Friday, February 13, 2015

Too Many Cards!!!-(Organize Your Store Cards)


If you are like me, you have a store card to use for points, discounts, membership, etc at the stores you shop at frequently, and infrequently. Most stores, both large and small want your business and offer some kind of reward for buying stuff from them. This usually means you get a plastic card to keep in your wallet to use when you make a purchase. They can really pile up. I had to get a separate wallet for all my store cards. And when you're standing in line searching through the stack trying to find the right one, it can be frustrating! I'm pretty sure you all are nodding your heads and going "been there, done that".  I have the answer!!


I can't take credit for this idea...it was on You Tube somewhere, but do you think I can find it? No! If you happen to have seen it and know where to find it, I would love it if you would let me know so I can give credit where credit is due.
So, here we have this amazingly simple, yet totally brilliant idea for keeping your store cards organized, accessible and easy to find. It's such a great idea, someone really should get the credit for thinking of it.
Here it is...grab a one-hole punch, a key chain ring and your cards. That's it. That is all you need to be in store card organization heaven!
First gather all your cards. Then punch a hole using the hole puncher in the corner of each card.


It's important to watch where you punch the hole though. Make sure you aren't punching through the magnetic strip or bar code on the back of the card. You may have to turn cards back to front and turn them around to get the hole in a corner that doesn't have any important bits in it.


Once you've got all your holes punched, simply hook them all onto the keychain ring. Close and you're done!! Didn't I say it was simple?! AND brilliant?!


Isn't that cool!? All neat and tidy and easy to find the right one.  I can't wait to pull this out next time I'm asked for my card. 


Wednesday, February 11, 2015

A Thoughtful Gift For a New Mom

I think being Mom to 5 kids has given me a great appreciation for the preciousness of sleep.  You learn to value sleep from the time you find out you are pregnant to...forever!!!! Sleepless nights don't end when baby starts to sleep through the night.  They continue through childhood sicknesses and nightmares, on into the teens when they start to date and drive. And even when they are adults and leave the nest, we still lay awake nights worrying about them, praying for them, being concerned for them. It never ends. It's the price we pay for being blessed with children.


The phase of life when you start being a parent, and a Mom especially, is probably the most sleep deprived period of all. Not only are you 'on call' 24/7 to a tiny little person, but as a new mom, your body is readjusting to a non-pregnant state and into a lactating state.  It can be a difficult time emotionally as well.  Post-partum blues are very real. It's so important to ask for help when you need it, accept help when offered, and use the time that baby sleeps to catch up on your own down time.  Having a baby is such a wonderful experience, and lots of people will want to stop by to see the new arrival. It's hard to turn away the admirers and well wishers. But, you need to get your rest too.
My 2 oldest babies, both girls, are now grown up and blessing me with grandchildren. I am Nana Sue to Taylor, 6, Davy, 2 and Elijah, 1-1/2. Elijah is going to be a big brother at the end of June! My daughters are both wonderful Mamas, supported by awesome husbands who I am so happy to have as son in laws.
My oldest daughter and her husband have always had a note to stick on their front door to let visitors know that there is a sleeping baby inside and to please knock, instead of ringing the loud doorbell.  This little note has helped ensure baby gets the sleep he or she needs. The note they have for their door, although it does the job, is just a scrap of paper with the message written on it. I thought it would be nice to make them a 'proper' sign to hang on the door.  With daughter #2 having a toddler and another baby on the way, it is especially important for her to get her rest. So, 2 signs were in order!
So.... I decided to make a few different ones.  I printed them out on cardstock and slipped them into clear plastic page sleeves.  Then, I added some ribbon to hang them on the door handle or knocker, or a wreath hanger. The punch out holes on the plastic sleeves make it easy to attach the ribbon. You could also have them laminated at your local Staples and add a magnet to the back if the family has a metal door.
Please feel free to print off copies for your friends and family who could use some extra sleep! You can find the printouts by clicking on the images.  I'd love to hear how you gifted them, or used them yourself!