Our Handmade Christmas ! Enjoying the Holidays & Keeping A Budget :)

   If you have a lot of people to buy for this Christmas or even if you only have a few special people in mind, but either way you are trying to maintain a budget for the holidays then I have the list for you. :) I have compiled a list of my favorites and the list of things that I'm doing this holiday to cut down on cost, but really increase the meaning of the gift you're giving to your family and friends.

   A big focus of mine is handmade! Now this scares some, but don't let it! There is a wide range of handmade gift ideas and absolutely everyone can find something special to them to make from the heart! 

 1) Handmade Art by Your Kids :)

  Your sweet little ones can create gifts for the holiday that mean the world when received! Visit your local Hobby Lobby and pick up some of their canvas for handprints and footprints or a beautiful piece of art painted by your kids! This will absolutely be a hit and you won't ever get another like it! 

2) Gifts Fresh from Your Kitchen

   Go to the kitchen and pull out your favorite recipe! What is a signature dessert you love to make or a favorite hot chocolate with your special flare added to it that everyone just loves?! Now think mini version! :) Make your favorite pie, but in a cupcake pan for bite size gifts to fill small Christmas trays with or a batch of cookies would be perfect too. Back to the hot chocolate you could make one of those adorable ingredients layered ready to mix up mason jar gifts as well!!! Just get creative and pick your recipes and treats according to ingredients and pricing as well. There is no harm in picking the best dessert at the least expense. Everyone loves a warming, homemade treat and it will be a hit no matter what! 

3) Handmade Crafts by You

   Something I personally love to do is crafts. I am making a lot of crocheted things for the people this year. This is something that relaxes me and majority of the people I know love to receive these types of things. Pick patterns and projects suitable to their tastes too. I am making blankets, scarves, hats, head bands, and little cell phone purses. You can crochet all of these and at a very reasonable price especially if you watch your sales at your local craft store such as Hobby Lobby. They run sales for sections of their store every single week and they also offer a 40% off coupon for one regular priced item per customer. Also note weeks before Christmas even comes close to arriving Hobby Lobby and many other local craft locations are already marking down the Christmas everything substantially so this would be a great time to grab those last minute yarns and scrapbook papers with a holiday theme!!!! 

 

4) Now for the Festive Wrapping! 

   Now to "wrap" ;) this all up think about the wrapping paper that you are using. That festive pre-finished paper can be so expensive and for barely any paper! Some wonderful warm, personal alternatives can be butchers paper or some basic white paper that you can buy from anywhere for a multitude of purposes. The cost will not be nearly what it would be for some pre-packaged holiday wrapping paper because it's not geared towards the current high demand. Grab a silver or gold marker and write your Christmas note right on the paper. Get some solid white paper draw some pretty designs on it or make a little ornament and attach it to the top as a decorative edition. Examples of ornaments are in my prior blog post about handmade ornaments http://mommamiamoments.blogspot.com/2014/11/handmade-christmas-decorations-family.html?m=1 . I have also included some other ideas below. Simple little wooden ornaments you can create by just finding a tree limb in your yard or grabbing a dowling rod that you can get from your local hardware store and cut in slices. You want the width to be substantial enough to make a nice circular ornament so a few inches wide is ideal. Use a little wood burning tool kit or paint (whatever you prefer) on these and add some sweet sayings, a Bible verse , names and a date, or note the celebration of a first Christmas for a couple just married or in their first home. Highlight a precious baby's first Christmas or a gift for expectant parents and it will mean so much, but at a portion of the cost. 

   I hope that you enjoyed this and are inspired to out your own personal touches on Christmas this year!!! I appreciate each and every person that stops by and reads my page. 

Merry Christmas!!!! 

~~ Momma Mia :)

DIY Pipe Projects for Home Accents

   Take a look at this wonderful link with awesome ideas using pipe you can pick up from your local hardware store. Cost efficient, great look, and easy DIY!! Had to share this! 

To view full original article visit:

http://www.decoratingyoursmallspace.com/diy-projects-with-pipe/

Thanks so much for stopping in!!! 

~~ Momma Mia :) 

Gods Little Blessings

   There have been a lot of changes in my surrounding friends and family's lives lately and through it all both happy and sad prayer is the thing that is the foundation!  

   There are prayers of need and sadness for lost mommy's with little ones, husbands, parents, siblings, and friends left here to pick up pieces and really connect them in a totally different way... For lost baby's before a mom could ever see them open their eyes, for family and friends and sudden tragedys. 

   There are also prayers of thankfulness for blessings of all kinds: safe travels, new baby's, clean bills of health, new milestones in life, close relationships with Christ no matter if newly found or just stronger than ever.

  This may seem confusing to some, but based on some of the things we have experienced lately I am at this second to the point of tears just from feeling overwhelmingly blessed, grateful, honored that my son can call for me and find me. That he can say Mommy and not have to keep looking with no knowledge his mommy went to Heaven and will no longer be able to love and care for him on this earth. I pray for a long and healthy life in which I can pester and harrass my family to the very last because though I know I'm going to Heaven and I'm blessed to have that opportunity I also love my little piece of Heaven God has granted me on this earth. 

   Prayer is the very first and yet also the final place your heart and lips go to cry and to rejoice! He is our beginning and end and He is our full unending support on earth. I just feel incredibly blessed and am reminded daily even more so really by the minute at some times how very blessed I am to have His love and through His love to have an amazing and faithful family and close knit group of friends to move through life with.

Dear Lord,

   Thank you for your gifts of love unchanging and for my beautiful blessing of a family and extended family through friends. Please always allow me to work more every day to shine and honor you! Please let me work to never take for granted my blessings on this earth and in Heaven. Amen 

   Thank you as always for stopping by and taking the time to share in my posts, thoughts, life, mommy moments, and projects. 

~~ Love Momma Mia

Handmade Christmas Decorations ~ Family Fun & Special Ornaments DIY

   I love to decorate for the holidays and I love the special memories this time of year brings!! Leading from this I think THE SINGLE MOST perfect memories and decorating combination is handmade decorations with your children, family, and friends! Absolutely nothing beats the value of those to me! Give me an ornament that is store bought in comparison to an ornament my little boy made for me and the one that will light up my day is the one he hands me with his beautiful art work and a huge, proud smile!!!

   Below I have shown several pictures of ornaments we have made at home this holiday season. 

** Below is the way my sister arranged her special handmade Christmas decorations and I just loved and had to share! She made the little snowmen clothespin son the tree and the terra cotta pot snowmen sitting on the end table as well. 

1) Children's Handprint Ornament

   

   Below is a blank porcelain ornament where the kids painted their sweet little hands and placed their handprints one on top of the other. I just love, love this!!! Immediately made it and every member wanted one! Be sure and let the prints thoroughly dry then spray a sealant for safe keeping :)

2) Terra Cotta Snowman Ornaments 

   These are precious and were simple to make. Well, I say that, but it takes a tiny bit of sewing and prep before it just falls together and my wonderful mom did the prep on these precious pieces. We made this as our Thanksgiving Day craft for all of my sisters and the little ones to do together. 

   First just simply paint your terra cotta white then for the scarf base we just got glued ribbon on. The face is hand painted and little Pom Poms are the ear muffs! :) Feed a couple of bells larger than the hole in the base of the terra cotta pot onto a string and then feed the string through the hole. Knot it off and this is your bell sound and ornament hanging string :) 

3) DIY Clothespin Snowmen

   Just get clothespins from any craft store and paint them white. The scarfs are pipe cleaners twisted and secured in one little spot with hot glue. The hats are the wooden sewing string spools painted black and then to widen the base of the hat more we cut some black felt in a larger circle and just got glued to base of the black wooden spool. Tada! :) So cute!!!  

4) Reindeer Ornaments from Wine Corks 

   These are assembled with hot glue, twigs from our dogwood tree :), and a little screwed on loop to hold string on top so it can be hung as an ornament. I like to crochet so I also just did a simple double crocheted scarf for each to the width and length that was proportional to their size. 

This is mine below. 

Then the one I made for my husband. 

Then the one I made for our son :) who is two and a half. I tried to pick smaller wine corks and tinier details for his. I also painted the tips of the antlers blue like little lights because he liked ;) 

   I hope you enjoyed these handmade ornaments and let me know how's yours turn out as well!!!! If love to hear ideas and requests too for other posts! 

~~ Merry Christmas from Momma Mia and my Family!!

Sports Highlight Odell Beckham Jr. !!

   As a first time mommy of a little boy I'm in training! I'm working to learn and observe so that when my little guy is old enough I'll be able to cheer him on and know all that he is talking about when he wants to!! I want to make him proud and take every opportunity to be a part of his joys in life!!! 

   It's important to note I do know some about sports because my wonderful dad was surrounded by four little girls his and no boys so we learned and participated with him! Playing football in the yard and anything else to spend time with our awesome dad. :) Now I'm just trying for my little boy to take what my dad has taught us to the next level! Luckily I have my dad and husband to continue my eduction on this! 

   So, to touch base on my actual post name, I do have to say that catch was literally the most amazing catch I have ever seen and my dad was through the roof when it happened too!! If I can I'll post a highlight, but it was awesome! He caught it behind his head one handed and brought that football in safely! Awesome job Odell Beckham Jr.!!! Wishing you an amazing career!! What an impressive moment and as a rookie too!!!! 

~~ Momma Mia in Sports Training ;) 

Some Favorite DIY Building Project Finds :)

   Here are some recent finds that I love showing fabulous remakes, up cycling, and repurposing of inexpensive and even free supplies! 

1) DIY Ottoman from a pallet

   Beautiful ottoman and who would even know it is made from a pallet !! 

http://www.chiclittlehouse.com/2012/02/diy-ottoman-ideas.html?m=1

2) Industrial Paper Towel Holder 

http://www.the36thavenue.com/diy-industrial-paper-towel-holder/

3) Simple Table for Display behind Couch

http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2014/09/free-woodworking-plans-turned-leg-console-table.html

4) Repurpose Old Shutters into a Porch Table

http://makecreatedo.com/2012/08/03/recycle-shutter-inspiration/

5) Beautiful Entry Way Bench Tutorial

   Really this bench would be lovely anywhere, but I think they used it in such a pretty way in this entry area!

http://ana-white.com/2009/11/modern-farm-benches

6) Blanket Ladder

   Again love this and also from Shanty-2-Chic.com. Some really pretty projects!!!

http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2013/12/10-wooden-blanket-ladder.html

   I just love this list!!!!! As we are house shopping these kinds of projects me almost unable to contain my excitement!! I hope you all enjoy these as well. :) 

   Are there any project finds you have and love? Please share or request projects you would like to see in tutorial form in the future. Thanks for reading! 

~~Momma Mia

Mommy Moment ~ Snuggle Time

   I am here to say that the most priceless moments are when your little one snuggles in for a nap and just hold on to you with all of their love! I will wrap my arm around my little guy and he will give my arm a kiss and squeeze while making a hugging sound and my heart melts into a puddle...

   Being a mommy is the most special change that has ever happened in my life and literally words cannot express my appreciation for the opportunity to be his biggest fan and audience for ever!

Love my sweet little man! What a blessing! I just had to share :)

~~Momma Mia

Workshop Tools INC ~ A Special Family Ran Business & My First BlogFeatured on Another Site :)

   I am very excited to share because yesterday my blog was featured on the website of a company I hold dear to my heart! They are the perfect example of everything our economy is reliant upon and stands for; the small business, free enterprise, iniative, love for our countries greatness while making every effort to maintain its quality roots, and a family willing to work to make things successful! I have had the honor of having their family in my life and being a part of their wonderful business for more than 10 years now.

   I am excited to find they enjoyed a DIY project blog I put together for their website and they posted it which was so nice! :) 

   I wanted to be sure to link to their site because they are a great company and group of people to shop with. I hope you take a moment to check out their blog and website!!

   If you are looking for a great selection of hand tools, power tools by an array of brand names, accessories, and a staff that can answer your questions then I hope you will visit

www.WorkshopTools.com

A Gift You Cannot Buy

   In the past year I have stumbled across and thoroughly enjoy now regularly following Kirk Cameron's Facebook and blog posts. It's wonderfully encouraging to see families thriving in Christ and not changing their values for anyone. 

   I always feel blessed by these articles and I wanted to share. 

   How can you give the gift of Gods word to your children? A gift you cannot buy...

http://kirkcameron.com/gift-buy/

Improving Your Credit Score ~ Steps and Guidance based on our PersonalExperiences

   Do you have a credit score that is less than satisfactory? Do you have financial choices you made when you were young (and maybe not so wise) still haunting your financial freedom? Most of us do or have and let me tell you do not let a low score discourage your family though!! There are so many opportunities out there now that are free and very useful resources guiding you each step of the way as you work to increase your credit score. 

   My husband and I, like so many others, have been working long and hard to fix ours and there are so many options to help you that I want to share as others have shared with me. 

    On a side note, back not terribly long ago credit scores were not released to us very easily. You had to jump through hoops it felt like to even know where you stood vaguely. So many things have changed and the opportunity to stay in tune with your score and who is reporting on it is so much more accessible these days as it should have always been! It's important to remember with these changes in rules comes opportunity to regularly review and effect change on your credit history and in your life. 

SITES TO HELP YOU IMPROVE YOUR SCORE

1) Credit Karma 

   is a well known FREE service that allows you to get regular updates on your score and advice as to how to constantly improve it. You can simulate alterations of your current finances to estimate impact on your score long term as well. Great tool!! There are even apps available for your phone that allow you access and updates on the go as well. The site has more detailed information and guidance than the app, but both are excellent and I use this site all of the time. 

2) AnnualCreditReport.com 

   is the standard once a year free (LEGITIMATE) site that will offer you full detail and accessibility to your credit history on all three credit bureaus once every year. You can download these in PDF form and save for review and records. The site also offers links to easily help you dispute inaccurate information effecting you negatively on your report as well. There are a lot of sites out there that claim to offer this, but this one is legitimate and FREE. 

   

3) iQualier.com

    is another credit improvement site that you pay a fee of $24 a month for their service which I'm not to crazy about however I did use it for a few months and gained some good advice and guidance. If you want to spend a little this site is a good one because it updates details every month showing how you are improving your score and what you need to do next to make the largest and most positive impact on your score. Again this site also has a credit score simulator, but this site offers more detailed suggestions which I learned a lot from. I again paid for this service for a few months and learned a lot, but then discontued the service. I don't see the need for a long term investment here as you are looking to learn and it teaches a lot right off the bat. So if you want to spend a little join this site and just download all of the advice and suggestions for future reference then cancel after a couple months of gained knowledge. 

NOTES FROM OUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES 

1) Review your score regularly. Not only is this information you need to know, but it also reflects positively on your credit score details to show you review your own information regularly. (Once a year in annualcreditreport.com)

2) Set small, but steady goals. 

3) Don't get discouraged. :D 

4) Be consistent in your efforts to show positive and regular behavior in your credit details. 

    We've been working slowly on certain accounts for years. Our big primary accounts were kept in good order (car loans, student loans, and things of that sort that report to the credit bureaus), but there were medical bills and a few of my student loan accounts I just handled very inefficiently in past years and so my history there really hurt me. Therefore those were more a matter of time and effort to call and make them right. I called my student loans and BAM small improvements on my score in 30 days! 

   The next step we made was applying for a small basic credit card. Now remember cards are dangerous so do not let yourself get sucked in! I have made that mistake and you just have to train yourself to not use that card unless you have to actual money to back the purchase. Now, back to my point, this card wasn't anything awesome. The limit was small, there was an annual small fee, high interest, and minimal perks, but they approved me! Being approved was the first battle won! Then from there we chose to put small gas purchases only on there and to pay it every month to avoid interest and penalties. Two months later and my credit score jumped 14 points just from this type of positive activity and improved credit utilization (those last words are specifically what it said)!! 

   Moving into another option was debt consolidation... I don't mean paying one of the agencies to help you, I mean (if and this is dependent upon each of your personal situations) if this is an option you may prefer and be able to obtain without a heavy loan or risk then investigate small loans to consolidate some of those problem bills. In our case we had a slew of mismanaged medical bills... There just doesn't seem to be enough money to cover it all, but the key is don't just ignore it... Make an effort, any effort, and many times just the effort no matter how small is welcomed from the billing company and thereby avoids you being sent to collections or reported to the credit bureaus. I was able to get a small loan and consolidate most of the remaining debt regarding my medical bills thereby removing several accounts that were in bad standing on my credit report! Yippee!!!!!! 

   Tip: when calling medical bills keep in mind they offer settlements. They are taking a cut off these balances they bill you for either when your is insurance company pays them or when they make an agreement with you. REMEMBER they are more flexible than you think. I knew this vaguely, but then a very kind man that worked at a collection agency (a blessing for sharing his knowledge was what he was for my family) shared with me that often the best way to approach companies is to tell them how much you have to offer them. Meaning I have $200 that I have to put towards this bill. Will you allow this to settle the account balance? He said often companies will take .45 cents on the dollar to close these accounts. I dealt with a company that took $600.00 for a balance of over $1600.00. So just be honest and not intimidated by the figures you see on paper and ask. The worse that can be said is you are denied or receive a counter offer which is fine too because it's less than you would have owed before. If you can do it then take the ofer and if you cannot know they will work with you if you are firm and reliable! 

   I hope this article was encouraging and enlightening enough to help someone out there smile under there's circumstances and also know that there are options and they can improve their finances and credit score. My husband and I were able to improve my credit score by 75 points in six months with the above processes and efforts and I just hope the same for anyone else in this situation! 

   Do any of you have input or suggestions that have helped you in cases like this??? Please speak up and share and I pray this article and any comments left are a blessing to someone situation! 

Smile and know you are not alone! I'll be posting again soon and hope to hear about your experiences and successes!!! :) 

~~Momma Mia~~

Flowers & Foliage DIY !!

   Flowers and foliage that you can make! So excited about these finds and eager to use in an array of situations and events!! 

   Think about weddings, baby showers, general home decor additions, parties of any sort, events, store front decor, bouquets for all sorts of occasions, and a million other uses that only your imagination limits!

   I have come across so many different beautiful ideas and I just have to share. 

~~ Paper Ranunculus

http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/1032021/diy-paper-ranunculus-flowers

Gorgeous and in season all year long! 

~~ More Floral DIY Links

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/231065/how-make-crepe-paper-flowers/@center/272429/diy-weddings#ad2

~~ Another :) 

There are just so many and they are gorgeous!!! I'll continue to update and share all of these lovely finds as I go along!!! 

Thanks for stopping in and reading about these finds! 

Momma Mia ~~ :D 

DIY Wonderful Baby Gifts !!!

   Absolutely love when there is a new addition on the way!! I have my little one and friends all around me expecting others! It's a lot of fun to shop and find gifts perfect for each of them, but the problem is I don't want to run out and buy something that maybe several others have already bought them so I think these DIY projects are the way to go! They are personalized and made with love by you for them.... Perfect! :)

A handmade wet bag tutorial:

http://www.craftinessisnotoptional.com/2011/09/wet-bag-tutorial.html

Free pacifier pocket pattern:

http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2011/07/pacifier-pocket-tutorial-plus-free-pattern-pieces.html

Portable growth chart:

http://adventuresindecoratinganddesign.blogspot.com/2012/01/ruler-growth-chart.html?m=1

   Take a look at each of the attached blog links for other awesome ideas!! I hope you enjoy these finds as much as I have. I know some sweet expectant mommies and new little babies in my life that will be receiving these. :)

~~Mia~~ :D 

Out of the Box Extra Income Ideas for You and Your Family

   As a mommy and an individual just wanting to improve their family's well being I have set out on a mission to find ways and options to make additional income out of the home and in other less traditional environments! I am working constantly to find, research, and make sure my finds are legitimate so that I can provide for my family and share with your family so that it may bless you too! 

   My drive is that I want to be with my babies and I want to provide for them in the best way my husband and I can. I know I am among many who feel this same way and I am hoping to be able to research and share things that will give us all an informed direction needed to make progress in these hopes. 

   If anyone reading this post or reading posts to follow related to this topic has options and suggestions that they are willing to share what a wonderful blessing that would be as well! 

   I am in the middle of studying many different possibilities so you will hear from me again soon as I continue to study and pray to be lead to opportunities that are blessings for my family and your families!! Excited about this project!!

A few things I have found so far:

1) Blogging

   What I am doing right now can provide extra income for your family! Blogging! If you enjoy writing and expressing your thoughts in a way that others can share, learn from, or maybe even just giggle at then this might be an option for you! Share your day to day activities, knowledge, ideas that inspire, mommy advice, event planning concepts, photos, travel experiences, recipes, and any other special thing unique to you that you are passionate about! Your passion shines through in your words and will inspire others as well. That alone is a big personal reward and source of enjoyment. 

   The energy you emit will not go unnoticed and will be viewed, shared, and repeat! You will gain a following and they will create a traffic and following for your blog. What is more wonderful than doing something you love that discuses things you hold dear to your heart and will help take care of your loved ones while doing it?!! WONDERFUL!!  

   Once you've established a blog you can apply for and activate accounts that advertise small and tasteful ads on your website. These ads generate income based on views, clicks, and other activity. As your traffic increases your income will increase. Blog consistently, make It quality content, and you cannot go wrong. There are many free hosted sites you can join to blog and establish ads with: Blogger, Word Press, HubPages to name a few. 

   Give it a shot! There is no reason not to right? :) 

2) Rental Car Customer Service Telecommute Jobs 

   Rental car companies, such as Enterprise and Hertz for examples, will outsource various jobs such as customer service positions to people with at home offices to work from. Example: a friend just became employed for one of these type companies at an hourly wage of $13.00 per hour. It's a customer service position with Monday-Friday hours! What a blessing. This was not a rare occurrence either. Upon finding out about this I wanted to know more! It turns out this is a common and possible job to have a chance at so check this out in your area. 

 

3) Web Based Self-Employed Business 

   If you have a talent or a passion and you are willing to invest the time to market it you can build your own business in the comfort of your home via a personalized website. This is an incredibly realistic and affordable way to build a business. There are many sites that offer already made or easily editable website layouts if you are not comfortable in this area. My only warning is to watch for those sites that offer layouts and then once you establish a website with them they own it and will never let you move it to another service for hosting. Your domain should be yours. 

   Go Daddy is an example of a site with layouts available and the option to purchase a domain name through them. You still have the flexibility to take you domain name to anyone else you want as well. 

4) Etsy, EBay, Amazon

   These sites all offer options to set up a business storefront with a grouping of products your company sells. There are fees, but you can control them and your audience is immediately all over the world! 

5) Local Sales 

   Don't forget free opportunities for extra income on a local level such as Craiglist, regular yards sales, and community gatherings. All of these are free possibilities to bring a talent to your local community and generate income. 

6) Large Companies Turn to Telecommute Jobs 

   Many companies are outsourcing for various positions including customer service, admin assistants, data entry, medical transcription, and personal assistants. Keep your eyes open and continually scan Craigslist and other job posting sites for possibilities! 

   I plan to research more, but hope this article gives some thoughts and possible direction to anyone looking for options and lost as to where to start!!! You will hear from again as I learn more and again if you have suggestions to share please comment and we all will help each other! 

Thank you for stopping in to read my posts!!

~~Momma Mia

DIY Pintuck Duvet

   I found this DIY bedding tutorial and fell in love. Please visit the below link for all details and steps. Great blog and great DIY! Beautiful!!!

http://www.viewalongtheway.com/2013/06/diy-pintuck-duvet/

Real Work From Home Job Opportunities

You don’t have to own a business to work from home.

Although there are plenty legitimate home-based businesses you can start, existing companies will pay you to help them from the comfort of your own home.

So get your home office set up, here are 20 real companies that will pay you to work in your slippers.

Comfy!

Real Companies That Will Pay You To Work From Home

1. About.com

Love to write? Are you an expert in your field? You can share your tips with About.com readers and make money per article you produce. There are a wide variety of topics that you can write about (pun not intended).

2. E-Poll

Looking for something easy to do to make a few extra bucks? E-Poll lets you take surveys in exchange for money in your PayPal account or gift cards in your wallet. You’ll receive e-mail invitations to take surveys, earn points, and redeem! Simple and easy. If you’re wanting some free stuff, try out Swagbucks.com.

3. Applied Medical Services

If you have at least two years of experience as a medical transcriptionist, this job is for you. You’ll receive competitive pay rates, premium weekend and holiday pay, and best of all: you’ll be able to work from home!

4. Brainmass.com

If you have a graduate degree, consider joining Brainmass.com. Brainmass uses online teaching assistants to help students solve all kinds of problems. How do you get paid? Students purchase credits to have questions answered, and as a teaching assistant, you’ll be paid a portion of the credit.

5.Speak Write

Want to transcribe non-medical information? You can do so with Speak Write! Take one hour shifts where you simply type out spoken audio. Fast typists can earn upwards of $15/hour! This is a great opportunity for college students; pick your own hours and have a flexible job!

6. WiseBread.com

If you’re a personal finance expert, you can get paid to write for WiseBread.com. Three sample blog posts are required. Take a look at this article on WiseBread for some tips on how to apply. If you’re interested in blogging in general, be sure to check out Blogging Your Passion University and Bob’s hit article, How to Make Money with a Blog.

7. 1800Flowers.com

Hiring full-time and part-time seasonal work, 1800Flowers.com hires employees, not contract laborers. Pay is about $9/hour. This is a reputable company with several opportunities. 1800Flowers.com has more than just flowers: you’ll find cakes, cookies, candied apples, chocolate and candy, fruit baskets, gift baskets, and spa gift baskets! The only problem? You might be tempted to spend your earnings on all these yummy goodies!

8. U-Haul

During this work-at-home job, you’ll receive inbound calls for general moving questions and scheduling. You’re able to choose hours that you want to work, so if you are a student, this might be a great way to make a few extra bucks.

9. WeGoLook.com

Want to complete tasks other than writing or communicating as a customer support representative? Try becoming a “looker!” You can perform tasks online and off. The tasks start at $25 and work their way up depending on the project.

10.BalanceYourBooks.com

If you’re a bookkeeper and/or a CPA, this is a great opportunity for you. Bookkeepers must have at least 2 or more years of bookkeeping experience, and CPAs must have 5 or more years prior public accounting or controllership experience. You’ll be able to telecommute to work from the comfort of your own home.

To read this entire article please visit: http://christianpf.com/real-companies-that-will-pay-you-to-work-from-home/?hvid=3kVfC

As I have mentioned before on my blog ChristianPF.com if an excellent blog for financial guidance and all kinds of other pertinent and useful hints, tips, guides, and ideas to improve your family, home, and finances. Excellent blog. 

Thanks so much for visiting my blog and I hope you found these tips useful! I certainly thought it was a great guideline and source for information and had to share this with you all and say thanks to its writer!  :D 

~~Mia~~ 

Why Women Need Their Girlfriends

This is just a beautiful reminder posted on another blog and I had to share it because two beautiful friends and sisters of mine shared it with me. 

~~Mia~~ 

THE BLOG

Why Women Need Their Girlfriends

Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis

Years ago, I was at the beach with my family when I noticed a group of ladies nearby who appeared to be in their 50s.

With a quick glance, I knew they were on a girls' weekend. All the signs were there -- coolers and cocktails, beach bags with romance novels, straw hats, umbrellas in the sand -- but most telling of all was their laughter. Lots and lots of laughter, the kind that draws attention and curiosity from anyone in earshot.

I loved watching these women enjoy each other's company. Although they were older than me, and well past my season of life in having babies, I could imagine being in their shoes one day, basking in the glow of old friends who still made me feel young again.

That afternoon, I saw two of them in the elevator. When I commented on how much fun they seemed to have, they smiled and nodded. One replied, "Oh, we do have fun. We've kept this beach trip going for 20 years and have been through everything -- divorce, death, cancer, unemployment. Don't ever lose touch with your girlfriends, sweetheart. The older you get, the more you'll need them."

The conversation left an impression on me. While I'd always treasured my girlfriends, I'd never thought about needing them more with age. And if I'm being honest, it's only been in the last year or so that I've taken their words to heart.

Because now that I'm in my 40s, I'm seeing how real divorce, death, cancer, unemployment and other major life problems are. I understand what they meant when they emphasized the importance of girlfriends, as my age group faces hardships we couldn't imagine when we were young and carefree.

Last February, I found the advice these women gave me really validated when my dear friend Emily, whom I met when our daughters became friends, lost her husband Joe in a plane crash. Emily and Joe weren't just any couple -- they were the couple who had been best friends since age 15, whose incredible love story was still going strong. What they had was special. To have it end early and suddenly was unfathomable, unfair and hard to comprehend.

Joe's death impacted a lot of people hard, and throughout their home there was so much sadness and grieving, so many heavy hearts in one place. In the midst of this tragedy, however, there was also so much LOVE. You could feel the Holy Spirit everywhere, working in Emily and the people surrounding her.

As I left Emily's house the day after Joe's death, I sat in my car and reflected on everything I'd witnessed. One thing I kept thinking about were the women in Emily's life, and how amazing they'd been. It wasn't just the food being carted in, the affection showered on the family, or the fact that so many people had dropped everything to drive or fly to Birmingham. It was the way Emily's village came together, how friends from every stage of life were represented (adolescence, college, law school, work and motherhood) and howwell everyone knew her.

And because they knew her well, they could do a lot to lighten Emily's load.

When I arrived at Emily's house the morning after Joe's death, for instance, someone asked if I'd write his obituary. I agreed, of course, and was given the names of surviving family members to start with. Since Emily was meeting with her pastor about the funeral, I began the obituary with the help of four friends who'd known Emily and Joe for decades. My intention was to write a rough draft and let Emily fill in the blanks.

But guess what? Emily didn't have to fill in blanks, because her old friends filled in the blanks for her. Together they recalled pertinent details of Joe's life: the special dates he planned with his daughters, how he graduated first in his law school class, which law firms he'd worked with, his role as basketball commissioner, his love for their church mission trip to Maine -- the list goes on.

As they talked and I typed, I found myself wondering: How many people have friends who could write their husband's obituary? What does that say about Emily and her relationships?

All over Emily's house, huddles of women were taking care of business. As I passed a group from her church, I heard them planning the visitation and family luncheon before the funeral. "Emily wouldn't like that, but she would like this," they said. "Why don't we give her option A and option B?" When Emily emerged from her meeting with the pastor an hour later, the legwork was done. She was given an obituary to proofread, options for Saturday and updates from friends handling small matters so Emily could reserve energy for big ones.

Our girlfriends can't save us, for only God can do that, but girlfriends can help make a tragedy bearable. They can read our mind and our emotions, intuitively recognize what needs to be done -- then do it. They can listen, empathize and show compassion. They can be used by God to comfort us and provide a timely shoulder to cry on.

It's hard to nurture friendships when you're busy raising kids. Some days, I don't have the time or energy. But one thing I've learned from watching Emily cope with her loss is how having strong relationships in place before a tragedy occurs enables the healing process. While faith keeps you standing, friends and family hold your hand as you slowly move forward. They help you find a new normal.

They meet you for yoga, bring Starbucks to your home, take your kids for ice cream, plan a girls' beach trip for your Mother's Day, get your dog groomed, text words of encouragement, continue coming to town to check on you and show love in a million heartfelt ways.

"Don't ever lose touch with your girlfriends, sweetheart. The older you get, the more you'll need them." The women in the elevator that day were spot on. And now when I see a group like them having fun, I realize the laughter is only part of the story, what comes after the complicated grown-up stuff. And while we certainly need the wonderful men in our lives, for they play a crucial role, too, men simply aren't designed to understand us like one of our own.

Sometimes it takes another woman to intuitively recognize what needs to be done -- then do it. Or to sense what needs to be said -- then say it. Or to take the thoughts and emotions we don't voice -- and know what to make of them.

Having great friends is largely a matter of being a great friend. The reason Emily's circle is so strong is that she invests in her people. And in her greatest time of need, she reaped the benefit. I hope this story comes as a friendly reminder of why girlfriends matter in good times and bad, laughter and tears, and through the highs and lows that reveal who's with us for the long haul, and who's willing to share in our suffering so that one day, when we're laughing again on the beach, there will be a history that makes the laughter sound richer and stirs the curiosity of anyone in earshot.

This post originally appeared on karikampakis.com. Find Kari on Facebook or check out her upcoming book, 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know, to be released by Thomas Nelson in November 2014.

Follow Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis on Twitter:www.twitter.com/KariKampakis