Still Picking up the Pennies

So I did a lot of things right this year but a lot incorrectly. One of the biggest things I did wrong was the lack of prep work I could have spaced out all year long. That is where I am going with this post. I am going to try to work on one craft idea a month in preparation for gift giving for Christmas 2011. January's project is going to be oven mitts. As I need them and everyone uses them. So I will post a few photos after the boys and I have a few hours on the sewing machine. I also should say that a constant goal of mine is to increase my boys sewing talent. The two ideas go hand in hand. If you have any ideas that a mother of two boys with normal gift giving list could use please post in the comments.

I want to take a minute to wish everyone a very safe and Merry Christmas. Usually I am a politically correct type of person but not at Christmas. For unto the day our savior was born, peace and good will to all.

I am borrowing this post "Sign up below and you’re on your way to receiving free books in exchange for your honest and thoughtful book reviews! You can also win cash prizes, autographed books, iPods and other great awards! For full details on how the Blogging for Books program works please visit our FAQ page. http://www.waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/sign-up *USA only, book reviews are due within 30-90 days, can only request 1 book at a time." but I just got an email stating that my book: The Dragon and the Turtle by Donita K. Paul and Evangeline Denmark; illustrated by Vincent Nguyen has been queued for shipment, I should have it in 7 to 10 days. Just in time for Christmas break reading with the boys. I love new kid's books that my boys will love for free.

The New Year is coming and is so full of promises of every thing starting over, like a clean slate. I am going to be brainstorming about how I want to save/make money in the new year, as that is going to be my main financial role again. DH is back to work and I will be laid off after the first full week of January. While there are tons of blogs that combine sales with coupons, or deal links, I will be taking advantage of those, of course. But my main goal with this blog in the next year is going to be about me keeping track of MY savings and money making, in so I hope to inspire others (and myself) to start or maintain a frugal lifestyle.