8 Things: Generous Gifts for Trying Times

I always look forward to doing the *8 Things lists.  Today is no different.  With the economy as it is and people beginning to realize that they have to live the rest of the year, gift giving during the holidays has definitely changed.  This is not all bad, in my opinion.  We get to be more creative and gifts have the potential to be more meaningful to the giver as well as the receiver.  Rachelle has come up with a great list for gifts one can give on a tight budget.  I'm taking a few moments to think about some gifts that differ from her list.  This may be more difficult than I thought.  Heck, who am I kidding?  I've been giving like this for years! LOL!

My *8 Generous Gifts List

1. Give a 'certificate' to a mom for an afternoon/evening/night out--free babysitting!! (we mothers will LOVE this!)
   
2. Bake loaves of bread (banana, nut, pumpkin, wheat, etc.) to give.
   
3. Share your favorite cookies along with their recipes.
4. Make your holiday cards adding personal touches for each receiver.
   
5. Hand write a letter/love note telling what you like/love about him/her.  (Remember when this was the thing?! )
   
6. Give handmade gifts--knitted, crocheted, sewed, quilted, cross-stitched, painted, "scrapbook-ed," baked, colored, etc. etc.
   
7. Offer to teach one of your friends and/or their children a skill or something you're good at.  I'm sure there is something that you do that they'd be interested in learning--photography, graphic design, knitting, painting, sculpting, speaking another language, etc.
   
8. Get a group of family and friends together and go volunteer at a local shelter together over the holidays.  Isn't this time about giving?  How better than to give to others WITH your loved ones!

*Bonus*
Are you planning to work out or start a path to a healthier you?  You are probably not the only one.  Give the gift of being someone's partner in this.  Whether  it is speaking over the phone to touch base and give encouragement to actually walking together or going to the gym together, this is an invaluable gift!

So hopefully this has given you some good ideas!  I'm interested to seeing what you've come up with.  Go to Rachelle's blog, Magpie Girl, to find out more about *8 Things, grab a button, and play along!

Happy Gift Giving!!

8 Things for a Peaceful Holiday

Ok. So I haven't done an 8 Things list in a while and I'm happy to be able to participate again!

This list is about what things will make for a less stressful, enjoyable holiday that centers/focuses on what truly matter to me/my family instead of getting caught up in all the hustle and bustle of things. Rachelle puts it so lovely so definitely check out her blog post!!

8 Things for a Peaceful Holiday

1. Make a list and stick to it--whether it's gifts, parties, cards
2. Playing holiday music to keep us in 'happy' spirits
3. Making cookies and treats with my children to take to Daddy's students
4. Planning with friends which three 'events' we'll take the kids to (so they can enjoy time with their friends).
5. Locate the holiday videos so they're ready for our weekly movie night
6. Get an Advent Calendar and do it this year!
7. Decorate the tree & house Christmas Eve
8. Make plan with husband to get children's gifts together prior to Christmas Eve! (So we don't have to stay up all night this year!!!)

8 Things to Celebrate about Fall

This week's 8 Things are dealing with Fall--my favorite season!!!
so this should be easy, we'll see! ;-)

1. The colors--oranges, yellows, browns, reds. Whether in nature or in clothing. I'm enjoying it.

2. Peaches, peaches, peaches!! One of my favorite fruits. We've picked them at a u-pic farm and purchased them at road side stands. A dear friend drop some off for me yesterday. I'm thinking that they'll be made into a cobbler. Yum! Yum!

3. Cooler Weather--yes, I actually like the cooling down that this time of year brings. The crisp mornings, the wind blowing throughout the day. Gives me reason to dress in layers! (see next one)

4. Dressing in Layers--I enjoy wearing scarves, ponchos, sweaters, gloves, jackets, long socks, boots, etc. I was born in the fall so I learned to dress myself in the fall as well. Piling on clothes is actually fun for me. ;-)

5. Pumpkin pie. This is a dessert I save for this time of year and only eat it in the fall. I LOVE PUMPKIN PIE!! Now that we're living in a place surrounded by farms & orchards I so looking forward to taking the kids pumpkin picking.

6. Thanksgiving--my favorite holiday--is celebrated in the fall. This also includes all the harvest festivals with hayrides, bonfires, and all the other fun and games included.

7. Learning something new--traditionally this is the time school starts. Although I am not in school anymore, this is still a good time for me to learn something new. Over the past several years I've taken up new hobbies like knitting, sewing, photography, painting, etc. I need to think about what I'm going to learn this year. I've been reading all year but snuggling up with a book in front of a fire is also a great way to learn and enjoy this time of year.

8. Change--I celebrate the change of clothes (we are currently in the midst of switching from summer to winter), the change in my emotions (I become more inwardly focused), the change in who I am becoming (just as the leaves reveal the 'true color' of the tree, I see that I'm becoming/showing more of who I am), the change in relationships (I've made some good connects with others that seem to change a bit in the fall--due to other commitments, weather, etc. I don't have to resent this, but see it for what it is and remember that Spring will be coming again--my 2nd favorite season. On another note: I want to be open for the new relationships that will be made during this time as well!).

What to join in? Check out Rachelle @ Magpie Girl and let her know!

8 Things: Enormous Time Suckers

Wow! This week's 8 Things deals with what sucks up all my time. I must say that just this week I've curbed a few already because I know they are eating up the little bit of time I have. Thanks Rachelle for this one!

My 8 Enormous Time Suckers (random order)

1. Networking sites--I belong to quite a few, I've cut back on a good number of them (meaning I've stopped going to them) but I can waste a good amount of time reading 'friends' posts, filling out lists of things, viewing new photos, etc.

2. Cleaning--there is always so much that needs to get done and when I give my attention to it, I want to do a thorough job. Which can take a good portion of my day. I've already starting working on this one and have given my children MORE responsibilities around the house. Once I get an area cleaned, we set up some 'up keep' jobs to maintain the area. Just this week the girls have starting washing the day's dishes (since I've finally gotten on top of all our dishes! whew!)

3. Organizing & Planning--somehow I'm always in the midst of doing one or both. I get these great ideas on how better to do something or how putting things in "this order" will simply my life. Thinking about, reading about, writing about these things takes a good bit of time. I can get fixated on it and voila' my time is gone!

4. Blogging & Reading Others' Blogs--I must admit that as much as I LOVE doing this, when I do it during the time I should be with my children it ends of eating away more of my time than when I wait until after they have gone to bed. I've stopped myself from reading blogs until my children are either napping or are in bed for the night. Now, I've reserved the right to blog on immediate happenings in my life (posting photos, etc) but that is all. So far, things are working well.

5. Meal Prep & Planning--this is something that I've FINALLY gotten a handle on. Just two months ago I felt as though my life was spent in the kitchen. Washing dishes, preparing the meal, cleaning up, deciding what lunch was going to be. Then spending the rest of the afternoon deciding what dinner was going to be (do we have that? we ate that yesterday. but I'm tired of beans!). What I have started doing is meal planning on Sunday. I write out the entire week's menu and make my shopping list based upon that. It's not only cut down on all the mental energy I was giving to daily meals but has cut down on our grocery bill as I'm only getting what we're going to be eating that week! (Bonus: no more wasted produce & meat!)

6. Repeating Myself--and if you're a mother of young children I'm sure at some point you, too, feel like a broken record or CD w/ a scratch! Not sure when this will change, but hopeful that it will at some point.

7. Watching TV Design Star & Project Runway). I've found so much time in my day now that the TV isn't apart of it! --now most of the TV watching is of children's shows, PBS mainly & On Demand but this does eat up our time. I am able to get some of my major project done without the kids demanding my attention when I do this, but I've found that when I am finished, the show isn't or another has just started and I've given in to them seeing it. Plus, it has given me time to engage in some of my other 'time suckers' (internet, networking sites). Well, I've remedied this last week. No more excessive TV viewing--for all of us! We will still watch videos when they add to what we're learning and as a treat on the weekend. I've also curbed my personal viewing to twice a week (I follow HGTVs Design Star and Project Runway). I'm amazed at just how much more time in the day we have without the TV!!

8. General Internet Usage--unless I'm working on something specific. I can waste hours 'surfin' the net.' Really. I'm doing a lot better and guarding the daytime hours I've set aside for the children. But this is still something I can get caught up in without realizing it (checking email, reading a message with a link, following that link, reading something there and following another link--you get the drift! lol).

8 Things: You Need to Practice to Get Good At

This week's 8 Things: You Need to Practice to Get Good At
These are the things I'm practicing--some I'm better at than others--but practicing nonetheless.

1. Being authentic--something that I've committed myself to doing in all parts of my life. It's something that I must choose do daily and remind myself to do. Definitely a practice!!

2. Setting boundaries--ditto for this one as well. This is in respect to everything too. Not over committing myself to things that don't add to my guiding values. Dealing with relationships, especially my children. One gets good at this only with practice.

3. Knitting--I learned to knit a couple of years ago now and I thoroughly enjoy it. But I'm getting bored and I need to take some time to practice so that I can move on to more challenging things. Plus, I've signed the Handmade Pledge for gift giving this year. I've got to get practicing....huh?

4. Seeing the bright side of things--there are days this is easier than others. But something I want to get better at.

5. Loving unconditionally--admitting this is part of my practice of authenticity. I am conditional with my love in certain relationships. I see the need for growth & practice in this.

6. Taking care of me--definitely need more practice here. In taking care of me, I'm taking care of my family.

7. Giving a great massage--I'm pretty good, from what others say (smile). Upon graduating from the massage school I attended, it was shared that I was one of the best massage therapist they've put out. But as not to get a big head, I am practicing to get better!

8. My faith walk--this is definitely something that takes daily practice. Allowing God to lead; not my need to please or others rules & regulations. Trusting that where I find myself is where He wants me to be regardless of how 'new' or 'different' or 'strange' the surrounds may appear. This is an exciting journey for me, one that I'm practicing!

Join us! Let Rachelle know over at Magpie Girl.

8 Things: For the Dog Days of Summer

This week's 8 Things: What are the treasured seasonal moments you still want to have this Summer?

1. Picking strawberries, pears, apples, grapes & nectarines at a u-pick farm.
2. Hanging out late with friends.
3. Playing in the creek as often as possible.
4. Enjoying a few more picnics.
5. Wearing my favorite pair of sandals a bit longer. ;-)
6. Completing my project of making my girls another sun dress.
7. Having a water balloon fight.
8. Watching the sunset--late into the night.

Wanna join in? Check out Rachelle @ Magpie Girl.

8 Things: What I Know for Sure

This latest addition of the '8 Things List' is about one's self.

8 Things I Know About Me!

1. I need creativity in my life. Being in school for the past 6 months took away all my freetime in which I create. Be it sewing, knitting, painting, writing, scrapbooking, decorating, etc. I MUST have this to feel sane!
2. I need to laugh...and laugh hard!
3. I need to be connected to others--I'm so missing my homeschool support group! It's creat to connect with them online from time to time but I can't wait to get back home and involved with them on a daily/weekly basis again. In the interum, I've met a wonderful homeschooling mom here and look forward to getting things together for the fall.
4. I need alone time. I need time to be with myself.
5. I flourish through learning new things. I do this by reading, mostly, but have taken classes and done things online. But also by being with others and making observations.
6. I need a good challenge. Another thing that may fall closely to learning but slightly different in that it can be something very short-term (ie decluttering the house) and has a definitely end time with view of the results/all my effort.
7. I need companionship & intimacy on a regular basis; from talking & sharing to hugging & kissing---I need it all!
8. I am learning how to speak my truth & set boundaries for myself.

Want to join in? Check out Rachelle @ Magpie Girl for more information about 8 Things, the Do Less Revolution and other great things!

8 Things to Take on Vacation

As I complete my schooling I'm so looking forward taking a break and changing the scenery. We'll be spending a relaxing week at my mother's house. I take my second and last final on next Wednesday so I've started laying things out to pack...here are some of the things that are essential for this 'vacation' trip.

1. Sunscreen & bathing suits
2. teddies for bedtime
3. favorite music
4. several good books (children & adult)
5. camera
6. a knitting project
7. art & craft things for the drive there
8. positive attitudes & a lot of flexibility! ;-)

I hope that each of you whether going on vacation or simply changing things up for a week or two, enjoy the time with your family!

Share your 8 Things...check out Magpie girl.

8 Things: Songs for the Soul

To get a full explanation for this week's 8 Things check out Rachalle atMagpie Girl.

8 Things: Songs for the Soul
Just a few of the songs that speak to my soul...

1. Every Season by Nichole Nordeman from This Mystery

2. Mercies New by Nichole Nordeman from Wide Eyed

3. Be Myself Again by Eric Benet from Hurricane

4. Take the Time Out by Stevie Wonder from Conversation Peace

5. I Choose by India.Arie from Testimony Vol. 1:Life & Relationship

6. Say by John Mayer from the Bucket List

7. River God by Nichole Nordeman

8. He Heals Me by India.Arie from Testimony Vol 2: Love & Politics

8 Things

This week, in keeping with the Do Less Revolution, the 8 Things list is of my guiding values. I have to say that in reading the post on Magpie Girl, I realized that what I actually value isn't what is guiding my life on a day-to-day way. I mean, I'm definitely making life changes, little by little, but I haven't put down on paper what it is that I truly value.

I still see this as a work in progress that will need reviewing and tending to. This is what I see right at this moment. As I'm seeking to by authentic and true to who I am and who I'm becoming (even more of ME), I know that this list will evolve and become more accurate.




8 Things: Guiding Values
(random order)
1. Creativity
2. Truth
3. Love
4. Family relationships & friendship
5. Authenticity
6. Simplicity
7. Harmony
8. Freedom

In typing these out, it now gives me something else to evaluate the activities of my day/life. I so want to live meaningfully and have a positive impact on those around me. I want to slow down and really be present (the whole mindfulness thing comes to mind here)! I want to put away the fear and live with my heart wide-open.

8 Things: I Need Less Of

so I couldn't resist especially since today's 8 Things have to do with the whole 'doing less' revolution.

8 Things I need less of:

1. stress--most of this, unfortunately, is self-given. yeah, i have a lot of 'normal' everyday kind of stress: kids fussing & screaming, too much to get done, running late, etc. but in looking at the stresses of my life there is enough that i am placing upon myself. as much as i'd like to say they or he or she it's really me. i've got to value myself more than this. i am choosing not to accept it from myself any more.

2. perfection--one of my stresses. in attempting to make things 'perfect' in my world i place a lot of pressure on myself. the need for deadlines. the lack of sleep i get because i'm either trying to complete tasks or feeling down about not completing them.

3. fear--i don't have a lot of fears. but the ones i have are big ones. the fear of being alone. the fear of being found out--that i'm not what i seem to be. i mean, i am, who i am but not always who i'm supposed to be. fear of being a disappointment to those who matter. again, i'm working diligently on these because i'm learning that those who matter really want to see me--not the image (see pledge of authenticity).

4. clutter--everywhere i look in my house is clutter. ok, this isn't all true. i've spent the last few days cleaning my dining room, bathroom and kitchen and the girls' room. so THOSE spaces are mostly de-cluttered. however the rest of my house is full of clutter. i'd like to move to getting rid of what doesn't have a place. whether it's paper, clothing, books, toys, etc. i really do need less of this in my life!

5. stuff--this is slightly different than clutter to me. it can become clutter when it doesn't have a place but the bottom line is we just have way more than we'll ever use. as a teacher i used to collect and save everything. teaching in public school where resources were quite limited, i learned to create things from leftovers and got into the very bad habit of thinking i'd use something later. it just turned into MORE stuff and clutter around my house. i've given away most everything related to teaching only keeping a bookshelf full of what i'll actually use with my kids now that we're homeschooling. i've gotten into a good habit with clothing! i immediately give away outgrown clothes!! we've even stopped shopping for more than necessities so as to not add to the amount of stuff (the grandparents send enough things to the house for the kids, so my dh & i don't need to add to it! wink, wink!).

6. chores--i really have too much to do. i mean, looking at my list from the other day (at least what i shared there), most of these things are necessities. like laundry and washing dishes, and cooking for the kids and bathing them and cleaning up around the house. i am starting to include them in chores. well, i've always included them, but their "help" hasn't really been help--it's actually been MORE work for me. now that they're starting to be more 'helpful' i guess i need to allow them to do what they can. but somehow this feels like more chores for me--overseeing, instructing, demonstrating, reminding, re-doing, etc. (screaming to no one in particular) WHERE DOES IT END????? (deep sigh)

7. worrying--i can usually keep things in perspective but there are times, now that i'm a mother, that my thought simply run wild!! now, some of my worrying is based in reality (past, first-hand experiences) but a lot of my really big worrying fits are not. i believe that this is in my genes and i'm seeking to create better habits of thinking and speaking to myself.

8. BS--yeah, i still have to deal with some of this....and i just have to say. i need even less!!

if you'd like to join Magpie Girl in 8 Things click here.