I got all these gift cards during the holidays.  My dad has this tea kettle from OXO that is amazing, so I decided that with the $25 Bed, Bath, Beyond gift card, I would get one.  I dragged my aunt to the store to get the tea kettle.  After looking at the OXO tea kettles for what seemed like an hour, I chose the one I wanted. 

I held it like it was a newborn baby and was saying to my cousin that she was awesome for finding it.  We get to the cash register, and I carefully placed it on the table.  The cashier rang it up.  I plopped down my gift card like it was a Black American Express, and smiled at my cousin like I had it going on.

The cashier looked at me preplexed.  

“Ummm…I’m sorry but this is Bath & Body Works gift card.”

I felt like I was about two feet tall.  I said nevermind cause I usually can get Bed, Bath, and Beyond coupons and sheepishly walked away.

The kids are desperately looking for Hagi. If they only knew….

In other news, we all got new slippers. Check them out:

This is the candles the kids made for their dad for Christmas:

The kids and I made Christmas totes for Isabelle’s two teachers, Cebastian’s teacher, and Cebastian’s day care provider. They are a great way to make totes that people will always treasure, can carry art or teacher supplies, and you don’t waste unnecessary paper.

Materials List

• Four totes
• Fabric Paint
• Jeweled Ribbon
• Fabric Glue
• Old Towel

Instructions

1. Lay down old towel
2. Do not get involved.  Let the children paint designs on the tote
3. Let dry for 5-10 minutes.
4. With the fabric glue, glue the jeweled ribbon on the tote
5. Let dry for 12-24 hours

Today I met up with my co-moderator, from a woman’s social group that I am a member of, at Victoria‘s Secret. I got a pair of body splash and body cream for each person. I got scents that were very faint because not everyone loves pungent or sweet smells.

At Michaels, I got Land O’ Lakes recipe books to accompany the Victoria’s Secret items, totes, fabric paint, jeweled ribbons, and fabric glue. Let your children pick out the items. It will make them more involved in the craft.

Voila! Instant, green, not-break-your budget presents for teachers.

I’ve come to realize that people prefer presents that you put some thought and effort into more than the expensive, I-didn’t-think much present. It’s something that you always cherish. The children’s teachers are going to love these totes. The kids (with my help) did a great job. I am so proud of them.

Other Great Ideas: 

Recycled Newspaper Gift Bags: http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2008/12/how_to_recycled_newspaper_gift.html

“One week after starting a weight loss diet that severely restricted carbohydrates, participants in the Tufts University study performed significantly worse on memory tests than participants who followed a low calorie, high-carbohydrate diet.”

In order to lose weight, you just have to have the proper balance, like anything in life. Exercise and eating right is all you have to do. You don’t have to eliminate anything from a proper diet or take ridiculous diet pills. Patience and consistency is all that you need.

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Welcome Haji Polastre!Our new cat!

We decided on Haji, who is my favorite character from Blood Plus. It’s the best name for him. He is just like Haji. Quiet, watchful, protective, dark, and vampiric. This cat is perfect.  He is a total geek.  He is obsessed with my Mac and snuggles on it when I am typing.  

He is already spoiled and he hasn’t even been here a day. We are already in love with him.