Christmas Cheer-cheap!

I always log on to the Library this time of year and reserve all the Christmas books, recordings and DVDs I can think of.   That assures me I will have Holiday reading, listening and viewing materials I need over the Holidays.  The books get me in the mood, DVDs keep our family entertained on a snowy evening or while we are wrapping gifts and the music works when we can't find a station this early in the season that plays all Christmas music all the time!
Best of all in this season of excess...it's FREE!

Here are a list of some books/DVD and Music we enjoy

A Christmas Carol
Mannheim Steam Roller-music
Trans-Siberian Orchestra-music
Charlie Brown Christmas
It's a Wonderful Life
Irving Berlins White Christmas
Holiday Inn
Miracle on 34th Street
Debt Proof your Christmas by Mary Hunt
Unplug the Christmas Machine
The Christmas Shoes
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
Christmas with the Kranks
Christmas books written by Debbie Macomber
Elf
The Polar Express
The Perfect Holiday
Santa Claus is coming to town
The Santa Clause
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Cartoon and Live versions, the book and the SONG!)

Check Good-reads, Amazon or your library catalog for other ideas.  Please REPLY as I'd love to hear your recommendations!

Transitions

It is officially Fall here and last night we had our first hard freeze!  A week ago we were wearing shorts and complaining about the heat when we were running!  What a difference a  week makes!  But...I love this time of year.

It's time to get out the sweaters-I have one on today!  Take time this weekend to make the transition to this season

1)  Remove summer decorations from around the house
2)  Change out the door decoration
3)  Buy some pumpkin spice coffee, air freshener, candles or body wash
4)  Buy a bag of your favorite Halloween Candy
5)  Remove summer clothing and place it in a less accessible spot in the closet and drawers
6)  Take any summer clothing to the dry cleaners so stains will not invite damaging moths or fabric wear and tear
7)  Change to your "winter linens".  DH put flannel sheets on the bed and I am replacing the summer weight comforter with our winter comforter.
8)  Change up your candles
9)  Check your wood supply if you build fires.
10)  Bring in any outdoor plants to avoid frost damage.  Pull the last of the vegetables from the garden!

Enjoy the changing season!

Diana

Pick your Pumpkin

Our church hosts a pumpkin patch each October to raise money for youth missions.  Next year the high school youth group will be heading to Imperial, Pennsylvania for a week of home repair.

This photo is only a small example of the 48,000 pounds of pumpkins we unloaded earlier this month.  Our patch is open from 11:30 am-8 pm daily.

So...get out and pick a pumpkin from a local patch, charity (like ours) or the grocery.  You don't want all the good ones to be taken!

A pumpkin should not have any soft spots and (IMHO) should have a have a stem.  Don't pick your gourd up by the stem or you could find your self with smashing pumpkins.  Store in a cool place until ready to carve (we carve only a day or two before Halloween)

I bought 20 pumpkins for a work "pumpkin-carving" event.  Will post pictures later!

Happy Pickin'
Diana

Take time to enjoy nature

Fall is my favorite time of the year and I am blessed to live very close to Creasy Mahan Nature Preserve.  http://www.creaseymahannaturepreserve.org/  where I can take a hike.  I love to walk the wooded trails and view the changing season, hear the crunch of the leaves underfoot and enjoy the smell of wood-smoke from the nearby homes and occasionally catch a glimpse of some wildlife (wild turkeys being my favorite but I've seen Squirrels, deer, coyotes, all kinds of birds, frogs and an occasional snake).  Something about being in nature soothes my soul.

A few years ago  I assisted my younger daughter as she created a leaf identification book for a local contest.  I think I was more into it than she was and would detour to get leaves from an unusual tree ( the Broom tree being my favorite!)  I still try to identify leaves as I walk through the woods.

Did you know the Sassafras tree has 3 different types of leaves on its branches?

So, this week-as the leaves as changing take time to enjoy the view!  Visit a local park, your own back yard or make a weekend of it.  You'll get some exercise at the same time!

Learn something about the Affordable Care Act aka ObamaCare

Top 20 things you should know about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or ObamaCare

1.       You must have health insurance in 2014 or pay a penalty (few exceptions)

2.       You can continue to subscribe to PGXLs plan or explore the Health Care exchange options

3.       For most people, the new plan will cover more, for older people they may cost less, there willnot be lifetime limits and out of pocket yearly expenses will be capped

4.       Preexisting and chronic conditions will not exclude you from coverage

5.       Children can be on your plan until they are 26 years old

6.       You can only sign up during the open enrollment periods (this year it lasts from October 1, 2013-March 2014

7.       You can skip coverage and pay the penalty…and if you are injured, etc. you will bear the full cost of the treatment

8.       If you reside in Kentucky you can compare the offerings in the Marketplace  at kynect.ky.gov.  In Indiana it is healthcare.gov  These sites will help you determine if you qualify for free or lower cost insurance. 

9.       If you make up to $45,950 you may qualify for a subsidy that will reduce your premiums (you must purchase through the Exchange to receive the subsidy)

10.   Other lower cost solutions are available through brokers, etc.  Shop around

11.   Expect more emphasis on wellness programs

12.   Expect new arrangements between insurers and providers (hospitals, doctors, etc.) which may lead to better coordination of care, fewer choices, etc.  You’ll begin hearing about ACOs-accountable care organizations which will move payments away from fee for service toward incentives that reward providers for keeping patients healthy.

13.   Call ahead to schedule appointments-more people insured means longer wait times for the available appointments

14.   Don’t expect immediate cost savings

15.   Expect more pressure to adopt healthy habits—you may be incentivized to adopt in the form of lower premiums, gift cards, etc. 

16.   Business are NOT required to insure employees THIS year (that mandate was delayed).  However, in 2015 employers with over 50 employees will be required to insure or pay a penalty

17.   Undocumented immigrants will not receive subsidies

18.   Hospitals will be using their emergency rooms as places for the uninsured to sign up

19.   Keep reading all the information that is pouring forth to keep up on the latest changes

20.   The free market will continue to exist-perhaps in a more robust fashion than ever before

Clean the Vacuum Cleaner Head

I have daughters, they have hair and it clogs the vacuum cleaner head--frequently.  

I have to CUT the hair out of the head each week and remove it so I get a clean sweep (pun intended).

Clean your vacuum cleaner head each time you vacuum to avoid a problem

Go to a High school or College Football game

I just spent 3 hours in the blazing sun watching my favorite college team, The university of Louisville, beat Eastern Kentucky University.  We began the day with sweet-rolls, sausage balls and bloody mary's as the game began at noon.  After a rout (we won 44-7) we tailgated again with Sliders, chips and dip and cold beer!  Grab some friends, some food and head for the nearest stadium.

We throw the pigskin in the parking lot, eat, talk, laugh, eat, make new friends, get sunburned, and did I mention we eat?  A good time!  

Make Monthly Bucket List

I made a bucket list of things I wanted to do this summer and since summer is officially over and I have put away my white shoes and straw purse...It was time to take inventory of how I did

It was simple and included some of the following:

New restaurants I want to try
New recipes
Crafts I want to make
Projects I need to complete
Books I want to read
Movies I want to rent or see at the theater
Number of miles I want to walk/run

It was great to have a list to refer to when we wanted to go our to eat...we tried several new places.
We completed several household projects (rebuilt the deck for example) and completed several craft projects!

I like the idea of several bucket lists for different purposes
YOUR REAL BUCKET LIST
     What is the Legacy you want to leave
     What are the few things that you don't want to leave undone

but it feels like my life will have more variety, purpose and focus if I have these smaller lists.

Let me know what is on your list!

I'm off to make the fall bucket List...which already includes:
Household chores (gutters, new furniture as DD is moving into an apartment and we are donating some stuff)
E-baying some stamp sets
Tailgate food to try
Several fall recipes including Cincinnati Chili and ham and cheese sliders
and getting RID of our hot tub

Just don't stand there taking up space...DO something!
--Diana

I'm Baaaaccckkkkk....

I've made a new school year resolution to blog again.  I have been so busy (perpetual excuse, so I am not going to EVER say it again!).  I have made it my goal to blog at least 3 times per week on my various blogs.

whimsiewear@blogspot.com services my creative side (mostly stamping and fiber crafts-knitting). Devotions by Diana, Dining with Diana, Frugality Girl & 365 things to do this year (you are here) round out the bunch.  To date I have written a few posts and have them scheduled.

If you blog, journal or have some other  passion that is languishing because you are too busy why don't you
1)  Write down your goal
          Goal:  Blog 3 x per week

2)  Write down what hinders you
          Barrier to Blogging:  busy, not enough time

3)  Brainstorm several ideas to overcome the barrier
          Put it on a list and cross it off when I do it (I love lists)
          Get up earlier (nope, 5:30 am is early enough)
          Devote Monday mornings to blogging (get to work 15 minutes early)
          Use items written for other projects (devotions)
          Upload all the photos on my phone
          Take photos before I teach my stamp class
          Etc.
I include anything I think of no matter how wacky!  Often times those crazy ideas actually work!

4)  Practice which solutions work until you find one that fits

I find that I make time for the things that are important to me (running, cooking, sleeping, stamping/knitting, etc.)  If blogging is truly important then I should carve out time for that FIRST (Mondays work).

If I dream it I can do it!

--Diana