Saturday, July 2, 2011

Day 184 - Try Not To Worry

I worry a lot! I need to get this under control. I tend to think about the things that I have no control over and worry about so many things that make me crazy. I also worry about things that are not my problem. Again, I need to get this under control. From now on when I find myself worrying, I am going to take a deep breath and try to put it into perspective. If it is something I can prevent or something that deserves a legitimate worry, I will do something. Otherwise, I will try to set it aside.


Friday, July 1, 2011

Day 183 - Get The Errands Done

I had a list of errands to run today a mile long! I was absolutely intimidated by what I needed to get done in a few short hours. But, I did it! In the past, it would have taken me more than a short window of time to get a list of "to do's" taken off my list. In the past, I had the time to take my time. No more. I need to take advantage of these little windows of opportunity so that the household can continue to run smoothly.

I had 3 hours to do several things, all over the Milwaukee metro area. Now, mine is not a spread city like Minneapolis/St. Paul. But, it can take an hour to get from one side to the other when you consider traffic, road construction and Summerfest. In short, it is not always easy navigate from one end to the other. Orange barrels are everywhere.

Today was a good day though. I learned a bit about myself. I can get things done quickly when organized, planned out and methodical. I passed on the idle chit chat that I tend to get caught up in and stuck to my agenda. I need to be like that more often.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Day 182 - Wear My Accesories

I wear jewelry everyday. Why? Because no matter what, no matter how badly my clothes may fit or how uncomfortable I may feel, my jewelry always fits. Jewelry is like a good pair of shoes. It will fit you perfectly, and if the jewelry is gorgeous, I feel good about myself.

Now, please do not go thinking that I have priceless gems in my jewelry box. I do not. I have a hodge podge of costume jewelry that I have collected over the years. Silpada is my favorite. But, I have pieces from Kohl's and Target, in addition to few things that my husband has bought me at a jewelry store. It is all very eclectic. Every piece feels like me, and always completes the outfit that I have on.

My accessories are not limited to jewelry. I also love purses. I have a selection that I mix and match over the seasons. Again, nice purses, that fit not matter what. They make me happy.

Recently, I have also learned to love shoes. A love I had in my 20's and gave up when I became a mother. About a year ago I became reacquainted with the love of a really nice pair of shoes. I guess I am more of a girly girl than I had thought. When I leave the house in the morning, I feel pretty put together. No matter what, I always have a nice pair of earrings on:)

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Day 181 - Pass On The Bratwurst

Today there was a cookout at work. For $6.00 you could get a brat, chips and soda. I did the unthinkable, I passed on it. I sat at my desk and ate my Lean Cuisine by myself. I told myself that while I love brats that my health is number one! Brats are full of fat and other really bad things that do nothing to better my health. So, while everyone else went outside to enjoy the cookout, I ate alone. Telling myself that my health was what matter and that I had made the right choice. I really hope that it the case.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Day 180 - Don't Take Things Personally

I can take comments said as a joke personally. I don't know why I do that, but I do. I will dwell on it, dissect it, try to figure out what it meant and then forget about it a couple days later. It is very funny that I am like that, because I am a sarcastic person. I know that I say things as a joke that probably hurt. I guess it is fair to say that I am a hypocrite. I need to figure out a way to get past the jokes that bug me and realize that a joke is a joke.

So, from now on my plan of action involves this. Laugh it off, walk away and let it go. Easier said than done for me. But, worth a try.

I do need to become more sensitive to other's feelings as well. When I think I am being funny I need to think twice and ask myself if I am the only one who thinks what I am about to say is funny. If I tell myself yes, clearly I need to shut up. I know that more than once I have hurt my own husband because I think I am quite the comedian, only to realize that I am being mean spirited.

Again, I am proving myself to be a work in progress. Do any of us ever get to the point of perfect health, perfect spirit, perfect home? I look at myself and find so much room for improvement and wonder, am I the only one like this. Or, do others feel like they need improvement in every aspect of their lives, like me.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Day 179 -Get Everything Ready The Night Before......

I am actually pretty good about this one. I set the coffee up at night, have the kids lunches ready, have my outfit ready(sometimes) and even have the dog food in the bowl. But, that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement. Things I can do to make my mornings easier:

1. Make sure the kids have their clothes ready to go

2. Empty the dishwasher

3. Have my workout bag packed (this one is never done!)

4. Have breakfast dishes ready and a healthy meal option for everyone

5. Take out the garbage

6. Make sure my gas tank is full (I am still working on this one from about 100 posts ago)

7. Have my laptop and cell phone charged

8. Have my lunch packed, water bottle filled and travel mug by the coffee maker

9. Have the kids stuff packed for camp

10. Any errands that need to be run that day, planned out.

Whew! That is a long list of things that I need to do to make mornings run more smoothly. I have to wonder how successful I will be. Only time will tell and of course, it is all up to me.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Day 178 - Have A Family Birthday Party For My Daughter

Today we celebrated my daughter's 9th birthday two weeks early with my husband's family. We needed to do this early because we will be on vacation when she turns 9.

I speak about this party because it was difficult getting to this place. Sadly, my husband doesn't always seems to get along with every member of his family. We miss a lot of family functions because of it. My children are the one's who miss out because they have cousins and Aunts and Uncles they adore. I often feel a pang of sadness when I know we are missing out on a function that they wish they were at. I decided that this year, my daughter would have a family party with my husband's family no matter what.

Today, the party was wonderful! I think everyone had a nice time, the children played together nicely and the weather was beautiful. It turned out to be the best gift I could give my daughter. A birthday celebration with her grandparents and cousins.

Day 177 - Reconnect With Our Neighbors

Tonight we invited the neighbors over for some wine, a bon fire and some adult conversation. We had a great time and realized that it had actually been a couple years since getting together. A fact that is very sad, because we are very lucky and get along with all of our neighbors. Not a single neighbor battle in our particular neighborhood. That seems to be a situation that is unique. I guess it is due to our sparkling personalities:)

It made me realize that as I have been trying to make new friends and reconnect with old friends, I have let the obvious pass me by. I have very good friends right here, on my own block. I am a very lucky lady indeed.

Day 176 - Enjoy The Weekend

The week was long and weekend will be short. I plan on enjoying every moment of this weekend. I actually have very little to say in tonight's blog. As my only plan for better living would be to enjoy what the weekend has to offer. How about you?

Day 175 - Prioritize

Today I left for work at 7:30 am, which was crazy because I knew that I would be there until 7:00 pm. I felt a pang of guilt as I left so early, knowing that my son would alone that whole time. A decision he made earlier in the Spring, he thought that he would enjoy the time alone in the house. I knew that he was starting to regret this decision but did not want to admit it yet. Regardless, I left for work while he slept trying to figure a was to get past my guilt.

As the day went on and I found myself overwhelmed with work I was able to push my guilt to the back of mind. I did that until 5:00 when I called him and said I would not be home until 7:00. That was when I heard him break. He wanted company, he made a mistake, he wanted me to sign him up for the camps that I had offered countless times to sign him up for. He wanted me home, now! I got off the phone, overwhelmed by the feeling of "why did I do this, I should be home." I got on the computer, signed him up for camp and told my coworker about my situation. He simply said "Heather, you have to prioritize, your kids come first. Go home." So, you know what I did? I packed up my computer and went home. Work will wait, but he needed me. I don't regret it. Plus, he starts camp tomorrow.