A clean white elephant gift

I know I'm a little late, but here is an idea for your next white elephant gift exchange.

While preparing for a white elephant gift exchange, I spent a few minutes looking for a gift idea online.  I was appalled at all the dirty gifts ideas.  Most were sexual in nature.  I had an idea for a gift, and thought I'd share it!

Weights for beginners!

All that is needed is s couple large marshmallows, and bamboo skewers.  Put the marshmallows on the ends of the skewers.  I made a quick tag with a note "weights for beginners".  

It was a success at my party!  The recipient practiced lifting them :).  

If you try this, let me know how it is received!

New Year Resolutions part 1

Every year I make new years resolutions.  And for the past several years, I've been able to reach most of my goals.  Yes, really!

There are a few key elements to achieving goals.

1- Write it down
2- It must be realistic
3- It must be measurable
4 - It must be specific

So, one goal I DON'T make it to "be a better mom".  Why not?  Well. . . how do you measure being a good mom?  Is it quality time?  Is it patience? Is it activities you do with kids?  Some of those things are measurable... Make those MEASURABLE things your goals.

Another goal that is hard to measure is "learn to play an instrument."  How do you measure "completion" of learning it?  This again is where we get really specific.  How about "learn to play 'Stairway to Heaven'" as a goal instead?  Or "learn how to play all the chords of a guitar"? See?  measurable, specific, realistic.

Start thinking of a few goals you'd like to reach.  I'll write more about goals in a few days.

The Color Code

For those of us who are finding ourselves, I recently read a great book, "The Color Code".

There are four "personality" colors.  Each personality type has strengths and weaknesses.   Each personality is motivated by different values.  Red personalities are motivated by power, blue personalities are motivated by intimacy (as in emotional intimacy), yellows are motivated by fun, and yellows are motivated by peace.  Yes, I'm oversimplifying it.  

The color code concept has been around for a long time.  I remember taking it when I was in my early teens.  If I remember correctly, my colors were blue (dominant), and yellow (secondary).  At the time, I was told this was a good combination.

Over time, I know I've changed.  Sometimes I test more blue/white.  But, as Taylor Hartman says, our main color does not change.  

The Color Code has a personality test in it, to help you as you read.  Or you can take it here.  I found it interesting.  But remember, every personality test is limited, and will not tell you everything.  

The book tells specific specifics about each personality, along with interactions between different personality types.  This helped me to better understand my relationships with my children, and other people around me.  

Here is where you can purchase the book in hard cover and in Kindle.