HAVE YOU STARTED YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING YET?

CHRISTMAS GIFT-GIVING is a big celebration in our family and we start thinking about it (and even shopping) right around this time. I know, I know, it's still summer (here in the States) so YOU haven't given it a thought yet.......  But wouldn't it be great to reduce the Holiday stress by being super organized ahead of time?  

A few years ago, our growing family (15 of us) got VERY organized with our shopping. 

"The younger ones" never knew what to get "the older ones" and "the older ones" struggled with what to get "the younger ones", so everyone made "wish lists" and passed them around.  BUT it was difficult and time-consuming to keep track of what was already purchased by each other - way too many emails back and forth!

SO, we found a gift registry website called "Gift Pickle". YIPPEE!!!  Well, "Gift Pickle" disappeared this year (go figure!) BUT we found an even better solution that I thought I'd share with you, in case you too want to get organized - GIFTSTER! We actually keep our "wish lists" up-to-date year-round (and update changed clothing sizes too), which also helps when Birthdays roll along.

HERE'S HOW "GIFTSTER" WORKS -

• STEP 1 - One person (the Administrator) sets up the "FAMILY" account (IT'S FREE). GIFTSTER asks the Administrator to list the emails of each family member and it sends invitations for you. 
• STEP 2 - Each family member accepts the invitation and logs on to the website.
• STEP 3 - Each person sets "Account Preferences" to "SHARED", not "Public" (unless you have hopes that since the whole world can now see your "list", a secret admirer is going to buy you something special........) 
• STEP 4 - Each person adds the GIFTSTER button to the tool bar (just drag it up there).
• STEP 5 - Each person creates a "Wish List" of gifts. 
• When browsing a website and you see something you want, just click the GIFTSTER button on your tool bar and it adds the item to your GIFTSTER list. SUPER EASY!!
• STEP 6 - Now it's time to shop for each other........  
• Look at someone's list and mark which items you will purchase.  
• All family members can see what's been already "claimed", but the person whose list it is, can't see what's been purchased.  This preserves the element of surprise (VERY important to me!).  
• Naturally you can also be creative and buy something not on the list, right?

AN ADDED BONUS - my niece Brianne just told us about a website that gives you CASH BACK for purchases that you make on most websites (I'm saving you money here - this works all year round).  

• Sign in to www.EBATES.com (FREE)
• Shop at any store from the EBATES website
• Make your purchase and EBATES will send you the "ebate" by check or to your Paypal account.

Did I almost get you in the spirit???

Happy Shopping!!
Joan & Willow

(Photos from 2013 Christmas)

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!

So, I was quickly typing away - a LONG email (Gmail), lost in my thoughts, cutting and pasting, editing, adding and deleting, speeding along, and then it happened - I highlighted ONE WORD to replace it with another and...........  

WHAT?!!

A WHOLE PARAGRAPH.......... DISAPPEARED!!! 

I was stunned.  I just sat here and stared at the computer for what seemed like an hour. Shocked! Darn it! Moving too fast, I had accidentally deleted a WHOLE PARAGRAPH. Has this ever happened to you??

Sigh........ thanks to Google, I found a quick remedy.  Ctrl + Z restores what you lost (an "undo"). And guess what? It works in Word, on Facebook and on my blog too!!  But you probably already knew this..........

"DOWN THE SHORE"

I've been wanting to post some photos and share my travels - so I'll start with the past few days.

Beaching it in Ocean City, MD with my two sisters - "Down the shore" 

What a great way to spend a few days!! 

The condo was decorated with vibrant beach colors, which I loved.

Maryland crab-cakes for dinner (YUM!), while watching the sun setting over the bay side.  

So much has changed since I visited a Jersey or Maryland beach (it's been MANY years).  Beach chairs carried on your back, like a backpack (brilliant).  Lightweight wagons and carts (center-left below) to transport all of your other beach necessities (saves your shoulders and arms).  So many colorful umbrellas and a real variety of tent styles to block the wind and/or sun (or mothers breast-feeding).  And I even saw a man being transported in a wheelchair with HUGE wheels for the sand - I loved that.

  A small section of beach was closed for one day of surfing, which I had not seen there before.

Dinner again on the bay-side, enjoying another beautiful sunset.

For my Aussie friends, I imagine you too have planes "advertising" at the beach and para-sailing.

And yet another gorgeous sunset for our last night.

LIFE IS GOOD!!

VULNERABILITY when EXPRESSING YOURSELF (Ouch?)

In a Book Club meeting this week (I'm in 3 Book Clubs now) we were discussing the humorous, newly published book, "THE ROSIE PROJECT" by Graeme Simsion.  Yes, I do recommend it.

WHERE does the time go each day?!

First thing in the morning (after/during feeding Willow and myself) I usually check emails and Facebook.  You would think that might take only a few minutes......... ok, but at most an hour, right??? Well let's take this morning for example......

Occasional Facebook Overlaps

I'VE STARTED A BLOG

So, at age 62, I've decided to start a blog....... wondering as I embark on this new past-time if perhaps this is something that should be left to the creative, younger generation......