January Focus

As part of year round holiday prepping, our fearless leader, Gingerbug came up with a great idea.  Make a list of projects or ideas that we could focus on each month for Rudy Days in 2010.  You can see everyone's list here.

This month most of us are focusing on decluttering our notebooks - out with the old, in with the new.  I removed last year's shopping/gift lists, budget form, holiday menu, etc., and placed them in the back of my notebook to use as a reference.  Then I went on OC's website and printed the new forms for 2010. I also created some of my own forms.  The notebook is coming along nicely.  I have already added a few cookie recipes and craft ideas that I want to try.  Last year I bought Daytimer refill pages and inserted the months September through December in the calendar/schedule section of my book.  I didn't know they had planner pages in the normal 8 1/2 x 11. They fit perfectly in my 3-ring binder.

Now I want to decorate my notebook.  Check out this one done by Luludou, a fellow MHH member.   Isn't it pretty.

Next month's focus will be the holiday budget.

January Rudy Day 2010

The first Rudy Day of the new year (Jan. 25th).  What do you plan to do?

Because Rudy Day is on a Monday, and I will be working, I've decided to celebrate this weekend.  One of the things I plan to do is buy a new Christmas movie to add to my collection (an idea I got from Happy2bme, at MHH).  By December I should have a nice collection.  I also plan to put together a few playlists of Christmas tunes to burn onto cd's to give to family and friends this year.  And finally, I want to dress up my holiday notebook so I plan on spending a couple of hours doing that while watching the new movie.

If you want some ideas of what to do to celebrate Rudy, check these out.

• search for craft ideas
• work on homemade crafts
• test a new recipe
• listen to some holiday tunes
• watch a favorite holiday movie
• sign/address Christmas cards
• plan holiday budget
• plan holiday meals
• look for gift ideas
• shop for gifts
• search for ideas on decorating your home
• look for neat stocking stuffers
• take a drive to see neighborhood Christmas displays/lights
• bake some cookies or other tasty desserts

A Cozy Home

Well here we are. It's a new year.  The holidays are behind us. The decorations have been put away and now the house looks a little empty.  What to do?   The ladies at MHH have some really neat ideas for cozying up the home.

My kitchen is the one area that looks really bare.  When I took up my kitchen rugs back in November to decorate for the holidays I threw them hope forcing me to buy new one (which I have yet to do). Plus the kitchen could use a new coat of paint.

To make my home feel cozy I have soft and thick throws everywhere. There's a faux mink throw I keep on my bed.  When I'm sitting at the computer I cover myself with my Baltimore Raven's fleece throw. In the living room there's chenille throws to snuggle under while watching tv, listening to music or taking a siesta.

I've hung heavy velour curtains at the windows to help keep out the cold.  Not only do they make a room feel cozy but they add color as I live in an apartment and all the walls are white.  Another big must have for me, candles.  I love candles (some scented, some unscented) and have them everywhere. I love the soft glow they give to a room.  On the dining-room chandelier I added shades which cuts down on the sharp brightness of the lights. Makes dinner for two very romantic.  Having a soft area rug under-foot is another great way to make a home cozy. 

Other things I do to make my home more cozy during the winter months:

display lots of family photos
use fabric on tables
display large pieces of wall art
display colorful floral centerpieces or fill bowls with twig balls, pinecones and such
 

After you've gotten your home nice and cozy it's time to relax. Take a load off.  You need the rest after such a busy month of December.  I for one have been just enjoying the idea of coming home, kicking off my shoes, maybe have a glass of Sutter Home's Moscato (sp?)  and just enjoy the peace and tranquility. Aahhh! Life is good!

January

Starting January 3rd, everyone at MHH began decluttering their homes from the holidays. You can read about it here.   My decorations have been down for a couple of weeks now but I am still finding items here and there. Like last week I still had my gingerbread stockings hanging from the oven handle. I can't believe I overlooked them. Yesterday while sorting laundry I found more holiday linen that needs washing and put away.

Each month in preparation for Christmas 2010 I will make a list of goals and hopefully fulfill them.  For instance this month my goals are to:

Add a new Christmas dvd to my collection.
Declutter my holiday notebook.
Print new pages for notebook from OC.
Make a list of Rudy Day activities.
Go over last year's budget spending. I think I did a lot better in 2009 compared to previous years.
Complete holiday debriefing.
Celebrate Rudy Day.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Well it's a new year, a new decade. Where did the time go?

Last year I really didn't spend a lot of time celebrating Rudy Day as I had hoped. You know that thing called "Life" gets top priority over everything else.  This year I hope to do better with the help of my friends at Magical Holiday Home. 

Right now we are mostly trying to declutter - putting away Christmas decorations and making the home cozy during these extremely cold months.  Everyone's been brainstorming, sharing ideas and suggestions on ways to celebrate Rudy Days 2010.  As part of my Rudy days I've decided when shopping for gifts, I will do it by family. My intention is to focus on one family each month instead of the way I have been doing it in past years.

Myself and other members created a list of what we want to focus on each month during Rudy Day. My list looks like this:

Here's what I've come up with.

Jan.  -   Christmas notebook
Feb. -   Budget
Mar. -  Gift ideas
Apr.  -  Christmas cards
May. -   Gift closet
Jun.   -   Entertaining
Jul.    -   Crafts
Aug.  -   Gifts (part 2)
Sept. -   Cleaning
Oct.   -   Food/desserts
Nov.  -   Decorating
Dec.   -  Celebrate

I'll be back around the 25th with a progress update. Wish me luck. 

Happy New Year's Day!

Can you believe it? A new year, a new decade. I hope 2010 proves to be better than 2009. 2009 was a rough year for everyone. But somehow we manage to survive.

With that I just want to wish everyone a joyous, prosperous, and safe New Year.