Something More...

Let The World Wait

Dionna Sanchez — 2008-12-29T16:31:07 -05.00

There are some times where blogging and writing has to take a back seat. This Christmas break has been an example of that. My kiddos are on vacation from school and my man is on vacation as well. So I have all my beloveds at home with me. That means not a lot of workin going on but a whole lot of playin.

We have had such a great time together already. Playing games every day, watching old family videos that my husband got loaded onto some new device he bought us as a "family gift" for Christmas that we can all watch on the television. Oh -- am I loving that. Reminiscing and seeing moments in time that are so special to me that I haven't seen in years. We have laughed so hard and treasured seeing these videos. Now they are at my fingertips. What a gift!

We've had snow, snow, and more snow. Finally it is melting. I am happy about that - not so sure my kids are. I'm a summer girl. Love the sunshine and warm weather - I could do well without icy roads and frigid temps. But it did make for such a beautifully white Christmas. And I'm thankful for that because I know that so many people dream of having a white Christmas.

Now I'm trying to "catch up " on real life a little bit. I have taken down our Christmas decor. It seems I'm always SO ready to do that and feeling a bit cluttered by the time Christmas gets over with. It's a great time for cleaning house a bit and I always seem to have the fever to redecorate a tad. So I've done that. And now am trying to get ready to have some friends over on New Year's Eve. There are munchies to be bought and a few more things to tidy and clean up.

Today I've had a little bit of time to myself which I have been loving. As much as I enjoy hanging out with the fam - I thrive on a bit of "me" time too. The hubs took the girls up snowboarding today and I got to sleep in. I made sure they all woke me up to give me hugs and say good-byes but then I fell back asleep and slept in till 9:30. Wow. I haven't done that in ages and I feel so rested today! It was such a blessing. I've had the chance to do a few things around here and am now ready to welcome back my joyful family soon. A house is peaceful and welcomed for only so long before it gets too quiet. Ya know?

I haven't written anything at all this break. Yikes. I'll have to re-sharpen my writing muscles.

But I'm so thankful for this family time. For this "down" time to just "be" and live and love together. It's needed. Everything else will wait and will still be there when the jobs and the schools beckon again.

Advent Calendar Ideas

Dionna Sanchez — 2008-12-08T09:00:26 -05.00

More and more people are participating in the Advent Calendar. I think it has become a trend to add to the Christmas "to do" list. And I have seen so many different and clever variations of the Advent Calendar that I thought it would be fun to share them with other moms.

Shoebox Advent - Our family uses a shoebox shelving unit. It's perfect with 25 partitioned off box sections. We have little gift bags or colored boxes that then fit inside those individual sections where we place the gifts for each day. I started out trying to find really nice things but on top of stocking stuffers, holiday treats, and presents - it was just too much. Besides, I decided that my children didn't need all that "stuff." So I find smaller things - things like Christmas socks, chocolate, lipgloss, and air freshener.

Socks Advent - I have a friend who created the most darling Advent I think I've ever seen. She has little colored socks across a clothing line that hangs in front of her fireplace. In each sock, she scrapbooked a tag that says things like "create a snowflake." The socks are adorable with stripes, polka dots, etc - not just your run-of-the-mill white socks!

Christmas Tree Advent - Another friend sewed a fabric Christmas tree complete with pockets that stood about 5 ft tall. In each pocket she put scraps of paper for family holiday activities like watching a Christmas movie together. I love how her idea isn't just giving out a gift, but incorporating the whole family and time together each day of the holiday season.

Chocolate Advent - The chocolate advent calendar is not a new idea, but still a fun one just the same. You can buy one at the store or create your own and have a little fun with all sorts of chocolate concoctions!

The Garland Advent - Many advent variations can hang from your garland around your banister or fireplace. I've seen cute mittens, or little pouches but a really elegant variation was gold, white, or silver fabric drawstring gift pouches. In each one you can put an elegant Christmas ball for the tree.

Ideas for Advent are endless. You can create themed ones if you are a coffee lover and use different flavors of coffee, or create one with cookie cutters in each day if you love to bake. Have fun with it and make your Advent calendar unique to your families interests. Best of all - enjoy the magic that leads up to Christmas.

Searching For The Perfect Valentine's Gift

Dionna Sanchez — 2008-02-11T13:01:25 -05.00

Valentines Day is a day where you can show your husband how much you love him. Of course we should try to show him our love all year long and on other more "normal" days. But Valentine's Day gives us that chance in a more "official" capacity.

I don't know about you, but I have struggled to find my husband just the right thing on Valentine's Day. It seems most of the gifts out there are geared to women, or are cheesy little things. I've always wanted something warm, loving, and romantic.

A few years ago, I came up with a solution to help me solve my "gift dilemma" at this time of year. I focus my gift giving on several themes or areas that help me narrow down my choices. I've decided my gifts should be either a) romantic or b) incorporate the colors of pink, white, or red. For me, this really helps me start to pinpoint and nail down ideas instead of being clueless at where to start looking!

Romantic gifts can include anything from CD's, an elegant meal complete with candlelight and a special valentines' dessert, or a plush bathrobe, silky boxers, or cologne.

I've found that using Valentine's Day colors has been very helpful for me in finding a gift that is both festive, and endearing to my husband. I have gotten him a pair of red Converse, a big bucket of red licorice (which he adores) at Costco, or a sweater with a red stripe. It's amazing how just focusing on a color can speed up the time you spend finding that perfect sentiment for your spouse!

Ultimately, there should be no pressure on Valentine's Day. It should be a day that allows you to have the freedom to lavish a little extra love on your husband and children. I always like to leave my children a little 'something' as well. Nothing big - but everyone needs and wants to hear that they are loved!

Maybe with a little extra focus, you will find the search both fun and rewarding, instead of just another "have-to-do."

Adding a Little Christmas Flair

Dionna Sanchez — 2007-12-15T15:39:49 -05.00

I am not the world's best decorator. I usually have to see an idea or a way of decorating before I can do it myself. At Christmastime, especially - this has left me a bit challenged.

The first couple of years I had things sort of cluttered. I put out my Christmas things along with the rest of my things only to learn that I didn't have to squish it all in - but that I could put my regular décor away and replace it with the Christmas items for the season.

Once I got that mastered, then it took me a few years until I realized that less is sometimes more. I tend to have quite a few smaller Christmas items and not as much bigger things. Not that small is bad - it just can get challenging to find good locations for it all. So I have been paring down. I can't part with the Christmas things my kids have made - so those still go out, or have been tucked away for safekeeping.

This year, I've decided I want to start finding a way to get a little classier in my Christmas decorating. I usually don't purchase Christmas décor for myself. I don't really have the extra money this time of year. But I do intend to one day purchase some garland for my mantle and stairs! And maybe a wreath.

So, decorating-challenged-me saw an easy, inexpensive idea that I could do this year to add a little extra flair around my home. And it was simply to add some ribbon! I do have Christmas ribbon - I thought! So I tied some festive ribbons around things here and there. Simple, easy, and effective. It's amazing how much fun it adds to the look of a room!

If you are decorating-challenged like me, you might try using some ribbon to spice up your room around Christmastime. You can tie ribbon around plants, kitchen appliances, kitchen chairs, pillows, anything!

I'm happy with my little additions. And each year I learn a little bit more about my own sense of style. My décor still isn't perfect, and I have a long way to go to actually have things be the way I envision them in my mind - but I'm getting there.