Easy Peasy Gifts

Okay, girls, you know as well as I do that there are some people on your list who won't be happy with anything you get them, whether it's a 30th birthday or another special holiday. So I'm always on the look out for different ideas for holidays and other special occasions. My favorite of late are gift baskets - filled with lotions and bubble baths and things for my new-mom-friends or cookies for the hubster's buddies on their birthdays...you get the idea. And, guys - you can take the hint, too. There are baskets out there for everything from Valentine's Day and anniversaries to new job congratulations baskets and new baby gifts.

What could be better? No wrapping, no shipping and lovely gifts. Choose from food, coffee or wine baskets and more - and they aren't just for the holidays.

No More Drip-Drip, Just Ahhhhhhhh

Ever since we moved in to the new house, the faucet in the master bath has dripped. Not just a teeny dribble but a near-constant stream that was aggravating as anything when we were trying to get to sleep. So not a good thing for a work-from-home mom of a toddler who just needs a little Calgon every now and again. I complained about it, we bought new faucets - twice - and I complained a little more. The hubster? Insisted I wasn't 'properly shutting off' the faucet. Ummm...right. So I had our handyman take a look the other day when yet another new faucet was still dripping. You know what he told me? It was a missing washer under the sink - that tiny little piece of metal missing wouldn't allow the water to shut off completely. I have no idea how much water we've wasted but now that the drip-drip is gone, I'm filling up the tub with some himalayan bath salts and heading to ahhhhhh-ville.

Need A Little Direction?

I have a little story to tell...don't worry, I'll be quick. Once renos were over at the condo, the hubster and I started house-hunting. Single family, nice yard, 2500 square feet-ish. Not a lot available in our area - go figure! I got us lost about 20 times before the hubster took matters into his own hands.

And got me a mobile gps unit. You know what I discovered, though? Using it was so much simpler than googling, mapquesting or anything else. We had a list of seven homes and all we had to do was punch in the address and voila! Insta-directions.

The best part? We actually found our single family, nice yard, 2500 square feet-ish house within a week - and it's thanks to the no-argument-inducing gp.

Just A Little Price Comparison

This is something every household should do at least once each year - compare the costs of insurance for your health (assuming you aren't on a work plan), home, high risk life insurance and car. Why? Because rates change within companies all the time and you could save a ton of money if you check and change. Some insurers will also offer incentives to get your to switch - which are also a bonus.

On most 'check-in' type sites, you'll get 20 responses and the quote process only takes a couple of minutes. Plus, having someone else do the "shopping" for you, you don't have to talk to anyone and don't have to feel that pressure to change right this second. Think of them as your go-between...so you can shop around without the hassle of a sales person trying to pressure you into anything.

Plaques vs. Trophies, Anyone?

The hubster and I were roped into vacation bible school duty last week. No, we're not teaching any of the classes - although that kind of sounds fun! With our busy schedules, even though we both work from home, that just doesn't work. We were pulled in to create awards sheets and trophies for the older boys and awards sheets and plaques for both sections of girls. Why trophies for the boys and not the girls? I have no idea, although I'm guessing because the boys will be knee-deep in sports all week and the girls not so much. But, we got a great deal on both online, which will make the VBS principal veddy, veddy happy.