Free Christmas Music: Must Have Masterpieces MP3

Get in the Christmas spirit with some free Christmas music!


 

Download  Free Must-Have Christmas Masterpieces MP3 from Amazon.This 4-track MP3 includes Jingle Bells, The Nutcracker Suite, Gloria, and Silent Night.


Christmas Book Advent Calendar


It's time to get organized for one my favorite holiday traditions, the Christmas Book Advent Calendar. Check out my post from last year to see which books we enjoy and to get some inspiration for organizing your collection of books.

I am excited to add some new additions to our book lineup this year.







What are your favorite Christmas stories? I would love to add some new ideas to our list.



(Note: The links in this post are my referral links. Read my disclosure policy here.)







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The Nativity Story DVD only $5.70 at Amazon

Just in time for the holidays, you can own The Nativity Story DVD for only $5.70 from Amazon.


Find more great movie and TV deals during Countdown to Black Friday Deals Week.


For more holiday DVD deals, visit Prudent Deals Daily.


(Note: The links in this post are my referral links. Read my disclosure policy here.)

Wise Words

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Wise Words

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Free Veterans Day Honor MP3 Album


Download a 12-song Veterans Day Honor MP3 Album at Amazon. The album consists of 12 patriotic songs performed by various military bands.


(Note: The links in this post are my referral links. Read my disclosure policy here.)

21 Days to a More Disciplined Life - Day 10

Day 10: Discipline Needs Cheerleaders

Today Crystal talks about the importance of having someone to whom you are accountable. When making changes that require discipline, it's too easy to take a day off or take a short cut when things get tough. But if you make yourself accountable to someone, if you know that someone is checking up on your progress, it's much tougher to let things slide.

This 21-day narrative of my progress is a good example. It would be so easy to skip a day, or to stop altogether (such is my tendency toward non-discipline). But the thought of people reading my progress (you are out there, aren't you?), clicking through the days, and then finding that I just dropped the ball...well, that's what keeps me writing this series.

Crystal shares some great ideas for finding an accountability partner tomorrow.
 
Mega Project Step 10

Today I tackled baking supplies. Baking supplies come in all sorts of containers of different shapes and sizes. I do a fair amount of baking and it's important for me to have the commonly used baking items at the ready. I already have my sugars in my favorite OXO pop-up containers and I've decided that these will be perfect for some other baking supplies as well. Chocolate chips and nuts are visible and easily accessible in these containers.

Other baking supplies are located nearby on a two-tier lazy susan. It's not my first choice as far as storage for these items, but it's what I have on hand. I cleaned off the lazy susan (it had been quite a while since it was cleaned) and arranged my smaller baking items such as baking powder, baking soda, vanilla, etc.

Today was another small step on the pantry project but I am seeing real progress. It's nice to be able to locate items quickly in the pantry and to easily see what I have on hand.

Are you just joining our 21-day adventure? Start with Day 1 here.

This series is based on the ebook 21 Days To A More Disciplined Life by Crystal Paine. If you don't have a copy of the ebook yet, it is now available at Amazon.


(Note: The links in this post are my referral links. Read my disclosure policy here.)

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21 Days to a More Disciplined Life - Day 9

Day 9: Break Your Goals Into Bite-Sized Pieces

I am thrilled with the (many) goals I was able to come up with yesterday and I think I narrowed my list to three that will make a big impact in my life and that I am really excited about. I put the goals to paper and have them posted where I am sure to see them several times per day.

Now it's time to break those goals down into smaller pieces so we can begin making progress with baby steps.

My organized pantry mega project is a great example of this. The thought of organizing the entire pantry at once is overwhelming. But once I started breaking it down into small tasks, it doesn't seem so daunting.  Each day when I write what I have accomplished on the mega project, it is almost embarrassing how small the day's task seems. But the impact of each of those small tasks adds up and makes a big difference.

I am thrilled with the progress I have made in the pantry by just taking it a little bit at a time. Now it's time to apply this same procedure to the other goals I have set.


Mega Project Step 9

Today I tackled the pasta items in my pantry. I didn't realize how many different types of pasta I have on hand. I decided my favorite OXO pop-up containers that I have been using for so many other items would be perfect for pasta as well.

The squared corners on these containers save so much space compared to round containers and I just love the great seal on the pop-up lid. The containers are clear so you can see what's inside. And I love how it looks when all the containers are uniform.

Overall it was a pretty easy day on the pantry project (other than the fact that I needed to purchase more containers) but I am seeing real progress and am encouraged by my results.

Continue with day 10 here.

Are you just joining our 21-day adventure? Start with Day 1 here.

This series is based on the ebook 21 Days To A More Disciplined Life by Crystal Paine. If you don't have a copy of the ebook yet, it is now available at Amazon.


(Note: The links in this post are my referral links. Read my disclosure policy here.)

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21 Days to a More Disciplined Life - Day 8

Day 8: Put Your Goals on Paper

Today Crystal reminds us just how important it is to put our goals on paper. Goals floating around in your head are much less likely to be accomplished. In fact, I have read studies that suggest that goals written down are 80% more likely to be accomplished. That's huge!

I'm usually pretty good about putting goals to paper--usually in a notebook somewhere. Then the notebook gets put on a shelf and the thought of the goal gets lost in the busyness of life.

Crystal's other important lesson for today is that we need to have those written goals visible--preferably in several places that you will see often throughout the day. That way you will always have your goal top-of-mind. For me, this is so important! Like I said, I'm great at setting goals then putting them on a shelf to be forgotten.

Today I will be choosing the three goals that I feel will have the most impact in my life right now. I will be posting those goals in the kitchen, my bathroom, and my car. Hopefully, my goals will stay top-of-mind as I make my way through the day.

I can't wait to try it!


Mega Project Step 8

Today I tackled the coffee and tea items in my pantry. I love coffee, and have recently developed a taste for tea as well.

I storing my coffee beans in a OXO container like I used for some of my baking staples. I have a large metal scoop that I keep in the container along with the beans. I corralled all the boxed  tea bags and stacked them neatly. Overall, it was a pretty easy day on the pantry project.

Continue with Day 9 here.

Are you just joining our 21-day adventure? Start with Day 1 here.

This series is based on the ebook 21 Days To A More Disciplined Life by Crystal Paine. If you don't have a copy of the ebook yet, it is now available at Amazon.


(Note: The links in this post are my referral links. Read my disclosure policy here.)

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21 Days to a More Disciplined Life - Day 7

Day 7: Resist Negative Thought Patterns

What do you say when you talk to yourself? Do you say "I'm going to try to reach my goal", or do you say "I will reach my goal"? There's a huge difference!

Today Crystal talks about negative thought patterns that may creep in and threaten our success. For me, the negative thoughts usually have to do with being too tired. Such as, "I'm just too tired to get this all done!" I'm thinking that maybe my sleep goal should have been first on my list.

But isn't this just another example of a negative thought pattern? I chose a goal to work on first (cleaning the kitchen before bedtime). Once I feel that this goal has been established (I think that I"m just about there), I will set a goal concerning the amount of sleep I get each night.

In fact, I have decided to set that goal right now! Beginning next Sunday, I will get at least 7 hours of sleep per night. Between now and then I will need to make some schedule changes to be sure that all my responsibilities can be completed before my new bedtime.

What negative thought patterns creep into your thinking? What can you do to change those thoughts to something positive and encouraging?


Mega Project Step 7

Today I organized the snack items that typically get packed in lunches. We have some crackers, raisins, and granola bars that are favorites for both lunches and snacks.

To keep these items neat and organized, I am using some small wooden bins that clementines come in. The small bins are the perfect size for my pantry shelves. The are shallow enough so that the snacks don't get squashed and damaged, and they even stack. Best of all, I have several of them on hand so there is no cost involved in this pantry upgrade.

How is your mega project coming along? I would love to hear about it!

Continue with Day 8 here.

Are you just joining our 21-day adventure? Start with Day 1 here.

This series is based on the ebook 21 Days To A More Disciplined Life by Crystal Paine. If you don't have a copy of the ebook yet, it is now available at Amazon.


(Note: The links in this post are my referral links. Read my disclosure policy here.)