This is what I've been busy doing, but now I'm taking a break. I think I broke my wrist a month or so ago and all this crocheting has gotten my wrist hurting again. The last 2 are the front and back views of a phone cozy.

I'm teaching myself how to crochet. I found a crochet needle in a box of "stuff" someone had given us and I've always wanted to crochet and knit and got tired of people not following through when agreeing to teach. I went to the thrift store and brought some yarn to practice with and found the good folks over at Crafty Daisies who have a nifty video tutorial and so far I'm getting it. It's kinda fun. They have other cute little crafty stuff too. You should go check them out.

My name is ebony and I'm a planner junkie. The highlight of my year isn't my birthday or Christmas, it's right about November or so when I go to pick out my new planner. Some years I don't even make it to November, I start looking in October. And I'm a Planner Snob too. I refuse to carry just any planner. I prefer Franklin Covey. I know there are cheaper planners (the horror!) and more expensive planner, but I'm a girl who knows what I like. That's why I was so disappointed when I couldn't find any calender pages that I like this year. I looked high and low and nothing. I was resigned to just get some pages from Target and make do. This would be the part where a light bulb would appear over my head. I don't have to settle, I can make my own! My biggest grip with planner pages is the scheduling part. My routine really doesn't require me to schedule every hour of my day. My planner needs to be able to handle the busy life of this single mom of 5. So this is the breakdown of my new planner.

Sections:
Monthly--This is were I keep my schedule. It's enough for me to write "Doc appt-mom 2pm" I have ample white space on each monthly calender to write details such as telephone number, address, etc.

Daily--This is where I had fun. I went for the 2 page spread. On the 1st page I have Appointments, To Call, To Write, Errands, Self Minder (includes Quiet Time & Journal, Exercise, Family Time, Prayer & Bible Study), Family (includes Homework & Chores), Holidays/Reminders and Notes
On the 2nd page I have Memory Verse, Declutter, Internet Search, Books Read/To Read and Future Goals

On a busy day, I may forget to check my kid's homework and they won't remind me, now I have a reminder every day. I can keep track of websites I visited in one place instead of on post-it notes. It was easy to type this up in Word and just print it to size and punch holes in the pages.

Lists--I like to keep lists. Here I have my cleaning schedule, gift ideas, library lists, To Buy list, master to do list, etc. If it can be put in list form, I'll do it.

Notes--This is where I keep misc. stuff. If it's a one time deal, I'll put it here. I was calling around trying to find cheap car insurance, this is where I put the info.

Quotes--I'm also a quote addict. I'm always writing down clever or funny quotes I've heard or read.

Addresses--This one's kinda explains itself. I do keep one or two extra sheets of paper in this section for jotting down misc. names and numbers.

I had so much fun doing this, that I've knocked out most of my Christmas and Kwanzaa gifts for this year. I'm going to have my kids decorate planner pages for their aunties with various themes, such as Black History, Faith/Religious and Motherhood.

I'm starting now to make gifts for the year and need fresh, new ideas. These need to be simple and fairly cheap to make. Gift ideas for all occasions, ages and sexes are welcome. Since I want to have gifts on hand all year long they need to keep well so no food. Wait, I like to eat, so if you have some good recipes, send those on too.

I'm still going with my simple and frugal lifestyle, but I love teachers. My first major in college was teaching and after being in the classroom, I have mad respect for teachers (and bus drivers), so I always try to get them something for Christmas, even if it's a simple note saying "Thank you" You would be surprised how little teachers hear those words. So this year for Christmas, I'm going with the mug theme.
Throughout the year, every time I go to the thrift store I scan the coffee mugs and have managed to pick up mugs with "World's Greatest Teacher" or something along those lines all but one was 25 cents. The bus driver is a Buckeye fan, so I found an OSU mug for her.
We are going to fill the OSU mug with candy. A few conversations with her and I found out she loves Tootsie Rolls.
My daughter's teacher is getting a mug with bookmarks we are going to make (printed off the internet and covered with packing tape), a couple of tea bags and a $10 gift card to Barnes and Noble.
My son't teacher is getting a mug with sheets of stickers, pens and a giftcard to Office Max.
The teacher's aide is getting a mug with candy and a giftcard to Wal-Mart.

You can defintely leave out the giftcards and keep the cost under $10 for all of them. This time of year even if you don't find teacher mug, the thrift store shelves are overflowing with Christmas mugs. Put the mugs in a nice gift bag or wrap in tissue paper or wrap if you're good at that kind of thing. Easy peasy way to say thanks to the people who are helping you shape your kids.

I am just getting too many ideas from this site this morning.
My oldest sister is going through chemo and wanted to do something to lift her spirits for Mother's Day. She will definitely get a kick out of this. Other mom's on my list may be getting the same package.



Cupid Poop
Put some of those cinnamon red hot heart shaped candies in a zip lock bag and give with this poem attached:



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I couldn't send you fs, and candy wouldn't do.
And mushy cards just didn't say the things I want them to.
So I got you something special, and here's the inside scoop.
I found you something very rare - It's genuine Cupid poop!

I'm still working on ways to live a much simpler life and I'm including money in this. I have made and used homemade baby wipes in the past. There's no reason why I don't use them now. The hardest part of making them is cutting the roll of paper towels in half because I really do need sharper knives.
In the past I've just reused empty baby wipe containers, but you can use RubberMaid containers, or any type of plastice container you have around the house.
I don't know why, but for some reason Bounty are the best towels to use. Other brands are either too weak or sort of shrink when you use them. It's still cheaper than regular wipes and you can use the pretty smelling lavender baby bath that I love so much.

Homemade Baby Wipes
1/2 roll of Bounty paper towels
2 tbsp baby oil
2 tbsp baby bath
2 cups of water
Cut roll of paper towels in half, remove center cardboard; place in plastic container. In a separate bowl, gently mix liquid ingredients and pour on top of paper towels. After about an hour or so, if you use an air-tight container, you can turn it up-side down to wet all of the paper towels, or gently turn the paper towels.

I have tons of shampoo samples. Now I know what to do with them.

Homemade Bubble Bath
1/2 cup shampoo
3/4 cup water
1/4 tsp table salt
Pour shampoo and water into a bowl. Gently stir until blended. Add salt. Stir until mixture thickens.