The Sun is Setting on 2008

As the sun sets on the old year - it's a good time to look back and appreciate all the good things about 2008. All the things we HAVE achieved. Just to have got to the end of it is an achievement for many of us. It's a time to appreciate and be grateful for what we have right now.

One of the things I have found to be mindful of this year is how quickly the time has passed. Of watching our daughter grow and change almost before our very eyes. And this makes me realise that I must enjoy every single moment with her as she will be off and away before we know it. The last eleven years have slipped by in the blink of an eye and I don't want to miss a single second of the next eleven.

I'm also mindful of how important my family is to me. And by family I mean those people that are closest to us. Those people we choose to surround ourselves with and who enrich our lives so much. I have grown even closer to them in 2008 and they have become more precious to me than I ever thought possible.

I have loved my work this year. Sometimes it is very challenging. Sometimes I am very challenging. Pushing my clients to achieve what they didn't think possible. Surprising themselves at how amazing they are. It is worth the pushing and they forgive me for it - I know.

I am grateful to have found many other like minded souls out in 'internetland'. People who have welcomed me and wanted to help me. They have taught me much and encouraged me to develop in ways I would never have considered by myself. I have much to learn and far to go and I am happy to have taken the first steps in 2008.

Have a very Happy Christmas

On Christmas day the most important gift I will be enjoying is having my little family around me. We've been through much over the last few years and we are always there for each other. The most important gifts cannot be bought. They are created by giving time and love to another. I wish you all a very happy Christmastime and a peaceful new year. I hope you get all you wish for.

Heather x

Don't Panic!

So you've just realised there are only days left until Christmas and you're not organised and you haven't even started your Christmas shopping. Don't panic!

If you are in total chaos about Christmas – here is my Damage Limitation Plan for this year. But make sure it doesn’t happen again next year!

* Before you do anything else write a list of everything you have to get: presents, drinks, clothes, cards….everything!
* Then make separate lists: one for presents, one for clothes etc.
* Now prioritise presents by most important e.g. partner, children, parents, other relations, friends etc
* Set yourself a budget for each person
* Set aside time – either one day or a few evenings and get on the internet to order your presents clothes etc, getting all your priority ones first.
* Get as much done on the Internet as you can, even cards and wrapping can be delivered to your door.
* Order clothes from catalogues so you can try on at home. You do not want to be trawling around changing rooms all day.
* For everything else on the list that you can’t get online, plan a day (if you can book time off work for this, great) to go shopping by yourself or with someone who will support you and help you carry things.
* Do not go with the children or someone who will distract you or slows you down.
* Be systematic – plan your visit before you go. Which shops do you need to visit, in what order. Try to get many things in one shop.
* Before you go, have a good breakfast and take snacks with you.
* Be prepared to queue – you may have to queue just to get a parking space or a cup of tea, so don’t let it get you stressed.
* Take shopping back to the car if necessary and take short frequent breaks.
* Tick things off as you go.
* Be flexible – you might not find what you had in mind, or you might find something suitable that you hadn’t considered.
* Remember time and sanity is what we are saving here.
* If you can’t get it or find it – move on!
* Near the end of your shopping day, take a moment to double check everything on your list; make sure you haven’t missed anything.
* When you get home – congratulate yourself!
* Organise everything ready to be wrapped or put away.
* If you haven’t got something, chances are you can live without it.
* Vow that next year you will do things differently.