Search Results for: blog the gift of self entertainment

Don’t Eliminate the Entertainment Budget

Often, when times are economically tight, as they are now for most of us, the entertainment or fun budget is the first thing to go. Just because there is less money available, doesn’t mean that there has to be less fun. Do Put Something in the Budget for Entertainment Designate some amount for family fun, even if it is only limited to $20 a month or even less. Budgeting for entertainment sends the message that family fun is important, even when it isn’t expensive. If you create a zero-based family fun budget you may wind up indulging anyway, and blowing … Continue reading →

The Gift of Self-Entertainment

When I was younger I was sometimes bored. Somehow I imagine this happens to lots of kids but it certainly felt like it was only me who was afflicted at the time. Strangely, I credit many of my successes and talents to these periods of boredness. I can juggle; balance 6ft. ladders (and other objects) on my chin; perform a variety of wonderful coin; card, rope, and other magic tricks; and compose spreadsheets; deal with software issues; and probably some other things I’ve forgotten along the way. The point is this: boredom can be a motivator. Imagine my joy, then, … Continue reading →

Experiential Gifts Are Popular and Frugal

With everyone feeling the pinch of the economy, a new trend has been arising in holiday gift giving. They are called experimental gifts, and they don’t have to cost much at all. One thing that is true with the economy is that people are cutting back everywhere, especially on entertainment. As a result, gifts that have some sort of entertainment value, especially gifts that might be able to be used to get the recipient out and about are usually very welcome. Even kids will appreciate getting an experiential gift related to one of their interests. Here are some ideas for … Continue reading →

The Gift or Blessing in Each Day – Part 3

I hope you’ve been looking at you life and keeping a list of the gift or blessing from each day. As I look back at Sunday, it’s hard to pick just one. I ended up with a list. The morning started with a quiet time with the Lord reading Isaiah 43. I love the book of Isaiah. It is filled with promises and reassurance from the Lord. Isaiah 55:12 was the promise God gave us and reiterated often, as we waited for his timing for our move. I have something to share with you about that too, that hit me … Continue reading →

Giving the Gift of Taboo Books to Teenagers

This last Sunday, USA Weekend featured an article by Elizabeth Kaye McCall about giving books to teenagers for the holidays. She states: “A new generation of teen-friendly books is attracting readers 12 and older, so why not consider giving a good book this holiday season?” I’ve always loved getting books as gifts, so I read on with interest. “Teens find good books through word of mouth online, says Diane Roback, children’s book editor for Publisher’s Weekly. And author blogs and websites (like those by Sarah Dessen and Meg Cabot) attract younger readers.” I certainly agree with that. But further down … Continue reading →

Frugal Holiday Ideas for Leftover Wrapping Paper

You know all of those little extra pieces of wrapping paper that are too small to use? Do you save them anyway? I do. I always feel guilty throwing them out, but it is very rare for me to find that I have presents small enough to use them. Most of the presents under our tree are for the kids, so they tend to be larger and usually made out of plastic, not small like jewelry. Then there is the time after the gift are unwrapped. What do you do with all of that leftover gift wrap that winds up … Continue reading →

Attend a Tree Lighting

If you want something fun to do this weekend or even through next week, consider attending a tree lighting. Now is the time for this fun event in many communities across the country. A tree lighting us just that, the witnessing of the lighting of a Christmas tree in the community. Often it occurs at town park, a town square or other significant location in your town or city. Often, there are other events taking place as part of the event, such as music, carols, games and other forms of entertainment. There may be the opportunity to add your own … Continue reading →

Woman Buys Health Insurance – Harms Her Court Case

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There continue to be lawsuits in regards to the Affordable Care Act. Most of these cases are filed as a way to express opposition to the requirement that every American must buy health insurance in 2014. A woman purchased health insurance while the court case she was involved in was being appealed. This can harm her court case, since she claimed that she could not afford to buy health insurance. Last year, the Thomas More Law Center filed a case against the federal government because it felt that the mandatory health insurance requirement was unconstitutional. This lawsuit was also filed … Continue reading →

Juggling

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When I was in fifth grade I learned to juggle three balls. This was a great success for me. My mother had taught me long ago how to juggle two balls. I’d been interested in performing since I was young and juggling certainly fit the bill. As such, I admired jugglers and magicians and all sorts of performers when I was young, and each time I saw a juggler successfully juggle three balls I felt a pain in my heart because I couldn’t do it. But then came fifth grade. Then came my juggling, magician, math teacher. Then came the … Continue reading →

Birthdays for Babies

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My little “baby” just turned two. I can hardly believe it. I still think of him as a baby, but now, he is turning into such a little boy. When we had his 2nd birthday, we kept it simple. We only invited family over, opened a few presents, and ate cake and ice cream. It was pretty much the same thing we did for his 1st birthday too. For my daughter, she had a bigger birthday when she turned two. She had friends over, and we had a little slip n slide party in the backyard. I felt bad that … Continue reading →