How to Get Better Sleep

Sleep is so very important. Our bodies renew and rejuvenate overnight and they were created to do that through sleeping and that include deep sleep.  Good sleep patterns will improve not only your mood, but your cognitive abilities during the day, your memory, as well as your health and wellness.

So when you wake up night after night after night at around 3 AM and lay awake for another hour or so before falling back to sleep - that can be frustrating.  Trust me - I know.  Been there, done that way way too many times.

But what can we do to improve our sleep and the longevity of that sleep?

Well I have been doing some research.  Here is a summary of things you can try:

• Establish a bed-time routine. 
• Use this time to meditate and pray - getting all of the day's worries off your mind and into God's hands.  Also thank Him for the good things about that day.  This will remind you of your blessings and release your troubles.
• Make a list for your upcoming day of activities - get all those reminders off your mind and in your phone "listing app" or on paper.
• Include a relaxation playlist of music and be consistent on what time you rest each night. You can start that music as you start your bed-time routine, washing our face, brushing teeth, etc.  Or you can just start the music when you are finally in the bed and ready to wind down and sleep.  Either way can be beneficial.  I do this regularly and it makes a huge difference in getting my mind to calm down from the day's activities. Here is my list: 

• Make your sleeping environment comfortable.
• Reduce clutter in your room.
• Use comfortable sheets and clean them regularly.  I love these super cozy sheets I found that are microfiber and very soft.
• Supplement mineral/vitamin deficiencies.
• Incorporate a higher magnesium intake (since an alarming majority of Americans are deficient in this important mineral) - through supplements or better yet through application to your skin. 
• Here is a recipe for Magnesium Oil you can make at home.
• Take some "sleepy dust" just before dozing off.  Salt and honey combination can assist with your body closing down for the night - here is a recipe for the amounts of sugar and salt to use and how much to take at bed-time.  But I prefer to use raw honey and sea salt.
• Be mindful of the "resting zone."
• Don't use electronics when you awaken in the middle of the night.  Just don't.
• Don't turn on bright lights.
• Don't start back over your list of things to do - if they come to mind - write them down and then forget them.  But try to do this before dozing the first time.

Some of these ideas were found in articles by nutritionist bloggers like Dr. Axe and Wellness Mama. They are the most prominent ideas/tips I have found and I am incorporating them into my personal routine to get into a more consistent and more continuous sleep pattern. 

Let me know what you have found to be helpful in getting a "good night's sleep."

Leave your comments below.

*Disclosure regarding discounted products received in part as a review.

Making the Most of Easter and Other Holidays Alone

Spring has sprung and Easter arrived to celebrate new life, and for Christians – the new life you received  when you accepted the very Easter story. His story in history is what gives us joy unspeakable. 

I celebrated the day without the kiddos (it was their dad’s weekend, you know). Following a morning of worship celebration at church, I went with friends to a dynamic 2 hour drama of the Resurrection of Christ in Radford that night. The day was full and the focus was obvious. 

It is tough when you have to celebrate some of the holidays without your children being there. I know.  I get it. But making the most of your holiday, even when you are alone, is where you have to focus your time, your energy, and your planning. 

It can be so easy to let yourself get caught up in the gloomy, oh-my-life-stinks mode.  But how much more enjoyable it could be if you would just refute that mode and with intentionality make the choice to fill your day with friends and things you enjoy.

1. Plan a special time to celebrate with the children on a different day than the holiday falls, if they will be “visiting” on the holiday itself.
2. Make the tradition and fun be about the holiday season – not just the specific day.  Spread out the celebrating so it falls on more than one day during the season.
3. In advance, contact friends and make plans for the day when the children will be away.  Plan a meal with friends or family, an outing, or plan to join them in their family time.
4. Make a list of things you don’t get to do when busy with the children.  Have it available to pull out when you feel the “blahs” of your me-time. Here’s my list for me-time I put together three years ago.

These are just a few simple ideas to keep yourself from focusing on the negative when you have time on your hands without the children, especially during a holiday.

It’s normal to think about them, wishing they were near.  But just think, when they are off to college and doing their own thing on holidays throughout the year, you will be this much more prepared for it.

For some of us, those college days are closer than we like to think about.

Technorati Tags: Easter story,Easter Holiday,holidays,me-time management,single mom,single mother,unspeakable joy,Christ,Christians,Resurrection,holidays without children,lonely,Easter,planning,lists,family time

Photo Credit: Katherine Shinault

Silence is golden

The kiddos are gone for the weekend.  As I sit here, I take advantage of a few minutes between loads of laundry and gather my thoughts.  We have been doing this “visitation” for over seven years now and yet I still get that feeling in my heart on the Fridays when I realize they will be leaving to go with their dad after school.

These weekends are scheduled to be productive time, me-time, or a combination of the two for me.  And I try to spend some time, in silence, enjoying… the… quiet.  The rumble of the heater is all I hear (after I let the dogs back outside following their whining to go) as I sit hear typing this blog.

I do love music and I have a very eclectic collection of tunes I listen to, depending on my mood. (Maybe I will share a playlist or two here sometime.)  I also enjoy catching some regular shows on the HGTV channel and having them on in the background during my day’s activities around the house.  But there is nothing like the sound of silence as I relax, eat some grapes, and ponder on what’s coming up next for our family, from the big vacation in our future, to buying a new house with Mr. M, big enough for all the kiddos.

Aaah the silence. Do you hear that?

Yeah, me neither.

Love that.

Photo Credit:  photoXpress.com / Mykola Velychko

Keeping the Sabbath and other justifications for taking vacation

Well it’s just a few minutes after ten and my kiddos are in bed. (CAN YOU BELIEVIE IT?) Mr. M would say, wow, that’s a first. (I know you well enough by now, Mr. M.)

No, I am pretty tight about the 9:30 and 10:00 o’clock rules for bed time.  Kass slides in just past 9:30 (yes most nights) but she goes to sleep fast and is asleep by the time I get Jas off to bed at 10:00.  They have learned I am a strong advocate of sleep.  And usually (as of the last several months at least) I go to bed shortly after they do and get to sleep about 10:30.  Sleep helps us regenerate for the next day when we get up and do what we do all over again.

Sleep is sort of like keeping the Sabbath, or allowing yourself to have down-time.  Although you need some “down-time” while you are still awake as well.  Do you ever take a day of your weekend to do nothing?  A half day? (This is rare for me, though I try to get in a good nap on Sunday afternoons after church. Oh wait, that’s sleep again, not just down-time.)  But I do at least plan a vacation each year.

That is what is in the works around here. We have at least requested some dates off from work for our ‘joint’ family vacation again this summer.  What we have in mind is a biggie with the kiddos, but I don’t want to share exact details just yet because we need to clarify some of the plans before we go wild and crazy and start talking about it on the world wide web for all to see.  For now, dates are being set and secured with our employers and more calls will have to be made and budgeting calculated….  then we can start looking forward to a week of wonder and memory making.

Oh and I haven’t taken pictures of the kitchen changes yet.  But do you really want to see it while it still needs a fresh coat of paint on the ceiling (because of the scars behind the old light fixture)?

In the meantime, below are some pics taken in the past few months, that I don’t think you have seen just yet.  I picked some of my fav’s.

 

Photo Credit: Katherine Shinault

Technorati Tags: vacation,sleeping,Sabbath,single moms,budgets,photography,photo fun,downtown Roanoke

Creativity…How to get more of it

I found this article just today on 20 Tips from Psychology for Boosting Creativity from About.com.  Take the few minutes to read the article linked and take some time to innovatively expand on your own creativity.

• Do you like to blog?  Use the blog as a realm or outlet for some of your creativity.
• Do you like to write in a journal? Use the journal as your outlet.
• Do you reward yourself for being curious: wanting to learn something new?  Perhaps it’s time to make allowances for your own curiosity and learn that foreign language or new software to design a poster.

If you are like me, the time I get to set aside for such passions, or curiosities is only after the kiddos go to bed.  I work a full-time job and evenings are spent having dinner, doing homework, family time, and other evening meetings.  So regularly I schedule me-time from 10 pm –11:30 pm.

During that me-time, I try to do any writing, blogging, research, photo organizing, personal devotions, etc. that I enjoy.

Take some time out for yourself and your creativity this week to keep your creative juices flowing and refreshed.

I’m way behind on getting my photos organized and out on the web, but I have been doing some writing about family nights.

Don’t miss your next masterpiece, just because you didn’t make time for it to be discovered!

Find yourself…keeping it real.

Looking for some of my more “fun” writing using some of that creativity?  Check this older post:  The Mysterious Box or this post titled: Don’t Pinch Me.

One of those photos yet to be posted to the web album from our family vacation in August. 

Some fun at Wonder Works in Pigeon Forge, TN.

Technorati Tags: me-time,family time,creativity

 

My new favorite

I took about a dozen photographs of this gorgeous butterfly last weekend.  I had a hard time choosing a favorite.  There were a few great shots IMHO.  But this one is my current fave.

Later this week when I was reading a book I am currently using for personal devotions, I read this passage and it made me think of this beauty as well as reflect for a few moments:

…If we look closely at the workings of creation, we find that God nearly always works through process.  Think of it.  First there is a seed, then a sprout, then a blossom, and finally fruit.  God does not begin with a butterfly, but with a larva that becomes a chrysalis and finally a creature with wings.  Neither does God speak a star into existence, but sends dust floating into space, then interstellar gas that slowly heats up, and eons later a star is formed.  Perhaps most mysterious of all is the unfolding process of ovum, fetus, baby, child, adolescent, adult.  The universe is designed to move stage by stage, from incompletion to completion.  Now why should we suppose that God has designed the heart any differently than the rest of creation?… (pp. 69-70, Firstlight, The Early Inspirational Writings of Sue Monk Kidd)

The heart goes through stages just like the butterfly.  It is a process, it takes time.  I’m currently trying to be more aware of the stage of my heart.

Where is your heart? What stage or level in the process of becoming… more compassionate, more aware, more tender?

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo Credit:  Katherine Shinault, SOLO dot MOM (http://kitkat4real.blogspot.com)

Technorati Tags: relationships,personal development,photography,photos,nature,butterflies,butterfly,metamorphosis,devotions,God's love,God's creation

My first time

“You take all the time you need.”

I heard these words and then was left alone, in the darkened room with candles lit and soft zen-like music playing.  Water was rushing through the fountain on the table, yet calming and relaxing. 

Only a few minutes passed and I was ready. 

For my first time.

My first time (you wonder)? oh for…my massage. (You weren’t thinking THAT were you? I have been married and have two kids, ya know.)

This wasn’t just any massage but a therapeutic massage.  I didn’t know what to expect.  And to my surprise, it included hot stones. I was giddy.  Hot stones!  They were wonderful.

What a Christmas present… that I finally found time to use in July.

As a single mom, living on a budget and cutting out most forms of luxury now that I’ve added braces to the list of monthly payments, I don’t get to indulge in things like this… ever.  It just isn’t part of my “allowance.” 

The kids like to eat.

They tend to eat a lot.

Everyday in fact.

So I began thinking on my drive home, how I might manage to save some money to splurge ‘once in a while’ and repeat this experience.  What could I remove from the weekly spending so that I could save up for a few months at a time to have enough for this little bit of pampering?

Some might buy Starbucks coffee once a week or buy sodas at work, and if so, you could cut those out.  But I don’t.  Some might choose not to get their nails done one month or two and use that manicure money.  But I don’t get my nails done professionally either. 

So where could I cut back?

I decided I can pack my lunch more often and save those dollars till I have enough to splurge on another one of those…

amazing…

relaxing…

me-time massages.

Yeah they’re worth a few more peanut butter and jelly sandwich lunches.

At least in my book.

Find yourself… keeping it real.

(And believe it or not, this isn’t a sponsored post, but my genuine enjoyment of a first-time experience.  I want my regular readers to know that I owe you more for your time of stopping by than so many sponsored posts.  I will be writing more from my heart, so stick around; do come back to hear more about me finding myself, over and over again.)

Photo Credit: Author: alma_sacra (photoXpress.com)

Technorati Tags: budgets,spa,massage,therapeutic,saving money

Me-Time for a massage

Me-Time is in abundance this week.  I have already started a list of things I want to do while I await my kiddos return from their summer break with their dad.  Mr. M just left this morning with his sons for a week long visit to see family in Maryland, so the me-time just multiplied. 

As a single mom, one of the things I had to conquer from the very beginning was how I would use the time I had alone when the kiddos were at their dad’s house.  In the early stages with no ‘relationship’ of interest I found myself lonely instead of utilizing that time to pursue interests that had been buried during my past.

Now all these years later I manage this time as a source of productivity. This week, I have a list of small projects I may (or may not) get done during my free time/me-time as well as some overdue pampering.  Reading and writing is definitely ranked high as well as some touch-up painting needed on baseboards after the floors were refinished.

Mid-week I have a special treat planned: an appointment for my first ever therapeutic massage after work.  Thanks to my best friend, TB for a gift card to a nearby day spa, I get to have this treat.  (The gift card should have been used months ago, since I got it for Christmas. Finally I have the me-time to do so.)

What are some extra-special things you like to do during your me-time?

Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Find yourself…keeping it real.

Photo Credit: SXC.hu \ Kikashi

Technorati Tags: massage,me-time,pampering,home improvement,spa,therapeutic,gifts,single moms,lonely,time management

Have you been seeing someone else?

Well have you? That’s what I expected to hear today when I made a phone call.

It was the phone call to my hair stylist.  I haven’t been to see her in probably over nine months.  I had to “refine” my budget when Kassity got her braces, and that was one thing I could eliminate from the monthly or bi-monthly expenses.  Yes, my plan was to have my hair professionally done (instead of using the little boxes off the shelf and my own trimming shears) back during my birthday month.  But all I can say is where does the time, go? Seriously, March came and went and I missed any opportunity to get my hair professionally done as well as many of the things I had planned to do – just for me.

But my hairstylist, Veronica, didn’t even flinch; she didn’t even skip a beat when she heard my voice.  She really knows how to keep a relationship, don’t you think?  And then I asked if she could ‘work me in’ because I was hoping she could do my color and cut this weekend.  Not only did she work me in, but I went the same day (today, Friday) after work and got everything done –no questions asked!

You know how hair stylists can be, but not this one.  Ah, all is well and I explained to her all about Kassity’s braces and that my tight budget was the reason I hadn’t been to see her in a while (all without being asked).

So that was my Mother’s Day pampering excursion for the weekend:  a new hairstyle.

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: hair styles,haircuts,Mothers Day,pampering,me-time,budgets

Guest Post – Me-Time

March is gone. Over. Done. But…since I missed part of it being sick I have some left over me-time / me-month thoughts I wanted to give my readers.  I put the word out that I would like some guest posts for this “me-time” idea – so it wasn’t all about ‘me’.  One of those guests posts follows by Michelle McKinney.  You can find more of her writing over on her blog…http://livelikeurdying.wordpress.com/

Here’s her guest post… about moms taking some me-time:

 

So what about me anyway?

It seems like sacrilege to ask that question if you’re a wife and mother.  But it can largely depend on who your mother role models were.

For some odd reason, I’ve never felt guilty about focusing on myself on a consistent basis.  I believe it is a combination of self preservation, following by example, and/or just plain selfishness.

So what’s this about self-preservation anyway? You know -- the instinct for individual preservation and the innate desire to stay alive.

I have three kids -- 18, 15, and 10.  I’ve always carved time out for myself.  As soon as I could, I’d take them as babies to the gym with me.  I refused to join a gym that didn’t have regular day-care and related kids’ activities. 

Or I would have monthly dinners with my women friends.  These would all be women with children also.  This is something I’ve done with them for about a decade now.  I trained my family early (including my spouse) to be accustomed to Mom having her own activities.

Obviously when they were small I would only take an hour or two to myself.  That would include lunch with a friend, getting my nails or hair done, or just going for a drive.  I recall when my husband was traveling for many days when my children were very small.  By the time he returned, I literally walked out of the house (in my pajamas no doubt) and drove to a restaurant.  I didn’t get out; I just sat outside watching people walk in and out for about an hour.  Then I returned feeling far less like a caged animal. 

And let’s talk about the importance of having “best girlfriends”.  You think your husband is one of your girlfriends?  Think again.  I know plenty of women who are lucky enough to consider their spouse as a best friend.  But the enormous error of not cultivating female friendships will eventually cost you.  Men are wonderful, but marriages are always tested.  The social decision to not cultivate one or two best friendships with women will leave you on an island alone when you’re dying to talk to someone openly.  You cannot just suddenly find someone to share with when a crisis occurs.  Who will you trust?  And who will trust you in return?  I know it’s very unlikely that I would share my business with you unless we had an established friendship history.

Following by example.  Some of this admittedly comes with difficulty for some women.  I know because I have talked to them.  I’ve seen them walking up and down the neighborhood with their dogs, or small kids like zombies because they NEVER take a break.  A couple to their own physical detriment. One is now physically ill with a mysterious and undefined malady.  I’m pretty convinced it is stress related due to feeling trapped and isolated.  She doesn’t have to choose to be restrained and suppressed by her life.  I think sometimes women can get lost in their own dizzying lives and cannot figure out how to change the situation. It’s okay to make those changes and still be a good mother.  I try to talk to her when I can.  It feels like the thing to do.  And again, this is a woman without girlfriends.  Huge mistake.

Pure selfishness.  Okay so I was sort of kidding here.  But not totally.  I figure many moms just feel plain selfish going to lunch with friends and leaving their children with a reliable person.  Well, I’m here to ask you: Why?  Do you really believe you don’t deserve to be a good friend to yourself??  Now, if you leave your kids with an ax murderer, different story entirely.

The fact of the matter is you’d better add yourself to the weekly “to do” list or prepare to have someone step over your dead body some day.  And then what good are you to anyone?  You won’t be a good wife, good friend, good mother, good anybody.

Motherhood is a privilege certainly.  But motherhood is not martyrdom.  Why choose to suffer when you do not have to?  Where is that written?  It’s not going to win you any awards or brownie points.  Your kids won’t be more self assured than another mother who takes “me time”.

Make certain your kids are fed and well cared for.  And then take care of yourself!

Written especially for SOLO dot MOM

About the Author:

Michelle McKinney is from Andover, MA.  She is a working wife/mother of three: ages 18, 15, and 10 and blogger at http://livelikeurdying.wordpress.com.  She is in process of getting her Masters in Technical Writing at Northeastern University, Boston, MA.with a Bachelor's in Public Relations.

****

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo Credit: www.sxc.hu:  loleia/702652

Technorati Tags: me-time,motherhood,self-improvement,self-presevation,girlfriends

Embarking on a New Decade

This month I hit a new decade.  The month is almost over and even though it was “me-month” I didn’t actually blog about my birthday yet.  I won’t tell you which decade I have embarked on… but it’s one of them.

Getting older makes you think, makes you evaluate your life… blah blah blah.  But I did appreciate this quote about aging:

"We did not change as we grew older; we just became more
clearly ourselves."-- Lynn Hall

So while I am working on becoming more clearly myself with this “decade”…  here are a few things that were touching and memorable about my b-day this year:

• My aunt who always highlights the “big” birthdays shared these thoughts with me:

I can only say that *##'s were some of the best years of my life.   Imagine, while you are in your(insert decade here)s your children will graduate school, go to college.  What a life change that will be.  Who knows what the next decade holds for you.   Enjoy!  Life moves quickly and so will you, so much will change and the chapters of your life will fly by and at some point you will start a new book.   So hold on to your hat and enjoy everything as much as you can.     Enjoy your life and what you have learned in these (##) years to make you a much stronger woman.

Needless to say, she made me cry.  (Her reference to my age is replaced in the quote above.  You didn’t think I was going to tell you did you? Yeah right; and if you are on my facebook- you already know anyway!)

• And then there was my fave birthday card from a great friend:

• I also want to thank my best friend, TB, for taking me on a fun night out – for my birthday.
• And last but definitely not least I want to thank Mr. M. for the beautiful set of earrings, necklace and matching bracelet he made especially for my birthday.  They are gorgeous. 

What do you think about birthdays?  Do you embrace getting older and becoming more clearly yourself?

I am learning to embrace a new decade, but still fighting the idea of ever “looking” my age.  Nah – go ahead and card me at a Rated R movie, I don’t mind. (During my previous decade that actually happened!)

Find yourself… keeping it real… in a new decade.

Technorati Tags: birthdays,aging,decades,celebrating,night,personal development

Back to the Land of the Living

And I thought snow was required to slow me down.

I’m sick.  Have been for a week now and finally getting over it.  I thought it was just a head cold when it started.  But by the fourth or fifth day I started running a fever and was achy all over.  Then I knew this was more.

My diagnosis at the urgent care that night was URI… but now with three+ straight days running a fever around 102… it makes me wonder if it wasn’t the flu. (Don’t get up in arms – I don’t think it was the infamous swine flu.) Just the flu.

But it caused me to slow down, TO. A. HALT.

I didn’t work Friday and had to cancel ALL my weekend plans helping Kass’ troop and teaching a class at church.  With the meds I was taking, and my achy energy lacking body, I didn’t feel like driving.  So Friday morning, Mr. M came to take Kass to school.  I was so grateful.

I slept a lot.  Didn’t eat much and then slept some more.

I didn’t even feel like blogging… (I know, right!?)

So my me-month ended up including more of a me-getting-sick-month than I was hoping for, but it slowed me down.  Sometimes we need to slow down.  Just hope I have that over for a while…. the slowing down due to sickness part.  I slowed. I halted. I even stopped.

Now I just need to get back to the land of the living.

Not much energy yet. 

But today’s goal (written Sunday) is to stay up for more than four hours at a time and to eat more than I have the last three days (which wouldn’t take much to outdo).

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo Credit: sxc.hu/photo/d-s-n

Technorati Tags: sickness,health,flu,symptoms,slow,sleeping,fever,URI

Yearning for Spring – Photo Journal

Monday last week I decided with the air so warm (in the high sixties) and me so antsy for spring, I would take the afternoon off.  Kass and I took Happy and Jovi to a neighborhood park and spent a few hours enjoying the spring-like day.

(The following I wrote in my journal while at the park.)

It feels so good to have the sun on my back sitting at a picnic table (scratch that) on a bench (since I had to move to another spot as Kass moved to another area of the park). 

 

Kass is playing with Happy and Jovi while I enjoy the afternoon - enjoy 60+ temps and sunshine.  I needed some outdoor relaxation.  And they need some exercise and change of scenery.

 

A change of scenery is good for all of us.  Even if Jovi did get off her leash and collar when we first arrived.  It was too loose.  Chasing her around like a mad woman – that was me.

The trees stand bare of leaves, naked before the sun yearning for the buds that will bring leaves – the same way we yearn for spring to bring relief from a long winter.

The breeze reminds me it’s not summer yet as I appreciate the sleeves of my sweater.  But the sun feels so wonderful – even the cool breeze can’t make me want to leave.  Not this time.

The blue sky – so clear, so vibrant.  How long has it been since I have sat below such a sky with no agenda, no place to rush to?  Too long.

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: outdoors,photography,pets,parks,spring-like,blue skies

Me-Month

March is the month I put on my list of to-do’s for the year that is supposed to focus on me.

But I am tired.

Now when I suggest I even want to take a month and focus on myself – I hope you don’t get the idea I am narcissistic even though I do tend to engage in self-reflection.  I realize I run the risk of appearing that way to some by posting this… but oh well… this is my blog.  And my mom used to tell me as a little girl instead of talking about what everyone else is doing talk about and focus on what you are doing (but again I digress).

Either way,  I put me on my list as a focus for the month of March.  Read some more of my blog if you are new here – and I hope you understand what I mean.

As a single mom, I don’t have much time, energy, or the finances to go overboard in pampering myself… so don’t think I am high maintenance nor am I suggesting I want anything of the sort.  I just needed some focus on me or “fixing me up” kind of me-time.

But I am tired.

Already.

And it’s just March.

Does this mean I am getting old?

Don’t answer that.

Nope, not old, just tired.

Tired of the nonsense we have to deal with in life.

What nonsense you say?

The nonsense of who’s going to do what and how I am going to say this and how we are going to look when we say and do that.  And again, I digress…

But I do have a list of what I plan to do at some point during the month of March

1. Get a haircut. (I haven’t had one in over a year – unless you count the many times I have grabbed a pair of scissors and started snipping away at some layers through the top or wisps in the front to frame my face.  Yes I know, brave to try to do this myself.) But I plan to get a professional to do it this time.
2. And get the color professionally done. (Again it’s been a year since I had that done too unless you count the boxes of root touchups I use once a month.)
3. A manicure and a massage are on the list:  the massage was a Christmas present from my best friend, TB – I have yet to find time for myself to even get to use it.
4. And do I dare – go buy a new outfit? Or how about just socks – I seriously need some new trouser socks and knee highs.  I think they have gotten disappointed at work with my constant appearance in my comfy shoes – with no socks.

Oh well.

Since I am tired – I have an excuse, right?

Hello, is this thing on?

Please leave a comment or two… I love to hear from my readers…

What do you think about this special me-time for March?

Don’t we need to take some time out to pamper ourselves as moms (especially single moms) once in a while?

When was the last time you did something special for yourself?

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: me-time,narcissistic,haircuts,pampering,single moms,lists,hair color,massage

The Mysterious Box

I was in my normal position of relaxing on the couch.  Only this time my knees were up closer to my chest  as I halfway stretched out on the sofa.  I was falling asleep while my head bobbed to the right but I was trying to stay awake.  My back was against Mr. M.  He touched my hand, then he pulled my legs toward his lap as if he was going to allow them to hang over his knees.  It didn’t seem to startle me that it would mean I would have to turn a good 180 degrees to place my legs this way, since he was behind me.

The dogs were barking in the front yard, or at least one dog, Jovi was barking.  I heard her which was followed by the front door opening.  This was weird since I keep the front door’s deadbolt locked all the time; we go in and out the back door.  But even with the ruckus I wasn’t phased by this.  I was still turned away from the door, aware of Mr. M, but only slightly as I was about to doze and fall into a deep sleep. 

After the door opened I heard a large thump as if a heavy box had been dropped in a hurry to bring it in.  That startled me.  My kiddos’ voices rang out with the bustle of moving the box inside.

Something inside me stirred. I knew my kiddos were not supposed to be home; it was their dad’s weekend to have them. 

Then I woke up. 

This had all been a dream.

I had been asleep, having a dream about me falling asleep, no doubt. 

After cleaning house Saturday morning, I settled on the couch to read a book and fell asleep… by myself.  This was my me-time.

Jovi was barking outside, that much was true.  But I was the only one there, on the couch, with my book, wondering… what might have been inside that box.

What do you think could have been in that box?

Find yourself… keeping it real.

Photo Credit: http://www.sxc.hu/svilen001

Technorati Tags: boxes,narrative writing,dreams,sleeping

Staying Busy But Dainty All the Same

Well the kiddos have been gone with their dad a week and they have one more week before they get back from vacationing with him.  I try to get some of those odd jobs done around the house while they are away, so…..this was a working weekend.

My good friend Brooks came down and we worked on putting the new light fixture in the half bath I have been remodeling.  I had to wait for him to redo the electrical in the wall so the new light could be put in and moved higher on the wall making room for the mirror/medicine cabinet.  Mr. M. doesn’t like to do electrical… so I waited for Brooks to do the honors. 

Well you know how our projects usually end up being an adventure… but we were happy that we only blew one fuse in the process and only had to make one trip to the hardware store!

I need to show you guys photos of the progress…. so far… I will try to post updated photos soon.

After getting some of that work done, we also put together a new pantry cabinet for my dining room.  So I took the day off today to get that organized and my other cabinets cleaned and re-organized.  It was hard work… but I was pleased with the end results.  Plus I got to use my “Gloveables" I received from www.SingleEdition.com.   The pretty yet durable waterproof rubber gloves make working with the scrub brushes and buckets… dainty and “fashionable.”

I also started a book I was asked to review, 101Questions Kids Really Ask… And The Answers They Need To Know by Mary H. Halter.  When I finish I will share my thoughts about the book…. but I will tell you, so far I am impressed.

So I have been staying busy and want to cross a few more off my list of projects before school starts in September…. maybe.

Now if you haven’t left a comment (or two) to try to win the adorable little apron from Jesse Steele, jump on over to the post to try to win.   Only a few more days to get a chance to receive it.

Find yourself… keeping it real. 

Technorati Tags: gloveables,projects,single moms,singleedition.com,book reviews,puberty

Moms Agree: We Need Me-Time

Moms out there, whether you are married moms or single moms... we all need a little (or in some cases a lot) of me-time.   Taking some time out for yourself will help you in the long run to deal with the constant chaos with the kiddos and demands that seem to stack up on moms' agendas (even when you are trying to say no more often).  When I read a blog post this morning from Ms.Single Mama about learning to chill I found this momversation video.  These moms agree!

I couldn't help but laugh when they talk about sleep being a part of their me-time.  So many times Mr. M. teases me with the line.... "You know I love my sleep," referencing my blog post he read about one of my 'hobbies'.  Check out these ideas from moms like us who do what they can - to steal some me-time.

Find yourself... keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: single moms,moms,me-time,sleep,destressing,chill out

What Am I Thinking?

Mr. M. snapped off this photo when he was supposed to be taking pictures of the boys climbing the indoor rock wall.  I was taking a five minute break, off my feet and lost in thought at the Pit Stop Grill.

This should be one of those photographs where I let all of you suggest captions.

Go ahead, what should be the caption? ...leave it in comments... but be nice.

Find yourself... keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: photography,fun,just me

My Right Hand Ring

Well I confess, I have had in the back of my mind that I wanted to someday own a "right hand ring."  You single ladies know what I am talking about.  Now that I don't have my wedding set to adorn my hand... I normally don't wear rings.  Occasionally I will wear one of my Gramma's rings that I have, but not very often.  Of course, I can't even begin to afford a "true" right hand ring on my budget and with my priorities in place.  And I definitely don't want to fall victim to thinking that I need something that superficial so badly.  Seriously!

But, I still thought... some day... I will purchase my very own "right hand ring." 

Saturday Mr. M. and I went to the rock and mineral show at one of our local civic centers.  He loves stuff like that and for my perusal....they had jewelry.  So the garnet stone caught my eye and I browsed at each vendor... and came upon this:

It's a red garnet (reddish burgundy) set in sterling silver and with the vendor's 50% off that day it was only $20!  So even on my shoestring budget, I took the plunge and bought it. ('Major' investment...I know... but what can I say... I do try to stick my budget.)  It may not be diamonds... and I would never be able to afford a "true" right hand ring... but I am already enjoying it so this one is going to do me just fine.

What little thing have you done to treat yourself lately?

Find yourself... keeping it real.

Technorati Tags: jewelry,right hand ring,rings,budgets

Three Girls Go In a Restaurant on Valentine's Day.....

V-Day Weekend Quick Recap

During that weekend, we had so much fun.  I cannot tell you how hard I laughed.  It was to the point of tears and one time I honestly thought I was going to pass out from laughing.  (Yes, and make sure you read that right, I said "pass out" not something else.)

We ate at a fine Italian restaurant on Valentine's night.  I guess it's funny now,  but the place was full of couples while us three girls stood in the foyer waiting for a table for more-than-two people to come available.  I think the wait was well over an hour.  The hostess kindly let us know (where everyone could hear her) after thirty minutes that they had reset the restaurant with mostly tables for two for the night, to explain our long wait.  (But the food was so worth it Vicki!) Oh the joys of being single on Valentine's Day! 

While staying with her, she treated us like queens, she truly did.  The best hostess you will ever find.  Thanks again Vicki, for the superb weekend for us girls!

A few choice photos from the trip.

Both mornings her breakfasts prepared for us were like works of art!

Sweet Vicki

Current Reading

On the way back home from our V-Day Weekend trip to Vicki's house in South Carolina, Kris and I started listening to the audio book, UnChristian.  It reiterates what I have felt during recent years, that as Christians, we sometimes box ourselves in and create our own little bubble that at times cannot be penetrated by the outside world or pre-Christians, as I like to call them.   This is something I personally have tried to change in my life as I open my mind and my heart to others around me.  I am currently placing the book in it's entirety on my iPod and will continue to listen so I can finish the book soon.  Later I will be able to give you a better feel for the content and review of the book. 

Oh and by the way....

We made it back to Virginia!

Find yourself... keeping it real.