Halloween Entertainment: Free printables for your party!

Nothing on Earth so beautiful 

as the final haul on Halloween night.  ~Steve Almond

When I was little, we used little plastic pumpkin buckets to gather our treats.  My kids generation got smart and used pillow cases~ they held more and were better for running with.  You can cover a lot of  territory in one night with a pillow case thrown over your shoulder.  

What are your plans for Halloween?  I'll be oohing and aahing over my neighbors little ones, handing out candy and reminiscing about my pirate, princess and clown 

who are now 18, 20 and 21.

 Wonder what it would take to get them to pose in a patch of pumpkins today?

Head on over to Living Locurto for these cute candy bar wrappers for Halloween fun.

Or get these little decorations here.

For lots of party ideas, go see Catch my Party.

Let the Booing Begin!!  Tom Kat studio has made the "booing" easy, 

just add a treat and print!

Download it here.

Life on Purpose: I'm taking charge! {Free Download}

"Nothing contributes so much to tranquilize the mind as a steady purpose–

a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye." 

– Mary Shelle

This PRECIOUS printable by Sarah Jane was just what I needed.

 {Also, see what Ashley Ann did with it here.}  

When I saw it, I was reminded that it was time to consider my 

commitments for the school year.

I begin the year twice.

Once in January with a fresh calendar,

 and again when school starts with a fresh spiral notebook. 

Both seasons beg for a plan.  

For sooooo many years, I just followed the plan that life laid out before me.   
Which ALWAYS ended in over-commitment, frustration and fatigue.

And it is really hard to love others well when you're grumpy.

What will you say yes to this fall?

 PTO, coaching volleyball, or volunteering at church?

As I think through the things I want to say "yes" to this school year,

I'm trying to filter opportunities through my gifts, passions and ultimately, 

where I want to end up.

Mr. Wonderful asks a good question when these times arise,

"What is the one thing you'll regret that you didn't get done at the end of the year?"  

Once you identify it, make a plan to get it done.  

That's a great place to start~ with just one thing. 

My ONE THING...

Finish well with Austin, my high school senior...

who looked like this when he started kindergarten yesterday.

and here he is after a summer basketball game:

If I do this ONE THING, I will have no deep regrets.

But I have a few additional things on my list.. 

1. Take a photography and photo shop class.

2.  Scan and organize photos.

3.  Make health a priority; Exercise consistently.

4.  Purge closets and attic.

5.  Write and encourage the Touch a Life kids.

6.  Hire designer to spruce up my blog.  

7.  Plan more nutritious meals.

8.  Grow spiritually

I'm working on the plan for each goal.  As I plan them out, I'll share the things I think might be helpful.  Telling you my goals makes me a bit anxious, but is actually part of my plan~  

You can be my accountability partners!

When I run into you in the grocery store, 

I hope we can talk about the progress I'm making.

 and if you see M&M's and Blue Bell Ice Cream in my cart~ be gracious!

 {refer to goal #7}

There are some great resources for planning over at Design Finch  

where this entry links you to free charts and lists.

Children are a blessing: Free Download Printable

I returned late last night from the second of two adventures in a week~  

a whirlwind of fun that had me laughing, crying and delighting in some of my dear friends.  

These included an "Abundant Life" retreat that centered me and reconnected me 

with distant friends that I love.  

And a trip to Round Top, Texas for the biggest, baddest, flea market and antique show 

known to man~ really!  I drove in late last night, 

so I need to start my engine with a cup of coffee 

before I download my pictures and post about my adventures full of blessings. 

In the meantime, I couldn't wait to pass along this PRECIOUS blog post by Emily Jones.  A gifted artist and designer, she is a busy mother of four with a wonderful reminder for all of us today.  This is her beautiful family:  

 Please follow this link to the precious photos and insights about keeping perspective in mothering~ while you're there, you can also print the gift below that she has waiting for you.

  It is beautiful.