Not getting stressed out!

I promised myself I wouldn't get stressed over the little things in preparation for the holidays. I must say though I'm getting a little stressed over the whole shopping thing. I still have half my shopping to do. How did I let this happen considering I'm usually done by now. I suppose I've been a little too relaxed, and have lost track of time. Everything else is pretty much done, so I guess I shouldn't be too worried, as long as I can brave the stores during the rush lol!

Instead of going to get our daughters picture taken professionally this year I've decided to do it myself, not an easy task. Especially considering she's 2 1/2 and has a very short attention span. Thank goodness for computer programs that can fix or disguise almost any imperfection. I thought I'd save money and time by doing it myself, well I've discovered that I'm really saving nothing. At least I'm having fun with the challenge!

Getting ready for the holidays.

This time of year can be stressful, busy, and at the end of it all a blur. So this year I have vowed to take a step back and enjoy the simple pleasures of the holidays. I will not allow myself to get so wound up on making the holidays perfect right down to the last detail. I want to play in the snow with my daughter, enjoy Christmas concerts at our local school, walk around our neighborhood and enjoy all the beautiful lights and decorations. I have always been a somewhat perfectionist wanting everything to be perfect. What is perfect anyway? This year I put up two tree's, our usual big tree and a small tree. The big one I decorated, and the small one my daughter and her daddy decorated. I haven't even once had the urge to fix it, because I truly admire it's own special beauty. Since having my daughter, I have truly begun to understand the meaning of simple pleasures. This year it's not about the perfect gift, or the commercial part of the holidays. This year for me it's about being with my family, and my dearest friends.

Being a stay at home parent living on one income has proved to be a challenge especially when it comes to budgeting. A sacrifice that I don't regret, spending this precious time with my daughter is well worth it. However with Christmas coming we had to slim down our gift giving list by a lot, and chosen to just buy gifts for the children, Christmas is for them anyways so to me it was the best solution. I love Christmas, decorating my home and all the traditions that go along with it. So today I'm asking all of you for some cheap ( and I mean cheap) inexpensive ideas on gifts, decorating, baking, and everything else that envolves christmas. I look forward to these ideas as I'm at a lost on how to deal with a very small budget for this time of year.

Welcome!

Welcome and I hope you will return often to see what I've been up to. Please be patient as I'm new to this, and I am learning as I go.