No Big New Year's Resolution for Me

I've never been that great with New Year's Resolutions. I used to say things like I'll eat better, or I'll exercise more, but I decided to do things a little differently. I decided three months or so ago to start exercising so that when new years would come along, it would be a habit. Done!

Well, I have decided to keep my dresser cleaned off and my closet floor clean. I know, I know. Not a big deal, but my dresser got cleaned off once every 6 months and my side of the closet floor caused the doors to stop in their track when sliding. So, yesterday, I cleaned off my dresser and will keep it cleaned and I cleaned the closet floor of shoes and boxes. It's little things like that I can do. How about not taking things so personally, especially when my husband and I discuss things (that's code for all you married folks out there).

I asked my kids if they had anything they wanted to change or do for the coming year. Both said no. I wish my older son (19) would get a hair cut for New Years...

Do any of you make resolutions or anyone vow to make changes for 2009?

One Down and One To Go!

Ok. Here's an update from my previous post about not watching DVD's that I got from past Christmases. I just finished my "24" DVD I got for this Christmas (2008) and I just realized that I was supposed to watch Hairspray from last Christmas (2007)... Oh well. I will do that this weekend... I think.

I know my husband will be glad that I'm done with Season 1 of 24. Staying up 'til 3:00 am watching (the suspense is amazing on that show) that DVD is amazing. Now I just need to stop blogging so late! :)

Have You Worn or Watched It Yet?

I got a couple of DVD's for Christmas 2007 and I have only watched one of them. I got Devil Wears Prada that I watched sometime in the Spring and I still haven't watched the other DVD Hairspray!

What's wrong with me? My kids give me DVD's and I don't watch them. I shriek with delight once I open the presents - I am genuinely happy - but then I set them aside and sort of forget about them.

Well, I have made it my mission to watch Hairspray from Christmas 2007 before 2009 comes in! No ifs ands or butts about it!

BTW, what are some gifts you have gotten for past Christmases or other holidays that you have yet to wear or watch? 2008 doesn't count.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

We had a great Christmas and our kids were very happy with their gifts. My sister and her husband gave me a jacket and a few sweaters and gave my kids and my husband new jackets and a few shirts. We also got two new puzzles as we used to do puzzles a long time ago, but they thought it would be nice to get back to that. I agree!

My kids gave me a DVD of one of my favorite movies, "Corinna, Corinna" and the first season of 24, which I had not seen and one of my favorite shows!

What did you guys receive for Christmas and/or what gift did you give someone that they loved?

Gifting on the Inexpensive (Cheap) :)

I really had not planned on giving holiday gifts to anyone at work. I got a couple of gifts from friends at work. I feel obligated to give them something, so I figured I would bake some cookies (oatmeal w/craisins) and brownies (from box), enough for everyone to enjoy.

I hope tomorrow (Tuesday) there will be enough people there to enjoy them!

Are there any homemade gifts anyone out there has given to friends or co-workers? What are some of your ideas for NOT spending a lot, if any, money?

I Don't Have Room for an Insta-Bed

Today was my office's holiday luncheon. It was two hours and it was packed with fun. We ate lunch which was lasagna (veggie and meat), garlic bread, two chicken dishes, two salads and pizza. It was really good. We played this white elephant game where we had to wrap something from home that we didn't want and bring that in. I got three little bottles of shampoo/conditioner/lotion set. I found a pair of white shoelaces that had never been opened, wrapped them and brought them in. I don't know who got those.

We also had Secret Santas and I got a $10.00 gift card to a grocery store. I gave out a $10.00 cash card to Jack-in-the-Box.

We played holiday charades and they raffled off four insta-beds (the kind that you blow up and it makes a mattress). I didn't want those so every time they called out a number, I was saying to myself "please don't call my number". Thankfully, I didn't win anything. At the end, though, we all got gift bags with candy, $25.00, a calculator with our company name on it and a scratch off.

I couldn't figure out the scratch off (hope I didn't win anything big) and I put the $25.00 in my purse.

Do any of you have B&M jobs and what did you do for a holiday party?

Short Cut (ish) for Cooking?

I love to cook and bake. I made my older son's 19th birthday cake out of a Betty Crocker box mix. I can bake from scratch, but I really like taking short cuts. I guess I don't really consider it a short cut since I'm still taking the time to mix everything together and bake in the oven. A real shortcut would be to drive to Costco and get one of their cakes already made and decorated (I've done that too!).

Anyway, I've also used the cookie mixes from a bag, cake frosting, cake decorating tubes,and muffin mixes. I'm busy and the time savings are awesome! I really like the holiday cookies that come already cut out in shapes, so all you need to do is bake them. Every time I've made sugar cookies from scratch (real scratch), I can never roll them out good enough to cut them in shapes.

I want to know what are your favorite short cuts for cooking? I haven't made a biscuit from scratch in a year!