Oops...HO, HO, HO!

(For those who got this twice, I'm so sorry.  I accidentally posted yesterday without it being complete:)

 I can't help myself.

I'm one of those people who LOVE the anticipation of the

Holiday season!
(Notice the countdown at the top of my blog)

I know, I know...next week is Halloween and next month, Thanksgiving.

But as my girls get older Halloween isn't a big deal and we happen to live in a BORING neighborhood. 

Plus,

I HATE TURKEY.

There, I admitted it!
I think it all started the year my friend convinced me to order a "fresh" turkey from this specialty market in town about 10 years ago.
It was so gamey I thought I would be sick.
NOT a good feeling at the Thanksgiving table!!! :)
I wish I liked it when I hear of others enjoying it year round:)

Maybe if it is a tiny piece of white meat

buried under MOUNDS of mashed potatoes and gravy, I can eat it.

I DO love sweet potato casserole, pumpkin pie and stuff like that

which means I could potentially gain 20 lbs in one day.

And since it's always really hot and sunny down here at Thanksgiving,

I'd just as soon give thanks while sitting by the Christmas tree that I put up early...

and in the case of this year, REALLY early.

I mean, we have been in full Nutcracker mode around here for awhile now.

so let's just get on with it. 

Because I'm ready!

Christmas makes me HAPPY and you DO want me to be happy, right? 

So before you throw Halloween candy at me, look at what I found...

SHOPPING LISTS!

Yep, I'm here to help you with your shopping.

Funny, because the other day my sister sent me an email asking how I was doing on my shopping.

Ummm...haven't done ANY! 

I have lots of IDEAS...but that's it.

Awhile back I told you about a site called iMOM...and if you haven't checked it out, you're missing a site with GREAT ideas and inspirational parenting tips for all ages.

Today, they had these lists to download and use for Christmas shopping.

Aren't they AMAZING?

You can click on this link to get your own lists...

http://www.imom.com/idea/tools-and-resources/kids-christmas-gift-planner

 
And how about being organization?
Oh my gosh, I struggle with this when it ISN'T the Holidays:)
Did you know there is a "Christmas Organization" site,
http://christmas.organizedhome.com/christmas-countdown/calendar
complete with calendars, weekly planners, daily tips and checklists?
From what I could tell, it was pretty reasonable and doable.
(I actually had to google that word to see if it WAS a word:)
The calendar is broken down by week with titles such as

• get organized
• reality check
• gifts and giving
• get cooking
• decorate
• celebrate

...all while remembering what's REALLY important!

And, they are good enough to include Halloween and Thanksgiving 

in their Holiday checklist:)

Okay, I'm off to start making my lists!

(soon, a few gift ideas from me to you...
so you don't end up like THIS guy...although I HAVE been there...minus the snow:)