Willow Tree Angel: With Affection I adore the Willow Tree collection and own several, and this sweet angel holding a cat is on my wishlist this year.

This adorable Chester the Cat Teapot (with matching mug and salt and pepper shakers) makes me wish I drank tea!

I love calendars and for reasons I’m not even sure of, I tend to have several throughout the year. This 2010 calendar features “Bad Cats” in humorous situations.

Learn about the traditions and history of the Lucky Cat, a popular symbol of prosperity and good fortune across Asia and the world, in a hardcover book. Then check out the Lucky Cat figurines.

This Amazon seller has dozens of resin ornaments and figurines, perfect for any collector. Of course, I especially like the Chihuahua and rat terrier ornaments!

Show everyone who your best friend is with this adorable Dog Lover coffee mug.

I love these dog paw car stickers! The set of eight stickers costs less than $4 (including shipping!) and attaches cleanly to any smooth, hard surface.

Of course, we can’t forget the dogs when it comes time to look for a 2010 calendar. This one, like the cat calendar above, also features silly dogs in compromising situations!

[images: amazon.com; custom]

Post from: Blisstree

2009 Gift Guide for the Cat and Dog Lover

Image credit: mylocationscouts

Relax. Enjoy the clutter.

Sometimes the little cluttered things is what makes a house a home. For as long as the clutter isn’t a danger to others, relax for awhile. There’s a difference between a stuffed toy thrown on the floor versus a stuffed toy nestled beside your Grandma’s antique lamp in the hallway. There’s a difference between the book your teenager has left on top of the kitchen table versus an empty tub of yogurt left on the counter.

Sure, there’s a fine line. It’s really up to you whether it’s classified as homey or clutter. Just remember that you aren’t perfect. Your kids aren’t perfect. Your home isn’t perfect. Sometimes it’s the little things here and there that give our homes personality and warmth.

Post from: Blisstree

Enjoy the Clutter

Image from Wrapables.com

This Foot in the Door Doorstop is perfect for shoe lovers! Simply slip the tip of the shoe under your door and ta-da! It comes in black or red and is made from rubber. What a stylish way to keep your door open. At least you don’t have to damage the tip of your own real shoes for that purpose! Just don’t go around looking for the partner of this shoe… unless you want to keep another door open! Like say, your shoe closet?

This will make a great present for those who love shoes or for anyone who just wants to make that fashionable statement right at their home’s entrance!

Post from: Blisstree

A Foot in the Door

The age when Truman fell in love with the beach!

When he was not quite 2 years old, we spent a week on the Gulf Coast of Florida (along Highway 30-A between Rosemary and Seaside, if you are familiar with the area). Truman took to the water like a fish. He played in the surf (probably drank a gallon of seawater) and rolled in the sand (probably ate a pound of that) and played in the pool and slept hard every night. The day we packed up the car and headed home, my son slept the entire way. He woke as we pulled in the driveway and began wailing. We eventually got him inside and for a solid hour he laid on the floor, kicking and screaming, “BEACH HOUSE! BEACH HOUSE!”

We stood over him in amazement. I said to Rick, “Quick, call your parents! Tell them he wants a beach house!” (Rick’s folks buy Truman a gift every time they seem him – which is almost weekly – and they let him want for nothing.) Unfortunately, (and amazingly) they didn’t bite on the beach house request.

We’ve decided, once Truman is in college, that we must retire to the beach – any beach. Right now our top choice is Costa Rica. I’d put Santa Barbara second but we wouldn’t be able to afford much there. I suppose we could live inland near the wine country but then we’d be drunk the whole time. (For that same reason, I couldn’t live in Belgium.) My Our third choice would probably be our favorite strip there along Highway 30-A in Florida. But I’m not ruling out Hawaii. Especially now!

WinHawaiianHome.com is having a contest where you can win this custom-built Hawaiian home “nestled in an enchanted forest with singing frogs about a mile and a half from a gorgeous black sand beach that is home to 30-40 dolphins.” No kidding.

Win this house in Hawaii!

To enter, all you have to do is write a 101-word or less essay and pony up $101. The contest is supervised by legal council and guarantees that each entry will be read. A group of judges will decide the winner of the house as well as second- and third-place winners who will receive $10,000 and $5,000 respectively. Other prizes may also be given.

You’d better hurry because the deadline is May 1, 2009.

If the goal of 6,000 entries is not met by that time, the contest will be extended 101 more days. And if by then the entries still come up short, cash prizes will be awarded based on the number of entries received.

For details, visit www.winhawaiianhome.com.

HURRY!

JWJourney

Post from: Blisstree

Stop Whining and Win this Hawaiian House!

• Bank
• Blog Fabulous
• Landscaper
• Photo prints
• Phone company
• Printer
• The Pet Set marketing
• Dishes|Dinner

I called the landscaper and that turned in to a 30 minute discussion about retainer walls. Meanwhile, I have to get some heavy lifting done in terms of marketing/sales for The Pet Set…or should I post a blog…maybe the dishes…what should I make for dinner tonight…oh, you know what? the dog needs a brushing…need to get some marketing done for The Pet Set…printer, I need to find a printer….maybe the office needs to be redecorated…

Doesn’t sound very focused to you? One of the beauty parts about working from home is that you can find a way to balance your life. I have found a way to have the house things co-exist with the business things on the same list. Something I would not have been able to do in corporate life…heck commuting took up 35% of the day! And did you notice, taking a shower is not on the list yet…’cause that’s optional…lol.

Ok…time to make more tea.

Post from: Blisstree

How Do You Stay Focused?