Christmas Gifts I am Giving

I am almost done with my Christmas shopping. Only three more gifts to get. I know what I want to do for two of them, but am looking for a good deal. Of the gifts I've bought so far, here are a few of my favorites:

1. unique photo wheels for my mom, mother-in-law, sister-in-law and brothers-in-law

2. a $50 hair dryer for my niece (paid $12.98!!)

3. $60 hair straightener for my daughter (paid $20!!)

4. airplanes for my nephews

5. clothes, clothes, clothes for my teenaged son

6. books for all the kids

7. workout clothes for my husband

8. Curious George toys for my little friend

9. a snowman hoodie towel for his new little brother

10. my dad's gift-I would put it on here cuz it IS my favorite, but he reads my blog occasionally and I really want to surprise him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

special occasion foods

We did not have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner yesterday. It was not the first time, but we enjoy getting to eat foods we don't normally or often eat, especially those that are expensive or time consuming to prepare. Here is a list of a few of my favorite special occasion foods for which I am thankful:

1. chicken spaghetti

2. homemade enchiladas

3. shrimp (pepper shrimp!)

4. frozen oreo pie

5. homemade guacamole

6. brown sugar ham

7. steaks-sirloin or filet mignon

8. homemade pizza

9. neiman marcus cake

10. lobster

Lottery

I just finished reading the new book Lottery for an online book club discussion . The only thing I did not like about the book was the language. There were some very good things about the book. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Perry L. Crandall-he is the main character and I love his outlook on life and the simple wisdom he shares throughout the story

2. The author seems to have a real handle on the things she wrote about

3. The simplicity of the story

4. The way that some of the simple wisdom can really hit you smack between the eyes

5. The way Perry never gave up

6. The way that Perry's real friends treated him throughout the story

7. The poignancy of the story

8. It seemed real-this could really happen

9. It really makes you think

10. A good story

wedding favors

If you are planning for a wedding, you try to minimize all the things necessary to think about. There is so much to do and plan and buy for. Sometimes, the little things can seem to bring the most stress, especially when they have not been thought of before. Wedding favors can often fall in this category. You want to do something nice, without the headache of more shopping and planning. Here are a few of my favorite things to help take care of this:

1. photo frosted glass coaster

2. personalized chocolate bars

3. personalized deluxe cooler

4. unique candles

5. photo albums

6. shaped and scented soaps

7. silver signature frame

8. cufflinks

9. deluxe bathrobe

10. jewelry

Christmas Gifts

Here is a list of some of my favorite gifts to give at Christmas. I know everyone is different, but these have often been great hits among everyone of all ages.

1. books

2. magazine subscription

3. restaurant gift card

4. retail gift card (Wal-Mart, Target, etc)

5. food gifts (bread, granola, salsa...)

6. christmas ornaments

7. the receivers favorite candies

8. photos

9. frames for above photos

10. money

Relax

When it's been a busy day or week, here are a few of my favorite ways to relax:

1. a cup of hot tea

2. one-or two-squares of mint dark chocolate

3. read a book

4. read a magazine

5. watch TV

6. take a walk

7. surf the internet

8. write blog posts

9. read other people's blogs

10. play spider solataire

One on One Backgammon

Backgammon can be a fun game to learn. It may be difficult to find opponents with whom to play. This makes learning backgammon online the perfect and easy way to learn. Or if you are an experienced backgammon master, you may not be able to fine opponents on your level against whom to play. One on One Backgammon could be the perfect answer for you. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. safe and secure online site

2. beginners can learn with easy to understand rules

3. strategies provided for beginners

4. download free backgammon software for beginners to advanced players

5. play online against other players on your level

6. learn and improve your game

7. compete in scheduled tournaments for money

8. read through backgammon articles to help improve your game

9. enjoy a 30% bonus on your first deposit

10. receive a $5 welcome bonus

Joust For Fun

Yesterday we held a tournament and feast to celebrate all that we have been learning over the past few weeks. My nephews, my daughter, my sister, my dad, myself and later my husband were all in attendance for the grand event. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. jousting knights-complete with stick horses

2. sword fights (cardboard of course)



3. archery skills (this is the real thing)



4. acrobatics (on the rings!)



5. juggling (ye olde tennis balls)

6. bobbing for apples (watching the little guys learn how to do this was priceless!)




7. spit roasted (grocery store rotisserie) chicken

8. hearing my six year old nephew talk about what kinds of dishes and utensils the people in the castles used

9. listening to the boys talk about the kinds of entertainment given at the feast (no TV)

10. my daughter remembering we MUST have salt on the table

Online Education

Learning today is not limited to a classroom. Many people are finding it much easier to get or finish a higher education by doing so online. One of the many accredited online universities helping people to accomplish their educational goals is capella university. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. online access 24 hours a day, seven days a week

2. work at your own convenience

3. fully accredited

4. offers several bachelor degree programs

5. also offers several graduate degree programs

6. now offering fifteen certificate degree programs

7. older folks don't have to feel "funny" going back to school with younger classmates

8. the university is committed to high academic excellence

9. striving to provide balanced business growth

10. serving thousands of students from all over the country as well as the world

Thank you for reading this sponsored post.

Halloween

I have never been a huge fan of Halloween, especially as an adult. I think I am rather ambivalent about it. But last night was a pretty pleasant Halloween for all of us. Here a few of my favorite things:

1. safe neighborhood

2. neighbors out visiting

3. party atmosphere

4. kid and family friendly

5. no wild teens this year

6. many kids remembered to say "thank you"

7. fun to play dress up

8. tons of candy

9. watching my kids trade over their piles of candy

10. my kids saying that this may have been the best Halloween ever