Get ahead of the Game

I have good intentions but often fail to get birthday and anniversary cards in the mail BEFORE the special event.  I always have a stash of cards on hand because I create cards as a hobby so I don't have a good excuse except that the day to day to do lists prevents me from executing this important task.   This year I am taking a different approach:

1)  I will buy all the birthday cards I need for the coming year this week
2)  I'll review my "Birthday calendar" for the upcoming month the last week of this month
3)  Pull cards from my existing STASH
4)  Address envelopes
5)  Add the date the card needs to be mailed in the area where I place the stamp
6)  Seal the envelope UNLESS I need to write a personal note closer to the mailing date
7)  Place the cards with the bills to be mailed (yes, we still mail several bills)
8)  Put cards in mailbox on Sunday
Viola!  No missed birthdays or anniversaries!  Less Stress

For card making ideas, check out my creative blog

http://whimsiewear.blogspot.com/

The year of less

This year I am going to do more with less!  

This means using up what I have, finishing projects instead of acquiring stuff to make something else and giving away those items which I no longer use.  I admit I am a bit of a hoarder-I keep broken potter and STUFF because I may be able to use it in a craft project.  I "collect" cardboard boxes because they are good to store stuff in and I also keep flat cardboard because I can use them as paint protectors.  I buy stuff when it  is on sale to use as gift or for Christmas shoe-boxes, etc so I have drawers FULL of items.  It isn't saving money if I never use it!  I have drawers of fabric, yarn, craft supplies and beads.

This is going to be HARD!

What do you have in your closets, drawers and under the bed?

What are your plans for these items in 2014?

This year I resolve to

1)  Make decorative seasonal pillow cases out of my fabric stash

2)  Finish my googly eye picture frame

3)  Use up most of my yarn before buying more--

I want to learn to knit or crochet hats, washcloths and a pumpkin 

(I bought an adorable pumpkin knitting project in November and I MUST make before it turns warm)

4)  I will use up some beads and make earrings for a November craft show and make 20 sets to donate

5)  I will begin making my GIFTS in January (not sure what I should make yet--your ideas are welcome!

Please leave your comments and get started!

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