9OLnJsnDfQEqKAZtE2MCqDeOnxLURCOcBtgWi4Od5o5d1QV8N0ii-iGusdw5Ze3MydMNWsz7PMq_tfYqWDY7qSIA1dQ-bFhIzqSYRi9gVeE_fpfXmnNp38ts/s1600/41N6XE088ML__SS500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NXhiICWHojWbdv93qDB9OLnJsnDfQEqKAZtE2MCqDeOnxLURCOcBtgWi4Od5o5d1QV8N0ii-iGusdw5Ze3MydMNWsz7PMq_tfYqWDY7qSIA1dQ-bFhIzqSYRi9gVeE_fpfXmnNp38ts/s400/41N6XE088ML__SS500_.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hey friends,</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll be taking a little break while I have family in town and celebrate Thanksgiving. I'll also be printing off my Letters from Santa and getting them ready to mail to North Pole Alaska for the cancellation stamp. Letters go out right after Thanksgiving for an early December arrival. I know everyone is UBER sick of me yakking on forever about these letters. <em>Just a few more weeks.... I promise.</em> <strong>Keep reading my clever reasons why you should buy... hopefully I'll convince at least 12 of you.</strong></span></span></span><br />
</div></blockquote><center><a href="http://www.northpolesecretary.com/works.html"><img src="http://www.northpolesecretary.com/npsLogo125.png" /></a></center><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;"><span style="color: black;">WHY should you buy my<strong> </strong></span></span></span><a href="http://www.northpolesecretary.com/works.html"><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Santa Letters?</strong></span></a><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"><strong><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: black;">They're a fantastic read if I may boast.</span> </strong> Each letter is very detailed about the goings on at the North Pole. Did you know the North Pole has a clock tower and a Sleigh Shop? Did you know Santa's rig was being fited with the latest in GPS gadgets? Yup. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"><strong><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: black;">They're meaningful.</span></strong> The letters include a message from Santa about why we celebrate Christmas and urge kiddos to do service to honor our Savior. <em>They're a great way to combine Santa with the sacredness of the season.</em></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"><strong><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: black;">They're convincing.</span></strong> Do you have a skeptic? Are you dying to limp your little skeptic along just one more year... you may get 2 or 3 with these letters. <em>Older kiddos can't refute the real North Pole cancellation stamp. Science wins out... Santa sent evidence!</em></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"><strong><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: black;">You're giving a memory.</span></strong> We only have a few years to mark this little minds up with the most wonderful, magical, memories that they will cherish forever. A letter from Santa for a child is a memory that will last.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>They're personal.</strong> </span></span> Every letter is unique to your kiddo. You provide all the convincing embellishments like place Santa will be flying to, things Santa is proud your kiddo did this year, toy suggestions, pet names, friends to say hi to, siblings to serve... this letter is personal and fun to read.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"><strong><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: black;">It will make me rich.</span> (Enter shameless plug....)</strong> Even moms have dreams of getting out of debt. We dream of financial security, sending kids on missions or to college and we dream of heaven.... a double size laundry room. Okay, it's out of the bag, I'm not independently wealthy. I'm not a multi-million dollar heiress to a chocolate empire... <em>though one can dream.</em> Nope. I'm a mom. I'm a dyed in the wool, stay at home, bread bakin', clothes makin', lunch tak'n <strike>bum spank'n</strike> mother of 6 trying to eek out grocery money and next months supply of pull-up undies for my nightime bed wetter. </span></span></li>
</ul><span style="color: white;"></span><center><a href="http://www.northpolesecretary.com/works.html"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img src="http://www.northpolesecretary.com/npsLogo125.png" /> </span></a></center><span style="color: white;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">If you haven't ordered<strong> </strong></span></span><a href="http://www.northpolesecretary.com/works.html"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Santa Letters</strong></span></a><span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> before, this is your year! <em>Just try it one year.</em> <strong>Letters are only $6 and will continue to go up as we get into December.</strong> Most letters out there are $10-$20... crazy! These letters are worth keeping affordable!</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">HURRY and order now so you can get in on the first shipment!!! </span>Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-59226651692613226822009-11-23T22:54:00.000-08:002009-11-23T23:04:45.044-08:00Christmas Pillows... out of Placemats.<span style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTurZaePEny8lqUXxxylAvS3kWgiY9zdIBcTCRp_le1VQd32U1te5ZRWwpnbxMVcm3nJ6uXO9sOjon6q2IFvZbm7hIY-sayrONj1Q8wMcGcB-lDPbpYIqfteBS0au3qll6yIKfK2TIrll/s1600-h/christmaspillows.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274305502917359426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTurZaePEny8lqUXxxylAvS3kWgiY9zdIBcTCRp_le1VQd32U1te5ZRWwpnbxMVcm3nJ6uXO9sOjon6q2IFvZbm7hIY-sayrONj1Q8wMcGcB-lDPbpYIqfteBS0au3qll6yIKfK2TIrll/s400/christmaspillows.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 239px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a> </span><br />
<div>I've made purses out of placemats but what about pillows? Here are a few ideas that are <strong>SIMPLE</strong> to make. And of course, they're pretty cheap! I <strong>love</strong> fabulous frugal gifts and decor! <br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAltHX8pHdACnYHp-z45ik3Ws5pMOtise8YrrV8UETBaO7rt38yiLAEfy1Gu5BgPwzCOtjUNpNKsQWykrEVasPRC5BvD3OEIsI8Cgd_U9QNLeX_ZXbxmSswAmQQr2BuYHScT6b-JK8O-Bl/s1600-h/NoelPillowsHD07.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274305510477470818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAltHX8pHdACnYHp-z45ik3Ws5pMOtise8YrrV8UETBaO7rt38yiLAEfy1Gu5BgPwzCOtjUNpNKsQWykrEVasPRC5BvD3OEIsI8Cgd_U9QNLeX_ZXbxmSswAmQQr2BuYHScT6b-JK8O-Bl/s400/NoelPillowsHD07.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> Wouldn't these make great Hostess gifts! <br />
<div>Get yourself some killer looking Christmas placemats. Kohel's sells Christmas placemats (often 50% off) and they're about $3. You can also try Big Lots, Walmart, and Target. <br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2-tNHrBqnQzRxtDrPTELWMnuT8V70uUlYH1lIUr5gUu_cUgqP8tNUxPqKk40fPdAY7kWAFjXVS3twHP31BRMEiI-cOUXvIhpK4qZNsinBLePqWoUEgc2gE47dbAtG7EHQ_kEQECNRkOC/s1600-h/CLX1207IDEA-pillow-de.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274305503468206194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2-tNHrBqnQzRxtDrPTELWMnuT8V70uUlYH1lIUr5gUu_cUgqP8tNUxPqKk40fPdAY7kWAFjXVS3twHP31BRMEiI-cOUXvIhpK4qZNsinBLePqWoUEgc2gE47dbAtG7EHQ_kEQECNRkOC/s400/CLX1207IDEA-pillow-de.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 313px;" /></a> <br />
<div>Aproach 1- sew 2 together and stuff with polyfill. WARNING... if any of you have a sewing machine that acts like a princess and is particular... she's going to be sad about thick seams... ya may wanna stock up on sewing needles. For all you fancy machine owners... ignore me and read on. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOpVn5kipXXG8fye3RpvS-lUGNJbxoen0ao7qEuYJczatfgP1BiGraYG32dS5gBKBKQF7B60TFBOQi7CfmWcl7trYJvdlxJ2yP8f1wxm6f3MLQU0fqiy2RdnYd1Ow_MDn5FtkRf6Hw5XK/s1600-h/December_Pictures_110.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274305506159637218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOpVn5kipXXG8fye3RpvS-lUGNJbxoen0ao7qEuYJczatfgP1BiGraYG32dS5gBKBKQF7B60TFBOQi7CfmWcl7trYJvdlxJ2yP8f1wxm6f3MLQU0fqiy2RdnYd1Ow_MDn5FtkRf6Hw5XK/s400/December_Pictures_110.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> Aproach 2- Only will work if the place mat has a lining on the back that is not attached in the center. ( You can test this by holding the front and back fabric and pulling.. do they come apart? GREAT!) Cut a slit on the end of the back side lining and stuff poly fill on the inside... sew up the slit! <br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWrKVJXftlvnUQn2HYaDNdFUrYvxFVpdzxbHr6sRxDLDlSE8K0iDqfjSi3qtZfxj7w-GHlV5tBQjGrLFgg8cKSoS1Dfu1fdb607DLwmcaIPmbWxgNk-dbEEoeOFlS-60ou57faYhp8Ckz/s1600-h/345709428_dcfc8422f0.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274305499967245730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWrKVJXftlvnUQn2HYaDNdFUrYvxFVpdzxbHr6sRxDLDlSE8K0iDqfjSi3qtZfxj7w-GHlV5tBQjGrLFgg8cKSoS1Dfu1fdb607DLwmcaIPmbWxgNk-dbEEoeOFlS-60ou57faYhp8Ckz/s400/345709428_dcfc8422f0.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 399px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 387px;" /></a> If you don't want to give pillows...come back tomorrow for more ideas!<br />
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Oh... Last chance to order your<a href="http://www.northpolesecretary.com/works.html"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b> Letters from Santa</b></span></a><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b> </b></span>before I mail out my first shipment after Thanksgiving! The first shipment will arrive at your home in the beginning of December. Prices are still low but go up as we get into December. Go check out all 8 of my letters and imagine how much fun it would be for your munchkins to have grown up mail come from the REAL North Pole, Alaska! <br />
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<center> <a href="http://www.northpolesecretary.com/"> <img src="http://www.northpolesecretary.com/npsLogo125.png" /> </a> </center>Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8007858033104457650.post-60347368023869492862009-11-22T21:57:00.000-08:002009-11-23T22:54:33.398-08:00Thanksgiving Day HelpsI love gathering with my family for Thanksgiving Day. While I look forward to visiting with relatives and eating fantastic food there are the moments that I try to rehearse in my head.... they involve hungry children- 6 of them, a well decorated house FULL of people( the house isn't mine), and nice dinnerware.... a combination that is sure to make any mothers heart fail. And, if the mother's heart doesn't fail, the grand-mother, great-grandmother or OCD Aunt's WILL!<br />
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So how do you get the family together, let the parents talk, watch the kids, AND keep them out of the kitchen and away from the china? Well, if you're my family, you give up on china. My mother informed me we were having decorated paper plates over gold chargers... problem solved for me, no breakables... problem solved for her....less dishes!<br />
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Here are a few other links for crafs and things to keep your kiddos occupied during dinner prep.<br />
<a href="http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/thanksgiving/"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>Several Thanksgiving crafts, coloring pages, puzzles ect. at Kaboose.com</b></span></a><br />
<a href="http://familyfun.go.com/printables/thanksgiving-activity-what-are-you-thankful-for-704271/"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>Thankful Leaf pages... let your guests write what they're thankful for! Family Fun</b></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://familyfun.go.com/assets/cms/crafts/pilgrim-napkin-rings-thanksgiving-day-craft-photo-420-FF1107TABLEA11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b><img border="0" height="320" src="http://familyfun.go.com/assets/cms/crafts/pilgrim-napkin-rings-thanksgiving-day-craft-photo-420-FF1107TABLEA11.jpg" width="320" /></b></span></a><br />
</div><a href="http://familyfun.go.com/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-craft-decorations/thanksgiving-napkin-rings/pilgrim-napkin-rings-673452/"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>Photo Pilgrim Napkin rings... featuring your family! Let you kids put them together.</b></span></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">What do you do to keep your chipmunks under thumb for Thanksgiving Day?</span></b><br />
</div>Pretty Organizerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01689144923219492816noreply@blogger.com0