Nim's Invitations

girl birth announcement

2011-07-02T22:34:00.001-05:00

Birth announcement for a girl

business cards for my friend!!

2010-06-13T14:15:00.001-05:00

business cards for my friend for her new adventure in jewelry making!!

What I have been working on lately...

2010-06-12T20:32:00.004-05:00

more work..now working on more logos!!

2010-06-01T10:29:00.004-05:00

proof
back
front
logo

Here's what I have been working on...

2010-05-16T10:54:00.021-05:00

Return Address labels

Back of baby shower annoucement

front of baby shower announcement

back of moving announcement

front of moving announcement

Save the Date bday invitation

Surprise bday invitation

Formal graduation announcement

Return address labels

back of business card

front of business card

gift certificates

LOGO

Business card for KK

Babyshower announcement

back of business card

front of business card

quincera announcement

baby announcement

birthday invitation

come check it out!

2010-03-03T10:27:00.001-06:00

Come follow me @ www.musingsofgingers.blogspot.com

right or responsibility?

2009-09-20T13:29:00.003-05:00

If you take film to be developed and there are some questionable photos on the roll, do the people working there have the right or responsibility to call the appropriate authourities to report the images?? Take for instance this story, where the people to the roll of film to Walmart to be developed. There were some questionable photos with some kids naked. The police were called and the kids were removed from the home. Their computers were removed and more questionable photos were found on the there where the kids ran around the house naked too.. but again there are people that let their children run around the house naked. There are people that are ok with that. But does it cross a line when you take a picture of that child naked? Is it child pornography when you take a picture of your own child naked? What are you thoughts on this subject ? this story?

Managing Family Schedules

2009-09-14T09:23:00.004-05:00

5 Things to Know About Managing Family Schedules
By Cristen Conger, HowStuffWorks.com

Today's families run at breakneck speeds. Parents toil away for 40 hours or more in the office. Kids are saddled with afterschool activities and homework. Weekend sports games, get-togethers and errands leave few spare moments to sit and smell the roses. Time is such a precious commodity these days that diligently managing your family's schedule is key to obtaining a work-life balance. Juggling multiple schedules around in your head can become overwhelming and increase your stress load.
By following a few simple tips, you can minimize the hassle of family scheduling and even pencil in some free time for yourself.

5: Stay Organized
Just like managing a project at in an office, organization is vital to handling your family's schedule. First, purchase a large calendar and put it in a prominent place in your home. For added accessibility, some Web sites offer free calendars that your family members can access online.
Start by adding information about school holidays, birthdays, sports games, recitals, doctor appointments and vacations. Then, when a new activity comes up, jot it down immediately. When dealing with multiple schedules, it may be a good idea to organize the calendar by name as well. Be sure to include the following five essential facts when recording each event: who, what, when, where and how.

4: Plan Ahead
Knowing when to plan for hectic days can alleviate a lot of the stress that comes with managing a family schedule. If you've already set up an up-to-date family calendar, make it a daily habit to check it in the mornings. Amid the hustle and bustle, it's easy to forget Sally's haircut appointment in the afternoon or Johnny's evening guitar lesson.
On the weekends, take a few minutes to look at the week ahead. If you see an overloaded day on the horizon, you'll have more time to shift around activities or arrange for carpooling or babysitters. Leaving planning to the last minute, on the other hand, will only cause frustration and anxiety.

3: Share the Load
As a busy parent, sometimes you have to ask for help. When you're organizing the family calendar, look at who's responsible for accomplishing what. Is someone doing all of the transporting, while another has ample free time? Does one person have a large project coming up and might not be able to complete routine household duties?
Evaluate your resources and strategize ways to utilize them. If your neighbor's son is on the same soccer team as yours, maybe you could trade out carpooling days. If grandparents live in the area and want to spend more time with their grandchildren, perhaps they could hang out with the kids after school once a week. It's also smart to have a friend on stand-by in case of emergencies.

2: Prioritize
When compiling a family schedule, remember that there are only 24 hours in a day. If you pile up too many activities and outings, you diminish your family's quality of life. Certainly, some kids will want to pursue soccer, ballet, painting and horseback riding all at the same time, but it's up to you to teach the importance of prioritizing. Talk with them about what they would enjoy the most and can commit to long-term, and go from there.
If you need to free up time on the family calendar, first assess priorities, such as school and doctor appointments. When whittling down further, consider the importance of certain events to the people involved, any cost associated with canceling and time invested.

1: Schedule Time Out
Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind when managing a family schedule is to leave adequate room for free time. It's crucial for a busy family to slow down and spend time together to nurture relationships and relax. When looking ahead on your well-organized family calendar, keep an eye out for open evenings. These are good opportunities to pencil in a family movie or game night. Teenagers may be more resistant to staying at home, but sharing a meal at the least is essential.
In the words of John Lennon, life is what happens when you're busy making other plans. Don't let time fly by without spending it with the people you cherish the most.

WILSON WEEKEND

2009-09-14T08:46:00.004-05:00

I watched this amazing show this weekend about this little bitty girl named Kenadie Jourdin-Bromley. I can't believe how much she has gone through and she is still going strong. You can read her story here. She is now 6. There was an update on TLC last night. Amazingly she is just getting stronger and her vocab is getting better and better as she gets older. They didn't think that she would live past 1 month. I was totally amazed by her story.

Then on National Geo chancel there was this story The World Smallest Girl. Loved this one too.. amazed that I had never heard about this before. She is just darling.. and soo trendy.. she is 16 .. and all of it too.. the makeup, clothes, etc.. soo cute.. but her limbs are bad.. she desperately needs surgery. They drew blood from her with this HUGE needle and here in america they don't do that, I don't understand why they had to do this from such a little person. Why can't they use a butterfly needle on her to get the blood that they need from her. That could make all the difference in the world for her. She desperately needs surgery for her legs but there is not a reason at all why in the world they would have to use that LARGE NEEDLE to draw that blood from her... you have to watch the show to understand what I am talking about but it is just wrong. Someone (A Doctor) from America should help her!!

On the homefront, the weekend was great!! Just lounged around with the boys this weekend.. which was great.. we watched movies and tv together.. those are the best times .. we just talk and hang out.. they really open up to us during times like that.. about life and girls.. it is great.. Bedtimes are different on the weekends.. more relaxed... Thanks to my friend Terri, I started weeknight bedtimes 30mins earlier to accomodate talking, xtra bathroom trips, forgetting things, etc., so we aren't having to yell come 9 pm get to sleep constantly.. by 9pm they are more sleepy, THANKS TERRI!! We find out this week if Chris will be on the A or B team for Football.. can't wait for that.. and football starts next week..oh boy... Boy scouts started yesterday too.. so everything is starting to get busy...

What event do you have going on in your life? Do you need an invitation? Announcement? Let me create a custom invitation for you today! Email me NOW @ NIMSINVITATIONS@YAHOO.COM !!

20 Surefire Relationship Wreckers

2009-09-10T23:13:00.003-05:00

1. Always end arguments by turning some deeply private secret he's confided to you... against him. Then add, "Screw you, you slobbering half-wit!"
2. Beg him to read your journal.
3. You know you shouldn't call him too much, so say to yourself, "I'm an adult. He's an adult. I refuse to play stupid games."
4. Call him repeatedly.
5. If he doesn't call back, email him. If he doesn't return your email, fax him a funny little joke. If he still doesn't call, drop by his office and surprise him with a "cute" card. If he's not at his office, drive to his house, wait for him at his front door and, when he arrives, tell him he can do anything he wants with you.
6. Ask him once a week, "So, where do we stand?"
7. Or, if you prefer a more dramatic scrotum-tightener, ask, "So where do we stand as a couple?" 8. Rarely wear high heels to bed.
9. Be the first woman in recorded history to actually tell a man exactly how many chaps she's slept with.
10. Fixate on the future. Focus on his taking you to the Bahamas for Valentine's Day
11. Always cry after sex.
12. Criticize his mother.
13. Do you own a pair of baggy maroon sweatpants? Wear them.
14. Is he feeling a tad overwhelmed by the serious turn your affair is taking? Surprise him with loads of expensive gifts for no reason.
15. Nag. Nag. Nag. Nag. Nag.
16. Giggle at his receding hairline.
17. Tell him oral sex makes you gag. Except when he does it.
18. Don't let him miss you (i.e., spend every blessed moment with/near/on/under/over him ‑- particularly those blessed moments when you feel bloated and paranoid).
19. Never have your wallet with you.
20. Let him know that every day is Judgment Day as far as you and he are concerned and that you'd rather be right than happy

Acorn Pumpkins

2009-09-03T23:03:00.002-05:00

Want a festive decoration that won't clutter up your porch? Try a patch of mini pumpkins small enough to fit in your child's hand.

CRAFT MATERIALS:
Acorns
Orange acrylic paint
Brown acrylic paint
Black permanent marker
Time needed: 30 Minutes or Less

1. Remove the caps from a handful of acorns.

2. Coat each one with orange acrylic paint, adding a bit of brown to the acorn's point for a stem.

3. Let the paints dry, then add a jack-o'-lantern face with a black permanent marker.

Tips: Warning: As several FamilyFun readers who made this craft found out, some acorns are infested with weevils. The weevils feed on the nutmeat while they develop over the summer, and when the acorns hit the ground in the fall, these insects know it's time to start chewing their way out and into the ground -- or your home. Reader Janie Foster offers a solution: before you start the project, bake the acorns in a slow oven to kill the weevils. Just be careful not to burn the acorns!

Foliage Friends

2009-09-03T22:57:00.002-05:00

Use your imagination (and some paper, glue, and a pen or pencil) to turn ordinary backyard leaves into a whimsical menagerie.

CRAFT MATERIALS:

Autumn leaves from your yard
Paper
Glue
Pencils, pens, or crayons
Time needed: About 2 to 3 Hours
1. Go outside and see what kinds of animals are hiding in your leaf piles. Below are some possibilities. When you've found leaves in your yard whose shapes you like, glue them to pieces of paper and use pencil, pen or crayon to make your creatures complete. To preserve your creations, press them between two books.

2. MAPLE: These leaves have three main points and lots of smaller ones; count them as they flutter by.

3. ROSE: The rounded shape of this bush's leaves makes them look a lot like little shields.

4. BIRCH: As big and tall as this white-bark tree can get, its leaves are as small and as light as feathers.

5. GERANIUM: You might flip your wig if you find one of these wild-looking leaves in your yard.

6. BARBERRY: While this plant doesn't live underwater, its leaves resemble raindrops.

logo designs

2009-09-01T22:35:00.003-05:00

Need a logo for your business? Please contact me! nimsinvitations@yahoo.com

life rules

2009-09-01T22:32:00.000-05:00

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion, Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years,will this matter?
'27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone and everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give it time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

What not to say: Avoid these common conversational pitfalls

2009-08-30T09:03:00.002-05:00

Don’t say: “You look tired.”Why:
It implies she doesn’t look good.
Instead say: “Is everything OK?” We often blurt the “tired” comment when we get the sense that the other person feels out of sorts. So just ask.

Don’t say: “Wow, you’ve lost a ton of weight!”
Why: To a newly trim person, it might give the impression that she used to look unattractive.
Instead say: “You look fantastic.” And leave it at that. If you’re curious about how she got so svelte, add, “What’s your secret?”

Don’t say: “You look good for your age.”
Why: Anything with a caveat like this is rude. It's saying, "You look great―compared with other old people. It's amazing you have all your own teeth."
Instead say: “You look great.”

Don’t say: “I could never wear that.”
Why: It can be misunderstood as a criticism. (“I could never wear that because it’s so ugly.”)Instead say: “You look so good in skinny jeans.” If you slip, say something like “I could never wear that…because I wasn’t blessed with your long legs.”

Don’t say: “That’s not my job.”
Why: If your superior asks you to do something, it is your job.
Instead say: “I’m not sure that should be my priority right now.” Then have a conversation with your boss about your responsibilities. In the past year, the rules of the workplace have changed.

Don’t say: “This might sound stupid, but…”
Why: Never undermine your ideas by prefacing your remarks with wishy-washy language.
Instead say: What’s on your mind. It reinforces your credibility to present your ideas with confidence.

Don’t say: “I don’t have time to talk to you.”
Why: It’s plain rude, in person or on the phone.
Instead say: “I’m just finishing something up right now. Can I come by when I’m done?” Graciously explain why you can’t talk now, and suggest catching up at an appointed time later. Let phone calls go to voice mail until you can give callers your undivided attention.

Express yourself with Color on your wedding day!!

2009-08-28T19:59:00.003-05:00

Did you know that every color has a specific meaning or symbolism? Just like horoscopes, some people believe in these symbols and meanings and others do not. Whether you believe it or not, certain colors certainly do exude specific energies (red is hot, yellow is cheerful, etc) and the colors that you choose for your wedding theme can have a big impact on the overall success of your big day. Here is a closer look at what the specific meanings are behind the most popular wedding colors:

The color RED signifies passionate love: Red is the warmest color of all and is the most chosen wedding color for couples (or brides) with outgoing, confident personalities. Be careful not to overuse red or it can come across as garish and tacky. In Asian culture, red is the color of eternal joy and prosperity, and therefore red is a popular color for Chinese brides to wear on their wedding day. In Western culture, red is the color of passion and red roses symbolize passionate love, often making them a preferred choice for table arrangements and bridal bouquets.

The color PINK signifies calm, joyous love. Known as a quiet and soft color, pink symbolizes universal love and is a favorite wedding color for brides everywhere. Pink carnations symbolize ‘forever remembered’ and therefore, are a sweet flower to add to a grooms boutonnière or bridal bouquet. Since pink is the result of mixing red with white, the degree of white dictates the softness or shocking shade of pink achieved. The softer tones of pink, which are most appropriate for a wedding theme color, signifies tenderness, love and acceptance.

The color BLUE signifies true, sincere love. Blue Perfect especially if you are having a tropical, exotic or beach themed wedding, blue is the coolest color of all and represents the sky, ocean and twilight. It is said that in Ancient Egypt, blue represented heaven, and since it is a calming color, blue can be wonderful and symbolic as a wedding day theme color. Blue flowers are strikingly beautiful, such as the blue iris, which symbolizes the importance of a relationship and would be a good flower in a mixed bouquet or as part of the table centerpieces at the wedding reception.

The color WHITE signifies pure love. White is the universal color for innocence and purity - worn by brides at weddings and babies at christenings around the world. Depending on the country or culture, white has many meanings - it can mean kindness, wholeness, completion, openness or truth - all good qualities to include in a wedding ceremony. White daisies are a symbol of loyal love - white tulips, roses, calla lilies and gerbera daisies are all very popular with today’s bride. White can have a cold, stark quality so you need to be very careful with your wedding décor. Balance it out with a second color and use warmer shades of white whenever possible.

The color PURPLE signifies magical, mysterious love. It is said that purple is the color of good judgment and peace of mind - two qualities that are ideal to share with wedding guests to symbolize the couple’s love, feelings and commitment. Of course, all throughout history, purple has been considered the color of royalty and thus has been a very popular wedding theme color for hundreds of years, and remains so today. Wedding flowers in purple such as orchids, freesia, violets and forget-me-nots are a wonderful complement to a bridal bouquet or table arrangements.

The color ORANGE signifies creative, vital and warm love. Orange is truly a color of power, and is chosen as a wedding theme color by the strong and confident couple who loves life and is not afraid to share their vibrancy and energy with others. Orange has always symbolized vitality, endurance, sincerity and thoughtfulness - perfect qualities to showcase on your wedding day. Orange flowers such as daisies, sunflowers, tulips, marigolds, and hothouse roses can create a stunning floral display for table centerpiece arrangements, especially when set against crisp white linen.

The color GREEN signifies healthy and balanced love. Green In most cultures, the color green represents earth, nature, life and fertility. However, it also symbolizes balance, self-respect and overall well-being. Given its restful properties and its ability to harmonize with other colors, green is a common color choice for wedding décor and reception decorations. Since green represents change, life and growth, it is the perfect complementary wedding color, especially in floral arrangements using lush ornamental grasses, baby’s breath, green fern leaves and other greenery. Green is also a very popular color for bridesmaid dresses, with soft sage being the current shade of choice with brides in North America.

The color YELLOW signifies happy and wise love. Yellow is the color of happiness, joy and bliss. Yellow is also a color with high energy so use it sparingly as a wedding theme color. The beautiful yellow daffodil is the symbol of unequivocal love, and makes this flower a poignant wedding flower choice. Other yellow flowers such as tulips, roses, and wildflowers make wonderful flower arrangements and bouquets if you are going with a yellow color palette. For a spring or summer wedding, yellow is the perfect color choice with shades such as buttercup yellow, lemon yellow and soft corn yellow the most popular choices.

Source: Tracey Smith is an expert article writer on the topic of weddings, we hope you found this article on wedding colors useful for your wedding planning.

School’s Back in Session…For Mom

2009-08-22T17:50:00.002-05:00

This is from Debi Silber over at ME TIME.. I thought I would share this to all my mom friends.. i know we all get this way!!

Towards the end of summer, moms begin to think about the upcoming school year. While the summer may have meant lazy days without schedules or routines, the school year brings about something else entirely. Shopping for school supplies, instilling earlier bedtimes and a few last sleepovers are all being crammed into the next few weeks but at some point, new schedules, routines, clubs, play dates and commitments will all begin.


Brought to you by Me Time Contributor Debi Silber themojocoach.com

Think about how things went during the last school year. Were you stressed, overextended and overcommitted? You can follow the path you took last year and if it worked for you, that’s great. If it didn’t work for you however, you have another choice. The choice is to reevaluate the decisions you made previously, keeping what worked and changing what didn’t.

Each time you stop and reevaluate, you give yourself an opportunity to come up with a better strategy. You give yourself a chance to think about your values and what really matters most to you. Most importantly, you send a powerful message to yourself and those around you that your happiness matters too. So let’s say that you were overextended and overcommitted last school year. How can you make a change?

First take a look at when you say “yes” and “no”. Chances are you’re saying “yes” to a task you’d rather not do leaving you to say “no” to things that would bring you greater joy, passion and purpose. Here’s an example. Your daughter has a classroom performance and she’s counting on you being there. In order to get there on time, you left work early, ate in the car and returned phone calls during the drive. You race through the doors of school where you’re stopped by an acquaintance who asks you help out at the next PTA fundraising event. Your thoughts are on your daughter and the look she’ll have on her face if she doesn’t see you this minute so you end the conversation quickly with, “yes.”

After the performance you hug your daughter, race back to work and realize that you just added a few extra hours to your already overly extended lifestyle by saying “yes” when your mind, body, and soul were all screaming “no.” Why did you say yes? Maybe you felt guilty that you haven’t participated as often as some of the other moms. Maybe you were afraid that you’d be accused of “not being a part of the team.” Maybe you felt you’d be disliked, rejected or perceived as selfish if you didn’t say “yes” and finally, maybe you just don’t know how to say “no.”

What are your priorities? While they may include many things, spending time with family is often found somewhere near the top of the list. If quality time with your family is important and taking on another commitment will only leave you with less time for those you love, is saying “yes” in the best interest of you, your family, your values and your priorities? Saying “yes” to another time stealer leaves you saying “no” to something else that could have been fun, enriching and fulfilling.

Many moms feel when they say “no” to a request they are rejecting the person who has asked for the help. You aren’t rejecting the person, merely the request. We all know what rejection feels like and hope to spare anyone from the pain it causes. However, by assuming the person is personalizing the request is an assumption and unnecessary burden on our part. The person asking simply wants to know the responsibility is taken care of so they can check one more thing off their to-do list if you say “yes.” Saying no to their request is nothing personal, it’s just another opportunity for them to ask someone else to do the job they’re asking of you.

Many moms say “yes” to avoid the confrontation or look of surprise they may receive if they say “no.” For these moms, it’s easier to take on the extra work than deal with the perceived unwelcome response or “wrath.” Here’s a thought. Yes it may be uncomfortable for a minute or two. You may feel tense, stammer and wish you were anywhere else. But that feeling is fleeting and the freedom you’ve retained by staying true to your values lasts much longer.

Many moms believe they’ll be perceived as mean, selfish or “above it all” if they say “no.” First of all, if someone is going to criticize, judge and critique you and your behavior, do you really care what they think? Secondly, is it mean or selfish if you use that extra time to cuddle with your kids, go on a “date” with your husband or catch up on some extra sleep so you’ll have more patience, energy and clarity? Lastly, you are your children’s greatest role model. They look to you to see how to feel, act and behave. If this extra commitment leaves you feeling stressed, overwhelmed and overextended, is this the way you want your children to always see you?

Many moms just don’t know how to say “no.” Maybe it just sounds too harsh or severe for you so a more subtle approach may work better. If this is the case, how about something like: “I need to think about it and get back to you.” This is a great way of buying time so you can make a clear decision after thinking it through. Another option may be: “I’d love to, but I have too much on my plate right now.” This is a straightforward, honest response that few moms can argue with. A final option may be: “Now’s not a good time but when I’m able to help, I’ll let you know.”

This approach keeps the door open for future requests while remaining true to your priorities and yourself. As the kids go back to school they will have another year to learn, grow and evolve. If we choose, we can use the opportunity to “go back to school” and take some lessons in self growth and development ourselves. This school term, let’s work on reevaluating old habits and unhealthy behaviors in order to help ourselves, improve our relationships and become the empowered moms we’d always hoped we’d be. It’s time to go back to school. Let’s make it a great year!

Will this work for you??

Love these toasts!

2009-08-21T21:55:00.003-05:00

A friend forwarded this to me and I thought I would share... love these

Here's to lying, cheating and stealing
Lie to lie to save a friend
Cheat to cheat to cheat death
Steal to steal the heart of someone you love.
--Unknown

For better or for worse, but never for granted.
--Unknown

Three be the things I shall never attain: Envy, Content, and Sufficient Champagne.
--Dorothy Parker

May you live as long as you want
And may you never want as long as you live.
--Unknown

May all your joys be pure joys,
And all your pain champagne.
--Unknown

I think that God in creating man somewhat overestimated his ability.
--Oscar Wilde

Here's to steak when you're hungry,
Whisky when you're dry,
All the girls (boys) you ever want,
And heaven when you die.
Here's to those that love us,
And here's to those that don't,
A smile for those who are willing to,
And a tear for those who won't.
--Unknown

Amor Vincent Omnia (Love Conquers All).
--Unknown

"Love doesn't make the world go ‘round,
but it sure makes the ride worthwhile."
--Mae West

Giving the perfect toast turns an ordinary occasion into an extraordinary celebration. But before you grab your pen and start crafting a twenty-minute speech, heed our advice and make it short, sweet, and snappy.

Northing ruins a party faster than a terrible toast-don't try and be the funny guy or write up a three-page acceptance-letter-cum-speech.

Make a fabulous statement by using a tried-and-true toast, a famous quote or poem, or even a line from a movie that sums up the moment.

If you need to say something incredibly special, a great starting point is finding a line or proverb that almost fits and making it your own by adding a memory or a personal thought.

But whatever you say, just get to the point, quickly! And remember, when you end the toast, raise your glass and look everyone in the eye. Clink, clink!

Here are some memorable toasts, quotes, and movie lines:

"Here's looking at you, kid."
--Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca

"Carpe diem, seize the day, boys, make your lives extradordinary."
--Dead Poet's Society

"When choosing between two evils, I always like to take the one I never tried before."
--Mae West

"For better or worse, but never for granted."
--Arlene Dahl

"Three be the things I shall never attain, /Envy content and sufficient champagne."
--Dorothy Parker

"The best and the most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor even touched, but just felt in the heart."
--Helen Keller

"Love doesn't make the world go round, but it sure makes the ride worthwhile."
--Franklin P. Jones

"Here's to lying, cheating, and stealing. Lie to a friend, cheat to cheat death, steal to steal the heart of someone you love."
--Irish Blessing

"May you live as long as you want, and may you never want as long as you live."
--Irish Blessing

Take a cue from these celebs and give an eloquent and easy toast:

"I love you, and you are truly someone I can say is a real friend."
--Michael Michelle

"May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future."
--Sarah Michelle Gellar

"Dans les yeux!" ("In the eyes!")
--Molly Sims

"If you slide down the banister of life, I hope the splinters are kind."
--Lara Flynn Boyle

"Bottoms up-there's more where this came from."
--Billy Bob Thorton

"Here's to love, money, and health."
--Michael Kors

"To life, love, and happiness. Salud!"
--Rita Schrager

"Wishing everyone many blessings from God and good health and double happiness."
--Venus Williams

Summer Fun

2009-08-21T20:23:00.002-05:00

There have been so many things going on... we have school starting on Monday.. I think we are one of the last schools in the US to start so late.. ugh! But yet I am excited too.. My eldest will be playing football, so this is going to be new to us.. and my youngest is going to be in the band, which again is new to us too... so this year is going to be a year of new things.. going to take some getting use to the schedules.. and the carpool is going to be an hour of here and back home then leave again then back home again then leave again.... yes that is 3 trips for carpool but two runs for PM for now.. Then in a month there are going to be days that I have to be at school after hours or football games... omgoodness there is so much around that is going to change..

Has anyone known of anyone that uses those sports glasses for football, how does that go? or was contacts better??

The summer was great.. we didn't make the AL. trip this year but that is ok.. we did things together.. bowling, camping, laser tag, video games, chuck 'e cheese, shopping.. let me tell you the boys are in their in between stages... they are starting to recognize the clothes that they want to wear from just plan tshirt and jeans.. I want this label, etc.. ugh.. that is such a headache..

We went through the long hair fight this summer, but we won! YAY US!

Boy scouts is starting back up again too so we are going to be busy.. I promise to write more about my experiences through the eyes of the mom of boys... LOL

G-FORCE COOKIES

2009-08-12T19:13:00.000-05:00

G-Force Cookies

This team of delicious peanut-butter cookies is inspired by "G-Force," the Walt Disney Pictures film starring a spy squadron of specially trained guinea pigs. Your mission: try not to eat them all!

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
	1/2 cup butter, softened
	1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
	1/2 cup brown sugar, tightly packed
	1/2 cup sugar
	1 large egg
	1 teaspoon vanilla extract
	1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
	1 teaspoon baking soda
	1/2 teaspoon salt
	Peanut halves
	Mini chocolate chips

1. Cream the butter, peanut butter, and sugars. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fluffy. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt, then stir them into the wet mixture, just to blend. Cover and chill until firm, about 1 hour.

2. Heat the oven to 350°. Form level tablespoons of dough into cylinders, pinching the ends a bit to make rough guinea pig body shapes. Use a knife to chop the peanut halves in half, then add peanut-piece ears and mini chocolate chip eyes to each cookie. Place the guinea pig cookies 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake until firm, about 8 minutes. Makes about 28 cookies.

don't do on first date

2009-08-12T09:59:00.000-05:00

1. If you can’t handle your alcohol, try not to get drunk.

We know alcohol is a social lubricant, and we know people drink to make things less awkward and nervous during dates. Go ahead and drink. Just don’t drink so much that you think it’s a good idea to cry in public, fall down the stairs, steal your date’s iPhone, and start a bar fight. We’ve heard some pretty wacky things in our community forums about drunken dates, and the overwhelming consensus is that they suck.

2. Don’t talk about your ex.

A cardinal rule of dating: it’s generally not okay to unleash your baggage on someone you barely know, so no sob stories about the ex on a first date. Honestly, people hate hearing about their significant other’s ex(es) even after years of dating, so why would anyone want to hear about one on the first date? Focus on the person you are with, not the one you used to be with.

3. Don’t talk about yourself nonstop.

It is so not fun to hear someone drone on and on about themselves. So you volunteer at an orphanage, a soup kitchen, and the animal shelter, you recently got a huge promotion at work, you have 2 PhDs and everyone says you look like George Clooney? Good for you. You might be impressive, but you’d be a lot more impressive if you ask questions about your date and show you’re a good listener rather than just a non-stop one man talking machine.

4. Don’t lie, and don’t hide important facts about yourself.

You will get caught. Even something as seemingly insignificant as saying you read a book you never actually read will get you caught. How? Because it always happens. Also, don’t hide important facts about yourself. Your date doesn’t need to know everything about you, but they deserve to know if you have kids, are married to someone else, are pregnant, live with your parents, or are currently homeless. What you divulge is up to you, but skeletons do come tumbling out of the closet eventually, so you might as well be clear up front.

5. Don’t use your cell phone.

We know you’re super excited about Zoosk Mobile (now you can flirt with Zooskers anywhere and everywhere you go!) but it’s rude to use your cell phone during a date unless it’s an absolute emergency. Being preoccupied on your phone is a sign you aren’t mentally present, which is a huge turn-off for the person you are with.

6. Don’t talk about money.

Zoosk recently conducted a study of over a thousand singles all across the United States, asking about sensitive issues like dating during a recession, unemployment, and going on dates that involve free activities as opposed to dining out extravagantly. What we found was that money can’t buy love, and that people don’t really let factors like money influence their decisions too much when it comes to dating someone they really like. For many, money is a touchy subject, and one that’s best avoided on a first date.

7. Don’t talk about your future together.

Even if you’re sure it’s love at first sight, don’t tell your date about your plans to Photoshop their Facebook pictures into fake wedding pictures and that you’ve always wanted two kids. That will only serve to make you seem creepy. And insane. Going into a date without any expectations is a good rule of thumb. Be pleasantly surprised if you and your date hit it off and make plans for the future, but it takes more than dinner and a movie before you get to marriage and kids.

Sponge Ball Square Arms

2009-08-05T20:45:00.003-05:00

Here's a reusable alternative to a summer favorite, the water balloon: colorful, multi-tentacled sponge balls.

CRAFT MATERIALS:
	For each ball:
	3 plain kitchen sponges
	Scissors
	Strong string
	Bucket
Time needed: 30 Minutes or Less

1. For each ball, you'll need 3 plain kitchen sponges fresh from the package and still slightly damp. Use scissors to cut each sponge lengthwise into 5 strips about a half-inch wide. Stack the strips as shown.
2. Loop a piece of strong string around the center of the stack and pull tightly. Double-knot the string and trim the excess.
3. For a fast cool-off game, have two players stand a few feet apart, each beside a bucket of water. See how many times they can toss the ball back and forth, taking a step apart and dunking the ball in a bucket before each throw.

Learn how to make a butterfly bouquet!

2009-08-03T18:36:00.001-05:00

I saw this butterfly bouquet in the Summer 09 Martha Stewart Weddings magazine and just loved how beautiful and unique it was. When Laura Normandin married her husband Ben this year she created this lovely bouquet and we found instructions at Martha Stewart Weddings on how to make it:

Tools and Materials

Assorted floral butterflies, floraltrims.com has a lot of options
White floral-wire stems
White floral tape
Ribbon

Butterfly Bouquet How-To

Floral butterflies come on wires, making this project super simple. Tape the wires close to the butterfly bodies with white floral tape to cover them and create a uniform appearance. Then gather together a few butterflies and tape their wires together using white floral tape. Stagger the spacing, or tape the wires only at the ends so you’ll have lots of wire to bend.

If the wires are short, or if you want the butterflies to be able to be bent farther apart, attach individual butterflies or clusters of butterflies to floral-wire stems (lay the wire from a butterfly alongside a wire stem with a 1- or 2-inch overlap, and tape the two together). Make several clusters, and tape them together to create the desired shape. Finish the stem by wrapping it in ribbon.

Yellow and Black Wedding (caleb's fave colors- says his wedding will be like this)

2009-07-31T11:30:00.001-05:00

Create your own Yellow and Black wedding theme. My inspiration:

“Palm Springs” Yellow Invite and butterfly cake photo from KenzieKate.com, Bride photo via

iamstyle-ish.com, black and yellow favor box from A Modern Proposal, and elegant yellow and black themed table scape courtesy of Bella Fluerny.

Have you decided on yellow as your wedding color but not sold on the black accent?

Contact Nim's Invitations (469-222-5974) to do your wedding invites and thank you's!

10 Tips for Awakening to Your Life's Purpose

2009-07-29T07:00:00.000-05:00

Don't seek happiness. If you seek it, you won't find it, because seeking is the antithesis of happiness. Happiness is ever elusive, but freedom from unhappiness is attainable now, by facing what is rather than making up stories about it.
The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but your thoughts about it. Be aware of the thoughts you are thinking. Separate them from the situation, which is always neutral, which always is as it is. There is the situation or the fact, and here are my thoughts about it. Instead of making up stories, stay with the facts. For example, "I am ruined" is a story. It limits you and prevents you from taking effective action. "I have 50 cents left in my bank account" is a fact. Facing facts is always empowering.
See if you can catch the voice in your head, perhaps in the very moment it complains about something, and recognize it for what it is: the voice of the ego, no more than a thought. Whenever you notice that voice, you will also realize that you are not the voice, but the one who is aware of it. In fact, you are the awareness that is aware of the voice. In the background, there is the awareness. In the foreground, there is the voice, the thinker. In this way you are becoming free of the ego, free of the unobserved mind.
Wherever you look, there is plenty of circumstantial evidence for the reality of time—a rotting apple, your face in the bathroom mirror compared with your face in a photo taken 30 years ago—yet you never find any direct evidence, you never experience time itself. You only ever experience the present moment.
Why do anxiety, stress, or negativity arise? Because you turned away from the present moment. And why did you do that? You thought something else was more important. One small error, one misperception, creates a world of suffering.
People believe themselves to be dependent on what happens for their happiness. They don't realize that what happens is the most unstable thing in the universe. It changes constantly. They look upon the present moment as either marred by something that has happened and shouldn't have or as deficient because of something that has not happened but should have. And so they miss the deeper perfection that is inherent in life itself, a perfection that lies beyond what is happening or not happening. Accept the present moment and find the perfection that is untouched by time.
The more shared past there is in a relationship, the more present you need to be; otherwise, you will be forced to relive the past again and again.
Equating the physical body with "I," the body that is destined to grow old, wither, and die, always leads to suffering. To refrain from identifying with the body doesn't mean that you no longer care for it. If it is strong, beautiful, or vigorous, you can appreciate those attributes—while they last. You can also improve the body's condition through nutrition and exercise. If you don't equate the body with who you are, when beauty fades, vigor diminishes, or the body becomes incapacitated, this will not affect your sense of worth or identity in any way. In fact, as the body begins to weaken, the light of consciousness can shine more easily.
You do not become good by trying to be good, but by finding the goodness that is already within you and allowing that goodness to emerge.
If peace is really what you want, then you will choose peace.