The Best Kind of Christmas Giving
There have been years when, about three days before Christmas, the Mrs. Claus in me evaporated and the Mrs. Grinch appeared. It seems that, at Christmastime, Mother is expected to cheerily create magical memories and orchestrate the warmth of...read more
Posted by Daunell Clarke on Nov 24th, 2010 | 0 comments
. Finish -> -> -> Forward
The concepts discussed below were originally written specifically for the holiday season, but are useful during all stressful seasons of the year. Finish/Forward This week in November, the week before Thanksgiving, I would like to suggest the concept of...read more
Posted by Marie Ricks on Apr 16th, 2010 | 0 comments
. Functional Chaos
My dearest friends, during the holidays we are going to be in a mode of “functional chaos”. Most of us will have a disruption in our regular routines with people, food, and activities out of the norm. This is all fun and good….well, it can...read more
Posted by Marie Ricks on Apr 1st, 2010 | 0 comments
. Angel On My Street
I met an angel the other day. At least I think so. She is a woman in my neighborhood that became aware of some specific family needs in another town in the valley and thought she would do something about it this month. The husband has less than...read more
Posted by Marie Ricks on Mar 27th, 2010 | 0 comments
. The Christmas Kitchen
Note: This post was written in preparation for the Christmas holidays. My company has started to arrive. I’ll be feeding larger numbers of family for the next 21 days and I need to be ready for it. How? Well, I’m going to let the company...read more
Posted by Marie Ricks on Mar 26th, 2010 | 0 comments
. Organizing Your Holiday Greetings
Enjoy this short video about organizing your holidays greetings! Today I would like share ideas about holiday greetings organization. The week after Thanksgiving is the very best time to get this very important and timely activity started ...read more
Posted by Marie Ricks on Mar 24th, 2010 | 0 comments
. How to Ask Family Members for Help
When we get stressed, especially when we have a big event approaching in our lives, we tend to hunker down, work harder and with more focus to get everything in place, done, and otherwise organized. One important asset which we often miss is asking...read more
Posted by Marie Ricks on Mar 24th, 2010 | 0 comments
. Preparing for Unexpected Guests, Meals, Gift Needs
There will be some surprises this holiday season. They usually fall into three categories. You will have some unexpected overnight guests which will need accommodating sometime during the next two months. You will have to prepare an unexpected meal...read more
Posted by Marie Ricks on Mar 12th, 2010 | 0 comments
. It’s Never Too Early for a List
I don’t really want to say it and maybe you don’t want to hear it, but a Spring is almost here. I saw my first daffodil beaming low from the ground yesterday and I knew it was time to stop, evaluate, and plan. You see, it is the first...read more
Posted by Marie Ricks on Mar 11th, 2010 | 0 comments
. Put Your Life Away & Enjoy the Holidays
My friends, today we are talking about handling the second week of December in such a way that you, too, can enjoy the holidays. I like to use this phrase: “It is my week to put my regular life away so that I can enjoy the...read more
Posted by Marie Ricks on Mar 4th, 2010 | 0 comments


