Blog Day Planner

Like a Thief in the Night.

Two Things Separate Santa Claus and an Internet Hacker.


Santa Claus is a welcome surprise and a hacker is an unwanted intruder.

The holiday seasons roll in quickly and before you know it Christmas will be upon us. One item on the Christmas "to do list" that I often overlook is the card preparation. I recommend that you start choosing your Christmas Card selection early and consider including personalised christmas cards this year. These are great to send to family and close friends. Since they are so personal they will be cherished for years to come.

Personalised Christmas cards come in many styles and varieties with many design options. Take the time to go through the programs online and look through the many types before you create your final versions. Get an early start so your decisions will not be rushed and your creativity will have ample time to express unique greetings to each person on that list.

I want to tell you about a site called 123Print. It's one of the favorite sites I've been browsing to get ideas for creating my personal Christmas cards. One of my personal favorites is the personalised card with the oval photo on the front. It's classy and elegant and perfect for your Boss or friends who want to show it off all year. Add the photo of your choice and that's the personal touch.

Browse further to find cards that allow you to insert two or three photos in various layouts and designs. The choices are extensive ranging from Frosty the Snowman to elegant wreathes and garlands or stars of peace. Any of these cards will warm your loved ones hearts, especially with the personal photos and message that you can choose. It's all done on the website with the software that guides you through the steps.

You can create cards in batches and 123Print has special offers right now before Christmas. Order them now and get a head start on filling the orders of your Christmas card list of names. Make sure you don't forget anyone so check that list twice. Don't worry. You can return to the site as often as you wish and create last minute cards if necessary.

So how do you order the cards and how are they printed and delivered?

• Simply register for an account then log in.
• Choose your design and color.
• Upload your personal photos.
• Pay with all major credit cards right online.
• Preview a sample printed kit before making an order that can be requested online and shipped to you. This will not have your personal information on the samples.
• Orders are shipped in 2-3 business days.

Have a happy holiday and enjoy creating your personalized Christmas cards this year.

The Midnight Writer

Will he surprise you this year or will you be ready when Santa comes down that chimney?


Well, everything.
The same techniques and strategies that you use for planning a blog can be applied to planning a holiday or an event, or vice versa. The key word here is "planning" and the success of this important step when applied to any event or task lies in the application, not the strategy, the techniques or the details.

The Midnight Writer

 Every vehicle owner these days thinks about insurance because it is mandated by law. Besides, its just good sense to carry coverage of some sort in case of an accident or injury. My husband and I searched high low to make price comparisons in an effort to find cheap car insurance without sacrificing the necessary coverage. It was a tough quest, let me tell you!

Am I getting a little over excited about Christmas this year? Maybe. But that's a good thing!

Do you know why?

This year I'll be in my own house close to lots of family. The key words here are "own house", which means I can decorate any way I choose and have tons of fun doing it. I have not decorated for Christmas in my own place in fifteen years! The closest I came to actually putting up Christmas decorations was two years ago at our daughter Kelly's in Idaho. I put huge ribbons all over the house and on the tree. It was fun and it was my own personal touch.

I can't wait to string some lights, hang some tinsel and garlands and place ribbons and decorations throughout the house. It will be fun to make some home made decorations like I did when the children were young and still living at home. We used to string popcorn, gather pine cones and make cute ornaments with them and we gathered bows of pine to make wreaths. I also made many styles of decorative wreaths using lace, ribbon, straw, bells, reindeer, and all sorts of little ornaments. I was a very craft loving person. I still am. So this year will be a time to get reacquainted with the crafty artistic side of me again.

Baking is another part of the holidays that is absolutely a delight for me. My mom used to bake dozens of cookies and pies for every holiday. She made fancy ginger bread houses which I helped to decorate. Oh, how I miss Mom this year. If she were here, we'd be making those lists already and we'd be out shopping for the different supplies to make all our home made crafts. We'd be in the woods already gathering all that neat green and earthy material for our special projects.

Make some home made Christmas decorations this year to keep it simple and to save some money. The benefits are multiple, to include the heart warming satisfaction you will feel at your sense of accomplishment. The fun of gathering materials and fashioning your artistic displays with family and friends adds to the spirit of the season. After all, isn't it about togetherness and sharing the love of Christ with everyone? This is a good way to make time with your loved ones.

Since Mom is not here, I want to take this opportunity to share with my children and grandchildren some of the traditions that Mom taught me. Then we can go find and cut our own Christmas tree like Dad did every year until he reached his late eighties. I miss my dear Dad. I'll be thinking of you this year when my husband helps me put up the tree and hang all those lights like you used to do.

It promises to be an exciting holiday season this year. What are your plans?

The Midnight Writer