New Years Resolution ideas

Well, Christmas is pretty much out of the way. The kids didn't do too bad even though we didn't buy much this year. Lots of friends and family pitched in and the kids don't even know we had a tight budget this year.

So this year, I've been considering a few ideas for a new year's resolution. So much can change in a year, and especially this coming year. It will be a miracle if I still live in the same house. This year will be a roller coaster for sure, and hopefully we'll land on our feet. Last year, my new years resolution was to give only hand made items as gifts. What a ride that was. I learned how to make jewelry, and learned it wasn't really my thing. I learned how to make melt and pour soaps, also learned that wasn't my thing. I had already known how to knit, but I did learn a few more stitches. So, I'm a better knitter. I'm also better at sewing. One thing I did learn how to do this year that I think is one of "my things" is canning.

I got a few books last year on preserving food, and off I went. Everyone in my family just about got a jar of something. Apple butter, tomatoes, jellies and jams. I had a lot of fun, even was canning applesauce and apple butter yesterday.

So, for this year, one of my ideas for a new years resolution is to start a business selling my canned goods. It's a lot of work to get started, selling food. You have to get a license, you have to have a certified kitchen, so, it's not something on a whim. My family is in a crisis though, and finding a job seems impossible right now.

So anyway, here is a list of ideas that I've done and am considering doing for new years.

1. Stop drinking soda. (I did this a number of years ago, my waistline and my teeth thank me).
2. Start my own business. Just like I had mentioned above.
3. Loose 20lbs, who doesn't want to loose 20lbs right?
4. Continue only giving handmade items. Not only does it save money, but it's a more thoughtful gift. Most people seem to appreciate handmade items much more then store bought too.
5. Organize the house. Big one for me, I'm naturally disorganized. I feel like I'm always "starting the organization process." It just sucks.

I'm out of ideas now, more to come I'm sure.

Holiday Meme

I saw this meme floating around the interwebs, and decided to give it a go. If you want to do it, please link in the bottom. I'd love to read it. :)

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? Depends, I like both, but I suppose I lean towards hot chocolate.

2. Does Santa wrap the presents or leave them open under the tree? Santa wraps them, part of the fun is unwrapping! :)

3. Colored lights on tree or white? I prefer white. I think it's the nightmares of the huge colored blinking lights that made no sense on my parents tree.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? I'd like to, but I'm not sure where I could get some in our neck of the woods.

5. When do you put decorations up? We start on Thanksgiving, and usually finish up by the end of the Thanksgiving weekend.

6. What's your favorite holiday dish? Unorthodox I know, but one of the family's tradition is to have steamed spiced shrimp. It's a Maryland/Chesapeake style of shrimp...and it's to die for.

7. Do you open gifts Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? We open a few gifts Christmas Eve and everything else Christmas morning.

8. How do you decorate your tree? Our tree is pre-lit, and we have ornaments that we've collected over the years.

9. Snow. Love it or hate it? LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!

10. Can you ice skate? I've been twice. I'm horrible at it, lol.

11. What's your favorite holiday desserts? Pumpkin Pie

12. What's your favorite holiday tradition? Just getting together with family. I get so happy to have everyone around.

13. Candy Canes- yum or yuck? Yum!

14. Favorite show? Charlie Brown's Christmas, tied with Rudolf the Red nosed Reindeer. I am a big kid afterall.

I'm sore

Ok, we have snow. Lots of it. We got that blast of snow over the weekend, and we're still working our way out. We have a "let the cobwebs be" mentality at our house. Playing with the kids and general merriment usually have a priority over housework, and that includes shoveling our long driveway. I did quite a bit of shoveling yesterday, hence being sore. My husband finished up today while I scrubbed the floors in the house. I've added some pictures of our snow for your enjoyment. My dog and his boy had a ton of fun, and continue to enjoy the 12+ inches of snow that's still on the ground.

 

I've included this picture here just to give you an idea of how much snow we did get. Believe it or not, it eventually reached the top of that wood before the snow stopped falling.

 

In the mean time, I want to show you my husband's latest creation. While we wait for his hopeful employment offer, he's started up (at my request) an Etsy account. Spread the word, take a look at his photos. Offer comments, they're always welcome.

Almost!

Well, Christmas is almost here. Sadly this season has been only filled with stress. My husband hasn't snagged a job yet. It's sad to say, but people drag their feet. Companies take so long to bring people on, he's been interviewing with one company in particular for over a month, and we just had word they wouldn't be making any more decisions until after the new year. So that's almost six weeks my husband has been unemployed.

I've begun my job search too. Talking to old employers, and applying for teaching positions. Sadly it's hard to find a teaching position in the middle of the school year. Bad timing for me I suppose. Luckily, we have supportive family and friends. We'll pull through, it just might take a while. So, when people ask if the economy is better. Perhaps for some it is, but for us, no it's definitely not. I'm hoping this Christmas will continue to be wonderful. We have our health, and we still have a roof over our heads. We have a lot to be thankful for.