50 Ways To Cope With Stress….

I saw this, liked it, and thought I would pass it along.  I bolded the items that need special attention from me.  I’m certain many of them would help ease some of the stress in my life. 

1. Prepare for the morning the night before
2. Avoid tight-fitting clothes
3. Avoid relying on chemical aids
4. Set appointments in advance
5. Don’t rely on your memory-write it down
6. Say “no” more often
7. Set priorities in your life
8. Avoid negative people
9. Use time wisely
10. Always make copies of important papers
11. Ask for help
12. Break down large tasks into smaller portions
13. Unclutter your life
14. Smile
15. Pet a friendly dog
16. Say something nice to someone
17. Walk in the rain
18. Take a bubble bath
19. Be aware of the decisions that you make
20. Believe in yourself
21. Stop saying negative things to yourself
22. Visualize yourself winning
23. Develop your sense of humor
24. Stop thinking tomorrow will be a better day
25. Have goals for yourself
26. Say hello to a stranger
27. Ask a friend for a hug
28. Look up at the stars
29. Practice breathing slowly
30. Read a poem
31. Do a brand new thing
32. Stop a bad habit
33. Buy yourself a flower
34. Find support from others
35. Work at being cheerful and positive
36. Put safety first
37. Do everything in moderation
38. Strive for excellence not perfection
39. Stretch your limits a little every day
40. Feed the birds
41. Become a better listener
42. Exercise every day
43. Recognize the importance of unconditional love
44. Remember that stress is an attitude
45. Keep a journal
46. Remember you always have options
47. Have a support network of people, places and things
48. Talk less and listen more
49. Get enough sleep
50. Compliment other people

Did That Really Just Happen?

Once in a while, something happens that you just can’t make sense of; something that makes you ask yourself….why?  Today one of those things happened.  I was grocery shopping with Nathan, which contrary to how great it sounds, is just not that enjoyable.  But I digress.  So, we were in line waiting to check out.  There was a woman behind us also waiting to check out.  Nathan looked up at her, smiled and waved.  He kept waving because, wait for it…..she wouldn’t wave back.  She wouldn’t smile either.  Finally Nathan gave up and put his head down like he was embarrassed.  I know he’s just a little guy but he really looked sad, like he’d been let down.  I gave Nathan a hug and told him I loved him, distracting him from the situation. 

I know people have bad days.  I have plenty of them and I know I’ve been less than pleasant on some of those days.  I thought about that while driving home, trying to justify and make sense of this woman who wouldn’t humor a little boy with a simple wave.  I tried not to judge her because I didn’t know what she was thinking, feeling, or what she may have been through earlier in the day.  I didn’t know her story or anything about her at all for that matter.  I just felt sad for Nathan and was reminded how cruel life can be.  Most people don’t mean to be hurtful or insensitive, but sometimes it happens simply because life happens.  We all know life is not always easy.  I just hate that I had to see my little boy, who’s not even two, experience his first WTF moment.

I know one thing.  If I was having a bad day and this little guy waved and smiled at me, it would make my day (even if he wasn’t my kiddo).

Benny and Jenn…

 

Yesterday was a good day.  Nathan was feeling a lot better and his tantrums were less extreme than they have been (knocking on wood that the trend continues).  Also, I got to spend a couple hours with my very sweet nephew, Benny.  He is so funny and has the cutest little nose I’ve probably ever seen. 

Nathan slept almost the whole time Benny was over.  I was a little bummed because I like to see them interact and “play” but I liked being able to spend some time with Benny so it worked out fine.  It’s pretty entertaining to watch a little one surrounded by new toys, sights, and sounds.   For a kid, I imagine it is nothing short of amazing to find himself in a new place surrounded by a bunch of toys he’s never seen or played with before. 

His favorite was the old school Fisher Price popcorn popper.  He carried it around (didn’t push it, carried it) nearly the whole time.  He also loved the slide.  I spent a lot of time lifting him up to the top of the slide, helping him slide down, and then listening to him giggle.  So cute.

Not Ready to Roll…

 

Nathan has been sick for about a week with a stuffy nose, fever, and all around bad attitude.  I think he may be getting a molar or two as well.  Needless to say, we are both tired, grumpy, and hanging on by a thread with frustration levels raising daily.  I’m holding it together much better than Nathan, who is easily frustrated on a good day. 

Today while exploring upstairs, he found this suitcase under the girls’ bed and naturally, had to check it out.  Against my better judgment, knowing Nathan was already a walking time bomb,  I pulled out the suitcase so he could cart it around for a while.

Things started out well and the size of the little princess suitcase seemed perfect for him.  Yay, I thought…..something to keep him entertained for a few minutes, even in his weakened state. Then it happened - the suitcase rolled off a small step and fell.  Unable to regain control of the wheeled princess box of frustration, he had a meltdown.

At least he had a few moments of happiness on this day when he’s been 99.9% cranky.  Feel better soon, Bug.

Scribbles, Dribbles, and Toys…

Who needs paper and coloring books when you have the blank canvas of a whole kitchen floor?  This stuff is inevitable and doesn’t faze me much.  If it was permanent marker, I might worry a bit, but crayon is easy enough to clean up….thankfully! 

Of course, I try to redirect my little artist to the paper and explain why paper is for drawing and floors are not.  But let’s be real (you too Dr. Phil), at this age all he hears (or chooses to hear) is, blah, color, blah, floor, blah, no, blah.  In time he will get it.  When he does, I know I’ll miss the days of scribbles, spills, and toys everywhere, just like I did when PJ grew out of this stage.

Scribbles on the floor, toilet paper strung through the house, toys under foot, and other “annoyances” of living with kids are sometimes, well….annoying. But more importantly, these things are a daily reminder that my kids are healthy. What more can a mom ask for?  Ok….a lot, but the health of my kids, husband, family and friends, will always be on the top of the list.

Paper Trail…

When you hang a roll of toilet paper, do you do so with the flap over or under?  People seem to have very strong opinions on this.  Or maybe you are one of those people who don’t hang it at all because that extra ten seconds it takes to do so is just too much time to invest on a paper product used in the bathroom.  My kids fall into that category.  When it is hung up though, we are definitely a flap over the roll family and from my observations; it seems that this is the norm.

These days however, it’s hard to keep a roll hung up in any way, shape, or form because Nathan likes to take the toilet paper and unravel it as he runs through the house.  If there is only a little TP left on the roll, I sometimes let him do his thing because really, it’s just a little toilet paper and seeing him light up and run with abandon through the house, TP flying behind him, is so worth the clean up and replacement of a few sheets of paper.

Happy Valentine’s Day to YOU…

Happy Valentine’s Day!  Wishing everyone a beautiful, love filled day.  Whether you have a significant other or you’re flying solo, remember to always love yourself.  It’s something I continuously have to work on but I understand more than ever that if you don’t love and accept yourself, love and acceptance for another is not as easy, not as fulfilling, and not as pure as it can and should be.

So, if you are a cupcake person, go get one (or two).  If you like chocolates, get the biggest box you can find.  If you like clothes, go buy yourself a new outfit.  If you love TV, watch some of your favorite shows.  If you are an animal lover, cuddle up with your furry friend. If you enjoy cooking, find a great new recipe to make for dinner. If you enjoy art, grab a pencil and some paper and do some doodling.  Whatever it is, do it for you. 

Today, I’m going to take a little nap.  I hardly ever take naps. But today I’ll nap, won’t feel bad about it, and will be a better person because of it (or at least a more patient mom).

No Fluff, Just Marshmallows…

Last night, Brian and I went out for a nice dinner at one of our favorite restaurants.   We would have gone out regardless of the upcoming holiday but the crowded restaurant with seas of red shirts, ties, and dresses made it undeniable that that Valentine’s Day is around the corner. 

I like the idea of a day dedicated to love, hearts, and all things glittery, but I also like idea of those things on days other than February 14^th.  And “those things” are even better when in the form of trash being taken out, a sweet note left on the desk, a call during the day to say “hi”, and caramelized sugar.

At dinner last night, Brian ordered Crème Brulee; his favorite dessert.  I took a couple bites and commented on how much I loved the caramelized topping (it tasted like roasted marshmallows).  I told him I’d order it in the future just for the top part.  So Brian took is spoon and lifted the caramelized goodness off the top and set it aside for me.  He took the best part and gave it to me without giving it a second thought.

Did he do that because of Valentine’s Day?  No, he did it because he loves me and wanted nothing more than to make me happy.  No glitter, no hearts, just love.  I got what I wanted for Valentine’s Day and I hope you do too.

Sometimes, Things Happen…

My attempts at personal hygiene and self beautification yesterday were nothing short of a disaster.  First, while shaving my arm pits (TMI, I know), I accidentally shaved off a chunk of hair from my head. My hair somehow fell into my armpit region as I was doing my thing. I really don’t know any more than that.  It all happened so fast.

Next, while using my mouthwash, I successfully poured a tiny bit into my mouth with the rest going into my nose.  Naturally I panicked, spraying mouthwash (from both my mouth and nose) all over the clothes I’d just put on and all over the bathroom.  I now know why mouthwash doesn’t belong in your nose–it burns.  It did, however, act in a similar way to Vicks Vapor Rub, so in a pinch…

After a few moments of panicking and draining my nose of any remaining mouthwash, I pulled it together and even considered coloring my hair but decided I better quit while still alive ahead.

Because I was unable (and unwilling) to capture the mess on “film”, I decided to draw a picture.  But I did take a picture of my drawing with my camera.

Scent-Sational…

 

Do these take you back to the days of sticker books, trading, and putting stickers all over your school folders?  Well, what you’re seeing is not a mirage; I collect these little pieces of the past.  It’s probably one of the nerdiest coolest things about me.  I love them and so do the kids. 

When the kids do well on a test, homework, or sometimes just because they’re trying really hard, they get to pick out a smelly sticker.  I find it amazing how one tiny little sticker can motivate, reward, and bring happiness to a kid.  But really, I guess it’s not so hard to believe since one of my motivators for practicing the piano as a kid was due to the fact that Mrs. Gjerde gave these same stickers for a job well done. 

So clearly, I loved these stickers as a kid and still do. As much as the world has changed, some things will always remain the same:  kids wanting and needing rewards, little things being big motivators, and my love for these little round smelly stickers.  My husband says I’m nostalgic and I think he may be right.