christmasThe gifts have been opened. Leftovers chill in the fridge. Before you start focusing on the new year, try these tips to organize next Christmas.
1. Make a list of people who sent you Christmas cards. Add anyone else you'll send cards to next year. Input the list into your computer. Shop for cards at after Christmas sales.
2. Check your inventory of wrapping supplies. Buy them now at 70% off in most stores.
3. Make sure you have enough storage containers for all your decorations. Storage supplies go on sale every January.
4. Open your planner. Start a shopping list for next Christmas. List names. Shop or at least note gift ideas throughout the year.
5. Establish a budget for next Christmas. Include gifts, cards, postage, shipping costs, gift wrap, special meals, holiday clothing and baking supplies. Set up a savings account and arrange for monthly direct deposit.
6. Ask family members what were their favorite and least favorite activities this season. Make a note to focus on preferences and eliminate the least-liked next year.
7. Write Christmas goals in your 2006 planner. For example, July 15th, complete gift list; October 15th, address cards; November 15th, finish shopping; December 8th, reward self with spa day.
Free "50 Ways to Manage Your Time" tips booklet. Visit http://www.ineedmoretime.com
Copyright 2002-06 Barbara Collins-Myers
Operation Letters To Santa
www.operationlettertosanta.com
Christmas is celebrated by Christians the world over. Why Christmas is special to you depends on the customs and traditions that were handed down in your family. While Christmas is viewed as too commercial by many, those who keep their traditions alive renew the joy that is associated with the birth of Christ each year
Remember, whether you are young or old, it is never too late to start a family tradition. This year, in light of the challenges that the U.S. has faced as a country with war, hurricanes and other disasters, we hope that you will take the time to create and renew the traditions that bring meaning to your life. Enjoy your visit to "Operation Letters To Santa "and be sure to share our website with family and friends. We look forward to your visits!
Operation Letters To Santa
Poppy Seed Bread
3 cups all purpose flour
2 1/4 cups of sugar
3 eggs
1 1/8 cup of oil
1 1/2 cups of milk
1 1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoon butter extract
1 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 tablespoon poppy seeds
Icing
3/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon butter
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Directions
- Mix all liquid ingredients together in order given, then mix in dry ingredients.
- Pour into 5 small greased loaf pans or 3 large greased loaf pans and bake for 45 minutes at 350 F degrees.
- As soon as the bread comes out of the oven pour icing mixture over it. This makes a glaze rather than a traditional icing.
Operation Letters To Santa
www.operationlettertosanta.com
12/22/2005 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFPN) -- The North American Aerospace Defense Command is observing its 50th anniversary of tracking Santa Claus on his annual rounds, NORAD officials here said.
The tradition of tracking Santa began in 1955, when a local Sears, Roebuck and Co. store ran a newspaper ad urging children to make a phone call on Christmas Eve and talk to Santa Claus. As fate would have it, the phone number was misprinted and, instead of reaching Santa, youngsters found themselves talking with Air Force Col. Harry Shoup of the Continental Air Defense Command at Cheyenne Mountain.
Rather than hanging up, Colonel Shoup and his troops answered every child's call that night with a report of Santa's location. CONAD personnel kept up the practice until 1958, when NORAD was formed and took over Santa-tracking duties. NORAD has continued the Santa tracking tradition for several reasons, according to Master Sgt. John Tomassi, co-director of Santa-tracking operations.
"I think in the initial stages, back in the '50s and '60s, it was just a novelty kind of thing," he said. "A lot of people -- children and their families -- do this tracking Santa as a tradition in their family. We've recognized now that people have taken this program as a tradition, and what we can do is educate them.
"We do track Santa," he continued. "However, we do provide for the defense of the North American aerospace also. We use the satellites to track Santa, we use the radar, we use jet fighters, but all of those exact same things are what we use to monitor the aerospace of North America."
While youngsters are tracking Santa's flight, they may also learn a thing or two about the world around them, Sergeant Tomassi said.
"We think of it as a geography lesson," he said. "Because, the different places that Santa visits or sightings that we have, a lot of people haven't heard of. If we can get some children to go and look at a map to find out where Timbuktu is, or where India is, or Pakistan, or wherever, then we feel all the better for that."
Last Christmas Eve, volunteers at Cheyenne Mountain answered nearly 55,000 phone calls and 35,000 e-mails from children worldwide. During December 2004, the NORAD Tracks Santa Web site had 912 million hits from 181 countries. This year, about 500 volunteers -- most of them U.S. and Canadian military personnel and their families -- will report for telephone-answering duty on Christmas Eve. But already, youngsters are sending messages to Santa via the NORAD Tracks Santa Web site.
"E-mails are arriving from India and Ireland and all over the world already from children with their wish lists who want to talk to Santa," Tomassi said. "We receive, on average, 200 e-mails a day."
NORAD Tracks Santa volunteers will answer calls from 2 a.m. MST Dec. 24 to 2 a.m. MST Dec. 25 at (877) HiNORAD -- (877) 446-6723 -- toll-free in the United States or at (719) 474-2111.
To track Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, 2006 follow this link: http://www.operationlettertosanta.com/Kid%20Zone/childrens%20activities/track_santa.htm
Operation Letters To Santa
www.operationlettertosanta.com
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a debate that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between 2 "wolves" inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
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