Gift #4 - All Aboard The Polar Express

We just got back from a two day vacation aboard

The Polar Express.

It was a wonderful trip and the cost makes it an affordable gift to give.  For those of you who

love the movie and still "believe", this experience is unforgettable.  

We drank hot chocolate, ate fresh-baked cookies, sang Christmas Songs, visited the North Pole, received a jingle bell from Santa, all while riding in the train in our pajamas (kids only please).  

The conductor even punched out holes in the kids tickets at the end of the train. 

The cost of the train ride is $26 per person but they do sell packages that include dinner, breakfast, 1 night hotel stay, with the train ride - but book early becuase it sells out fast every year. 

One more perk, the grand canyon is only an hour away.

The Grand Canyon Railroad takes passengers into the grand canyon on daily excursions.  In November, the weather is 75 degrees and gorgeous!

All Aboard!

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Gift Idea #3 - Ceramics

One item I use to decorate my home every holiday is a ceramic plate, custom painted to reflect the season.  The secret to making it look good - have a plan and go prepared to the ceramic store. Don't just go and paint - unless you are truly an artist.

Give a birthday plate as a gift or a "you are special today" plate.

This is a wonderful tradition. Every birthday serve the cake on the plate. Or when one of your children do something good, serve their meal on the "you are special today" plate.  The kids love it and it is wonderful to see how much pride they feel just by having their own plate.

Kids are welcome at the ceramic shop and they love to paint. Cereal and ice cream bowls are great gifts for the grandparents that kids can give.  Parents can touch up the art afterword by using puffy paint. My daughter made ice cream bowls for all of her grandparents.  Not only did we have fun doing it together, she took pride in wrapping and presenting the gift to them herself.  So be creative and have fun.

A great place to find designs to trace on your plate is at istockphoto.com, however any stock photo website that has vector art or illustrations will do. And if you want a classy font on your piece, simply go into Microsoft Word and find a font you like.  Print it out and bring it to the ceramic shop.  The trick is, be prepared and you will give a wonderful gift you can be proud of.  

Tatata!

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Gift Idea #2 - Photo Books/Scrapbook Pages/Calendars

This was going to be gift suggestion #8 or #9 but due to Oprah's broadcast yesterday, the gift of photo books moved up the ranks.

Photo books are so easy to make, and the quality is outstanding. And with Oprah's offer, you can get one free through Snapfish.com.  (see details here, offer ends in less than 5 days.)

My suggestions was to take a digital picture of your child's favorite artwork from the year and submit your artwork to your favorite photography website, then Viola, a beautiful published book.  

You can also make, calendars, but beware! - once you make one for a family member, they will grow to expect one every year.

Lastly, for those of you who scrapbook, there is a great website that you can make pages beautifully, with less fuss, and only $7.50 a page. The website is www.howfasttheygrow.com.

The pages are beautiful and they are adding more and more designs every month.

If you are still fearful of diving into the digital world, they still sell the photo albums that you peel back the plastic sheet and stick in the photo or artwork.  This method works just as well and costs a lot less money and time.  Whatever you choose, the gift of memories is always my favorite.

Tatata!

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Gift Idea #1 - Ornaments

The holidays are coming and I would like to share some great gift ideas for you over the next 30 days.  The gifts will be unique, useful and thoughtful.  Some gifts you will have to make yourself and put your own touch to it, while other gift suggestions I offer, you simply have to wrap up and enjoy the joyful expression you will receive.

Gift Giving Idea #1 - Picture Perfect Ornaments

When you receive a baby announcement, cut the picture out and place it in a frame for the parents to hang on their Christmas Tree for the baby's first christmas.  If you didn't receive a picture, buy a baby's first Christmas Ornament.  

Aaron Brothers sells a wide array of ornaments to hang on trees or set on tables.  

Simply cut and insert. These are also great as placeholders for holiday parties.

If you have experienced a loved one pass away or would like to monogram an ornament as a gift, Pottery Barn has some heirloom ornaments that are beautiful. (pictured left)

Lastly if you keep your digital photos on a website like kodakgallery, they offer ornaments in many shapes and sizes.  I use these to remember favorite vacations, quotes, and other memories.

Ornaments are a cost effective and thoughtful gift everyone loves.  Every year, I look forward to decorating my tree with ornaments of the people who mean the most to me in my life, as well as reminisce over the memories we shared.

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Halloween HOME AWAY Poem by Tricia Cohn

We weren't able to be home for the night so I wrote this quick poem and left it for the trick or treaters who did stay in the neighborhood.  Surprisely, there were 15 pieces left (I bought two bags of candy.)  Feel free to use the poem next year and send me your comments as to how many pieces you have left.

Although we're not here 

on this Halloween Night

to hear you say Trick or Treat

or Give you a fright,

We still have eyes 

all around you see, and they will know

if you take more than one candy.

So take one candy, maybe two to share,

But don't take anymore,

because the others will care.

For if you are selfish

and take more than your share

the monsters and goblins

will give you a scare.

by Tricia Cohn

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Poem - Heaven's Very Special Child

I am always looking for quotes or poems to help me understand and get through difficult situations in life. One of the situations I look for understanding is when a child is born with a disability or syndrome for which there is no cure.  My friend whose children both have MPS - the San Fillipo Syndrome sent this beautiful poem to us as she is trying to raise awareness and funds to save her children's life.  If you can help, please visit, the website for TEAM BROWNE at www.mpsrun.com to donate your time or money.  

HEAVEN's VERY SPECIAL CHILD

A meeting was held quite far from earth.  

It's time again for another birth.  Said the angel to the Lord above.  

This special child will need much love.

His progress may seem very slow, Accomplishments he may not show.  

And he'll require extra care, from the folks down there.

He may not run or laugh or play.  His thoughts may seem quite far away.  

In many ways he won't adapt and he'll be known as handicapped.

So let's be careful where he's sent, we want his life to be content. 

Please Lord find the parents who, will do this special job for you.  

They may not realize right away, this leading roll they're asked to play.  

But with this child sent from above, comes stronger faith and richer love.

And soon they'll know the priviledge given, in caring for this child from heaven. 

Their precious child so meek, so mild, is heaven's very special child.

Author Unknown

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The Pumpkin Prayer

CUT OFF TOP: Lord, open my mind and fill me with your wisdom and guidance

SCOOP OUT YUCKIES: Lord, take out all my fussies and frownies and fill me with

your love.

CARVE EYES: Lord, open my eyes to see all of the beautiful things You have

made.

CARVE NOSE: Lord, help me to be a sweet, sweet fragrance to You.

CARVE MOUTH: Lord, help me always speak Your words of love and kindness.

CANDLE: Lord, let me be a light to others because You have filled me with your

Light.

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Walk for Health in Corona California

Finally a walk that is close to us.  Come join us for the 10th annual Walk for Health in Corona - THIS WEEKEND. Proceeds and Contributions from the event benefit Breast Cancer Research. Visit the website at www.ourlocalfight.org for more details.

See you there!

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Need a New Identity?

Hi Ladies,

Here is a fun way to develop a new identity for your man.  Simply follow the instructions to find out who you are -  What's your stripper name?  

I am Lola GlitterJugs.  Who are you?

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Thanks for the survival gift.

Wow! Did you feel that earthquake? (www.usgs.org)  What if the big one is next? Will you be prepared for the next unpredictable emergency that is definitely going to occur sometime in the future, somewhere? Have no fear because I have put together a list of items the Red Cross recommends in their emergency preparedness kits.  (available at www.redcross.org for $69.95.) 

When I looked at the list I thought of an idea.  This would be a great gift for your family at the holidays, for a charity auction basket, or as a housewarming gift.  I mean what is better than the gift of life? (unless we are crushed before we can get to our survival kits.)

For survival, these are the basics the Red Cross says we will need for a family of 3 for 3 days.

1. A container or backpack

2. Battery Powered Flashlight (with batteries) and Battery Powered Radio (with batteries)

3. Emergency Blankets

4. Food Bars (1600 calories per person a day)

5. Work Gloves

6. Emergency Light Sticks 

7. Moist Towelettes (18)

8. Breathing Masks (NIOSH - N95) or a Gas Mask

9. Plastic Sheeting (10'x10')

10. Rain Ponchos

11. Personal First Aid Kit (include prescription medication here)

12. Roll of Duct Tape

13. Water (2 quarts per person)

14. Water Container (2.5 gallon)

15. Whistles

16. Personal Hygiene Kit

17. First Aid and Emergency Preparedness Guide

Extras I added -  rubber shoes, tennis shoes, walkie-talkies,  phone numbers of family, cash, neck pillow, dog food, cat food, can opener, scissors.

Do you have any other items you think are necessary, please reply with your suggestions.  In the meantime, this is an event you and your family should know about called,  The Great California, SHAKE OUT. on November 13th, 10 am.

Hope this inspires you to get your kit together for you and your family.

Tatata,

TLC

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