JOANN Fabrics -- 5 coupons!

Here are five 50% off coupons...Good at JOANN's Fabrics between now and NEXT Thursday (December 20th).  Valid on regular-priced items.

http://www.joann.com/socialmediacoupon/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=couponcommotion&utm_content=121412&utm_campaign=SM

Dutch Blitz

For my "Dutch Blitz-lovin' friends"...here are some AMAZING Dutch Blitz t-shirts.  Plow, Bucket, Buggy, and Pump t-shirts (...the plow is pictured below).  Right now, they're on sale for $9.99.  Grab one while you can!



http://deadparrotpress.com/new/blitz-plow-blue/

I {Heart} Post-It Notes

I. love. Post-it. notes.  

I do.  

I have a passion for them.  If I could, I would seriously consider investing in them.

I've even been known to have post-it notes for other post-it notes.  Ha!  I don't know whether it's the phase of life I'm in...(aka "mushy mom brain" phase)...or my desire to cross things off a list and feel like I'm accomplishing something.  Either way, I don't care.  I love them.

At any random time, you can expect to find post-its in my car, on the kitchen counter, or near our computer.

I love that they're inexpensive.  I love that they come in really great colors and seasonal patterns.  I love that they're different shapes and sizes, too.  With life being just weeks away from Christmas, I'm presently happy to be using my Santa-themed post-its.  

Now, I may be exaggerating a bit...but I do love that the post-it notes keep me focused and on-task.  They guide me and help me to accomplish things.  They're reminders, list keepers, space for other random notes.

Why do I need post-its?  Why do I depend on them?  Am I afraid I'll miss something...or that I'll make a mistake?  Maybe.  But deep down, what I really love is their simplicity.  I love their purpose.  

And, I've been challenged to use them for yet another purpose.  I heard of someone who decided to leave random post-it notes for others.  In public bathroom stalls.  On car windows.  Inside public transportation.  On desk pads.  Wherever.  Anywhere.  Any time.  

I want to do this.  

I want to bless others in this way.  I want others...whom I may never know or meet...to know they are loved and cared for.  They are blessed; they are a blessing.  They are smart, beautiful, talented, and meaningful.  They are skilled.  

It might be a compliment.  It might be a Bible verse.  It just might even be a simple, thought-provoking quote.  

But just think how much that simple post-it note might turn their day around...inspire them.  Give them that boost of energy they need to go about their day.  Allow them to bless someone else.  Encourage them to take a chance.  Inspire them to love and care for others.  

Wouldn't it be amazing if we all completed random acts of kindness each. and. every. single. day?!  Challenge yourself.  Think of others.  Show love.  Smile at someone you don't know today.  Maybe even leave a Post-it note for someone to find this week.  

Brighten someone's day.

Vera Bradley...TODAY ONLY deal!

Need a last-minute gift for a lady in your life??  TODAY ONLY, you can purchase this adorable Vera Bradley "Vera" bag (in select colors/patterns) for only $39.99 (retails for $80.00-86.00).  Plus, TODAY ONLY...if you spend $50.00 or more, shipping is FREE!  

I especially love the "Mocha Rouge" and the "Deco Daisy" patterns.  TWENTY PATTERNS to choose from!!!  Great for a teacher, mom (or mom-to-be), friend...

http://www.verabradley.com/product/Category/Totes/Vera/154766/defaultColorVariantId/175630/pc/638/c/0/sc/642/p/154766.uts

(Sorry the picture isn't great...Click on it to see a better image on the Vera website.)

Small Business Saturday...again?

I love the concept of "Small Business Saturday."  Although our country's annual "Small Business Saturday" has already past (the Saturday between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, to be exact), I feel the urge to encourage you all to get out there and support our local, small businesses more than just on Small Business Saturday.  Maybe we could each do our part to support local businesses one Saturday per month?...or two?  Maybe we could each intentionally choose a small business to shop at for a Christmas gift or birthday gift?

I think it's fantastic to support local business owners.  I love that small businesses are what make up the heart of Lancaster County.  In fact, I grew up in a family that owned a small business...and now today, I am able to own my very own small businesses (dance lessons and tutoring).  

I love the sense of community I feel by supporting those small businesses around me (and by being supported in my businesses...so thank you!).  I love that our larger community has embraced this concept, too, by publicizing area events like "First Friday" in Lancaster City, "Second Friday" in Lititz, and "Third Friday" in Strasburg.  I'm sure there are many more that I'm not even aware of...but I love learning about events like this.  

And in addition to community events, there are specific local small businesses that I/we love to support.  Here are a few...

Sweet Charity Thrift Boutique
Lancaster Creative Reuse
Good's Store
B.B's Grocery Outlet
YoFro Sweets
Zimmerman's Hardware Store
Cherry Hill Orchard
Jack's Family Tavern
Strasburg Market Basket
Kauffman's Fruit Farm
Jack Robinson Garage
Highland Car Wash
And many, many MORE!!!!

What local businesses do you love supporting?  I'm certain I've forgotten to include some other AMAZING businesses (so please forgive me if I've neglected to mention you on here).  

Please share...Who do you support locally? 

Still Learning...

Please accept my apologies...I'm still learning as I go with this whole blogging thing.  :)  

If you've attempted to leave a comment on one of my posts and were unable to, it's because I had my settings saved incorrectly, and they are now corrected.  Please feel free to leave your comments and feedback.  I'd love to hear from you!  

A special "thank you" to my dear friends for making me aware of this problem and for also helping me to resolve it (...you know who you are, and I'm very thankful for your help).  :)

Language

lan·guage  

/ˈlaNGgwij/

Noun The method of human communication, either spoken or written, consisting of the use of words in a structured and conventional way. Any nonverbal method of expression or communication: "a language of gesture and facial expression". Language is a phenomenal thing.  It can be warm, complimentary, and sincere.  It can be opinionated, cutting, and harsh.  It can be honest.  It can mislead.  It can define how we view ourselves.  Language shapes who we are and represents our true, inner being to those around us.  Whether spoken or non-verbal, we're communicating constantly...even when we don't realize it.   This convicts me.   I can have some pretty intense facial expressions, as some of you already know.  I even have this permanent "crinkle" between my eyebrows from my "focused" or "deep-in-thought" face.  I also find my facial expressions rubbing off on Mya.  At the age of two, she can already create a variety of facial expressions...and has been known to make some silly expressive faces even from the time she was pretty little.   I enjoy playing a game with Mya where she and I stand in front of a mirror, and I tell her a feeling (like "surprised," "scared," or "excited), and she has to make that expression on her face (...we borrowed this idea from a recent Sesame Street episode where they do the same thing).  She loves it.  I love it.   And, every single time we play this, the game ends up with the two of us giggling contagiously.   Although my intent in playing this game isn't anything more than just the two of us having fun together, I'm realizing more and more that is important for her and me (and all of us) to be aware of what our faces are telling others.  Sometimes we don't even realize that an expression on our face is very different from what we're actually feeling at that moment.   So, what is your face communicating to others today?  Maybe you have some funny or interesting stories you'd like to share.  Feel free to comment below.