Day 2

Most people would rather be certain they’re miserable, than risk being happy. ~ Robert Anthony”

I think that this is more about control than anything else. At least if you are certain that you are miserable then there is no room for the unknown.

I admit, I’m a bit of a control freak. Okay…I can be down right obsessive. I slap cellulite cream on my legs every morning before I hit the gym. I go over emails I’ve written a few dozen times before sending them. I mean I even have a set routine for when I fly, tomato juice while in the air and the same movie every time. There is a sense of comfort in knowing what to expect.

I am divorced. I was married for years longer than I should have been. I was young, too young to really understand what love was about. I was lost and still not even sure what I wanted out of life. This was not my ex husbands fault. I believe we were both miserable but content too. Content in knowing what to expect everyday regardless of if that really made us truly happy or not.

It took an extreme leap of faith to decide to divorce. No one wants to divorce at such a young age. Oh the looks I would get at work, by friends and of course what would my family think.

Risk involves faith. Blind hope. No assurances.

It’s like Let’s make a deal. Do you want the 100 dollars cash that’s right in front of you or do you take what’s behind curtain number 1? You could get zonked! Or, you could win a trip to Tahiti.

I guess that’s why so many people stay where they’re at. Accept a life that’s underwhelming because of their fear of the unknown.

I myself will choose to see what’s behind curtain #1. Zonk or Tahiti? Who cares…a life without fear is the real prize.

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Day 1

“If you want to be happy, be.” Leo Tolstoy

Well that seems easy enough. Not quite. More to the point, what is happiness?

Is happiness a destination? Is it accomplishing your goals or is it the journey along the way?

Let’s face it. We’re busy! I mean really busy. I have four kids, all in school and all in a sport. They work so hard for months to try to make it to the end of their season and hopefully reach the playoffs. It’s like their entire focus is on that end result. If they make it, and they come out on top then they are winners….and they are happy! If not then they are patted on the back and hurried along to the next thing. Our whole happiness hinges on the results of our labor.

It’s easy to get wrapped into that mentality. It becomes a vicious cycle. I want it to stop!

So, I slowed down and looked around. Really looked.

What does happiness mean to me?

Answer: Happiness is snuggling on the couch with my kids with no where to go…watching looney toons (the absolute best cartoon ever). Happiness is warm food on a cold night. Happiness is singing at the top of my lungs and not caring who else is watching. Happiness is an elderly couple holding hands while walking together. Happiness is everywhere around us, waiting for us to grab hold of it.

I guess Leo Tolstoy got it. If you want to be happy, be.

Thanks Leo, I think I will!

365 days of happiness

Sometimes I think we get so stuck in the everyday routines that we forget to take time to look around and appreciate the little things. 

I got myself book called 365 days of happiness.  I mean don’t get me wrong I’m happy, actually I’m a very happy person.  I have a good life.  I have an amazing husband, some really good kids, a warm house and a flexible job.  Who could ask for more?!

I just want to make sure I’m digging below the surface.  Really living a purpose driven life.  So, I will take a quote each day and reflect. 

I hope you all will join me.

I’m on a mission…

I just turned 36 years old and I’m reflecting. So, what’s next? I’m sure I’m like many of you out there. I feel like I’ve been running around in a fog, especially lately. It’s back and forth to sports, to schools, to work, to the grocery store….my life has been on autopilot. I’m restless! I’m bored! I’m uninspired!

So, this morning I opened my eyes…..took in a delicious breath of air and decided….it starts today. I realized while playing candy crush that I get a little too excited when I line up 5 candy’s and make a power bomb and don’t get nearly as much out of the little things in my life everyday. No, that does not mean that I’m giving up my adult crack. I’m mean really….I’m almost to the next level…just need more lives and 3 train tickets!

So, first things first. My email inbox. It’s crazy… I have 4700 emails! I check them on my phone and never delete them. I cant just select ALL at this point and delete. There are important things in there that I haven’t yet sorted into the proper folders.

So, I guess that this will have to be my first mission…..email sorting. How will this better my life you ask….well, I’m not really sure. It’s a starting point and we all have to start somewhere.

Make your own boo-boo packs

Boo-boo packs are great for your little one’s everyday scratches, scrapes and bruises, and couldn’t be easier to make.  These also make great gifts!

Cold/ Heating Pad Directions:

• No pattern is necessary, simply cut two pieces of cloth in the size/shape you wish your bag to be. Make sure to leave a seam allowance for yourself (about 1/2″).

Some prefer regular square shape bags, others prefer tubes or more rectangular shapes.  The one I made is 5″ x 5″ and is the perfect size for my kids, but I plan on make some bigger ones to use on my back and shoulders.

Filler Options

• Uncooked rice (this is what I used, do not use preboiled/minute rice)
• Feed corn
• Buckwheat hulls
• Beans
• Flax seed
• Cherry pits

You can also add the following to the above for a soothing fragrant heating pad: Spices, herbs, essential oils.

• Ideas: lavender, rose petals, ground cloves, nutmeg, ginger, rosemary, cinnamon, peppermint oil, crushed mint
• If using: Mix herbs, spices and essential oil with choice heating pad filler (such as rice) and let sit in a sealed container for a few days (occasionally stirring). This will help set and distribute the fragrance a bit.

For mine I made the inner bag with a muslin fabric and made a cover/sleeve out of flannel “strawberry shortcake” fabric (my daughter picked this out).  This is a great way to use up extra fabric you have, you can use anything…old pillow cases, sheets, tableclothes….be imaginative!

Here is my finished product———->

Happy Sewing!

My fabulous 5

The most mouthwatering food combinations ever:

1) Beef stew w/homemade herb bread
2) Turkey chili w/cornbread
3) Pizza w/frosty mug of beer
4) Homemade chocolate cookies w/milk
5) Meatloaf w/garlic mashed potatoes

The many uses of baking soda

Go Green with Baking Soda (and save a little money too)

Baking soda is a great multi-use item.  It’s CHEAP, non toxic and can be used for just about everything.  Here are some great tips/ideas to ditch those expensive cleaners and go green in YOUR house.

Safety:

One of the more important uses for baking soda: Keep a box of baking soda near the stove. In case of a grease fire, you can sprinkle baking soda on the fire to extinguish the flames. This will not damage counter tops or the pans. It is safe for use on electrical fires

 Cleaning/Everyday use:

1. One of the most popular uses for baking soda is to deodorize your refrigerator. Just place an open container inside, stir every couple of weeks, replace it every couple of months.

 2.  Use it in your laundry to remove odors. Use ¼ to ½ Cup with each load.

3.  Place in chests (such as coolers and lunch pails) to absorb odors.

4.  Stuffed toys that get old and have a stale smell can be refreshed by simply giving them a dusting of baking soda let them sit for 10-15 minutes. Pat the baking soda off and you have a fresh smelling stuffed toy again. It is safe for children and the stuffed toy as well.

5.  You can keep your sinks smelling fresh by putting a few Tablespoons of baking soda down them, and then running the hot water. Baking soda can even unclog a slow running sink, especially when you add a little vinegar and plenty of hot water. It’s good preventative maintenance to do this with regularity.

6. Sprinkle soda in tennis shoes, socks, boots and slippers to eliminate odor.

7.  To remove burned-on food from a pan: let the pan soak in soda and water for 10 minutes before washing. Or scrub the pot with dry soda and a moist scouring pad.

 8.  Add a sprinkle of baking soda when you soak dried beans it will help them cook quicker and make them more digestible

 9. Clean formica counter tops with baking soda on a damp sponge.

10. Soda absorbs kitty litter odors. Cover the bottom of the kitty box with 1 part soda; then add a layer of 3 parts kitty litter on top.

 11. To polish silverware sprinkle dry baking soda on a damp cloth rub, rinse, dry and enjoy.

 12. Uses for baking soda and babies: To help clean baby bottles, wash the bottles with water and baking soda. Then rinse well with hot water.

13. Soak stale-smelling sponges in a strong baking soda solution to keep them fresh

14. Use baking soda in your dishwasher. Run the dishwasher through a cycle with the baking instead of soap. Tang is also good to keep your dishwasher clean and smelling good.

15. For stainless steel and chrome, use a moist cloth and dry baking soda to make it shine like new. Rinse and dry. On stainless steel, rub in the direction of the grain.

Outdoors: 

1.  To maintain proper pool alkalinity, add 3/4 lb. of baking soda for every 5,000 gallons of water. This will raise the total alkalinity by 10 ppm (parts per million). Most pools require alkalinity in the 80-150 ppm range. Proper pool alkalinity level is vital for minimizing changes in pH or when basic pool chemicals or contaminants are introduced into the water.

 2.  Give your deck a weathered look by adding two cups of baking soda to one gallon of water. Use a stiff brush to spread onto the surface area. Work in the direction of the grain. Let it sit for an hour then rinse with cool water.

 3. Ant and roach control mix equal parts of baking soda with sugar and spread over the infested area, they love the sugar the baking soda loves them to death.

 4. Weeds growing in the cracks of your driveway, sidewalks and patio? A good safe way to help prevent them from growing is to put baking soda on them. Add a handful, then sweep it into the cracks. The added sodium will help make it more hostile to the weeds growing there. It’s safe for pets and children as well.

 Health/Beauty:

1. Add 1/2 cup or more of baking soda to your bath water to soften your skin.

2. Putting 2 tbsp. of baking soda in your baby’s bath water will help relieve diaper rash irritations.

3.  You can give yourself a facial scrub by mixing it 3 to 1 with water.

4.  Add it to your shampoo, and it will remove built up residue in your hair from shampoos and conditioners.

5. Take 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water to relieve acid indigestion or heartburn.

 6.  For sunburn use a paste of baking soda and water it will help relive the burning and will help you from peeling as bad.

7. Minimize the “oh gross” factor by cleaning and freshening retainers and mouth-guards with baking soda. Soak after every use in a solution of 2 teaspoons baking soda and warm water. Every so often, brush them clean with a paste of baking soda. That’ll keep everyone smiling

 8. Chlorine from the swimming pool can turn your hair green. To prevent this, after swimming rinse your hair with lemon juice and a 1/4 cup of baking soda. Rinse and shampoo as you normally do.