USPS 2011 Holiday Shipping Deadlines Announced

It's that time of year again!  Well, it feels like it has been for quite some time for me.  I started working in a popular craft store a year ago this December.  It's the first time I've ever worked in retail so imagine my shock when I saw that we had Christmas stock start showing up in the store in JULY.  I kid you not.  I typically enjoy this time of year but have been exposed to it for so long already this year, I'm feeling pretty over it already.  lol.  Regardless, I just thought I'd share with you the USPS 2011 Holiday shipping deadlines.  Please remember to buy handmade this holiday season!  =)

The Postal Service wants to make sure that you send all of your holiday mail in time for your family and friends to receive and enjoy for the holidays.  Therefore, in order to ensure timely delivery of your cards, letters or packages, please note the shipping deadlines for the following different types of mail:

DOMESTIC MAIL DEADLINES

Domestic Mail Class	Deadline
FIRST CLASS MAIL®	DEC. 20
PRIORITY MAIL®	DEC. 21
EXPRESS MAIL®	DEC. 22 (Check your local Post Office)
PARCEL POST®	DEC. 15

Following is a list of related holiday dates:

• First night of Hanukkah (Chanukah ) – Dec. 20th at Sunset
• Christmas Eve – Dec. 24th
• Christmas Day – Dec. 25th
• Kwanzaa – Dec. 26, 2011 – Jan. 1, 2012

OUTBOUND INTERNATIONAL MAIL  DEADLINES (SHIPPING TO A FOREIGN COUNTRY)

International Mail Addressed To:	Global Express Guaranteed®(GXG)4	Express Mail International®(EMS)5	Priority Mail International™(PMI)6	First-Class Mail International™
AFRICA	DEC. 20	DEC. 10	DEC. 2	DEC. 2
ASIA/PACIFIC RIM	DEC. 19	DEC. 15	DEC. 9	DEC. 9
AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND	DEC. 19	DEC. 15	DEC. 9	DEC. 9
CANADA	DEC. 21	DEC. 16	DEC. 12	DEC. 9
CARIBBEAN	DEC. 20	DEC. 15	DEC. 12	DEC. 9
CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA	DEC. 20	DEC. 10	DEC. 2	DEC. 2
MEXICO	DEC. 21	DEC. 15	DEC. 9	DEC. 9
EUROPE	DEC. 20	DEC. 15	DEC. 12	DEC. 9
MIDDLE EAST	DEC. 20	DEC. 15	DEC. 12	DEC. 9

PBS

This guest post from Doris Dillon

I am so glad that my kids enjoy watching PBS. It was included in our package of channels from Direct.TV. I remember watching PBS as a kid with my mom. We would spend hours watching Anne of Green Gables and I remember loving to snuggle up with my mom on the couch while we watched it. Now I can continue that tradition with my daughters. It is hard to believe that PBS still shows the same movies after so many years. It is hard to find wholesome shows and movies on television these days, so I am grateful that PBS has not lowered its standards. My husband told me the other day that he has never even heard of Anne of Green Gables. He is the oldest of four boys, so I am sure his mom could not have convinced any of those rowdy boys to cuddle up on the couch with her for a movie like that. That is one of the many reasons I am glad that I have daughters. Now iff only I could get my husband to watch it with us.

This post brought to you by your friends at http://www.direct.tv/

Wordless Wednesday: Signs of Fall

It may still be in the 80's here in Florida, but I'm starting to see some signs of fall...

Warrior Salve & Foot Soak Combo for Tired, Aching Muscles and Feet

Back in 2010, when I trained over 500 miles and walked 60 miles in the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure, I started developing what would eventually become my first herbal products for sore muscles.  The first and most popular to date has been my sore muscle salve but a really great complement to it is my foot soak.

I had a really great team captain for the 3 Day who taught us well to stretch and stretch often.  I have to thank her for that because after walking 60 miles in 3 days, I was a little sore after the fact but I was not in pain and I think that it largely has to do with the stretching.  I did something else immediately after the walk that I believe contributed to my quick recovery: I took a nice, long, hot herbal bath (and then followed it up with my sore muscle salve!).

My foot soak was formulated based on that herbal bath concoction.  It includes Epsom salts, baking soda, mugwort, sage, rosemary, and lavender.  These natural ingredients are anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, pain relieving, skin softening, detoxifying, and aromatic.  Lavender is a wonderfully relaxing herb.  Mugwort is used to invigorate tired feet (and was once used by Roman soldiers to relieve aching feet on their long marches).  Sage helps relieve joint pain and is strengthening.  Rosemary helps increase circulation.  Baking soda softens the skin.  Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate which, absorbed through the skin, not only increases magnesium levels in the body but also acts as a sedative for the nervous system, reduces swelling, and relaxes muscles.  It also draws toxins from the body and is a natural exfoliant.  A really great way to massage your feet in the foot soak is by adding smooth river rocks or marbles to the basin!

Whether you're a seasoned athlete, training for an event, or just sore from over doing it over the weekend, my Warrior Salve and Foot Soak are fantastic, all natural ways of caring for your aching self!

My Warrior Salve and Foot Soak also come as a set and makes a really great gift for the Pink Warrior in your life.