2012 Resolution- update

My resolution for 2012 was to get more sleep.  How did I do? Well, I succeeded. I now can say I get 6 hours of sleep/night... so I would say this lifestyle change was a success, but I still feel like I could use more (maybe that is a sign of getting older??). 

So, I will continue this resolution for 2013...

~Angela

Crafting with Corks

I have a thing for wine corks. I have collected them over the years from drinking wine (obviously!) and they have made great souvenirs from travels, like the trip to Napa Vally and Door County, WI. And I have friends that save them for me too. I save them in a giant wine glass I got from my brother as a "you're the best sister in the world" gift (I love that guy!), but it was overflowing, so I did what anyone would do and crafted with them!

The thing I love best about these projects is that they were very simple and I had everything already on hand to make them so they cost nothing. And it recycled the corks! Simple, cheap and cute craft projects = a happy me:)

A little hot glue and a wooden base~ viola! A Christmas tree!

I'd make a tutorial except this project is so easy a description will surely suffice: Hot glue corks together.
The reddish corks got the color from the red wine they helped keep in the bottle; the green corks I painted.

Another tree, all the corks match unlike the previous random tree.

A Christmas ornament

I made the with a friend- I love joint projects- 2 people creating something together!!

Wine cork memo board

~Angela

Homemade Nativity Set

 

Most of the supplies I already had (LOVE projects like that!)

 

 

Here is a supply list in case you don't have everything on hand:

 

I cut the wood from wooden scraps. The pieces measuring approx:

1.5 X 1.5 inches square and 7 inches high (Mary- the red)

1.5 X 1.5 inches square and 8 inches high (Joseph)

1 X 3 inches (Baby Jesus)

 *I made a couple of these and the sizes varied depending on the size of wood scraps I had, so use your own crativity!

I purchased the wooden circles at a craft store

 

Small amount of wire (4 inches)

Small wooden star

Paint

Hot glue

Raffia or ribbon

 

I painted the pieces and sanded the edges for that rustic look. I also drilled a hole to attach the wire into for the star that is above their heads.

 

I used raffia that I had on hand to tie around the pieces of wood, but it is strictly for decorative purposes as I hot glued all the pieces together first.

~Angela

 

Observations of a Salvation Army Bell Ringer

My husband and I have always valued giving back to help others, but the Christmas after our little girl was born, we started bell ringing for the Salvation Army as a family. I also ring bells with a friend each year and we have a blast together. At 8 months old, she was the youngest bell ringer and it was the start of a tradition that we plan to continue for many years. Now rather than being bundled into a stocking like that first year, our little girl dances and helps put money in to the bucket. We worked on teaching her to say “Thank You” for those who donate and “Happy Holidays” to those who do not, although she sometimes got the two mixed up and said “Thank you” to everyone. My hope is that teaching her young will instill in her the desire to give back for years to come.  

Bell ringing for 2 hours raises $100 on average, which can serve 50-80 people a nutritious meal according to the Salvation Army.

It is interesting in the times that we’ve rang bells the interactions with people we’ve come across:

-People who look for the bucket and already have their money out well in advance

-People who are quick to wish us a “Happy Holidays” or “Merry Christmas” and thank us for being there

-People who avoid eye contact at all costs even when you have greeted them

-People who are looking very intently at their receipt (this seems to be the majority of people)

-People who are friendly but walk as far away from us as possible as if we are going to pickpocket them for money (we are not)

I wish I had a sign that said “We are enjoying our time as a family by ringing bells. We have no way of knowing who receives assistance from the Salvation Army or who just gave all the money they had at the last store they were at. It does not matter to us either way. It does not matter to us if you donate or not; we will still wish you a “Merry Christmas” and we will still ring our bells. Have a nice day.”

Ah, but there will be no sign, just bell ringers at stores throughout the country, continuing this Christmas tradition…so, if you come across the, please at least acknowledge them. A smile is a free gift.

One tired little bell ringer, towards the end of our shift

~Angela

Giving

“When someone does something nice for you, you never ever forget it” ~ me

I suppose it is a play off the quote “People will forget the things you say, but not how you made them feel” by someone much more famous than I (forgive me, I don’t know offhand who that person is).

I have very distinct memories of all sorts of really great things people have done for me over the years (I distinctly remember the bad too, but try not to focus on those), and I still feel the love I felt at that moment when I think back on those really great things. I remember the Christmas tree my mom’s coworker gave us years ago because we would not have had one otherwise. I remember the people who were there when I needed support after the loss of a friend, the illness of a family member, the struggle to understand why life happens the way does. I remember the car rides when I was stranded along the side of the road, the unexpected gift of chips and salsa after running a marathon, those who helped me scrape paint, then repaint and replace windows, and roof my house as a young homeowner. I remember the people who stayed with me when I was scared- their presence a huge gift to me. I remember those who paid for a meal when I was down to my last $5, and helped after my daughter was born, cooked for me, let me nap, gave advice. The letters and cards that come at just the right time in the mail, provide encouragement, “a hug in an envelope”, so to speak. I remember those moments and savor those moments; they’re gifts- those memories. When I think of those people who gave those gifts, the really great things they’ve done often define them- a moment of generosity that gives a glimpse to who they are.

Giving is a very personal thing and when we decide to give, we cannot judge. We give because we want to give and we hope we are making a positive difference in someone else’s life. My hope is that the gesture we make or the assistance we provide gives the recipient the help they need and it is appreciated, and that someday they will pay it forward, but that is not always the case. And that has nothing to do with it. When you decide to give, you give because you want to. What happens after that is not up to the giver.

I stopped to pick up a list for our local Adopt A Family Program and left in tears. This was intended to be a rather quick errand: run in, get list, run out. And I am still trying to grasp what exactly happened in there except I was overcome with so much emotion. It wasn’t the nondescript office building where the temporary office is housed, nor did I come in contact with any other people than the two volunteers that were there. It just got me thinking…about those people that have helped me over the years. And about the people I have been able to help. And then I couldn’t stop crying…a mixture of happiness for those who have helped me when I needed it the most, and a happiness for being at a place in my life where I can give back, yet an overwhelming sense of sadness for those who need, not just this time of year, but always. And realizing that although people tend to be generous around the holidays, there are individuals and families that struggle all the time. A humbling emotion for the fact that we are all just one catastrophe away from struggling ourselves, be it a lost job, a terrible accident, natural disaster, a health concern, or any number of things that can turn our lives upside down in a minute. A hurtful emotion of those who judge others. I’ve felt the brunt of judgement my whole life and because of that, I try really hard not to judge others. We can all have opinions, but to make judgements based on our opinions is just plain wrong.

 I am just one person of many, trying to make the world a better place because I can. Because people have done that for me when I’ve struggled. And I will never forget that. I am willing to give my time to help others. I am willing to forgo that meal out to instead pay for someone else’s. I make a conscious choice to limit the number of gifts we buy for our daughter at Christmas to instead buy for those who would otherwise have no gifts at all. It is important to me to raise a daughter who values the needs of others, appreciates what she has and who realizes how lucky she is to have a loving family, a warm home, food and clothing. As parents we want to give our kids everything we can, but I think it is important to put perspective into their world as well. Because I struggled as much as I did as a young college student and homeowner, I have the perspective I do. And I wouldn’t change that for anything.

~Angela

Super SIMPLE Recipe: Thai Chicken Pizza

This was delicious and easy.

 

Ingredients

1. Premade pizza crust

2. Peant sauce (I used 1/3 jar from Trader Joes)

3. Chicken- cooked and cut into pieces

4. Mozzarella cheese

5. Cilantro (fresh or dried)

 

Directions:

spread peanut sauce on crust, add chicken, cheese and top with cilantro. Bake according to instructions on pizza crust and desired crust doneness -yes, that is a word:)

Then, enjoy!

~Angela