Is There an Unspoken Rule, Christmas Decorations After Thanksgiving and Not a Day Before?

The past few years during the holidays I have been working, usually to pay for the holidays. This year I am at home watching my infant niece while my sister is off at work. This allows me to be at home to take care of my family and cater to my kids and husband. I have been getting back to basics, since September I have pulled out all of my old recipes, menus, budgeting tools, you name it, to ease the financial strain of reducing our income to one pay check. I love keeping house, I love cooking and baking from scratch and I love, love, love the art of nesting. The years that I had to work through the holidays there was just not enough time to keep the house tidy and laundry done let alone decorate for the holidays in the fashion I had been accustomed to. Last year in fact, I was working at Costco, during the holidays I was called to work in the bakery. Around the clock pumpkin pies are being produced the week before both Thanksgiving and Christmas! Thousands of crusts being pressed, fillings poured, pies baked and then packaged. Pure madness I tell ya, it really takes the enjoyment out of the season that I live to bake for!

With those days a faint memory, I am giddy with pure joy. Simplicity how I have missed you. We will be entertaining family and friends for Thanksgiving and my mom and dad will return home for most of the month of December. I am itching to put up my Christmas decorations! Maybe not a real tree but definitely my artificIal ones ( I put fake ones up in the kitchen, dining and living rooms, the real one goes in the family room).

Stores have their decor up in full affect. My thought was, "wouldn't it make Thanksgiving even that much more cozier?"

I feel like it would make the Holidays last a little bit longer, something that has been lost in my house the past few years.

So, my question to you, is it too early to decorate for Christmas? Is there an unspoken rule that Christmas cannot go up until the day after Thanksgiving (which I would rather spend in Downtown Seattle)?

KELLY

The Lost Art of Tying a Tie

I start my mornings off with a cup of coffee and Facebook. Last week as I read through everyone's morning posts, I catch a comical banter amongst some of the moms. It happens that this morning, many of us had sons that needed to dress up for an away, middle school (7th and 8th grade) basketball game. The coach requires slacks, button up shirts and ties for these away games. Last year my son wrestled and the same attire was required, as well as band performances.

My good friend goes on to describe her morning with her two teenage sons, attempting to tie a tie, finally relying on You tube to figure out how to get the job done. Along with her post is a picture of her son with the tie stopping dead center of his torso, not even close to his belly button. Now, I am dying with laughter because we had experienced this mania last year. This year we have a clip on and his "good" tie is still tied from last year, just loosened and hanging on a hanger. My good friend is a single mother who shares custody, her ex husband cannot necessarily make it over to tie their sons tie in the early morning. What is our excuse? My husband doesn't know how to tie one either, in fact, whenever we have had a formal event, we beat feet over to my parents house! Unfortunately, they moved across the country a few months ago so we are going to be sc@*%#d if such an occasion arises!

What has happened to us? In "us" I mean lazy, middle class Americans that have lost appreciation for ties and dresses at dinner, dressing up in more than designer jeans for celebrations and gatherings. I thought there were enough of " us" who were required to wear such things to work, as I looked around, not many professionals wear ties anymore, heck, I don't even see them at church anymore. I know living even further out than the suburbs things get a little lax, in the city they may be common place but back in the day, young men just knew how to tie a tie no matter where they lived.

That morning after sharing in the comic relief, we agreed on one thing...thank God for YouTube tutorials!

Kelly

I Ran My First Half Marathon! Would I Do It Again?

This weekend I ran my first half marathon, Race for a Soldier - "Gig Harbor Half Marathon is more than a run through the scenic Pacific Northwest. This is a race run for hope, for support and a better future for the men and women that serve our country. This is a race founded by a brave woman, who lost a brave son, who proudly served our nation. A brave son whose life was cut short, like too many of our soldiers today." The race supports families affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD and honors PFC Kyle Marshall Farr who took his own life after returning from his tour in Iraq. It is the goal of Permission To Start Dreaming Foundation to raise awareness and offer support to our military men and women. Suicide rates are at an all time high, not since 1988 has there been such a dramatic rise.

It was an absolute privilege to take part in such a special event and support such a great cause. Although I have never lost a family member to suicide or had a loved one deployed during a conflict (in my lifetime), it hit home in a tremendous way as I ran passed the mile nine marker, "Kyles Mile". Standing larger than life was poster of a young high school football player, number nine, holding his helmet. I didn't know this young man but the pictures of my own son, in his football uniform proudly holding his helmet, cradling his football flooded my thought and I had to fight back tears at the thought of losing him.

I committed to this race months ago, it was not only a goal of mine but I thought it was the perfect time for me to "put my money where my mouth is" as I am forever harping my kids about setting goals and working hard. Anything is achievable if you put your mind to it is my motto.

I hadn't ran since high school track and started running this last year as part of an interval training workout. I started off jogging on the treadmill, then went to running a lap on the track followed by walking a lap and repeating. A few months ago I started running miles. Knowing a half marathon was in my near future (I had committed to run with my friend) I was up to five miles, and had read and researched all kinds of training techniques. Procrastination bit me in the rear, by the time I picked up my bib and race packet, I had not ran more than five miles!

The night before the race my son had a late football game, it interfered with a normal dinner schedule so I did not eat my huge bowl of whole wheat pasta until nine p.m. Friends had stopped by to show off an engagement ring and I didn't have the heart to kick them out so I didn't get to bed until midnight, waking up at five a.m was not fun! I was so nervous and anxious I could not choke down breakfast, I only took a couple of bites of my toast slathered with peanut butter and honey. It is recommended that you consume six hundred calories race day morn', didn't happen.

I ran the 13.1 miles in 2:24:31, not too shabby, but I have to add that I walked a few times when the hills were steep, upward and sometimes downward to save my knees. I sipped water most of the time when offered and although I had to "go" I didn't stop to use the porta-potties. When I reached the mile ten marker it was a huge relief to know I was almost to the end, the last mile was pure agony, not because I was exhausted or fatigued, simply because I was soooo close to achieving my goal. Along the course supporters showed up waving flags and shouting words of encouragement, wearing yellow shirts to support our troops,it was a great race.

Finishing the race felt amazing emotionally, physically however, I was hurting. My body was not used to that abuse, my legs were a bit shaky, my pelvic bone throbbed as if I had just given birth and my ankles had taken a toll and boy did I have to use the restroom, my guts were telling me that they were not used to what I just put them through. Volunteers wrapped the finishers in foil blankets, handed out dog tags and bottled water. The finish line had welcomed patrons in for over an hour with the first man coming in at 1:15. What a great group of supporters.

I would definately do it again! I feel so fortunate to have chosen Race for a Soldier as my first half marathon. I did learn that I need to train consistently for such an event but more importantly that I CAN DO IT! A year ago I would have never had the guts, this was an awesome achievment.

KELLY

The Taco Experiment, Experience? Every Night is Taco Night at My House...

I don't know about the rest of you, but at my house, menu planning is a challenge. ( If I could have music playing in the background it would sound something like birds chirping along with a whimsical instrumental), Back in the day, I'm talking a few years ago when my kids were younger, I could plan a two week menu, take my list to the store and produce glorious, healthy meals for my adoring family, (and now the record scratches to a hault.) These days my three darlings and my husband all have an opinion about what is served at the dinner table, or in all actuallity the kitchen "bar". It is a real challenge to please all four palates and be satisfied with the nutrional balance of the meal, all while keeping it frugal.

It's time to sit down, write out my menu and my shopping list and when I ask for suggestions the only request I get is (drum roll...) TACOS! Out of frustration I pipe up with " You guys can't seriously want tacos every night of the week!!" and my son answers with " Yes, we can! My dear hubby says, "you are the only one that would have a problem with this".

So I think to myself, tacos are a well balanced meal, there are a million variations to tacos, it just doesn't end with seasoned ground beef slapped in a shell or tortilla. They are quick and easy, dirty very few dishes and can basically be prepared in one pan and inexpensive. They might be on to something.

"Okay! Your wish is granted", I reply. "I will serve tacos every night for the next two weeks and in return I do not want any complaints".

Middle daughter has a huge grin on her face and says " What is there to complain about, anything in a tortilla is good".

So, as I sit here sharing this taco experience, and or experiment, I am thinking of all of the ways I can serve tacos or basically anything that can go in a tortilla Here is what I have come up with.

• Chicken tacos
• Traditional ground beef tacos
• Fish tacos
• Veggie tacos ( more like fajitas)
• Ground turkey tacos with added rice and beans
• Shrimp tacos
• Breakfast Burritos ( close enough to a taco)
• Pork Carnitas
• Shredded beef tacos ( made in a slow cooker)
• Rice and beans in taco fashion
• Does quesadillas count?

Well I am short three taco ideas, so if you have any suggestions, I would love to hear from you, otherwise they will just get a repeat of one listed above. Here is a great Homemade Tortilla Recipe from Clockwork Lemon.
KELLY

Staying In ...It's All the Rage!

I have been searching high and low for a budgeting "system" that works for me. Dave Ramsey's approach is awesome, I have friends that follow it religiously and have been rewarded accordingly. I however, need a system I cannot cheat! I lack restraint and need the structure but prefer something black and white and extreme. I fell in love with Ann Newell Jones blog, and then she saved. She went on a "spending fast", only spent money on what was absolutely necessary and ended up paying off her debt of 23k in 15 months. I am on a spending fast, mostly because I have nothing to spend since we are reduced to only one income.

My husband and I have alot of friends that like to get together for dinner and drinks. Most of them do not have children and can get up and go spontaneously. We have a little bit more freedom now that are kids have reached teenage-hood. My girlfriends and I like to get together frequently and my kids are always on the go. So how do you entertain and be entertained when you are not spending money? Well I have come up with a few ideas.

ORGANIZE A PROGRESSIVE DINNER. Each course is served at a different house. You could kick off with drinks and apps, or opt for ending the night with a great dessert made from scratch. Use what you have. Friends will jump on board for this night in event, and may even be intrigued to stay in more often.

HOST A DEATH BY CHOCOLATE, ICE CREAM SOCIAL OR POKER NIGHT. Have everyone bring something to contribute. If playing poker, instead of using money or chips you could wager services and specialties. The IT guy in the group can cough up an hour computer session and the stay at home mom can offer up babysitting or home baked cookies.

PICNICS NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE. Whether for a romantic date night or evening with a small group of friends, packing a "grown up"picnic for a night in the back yard or out on the terrace, it can be a great time to catch up without disturbances.

A GOOD GAME OF FRISBEE, FRISBEE GOLF, HACKY SACK etc. always is fun, not to mention active! Under street lights or at dusk, can be a great way to unwind with friends.

MOVIE NIGHT. Take it to the next level by constructing a "screen" out of white queen size sheets if someone can borrow a power point projector from work or choose to have it at the home of whoever owns the largest T.V. Make it a themed party like Lebowski Night, bathrobes only.

COOKING SCHOOL. A new twist on the old dinner party. Have everyone contribute a recipe to a theme, bring the ingredients for their dish. While cooking, everyone will be enjoying eachothers company and a glass of wine.

CRAFT NIGHT. Hang with the girls while making arts and crafts. Decorations for the home, gifts for showers or the holidays. Making it a monthly meet will allow everyone to contribute an idea or project. Accompanied by a glass of wine or cocktails or include the kids. A fun way to get creative.

HOST A SPA NIGHT OR DIRECT SALES EVENT, hosting a direct sales event doesn't cost you a thing and usually you can receive free items just by hosting the party. The Body Shop has great natural and organic products, Mary Kay has been around for years, both will pamper your girlfriends with a "spa treatment" and introduce them to new products. There are many out there that offer recipe sampling with their kitchen ware. Purses, jewelry, candles the list goes on and on as to what the direct sales worls has to offer, also might introduce you to a way to make some extra cash.

There are alot of things to do for free. In the summer look into movie nights on the roof, festivals, concerts and markets. During the winter, especially during the holidays there are tree lightings, concerts and performances all over town. If you go to your cities homepage, you will find a calendar of events, most for free.


Happy Friday, enjoy staying in, it's all the rage in these times of financial cut backs!
KELLY

Real Life Tips to Manage Todays Household

I have been at this "mom-wife thing" for quite awhile and have gathered some pretty great information. Tricks I have been using for years I am now reading about on blogs. I was pretty amazed to find I was not the only one to manage a household notebook, I had established a notebook years ago and thought I was genius, apparently not. Check out lifeasmom's How I Keep My Feet On the Ground for great tips on how to manage your household like a business.

I have come to the conclusion that alot of blogs provide the same information, the same great tips and advice. It's the delivery that is different as well as our personal experiences and end results. So take what I offer, add it to the mix and together we will come up with a pretty great way of life.

1. FINANCES...run your house as you would a business. You are the manager, find a system (aka a budget) that works for you and set up a"business meeting", whether it is daily, weekly or monthly. My mom and dad sit down once a month to pay bills and go over their budget making adjustments as needed. Some people like to do it every pay day. My advice is to do it consistently. Setting goals to tackle debt or save for a vacation is a must. There are many resources out there if you need extra help and guidance, my favorite is Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University as well as following Anna Newell Jones Blog http://www.andthenshesaved.com/. The two approaches are very different but result the same.




2. ORGANIZATION...find what works for you. Some people prefer labels and containers for everything, some like to keep it simple. If you have a hard time putting your make up away in the morning, quit fighting it and find a pretty way to keep it on top of the counter. If you are in the habit of setting mail in the entry rather than the office, set it in a basket or pretty box (discarding the junk of course), until your next business meeting. Asking a friend or family member to help you purge and organize will keep you motivated and a second opinion always comes in handy. Create a household notebook by keeping all of your lists, schedules and mailing supplies in one place. It will come in handy during your "business meetings" and can be used everyday to keep your schedule in check and lists up to date.




3. FOOD... setting a spending limit will naturally motivate you to cut back on expenses. Creating a menu and shopping list is a way to organize as well as keep you focused on what goes into the mouths of loved ones. Resources are a plenty when it comes to food! Blogs, magazines, and websites are at your finger tips. Check out old editions and vintage copies of cookbooks for scratch recipes. Scratch is always cheaper and usually healthier.




4. ENTERTAINMENT... staying in, as opposed to going out, can save you hundreds. Invite friends over for a dessert night or cocktails, maybe an ice cream social and everyone brings their fave topping. Girl's night in can be a craft night or book reading. Date night can be free if you research local activities in the community not to mention, picnics never go out of style. Your significant other will appreciate your undivided attention. Kids are easy to entertain on the cheap, parks and nature walks don't cost a thing. Give them a bag to collect leaves and pine cones and they are happy campers. Let them come up with a play date, share your experiences and stories from your childhood. My advice when it comes to parties, keep it simple. No one remembers anything more than the company they keep, stay away from planning the event around meal times and you can serve hors'de'ouvres or dessert rather than supplying a full meal. Pot luck can be fun and it takes the cost down considerably.




5. GIFTS/HOLIDAYS... even if you are not the craftiest of people, there is always something you can create to please another. Crafts and art are great gifts but can get costly and out of control and there is more to offer, like baked goods, homemade candy, photographs and scrapbooks are sentimental,or what have you. Sometimes providing a service is more valuable than you could know, babysitting and chores are always appreciated or if you are an IT person maybe a computer session. Try not to limit yourself to store bought items.




6. HOME AND GARDEN...DIY is the way to go these days (just make sure you know what you are doing, and research any major projects). Painting your own space rather than hiring someone will obviously save you money but home improvement gets a little more complicated than that. Most big box home improvement stores offer lessons and instruction for major projects. Enlist the help of a friend, maybe barter and trade services. I love decorating and interior design. I save dollars by buying 2nd hand at antique stores, thrift stores, Craigslist and more. Inspiration can be found via the internet, thank the lord for blogging. Rather than purchasing magazines, google your favorites and read them on line, or just search the topic and you will be amazed at what you will find. As far as the garden goes, free is always best. Trade with others, seeds and starters from friends are even better than buying them from a nursery. Farmers Markets often offer a wide variety of inexpensive starters and you can usually get any needed advice from the grower themselves who can provide trips and planting instructions.

I can go on for days...enough is enough, I can post more later. I hope some of these tips help you out or at least gets the wheels turning.

2 Birds...1 Stone

After living in our house for about 8 years, we have managed to accumulate a lot of unnecessary...junk.

I have been on a rampage, sorting, purging and organizing. The house was my first target, then the garage, followed by the yard. I recycled everything possible and found the Household Hazardous Waste Center that will take all kinds of household chemicals, lawn products and paint. For the most part, I do not use harsh chemicals that could damage the environment and halted our use of lawn chemicals years ago but I have a weakness for paint.

Anyhow, the reason for my post is to let you in on a little secret, a tidbit of information. Organizing your home can make you money!

We loaded up a truckload of random metal items, some out of my hubby's shop, some out of the garage, an old BBQ that we didn't know what to do with and a bicycle beyond repair among other random items. We took the load to City Metal and received $93.00. Almost a hundred dollars for junk that had been stashed around our house. Mind you, we keep our house neat and tidy, these were just things being stored because we didn't feel right about taking it to the dump.

Hosting a garage sale is a great way to bring in extra cash. Don't think you have enough "junk" to sell, partner up with a friend or get the neighborhood in on it. Larger items like furniture and working appliances can be sold on Craigslist.

Start room by room, closet by closet. There are many great resources to help you get organized, books, websites, blogs and magazines can offer up steps, guidelines and ways to sort.

What can't be sold can be donated to charity which is a tax write-off. Most charities will offer a receipt when you drop-off your used items.

2 birds, 1 stone...organize ( which feels so good!) and make money.