Merry Christmas

Today is Christmas Eve and you are probably wondering what happened to countdown Day 22, 23, and 24?  When you are born 3 days before Christmas you tend to get a little busier!

This year we were very busy on Dec 21st delivering bears , hats and thermal bags with goodies to the preemie parents in the NICU.  Visit my birthday link: http://thegiftoflife27.org/why-you-should-join-in-on-this-december-22th-birthday-celebration/

Christmas Countdown Day 22  Christmas Cards

In this techy generation that we live in, many people skip the snail mail to send Christmas Cards due to time, cost of stamps and the ease of uploading pictures to many families.  That is a great thing for ease, but do you remember the last time that you received a card in the mail and how you treasure it because the cards these days are so far and few between.  Take a moment and send someone a Christmas card, it’s okay that today is the 24th, we have the 12 days of Christmas after 12/25 where people still are in the Christmas spirit celebrating!

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Christmas Countdown Day 23 Walking for Christmas

It is a lot of fun to drive and check out the Christmas lights, but how nice is it to walk and see yrou neighbor’s homes decorated.  You get some exercise, fresh air( yes even in Florida where it is extremely warm this year) and you can wish other neighbors a Merry Christmas.  So get some walking shoes and go see some lights!

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Christmas Countdown Day 24 Be Blessed today

There is so much going on today that can keep us busy, get us down, or make us feel disappointed.  Some families are struggling with babies in the neonatal intensive care unit, others struggle with their loved ones in the service, others are dealing with divorce and families split up for the holidays, others are sick, others have lost a loved one, others have financial struggles, but at the end of the day, we have much to be blessed for.  Take a moment and say thank you to those who have made a difference in your life. Count your little blessings because as little as they are, we consider them a blessing.

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My gift to you this Christmas, is a blessing that you have a wonderful and memorable Christmas this year.  No matter what your circumstances are, we all have them but we are all in one family.

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones!

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Christmas Countdown Day 19 Lounge time

During this busy time, the temptation to go , go, go and not take time for you, is a great possibility.  But this season, take a few moments for you.  Pull up a lounge chair, enjoy the beautiful Florida weather or if you are in a cold place, bundle up and just enjoy the serene moment of new fallen snow, or the chill in the air.

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Christmas Countdown Day 18 Make Your Home Smell Festive

When you are having company over this holiday, give them that warm homelike feeling.  Add a tablespoon of each of these herbs to 2 cups of water, let simmer on low heat in an old pan, be careful that you do not let it boil.  Here are the ingredients: bay leaves, dry cinnamon, sage leaves, rosemary and lavender.

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Christmas Countdown Day 17 Celebrate the Funnies

Did you ever have something go wrong during the holidays?  Yes, I am sure everyone has had an incident or two, cookies get forgotten for a party after you baked them, oven doesn’t get turned on with your ham, or any number of things.  Learn to laugh about them, write them down and these will become your memories for Christmases to come.  One year I remember being so busy and doing so much, I made a cheesecake the night before, chilled it and it was ready to serve on Christmas day.  I served it and everyone said boy this is good ( saving face, gotta love family) I took one taste and realized, I forgot to add the sugar!! Today, my Dear Husband reminds me every year, don’t forget to add sugar to your famous cheesecake!

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Christmas Countdown Day 16 Be Like Santa Claus

There is nothing quite like good laughter from the belly to put you in the Christmas spirit.  Watch some good movies to make you laugh, some good ones are Home Alone, The Santa Clause and many others.  Try going out with your sweetheart and remember those fun times you had as a kid like trimming the tree together, playing a good game of catch in the beautiful weather that we have here in Florida, play with the kids, involve the family.  Laughter is the best medicine is what is said, so imitate Santa Clause and laugh hard from the belly releasing all the stress in your life!

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Christmas Countdown Day 15 Examine Your Sole

Going Christmas shopping can take a toll on your pocketbook, but also on your feet!  After Christmas shopping take a towel around one foot, grab both ends and pull your toes towards you for 15 seconds, then release. Switch feet and do this until your sore feet feel better.  Also wearing comfortable shoes while shopping helps!

Happy Shopping!!

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Christmas Countdown Day 13 Rest During The Season

Christmas time can be overwhelming to many people about this time of the year with so many things to get done in such a short period of time.  A good way to battle this fatigue is to try to pace yourself, don’t over commit, we can’t get everything done in a day.  Also try to catch a nap just a few minutes a day to get you back on track with all you have to do.  Enlist help from everyone in the family, make it a fun time to wrap presents together, write Christmas cards and decorate together! Happy Napping!

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Christmas Countdown Day 12 Tie One On

Tie an apron!When you start baking all those delicious cookies and cakes, and you add a little festivity to it with a Christmas apron, it puts you in the spirit of Christmas;  especially when shared with your special someone!  It is not so much about the baking, but more about the moment that you share with your sweetheart or the kids!

So this Christmas season, bake away and make memories!

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Christmas Countdown Day 11 Make a Joyful Noise

We all can’t be professional singers, but caroling with others makes the Christmas season fun.  Think about signing up to go caroling in hospitals, nursing homes or just around your neighborhood.  Wouldn’t it be nice to bring cheer to the busy lives of others and have them all join in the neighborhood to sing and celebrate Christmas.

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Saint John Neuman Nursing Home- courtesy

Saint John Neuman Nursing Home- courtesy

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