Happy Valentine's Day

Today is Valentine's Day, which you either enjoy or endure depending on your romantic circumstances.  Either way, I think you will get a kick out of this newspaper ad for the 99 Cents store.  It was too big for me to scan completely but I'm sure you'll get the concept from what is here.  Clever and funny but just stating the obvious, I hope.  :-) 

Happy Valentine's Day.  Whatever you do today, I hope you have a bit of chocolate.

A New Year

 

 

 

 



Now why didn't I think of that?!

 

 

When I was growing up, Joy Dishwashing Soap gave away these cute little elves clinging to their bottles during the holiday season.  We had several since my mom preferred Joy and they became beloved toys around Christmastime.  Their hands were fastened together, which limited their mobility, but they were embraced by our Barbies and other dolls for lots of imaginative play.

 

 

Now there is a popular "Elf on the Shelf" item that embodies this same sense of holiday playfulness.  The "Elf on a Shelf" comes into your home during the day, watches the young ones for good behavior, returns to the North Pole at night, and comes back to perch in your home at a different location each morning.  Apparently, kids become more aware of their own actions while the elf is present and are excited at the beginning of each day to find where he/she is perched.  It's the Joy Elf with a few adendums.  My sister, who has four young children and an "Elf on the Shelf", exclaimed, "Why didn't we think of this?!"  At about $30.00 a pop, it's a worthwhile question.  I just kept hoping they would reappear on dishwashing soap.

 

 

Do you have an "Elf on the Shelf" ?  Do you remember or still  have a Joy dishwashing soap elf?  I would love to hear your story.

Happy Holiday Season!

Somehow December slipped in and there are signs of the holiday spirit everywhere. 

 

Mixed in with all the joy, there are dilemmas that this time of year presents.  Among these are "Who to gift?" and "What to give?"

 

I work at a school and wanted to do something for our support staff.  I certainly didn't want to give anything that needed to be receipricated.  And since there are eleven people in this group, the gift needed to be within my budget.  Here is what I came up with:  I bought these snowman/santa pens from Geddes School Supplies for $.54 cents each and attached a tag to each one saying "Thanks for all you do.  Happy Holidays." 



 

 

This gift is useful, inexpensive and doesn't require a thank-you note or a gift in return = perfect.

 

Here's hoping all your holiday dilemmas can be matched with an easy solution.  

Thanksgiving Wishes

 

This photo was taken by my good friend, Kristin, who is such a talented photographer.  I love how it speaks of bounty and emptiness, reflecting the autumn season and the uneven beauty of life itself.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.  May this holiday find you surrounded by family and good fortune.