New Years Resolution

12/30/2013

Sitting on my blog page and thinking about how long its been since I have posted and how much has changed I realized what time of the year it is. We are wrapping up one year and headed for the new year. It's a time of hope, and yet every new day, week, or month could have the same significance. Our lives can change overnight. In nine months we can create a new life!

Despite the fact that I don't completely see why the new year bears so much more significance than any other time period I can say I am absolutely excited for the new year. Its a great time to restart, a clean slate, another chance.

This year I'm not making any New Years Resolutions. I'm looking forward to the New Year with hope and excitement because of all the things I plan to do in it. Life is constantly changing, and as people so do we. Next year will hopefully be the year my husband and I buy our first house, conceive our first child, the year my husband starts college and the year I graduate with my associates degree! There really is so much to look forward to!

What about you? Are you making New Years Resolutions? Do you ever keep them? Sound off in comments, thanks for reading =)

Christmas Cleaning

12/12/2013

Christmas seems to be the time when we all think about being charitable. Whether its due to some "Christmas Spirit", or the charities that are in full gear around the holidays who can say. Many of us over extend ourselves at Christmas buying gifts for those we know and love. I can't begin to guess how many gifts my mom bought this year!!

Yahoo Shine is one of my favorite online haunts and I found a couple interesting blogs on their recently, one was about a present free birthday party and the newest one was a present free Christmas. I, personally, reject the idea completely. I would feel sorry for a child who didn't get any presents for their birthday or Christmas, after all aren't their charities who operate to give gifts to children who otherwise wouldn't get any? (There are, my mom has participated for a few years now in gifting to them).

Anyway on to my topic: Christmas Cleaning

In my online readings I came across two people mentioning a similar idea: pre-Christmas cleaning/donations. One said that they tell their children they need to get old toys together so Santa's elves can recycle them and make new toys (wonder if these people are eco friendly?), the other mentioned having their children gather up unused toys and clothes to donate to children in need. This action encourages their children to be charitable, and makes room for their new presents. For the children who receive the gifts, used or not, I'm sure many of them are happy. Libraries, Daycares, Churches, etc would also generally be happy for gifted toys and books!