Well guess we have to wait til tomorrow to get the stockings. I woke up too late and I didn't realize that hub had his precious "Game Night" tonight. Instead he just wakes me up early with no reason so of course I don't get up because its my night off. I just love men sometimes. I am supposed to remember while I'm sleeping that he has a game night tonight? Whatever. lollllllll.

Anyways. The cookie idea was not my idea, it was the lady at Michaels. I'm not sending cookies. I already have the stuff to send. I just thought it was an interesting way to send cookies, because I never even thought about sending anything like that. I guess you could send them in a small cooler with some dry ice? Not even sure how else you could send them without them melting? Even in the pringles can I was wondering how they wouldn't melt?

Yes I have the halloween candy bought and have the treat bags all ready. I don't give out candy, I just make up treat bags for my friend's kids and give the treat bags to their kids. I like to give kids I know candy instead of handing out to tons and tons of kids I do not know. I guess I'm heartless but why should I go out and buy candy for kids I do not even know?

Have a Great Night.

Does anyone make popcorn balls any more? I love doing this. I don't have to worry about nuts bothering the kids, it doesn't have as many calories as all the candy and all those that would come to my house in the country, know me so they know they can trust it. Apples and oranges are good too.

Cristina: I mailed my son skittles because they don't melt like chocolate. Homemade food doesn't ship well. It takes weeks to get there and by that time the food is either moldy or stale. Store bought cookies in the original packaging does best. Some companies ship direct to APO addresses and then you don't have to worry about it. Dehydrated fruits are really good. They are sweet like candy, they come in small bags and they keep a very long time, even after opening. I hope some of these ideas helps.

Can everyone pm me their addresses if I didn't send you a Christmas card last year?? I am not sure if I have Jane & Sue's new ones????? It's hard to believe the Christmas is just around the corner.

NORMA...yes the ideas help and thank you! It's always good getting tips because I am new at this and kind of clueless. I've seen where some ladies send baked goods and wondered if it was wise especially not knowing that they may not get the stuff for a while. So yeah, thanks and if you can think of anything else I may need to know feel free to share. I've got some good ideas from some other military moms...one does themed care packages and one that I thought was cute was one she called "At the Moives" she send microwavable popcorn, candy and DVD's. She said her son was known as Blockbuster he had so many, lol. You know...I don't think anyone around her ever makes popcorn balls to give out. I've never made them period but do like them.

JULES...let me know if you don't have my address, I'm sure you do but just in case.

SASSY...yeah, not sure how you would ship them either. The boxes I use I get free from the post office and the shipping is $8.10 a box no matter the weight. Now the stockings and t-shirts are going to be another matter, going to go broke shipping them, yikes! They only have the two sizes and the stockings are not going to fit so have to go with bigger boxes and they will charge by the weight, again, YIKES!

I bought my Halloween candy today! A little bit of everything. I love giving out to all the kids and the one neighbor girl, Madison, is just so adorable I have a little bag for her. Her mother just had a baby not too long ago, another girl and they are the cutest little girls. You would not believe how alike they both are. We don't have many kids on the block, just 12 and two are older and I've not seen them trick or treat, three are babies and the two next door usually go somewhere. But I enjoy seeing all the kids dressed up...my favorite part of Halloween!

Cristi!!! I cannot find my address book and I need your address! Would you mind PMing it to me again??

Thanks

Consider it done Marti

SASSY...that is a great thing. I'll have to go to Oprah's site and see what it is all about because we are doing the wear red Friday and I really don't have much red. Not sure if it is for clothes but I will check it out.

Hi all, I've been busy doing some fall cleaning so I haven't been here. My ankle is being naughty so not getting much walking done. We had a birthday celebration for my MIL at the nursing home on Sat and I had 3 pieces of Pizza Hut pepperoni pizza (from a medium pizza) and 2 1/2 cheese breadsticks. I went online to Pizza Hut when I got home and it was an eye opener. I knew the pizza would be high but the breadsticks were the killer. One piece of pepperoni pizza from a medium pizza is 290 each. The breadsticks were 320 calories each! Thank goodness I hadn't eaten anything all day except for a nutrition bar.
I hope you all had a super weekend.
Thank you so much Cristina for the Halloween card. You are a very thoughtful person.
Norma

Found this while browsing the web......thought this one was a nice idea....


Beauty Gifts

Marsha nd Dani B. need to check out the book "NAtural Beauty for All Seasons" by Janice Cox. The Book tells how to make homemade bath salts and beauty products.

One of my favorites is Candy Cane Bath Salts:

2 cups epsom salts
1/2 c. sea salt
4-6 drops peppermint oil
2-3 drops red food coloring.
Place one cup of epsom and 1/4 cup sea salt in a bowl or resealable plastic bag. Add 2-3 drops peppermint oil.

Place the remaining ingredients in a socond bowl. Mix all ingredients well. Layer the red and white salts in a clear bottle or Jar. Half litre Naya water bottles work well because they have the stripes. tie with a ribbond and some small candy canes. Thsi makes a great holiday gift for friends.

Oh wow, that is a cool gift idea Jules! for sharing. Shoot, forget the gift idea, I would like that for myself. Actually, I think DD and my mother would like it.

NORMA...yeah, those breadsticks are a killer. I am terrible with the bread at any place, especially Olive Garden. Thank goodness I don't go often. I'm thinking since we haven't been in a while DH and I are due for a trip. YW for the card but really...you ladies don't have to thank me for doing something I so enjoy doing. And I know Hallmark loves me, lol!

Yes Great Gift Tips, Jules!

I'm sure glad that when we went to the Italian Restaurant that they were out of the bread!

We try to get do a card exchange every year. So I'll PM you my address. (Unless I already gave it to you???) I'll Pm it to you again.

Anyone else??

Got it and sent you mine. Hey girls, you know Christmas is only 1 month from today!!!!! Where has all the time gone????? lol

SASSY...don't remind me! I've not even started my shopping... Actually, I've got daughter done. Need to do Josh within the next week before he leaves and that leaves Jason and Vince. Oh and a gift card for my mother and father.

And...I just mailed my Christmas cards today! I know it's early but they have been sitting in the living room in the way for a while now. So thought I would just get them mailed. Well, except for the ones to my family...still have a short newsletter to get done.

Can't believe Christmas is almost here!