Getting Carded

Am I the only one who feels guilty when I encounter Salvation Army bellringers? Especially if I don't have spare cash or change to put in the kettle. And especially if they hold the door open for me.

Let's face it: I'm not going to put money in the kettle every time I go to the store. And I already have other donation commitments -- donations that are year-round, not just during the holidays.


I added up the amount of money I've spent on postage and shipping so far this month for Solier's Angels packages and cards. It adds up fast! I'm sure December is going to be the month that costs the most, due to the increased number of cards I am sending for the holidays. But you know what? It's so worth it because of the smiles it puts on people's faces! I sent out some birthday cards today:

I have a surplus of cards, cardmaking supplies and patterned paper for cards, so it seemed like a logical thing to do to join the Soldiers Angels Cards Plus Team. It's fun -- birthday, thank-you and encouragement cards. Plus it's an excuse to buy more patterned paper! I found a bunch of patriotic paper at Hobby Lobby today:

I already have a pile of cards waiting to be stamped. Now all I need is a big, fat roll of stamps in my Christmast stocking!

Camera Shy

Yes, I'm fully aware that I'm now "one of those people" who tortures her pets with wacky headgear on the holidays. I can't help it. I found this elf hat while going through my boxes of Christmas decorations and thought I'd try to snap a photo or two of Baxter.


Didn't go so well. He's not a huge fan of having "stuff" on his head. Or having his photo taken with something on his head:
After some coaxing and then some bullying, this is the best I can do:
Yep, that's a stink-eye if I ever saw one. He's since forgotten and forgiven me. It's a good thing I make my own Christmas cards and don't rely on a cool Christmas photo for cards, because this one wouldn't be too festive!

Home Remedies

I'm not big on home remedies to cure what ails you. They often seem like too much work when you're not feeling well. (One of the worst things about living alone -- nobody to take care of you. Although I have to say that Baxter is a great cuddler.)

But when I get a cold/sore throat, I do tend to reach for the whiskey bottle. Not the whole bottle, mind you! Just a shot, mixed with some hot water, sugar or honey and lemon. Add a dash of clove, cinnamon or nutmeg and you should be good for a nap on the couch.

I've been nursing a cold since Saturday afternoon. "It" is going around and it's not much fun, and I don't think it's avoidable, no matter how sanitary you are or how much rest you get. It will get you right out of the blue. At least that's what i tell myself. It's almost as good as Nyquil.

I made the mistake of going to Rogers, Arkansas, to run a few errands and hit up the bookstore on a holiday weekend. I have no idea why I thought this was a good idea -- the traffic was nuts, lines were long. Now I remember why I prefer to do my shopping in the middle of the weekday. By the time i was on the way home with a caramel brulee latte, I started feeling kinda grungy. You know I'm sick when I miss watching the Vikings play!

On a brighter note: personalized Christmas gift No. 2 arrived today and I am beyond excited! I can't wait to give it to its new owner.

Lighten up!

I didn't decorate for Christmas last year. But I had a good reason not to -- I was in Arizona. So my Christmas decorations have been sitting in storage boxes since after Christmas 2008. I couldn't even remember *what* I had in the boxes. Or how little my white Norway pine is. Yes, that is a wrapped box under the tree to give it another foot in height. I need a tree skirt. Or some gifts under the tree! Now the tree is up, lights are on, warming up the house, a pine candle is going. Although I probably don't need the pine candle, due to a not-so-bright moment with a Wallflower from Bath & Body Works. (Those things are NOT idiot-proof or blonde-proof. Sigh. At least I like the pine scent.) Can you tell I like white lights?

Ahhh, Christmas. Hard to believe it's only a few weeks away. I got one of the two personalized Christmas gifts I ordered today. Ummm. It didn't quite turn out the way I planned. Dangit. Errors in judgment seem to be the prevailing theme this week. Hopefully gift no. 2 will turn out better.

Pay it Forward

I'm doing something new this year to pay it forward.

Combining my love of baking, crafting and shopping, I've adopted a soldier through http://www.soldiersangels.org. This organization pairs up deployed U.S. soldiers with people in the United States who want to help make a difference. Many soldiers overseas do not receive even a letter from home. When I signed up, there were more than 1,300 soldiers waiting for adoption. You can sign up for a variety of volunteer things, from sending cards, one-time care packages and other one-time deals.

As a Soldier's Angel, my commitment is one letter or card per week and one care package per month while the soldier is deployed. Although it felt a little odd sending a letter to a perfect stranger, I sent my letter out last week. I'm not sure if I will hear from "my" soldier or not -- we'll see! It would definitely help me fill up the care packages if I could learn what he needs or wants in the sandbox.

Letters to APO addresses (Army/Air Post Office) don't cost any more than a letter that is sent anywhere in the U.S. A large flat rate APO/FPO box, which is free from the Post Office and measures about 12x12x6, costs $12.50 to ship.

I sent out a my first package, a Christmas care package, today! I am a little nervous about it -- I hope the soldier likes it, that the cookies I included make it without turning stale or to complete crumbs, and that I filled out the Customs Declaration form correctly.

I sure didn't have much help with the form at the Post Office. The advantage of living in small-town Missouri means you rarely have to wait in line to mail packages. The disadvantage? Sometimes the worker behind the counter doesn't quite know what to do with you and your "foreign" package (nevermind my foreign-ish accent)!

I was vaguely familiar with what had to go on the customs form, and that it HAD to be included on the package. However, the postal lady, who I hope wasn't the postmaster, tried to tell me it wasn't necessary. I told her it was, because the packages were going out of the United States. She finally got on the phone with her supervisor, who confirmed that a form was needed and helped her find the forms, which were finally located in a cabinet at the back of the room. Apparently not very many people in this neck of the woods send packages overseas.

I filled it out the best I could. It is intimidating! Once I got home, I found out that I could have done the whole thing online with much less hassle.

I'm already thinking about January's care package. Ideas and tips -- and a stand mixer and vacuum sealer--are more than welcome!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! I spent the Eve with my sister-in-law's family. It was a lovely evening of laughter, good food and plenty o drink! I paid for it somewhat this morning; note to self: don't drink Amaretto and Coke then switch to spumante!

This morning, Dad and I drove back to Waterloo and spent most of the day with the King family. I opted out of the poker game, deciding to save my money for a swing through the sale at Super Target on Friday!

Tomorrow, I head back south to warmer climes. Have a great holiday weekend!

Happy Birthday, Jamie

Greetings from snowy Iowa! I'm typing this on my BlackBerry -- yes I know I'm a big nerd.

The drive north was uneventful, as the weather's cooperated so far. It even warmed up to the 20s for my visit.

My dad and I are packing up the truck for the 3-hour trip up to Mankato to celebrate his birthday and Christmas.

I wish all of you Christmas joy, however you are spending the holiday!

Counting down to Christmas

Another grey, cold and wet day here in the hollow! Even the dogs are tired of the cold and ice. Tomorrow's forecast calls for 50-degree temperatures. Take note of the Dutch art circle in the lower right-hand corner of my right window. It was a Christmas gift from Joyce last year & is supposed to bring luck in love. It seems to have worked its magic!


Thanks to my handy bottle of Modge Podge, I'm almost finished with my final Christmas project! Once that one's done, all that's left is the wrapping and some baking, and I can relax for the rest of the holiday!

I'm getting excited to hand out gifts -- some lucky folks will get theirs this weekend. I plan to bundle up and head up to the freezing north on either Sunday or Monday, depending on what the weather decides to do. Even though I spent 30 years in Minnesota, I'm cringing at the thought of below-zero temperatures. I know several of my readers are rolling their eyes right now -- sorry y'all.

2 Dogs are Better Than 1

Over the weekend, the dog population at my house has doubled. Baxter & I have welcomed "Murphy," a female chocolate lab, into our household. While it's a temporary situation -- Will is moving and needed a place for her -- it is going to be hard to give her back. She's sweet and mellow, and well-trained. I'm hoping some of this will rub off on Baxter!

As you can see, we've had some snow here in the Ozarks. It's definitely December. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean the local wildlife is all hibernating. Driving home in the ice and snow from Rogers last night, I was happy with the way the new car handled the weather (and happy that I had 10+ years of experience driving in Minnesota winters!)...and then I hit a skunk. Needless to say, my car and my yard absolutely REEK of eau de skunk. A trip to the fancy-schmancy car wash with an undercarriage wash is definitely in order, as well as some industrial-sized air freshener. PU.

Today's December 1. This means two things: putting up Christmas decorations and the beginning of my December Daily album photographs!

PS: Please check out www.ozarkhandcrafts.com -- the site is slowly becoming fully functional!