After-Christmas Shopping ~ inspired by the color Purple!

Oooooo Weeeeee!  I'm so happy- I went for a little After-Christmas shopping today.  I found some fabulous deals on Christmas decor at Big Lots (where I always go to get super-cheap wrapping paper, like $1 a roll and if you wait longer it goes to 50 cents a roll) while I was there, I grabbed a couple of 24 inch PURPLE Christmas trees with PURPLE lights!  Yay!!! You all know how much I love purple!!  The color makes me feel all glowy inside.  Now I can't wait for next year's Christmas to come so I can put out my purple-y trees.  And for sure, next year, we will definitely be getting a white tree so I can decorate it with PURPLE ornaments.


Speaking of PURPLE ornaments and stuff- I came across ThePurpleStore.com and found some really groovy purple ornaments and home decor.  O-M-G I'm gonna have a field day!


Just a word of caution: be super careful out there because it is soooooo crazy!  But there is nothing better than getting some great things that are much cheaper than retail!


Have a delightful shopping experience.

A Very Magical Christmas

As I look back on our Christmas day, I am reminded of the many blessings that we were given.  Yesterday was filled with the definite love and joy of family and our closest friends.  The magic of Christmas filled our home a few hours before it hit midnight on Christmas Eve.  My little one scurried through the house to prepare for the arrival of good ol' Saint Nick.  The reindeer dust was sprinkled throughout the front yard and the letter to Santa was hand-written in the most neatest 6 year old handwriting ever!  The cookies were laid out, and the glass of milk poured, waiting patiently on the side table that laid near my little boy's head as he layed himself to sleep.  It was a restless night for me but a rather peaceful night for my son, I almost wondered if he was dreaming of sugar plums danced in his little head.  I was awaken in the morning by him presenting the letter that Santa had written back to him and a full report of the devoured cookies, the empty glass, and the stack of presents that lay on his side table.  The usual crumbled wrapping paper, empty boxes, and Christmas bows scattered about the place and us not caring that the house was a complete mess.  We were later graced with the presence of wonderful friends and our much older children.  We feasted on some awesome grub, we laughed, we prayed, and we all felt the joy and peace of the spirit of Christmas.  I am almost saddened that the day went by rather quick but knowing that every minute was definitely worth it.  These were our blessings!  The laughter of the children in the background and the satisfied sighs of the adults cherishing the last bite of their custard pie.  Could it get any better than this?  It was indeed a very magical Christmas! 

Hoping that you all out there had a very Sweet and Merry Christmas and that you were able to cherish in your blessings for the day.

Happy Holidays!

Peace & Love

In The Spirit of Giving

I am soooo in the spirit of giving this season!  With so many people out of jobs and out of homes, I realized that there are so many simple things that we normally take for granted.  It made me shift my thinking just a little.  The holiday season usually has me in the spirit of giving but this year it's a bit different, I prefer giving to the less fortunate, yes the family members will get their gifts of course- But I found myself giving more and donating more than ever before.  I think I have done more searches on donating than on online shopping!  It's the second week of December and I have only bought 2 Christmas gifts, one for my youngest son and the other for a close family friend.  I have become more occupied with giving back!

A week ago, I helped fund a loan for a lady in the Philippines who raises pigs for a living to support her family of 8 children.  I stumbled upon a great organization, www.kiva.org that allows entrepreneurs in developing countries to obtain a small loan to build their business.  The funds that I loaned will eventually get repaid, which then gets put back into my account to help another entrepreneur in another country, if I wish.  This week, I came across www.Soles4Souls.org Did you know that over 300 million children in the world do not own shoes?  I can relate to this...as I was one of those poor children walking barefooted in the muddy terrain of a third world country (rewind back 28 years ago).  Hence, my present-addiction to shoes.  Now with my closet-full of shoes and a garage-converted-shoe-closet, I would love to give up some of my shoes for those who so need it!!!  So if  you are like me and are drowning in shoes, donate some of your gently used shoes.  Or if you looooovve your shoes too much, you can donate $5 for a pair of flip flops or $10 for a pair of clogs.  Please shoot me an email, to arrange that.

There are other ways to give as well- I have a friend who is asking for new items to go to the NV Partnership for Homeless Youth.  Which is an awesome way to give to homeless children and teens who are in need of necessary items such as clothes, socks, and basic hygiene products, etc.  If you have any items to give away, please let me know since items will be dropped off this Saturday. 

Time is also another great resource that we have or don't have but is priceless nonetheless when we give away some of it.  Time is such a valuable thing and by volunteering a few hours of your day at a soup kitchen or a shelter, it becomes sooo gratifying!  Check out www.volunteercentersn.org for volunteer projects in the area.

Have a Happy and Giving Holiday Season!