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So I’ve been feeling the need for a treat this week, but one you don’t eat. It’s been about a year since I went to the nail salon and got my nails done, something I used to consider a must when I worked a regular job.

In fact, I had NEVER had a manicure till I was 31 years old. I was at a family reunion and hanging out with my aunt (the day before the big event). She told me “we’re going to go get our nails done.” I was all for it, but a little nervous. My aunt has always had beautiful long nails. I knew very little about fake nails other than I thought they were a little strange (but pretty). We went out to the nearest salon and I was inducted into the land of fake nails. I wasn’t very impressed with the process.

It smelled bad (like a home perm) and the lady didn’t speak English. In the end though, my nails looked great. Even my rings looked better. I showed them to all the family the next day and actually felt really pretty. A few weeks later (not really knowing you were supposed to get a “fill”), I ended up taking them off myself. A process that was pretty uncomfortable and lasted at least three hours.

I didn’t get my nails done again for about another year. We had a big vacation coming up and I wanted something special. I found a salon in Davis, and off I went! This time the experience went better. The lady spoke good English, so I was taught the process. Fiberglass lasts longer than acrylic (though costs a big more). Come back in two weeks for a fill. All the goodies you need to know.

Cost (about $27 for a fiberglass “full-set” and $18 for a “fill”) led me to come and go through the years. I always considered it to be an extra treat to indulge in when we had extra money. Whenever I have my hair short, I do like to have the long, strong nails. There’s just something so girly about it. I usually stick to a French style (white tips) as they tend to go with anything, but the choices and options are almost endless.

I’m not sure how long my mood will last this time, but it was fun and today I am feeling like a pretty girl. If you’re never gotten a manicure (or pedicure), I recommend it!

Here are some things to look for in a good salon and tips once you’re there.

-Go by recommendations, talk to your friends. Almost everyone has a favorite salon (mine is First Lady Nails in Davis)

-Look for a business license on display and cosmetology licenses for each employee also on display (like when you get your hair cut). This is mandatory.

-Look at how clean the shop is. Is the floor dirty? Turn the other way and walk out.

-Plastic jet tubs, though feeling nice, aren’t the safest of options. Look instead for a salon that has big soak bowls. Salons like this will usually charge more, but it’s better to be safe. (My salon has tubs carved out of stone. Very pretty AND sanitary)

-Use and toss emery boards. Watch to see they are throwing tools like emery boards away, and retreaving metal tools from a sanitation station.

-Count on tipping 20% when done.

- Wear loose pants you can roll up easily if getting a pedicure, or leave your rings and watch at home for a manicure. Bring a bottle of water too. A manicure or pedicure can take up to an hour each.

-In doubt? Ask the manager or owner your questions and their suggestions, or walk.

-Don't be surprised if they don't speak very good English.

-Most salons take walk-ins (yay!), so don’t worry about making an appointment. Just have enough time in case you have to wait and read a magazine for a bit.

It’s been a while since I posted an update on my quest for better health (and smaller clothes). So I think it’s time for another!

I began getting serious about eating healthier and exercising on January 2^nd of this year. I’ve had a few bumps in the road, but am steadily losing. I’m down 2 sizes since then (but still in the plus-size department) and definitely feeling healthier and better.

Recently I was pretty sick and that threw off my exercise routine. The 3 weeks I was under the weather saw 4lbs creep back on. Starting today I’m back on-track though and hard at work to get fitter.

My main focus has always been:

~ To strengthen my joints and muscles

~ Eat more fresh and healthy foods (like fruits and vegetables)

~ Be more active personally, as well as with my family

Losing weight and being smaller is actually last on my list. Of course if you follow the three goals, it will logically follow that you will lose some weight.

My husband and I have been very supportive of each other. Especially when it comes to night-time treats. Though I will confess that in a major moment of PMS, I did make some rice crispy treats. Mmmm, they were good! But a treat should be just that, a special treat! Not a nightly ritual. I notice that when I do cave into a craving and indulge, I enjoy it more than I used to. It feels more special and delicious then when you indulge daily.

My grandmother has also been working to lose weight. However, she is only doing that, working to lose weight. She’s depriving herself all foods she loves, not exercising any more than she used to and not eating healthy or balanced at all. I talked to her on the phone yesterday and she shared with me that for dinner she was planning on having a Yogurt with a glass of milk. So even though she’s lost more weight than me (very quickly too), I feel full of energy and better about putting nutrition first.

This coming week I plan on getting a tune-up for my bike. The weather has been so lovely that I’m excited to start riding it more. I’m also still renting exercise tapes from NetFlix (though not doing them as much as I should). I also need to get back to walking my dogs daily. I always feel good when I fit that into my schedule.

I had all my routine exams recently and was very pleased to learn that I’m A-ok. No high cholesterol, my thyroid is doing well (I take daily replacement therapy for hypothyroidism), and my pap was all good! I also learned that since last June I’ve lost 25lbs. What a nice surprise!

How is everyone else doing? Moving much? Eating those leafy greens? It’s not to late to start today (regardless of past slip-ups).

My aunt and I attended the Sacramento Bee's advanced screening of Penelope this past Saturday morning in Roseville.

Now I won’t drive out to Roseville for just any move. This one looked pretty cute, and was starring Christina Ricci (who I’ve enjoyed ever since I first saw her as little Wednesday Addams in the Addams Family). The film also features Catherine O’Hara (who again, I’ve adored since Beetlejuice), James McAvoy, Richard E Grant, Simon Woods and Peter Dinklage. I also loosely knew the story, or so I thought.

Girl has evil spell cast on her so that she has the nose of a pig. Someone will have to brake the spell for her, most likely a man. Is this looking like Shrek to you? Because that was the first thing I thought of. Instead what we enjoyed was a unique, empowering story of self-discovery, self-love, breaking free from controlling parents and friendship. All of it beautifully filmed, masterfully scored and with settings as pleasurable to look at as a box full of Milk Duds.

The movie was pretty predictable until Penelope decides she’s had enough of her mother’s match making. I won’t say too much as I don’t want to ruin it for you. All I can tell you is that this is one of those rare films that everyone, all ages, will enjoy.

The film isn’t perfect, but it’s pretty close. The positive message it provides for women and little girls is well worth the cost of admission. And let me just add that I want her shoes and house. Beautiful!

Penelope is set to be released February 29^th. I highly recommend it.

(Side note, the new profile pic is of me and my aunt in our seats at the theater. Not the most flattering of me, but she’s so pretty!)

So, I just read that J-Lo and Marc had their twins this morning (a boy and a girl). AND that People Magazine is forking over 6Million dollars to get the first pictures of them. That's 3Million PER BABY!!

Ok now, call me crazy? But I think that number is just a wee bit high. I know Jennifer and Marc are in dire straights and really need the cash. I mean diapers cost a lot and they have TWO babies now afterall. How will they afford DOUBLE the diapers?!?!

All I can say is that:
1) I promise not to buy that issue of People and contribute to the madness.
2) I REALLY REALLY REALLY hope they give it to charity. Imagine how many needy families that money could help!

Ugh. I think I got sick in my coffee.

(on a side note, if you need a laugh. Check out Go Fug Yourself.com and what they have to say about J-Lo. I nearly wet my self every time I read it.)

Yeah right. That’s all we do, right ladies? Lay around and eat chocolate... Then we wake up (at 4AM).

People who don’t have children really have no idea the life of a mom. Whether you earn money outside the home or work at home, let’s face it, it’s ALL work! HARD work at that. Just how do you juggle your day? What keeps YOU balanced? How do you spend your time?

In an effort to get to know everyone a little better, I’d love to hear from you. I’m also happy to share. Obviously, I enjoy blogging. Being on-line takes a portion of my day, every day. I check my Etsy store and add new items there. I also have two business blogs. One just for fun (as a creative outlet), the other is simply a series of slide shows showing my creations and photography. I teach three art classes two days a week at public schools in Davis. Fifteen children ages kindergarten to fourth grade. Yup, I have my hands full and love every minute of it. I’m also taking college classes part time in an effort to earn my degree in Early Childhood Education (focusing on art instruction). Eventually I’d also like a minor in American Sign Language, but I’m in no rush.

The internet, teaching, my business and school take up a very large portion of my life and days. I literally have to squeeze friend time in where I can. Of course, my family always comes first. Luckily my son is older and I have much more time now to work when he’s in school then I ever did in the past. He’s had his fair share of being dragged to my craft shows and summers full of sitting in on my art classes with the other kids. That’s the price a kid pays when their parents have their own business!

Family time is very important to me. I know there was a recent blog by the powers of the SacMomsClub asking how you spend family time. We eat every dinner together (with few exceptions), brunch together on the weekends. We play games a lot (video and board games). At least four times a week. We also have been re-watching all the old Buffy The Vampire Slayer TV shows altogether (for about the last 6months). We’re on the final season now. My son’s loving it. We’re going to do Farscape next.

Luckily we have an amazing teen center here in Davis. My son loves hanging out there at least two days a week (usually Wednesday and Friday after school). It’s a teen parents dream come true. He and his friends hang out together there (with provided supervision), play games (pool, air hockey, video games), having movie nights, go to the Farmers Market and just spend time together. Oh yeah, and it’s all free. I know he’s safe and having fun, but I get a break from the little bundle of hormones (and get to see my friends). It’s one of the things I love about Davis.

Of course I struggle to find my balance. I love having so many things on my plate though. I love the socialization of my business and the craft shows. I love interacting on-line with all of you. I love helping people and watching the children I teach learn and grow. I also love growing myself (through college) and learning new things. I love being busy.

I also love having time for myself. I’d easily say the first 13 years of my son’s life it was all about him. I had no life. My needs were far down on the list. Now I feel like a butterfly bursting from my cystitis and finding my own path while my son succeeds on his own (well, most the time). There is hope. You will once again have time to chase your own dreams once again.

Find me on the web!

My Store: http://www.creatress.etsy.c...

My Creative Blog: http://creatresscreations.b...

My Creations (slideshows): http://creatressdesigns.blo...

Creatress on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/crea...  

Reading about this huge beef recall yesterday made me very happy that my son has eaten a school hot lunch only two times in his life. School hot lunches are terrible, and that’s without the scare that your child just ate sick beef. The amount of processing, food coloring, refined grains and sugar in these meals is shockingly high. The convenience and price often tempt parents into thinking it can’t be all that bad. I mean, it’s regulated, right? Hmmmm. I believe the whole beef recall answers that question nicely.

So how do you feed your child healthily, quickly and cheaply? What are some good options once your child has to start thinking about lunch (or you need to pack a snack for daycare or the sitters?)

The first thing to look at is what they’re eating when you aren’t around. Does school or your daycare provider give snacks? If so, what are they? If you don’t think they’re healthy enough, pack your own snack. Here’s a few necessities in a healthy diet and why to think twice about what your child eats.

-Whole Grain Bread

The less refined and processed the grain, the more the body works to digest it. This means you also get more nutrients out of it and less sugar. Think of it like a full tank of gas vs. a quick turbo boost.

-Organic, Hormone Free, Free Range Dairy Products

Free range means that the animal isn’t kept locked in a cage too small to turn around in. It’s more of a classic farm we all like to picture our food coming from. Not cruel commercial farms. Organic means the food the animals were fed didn’t contain chemicals or pesticides (or contained a super low amount). Hormone free means that the animals were not given hormones, steroids or other chemicals to make them produce more and be artificially healthy.

-Organic Produce

Organic produce in the grocery store usually costs a little bit more than conventional, but it’s worth it! Look for deals at your local farmers market. I like heading out to our farmers market in Davis about 30min before closing. A lot of local organic farmers will bag their produce at the end of the day and sell it cheap by the bag (to avoid bringing leftovers back to the farm). You can find great deals on wonderfully fresh produce this way and usually pay less that conventional produce at the supermarket.

-Line Caught Fish

A huge portion of the fish you find in the stores is from fish farms. Fish farms produce bad fish due to the toxicity of the water they live in. There are too many fish for the small tanks (their food and feces) and pollutants abound. They are also usually found in heavily populated areas (like China) where environmental toxins are heavy. In the ocean there is much more water circulation and space for the fish. Line fishing (or line caught fish) is very environmentally responsible. It also assures that only the fish you’re eating was the one caught (unlike net fishing where sharks, dolphins, rays, turtles and other fish are easily accidentally killed). If your fish doesn’t say, ask. Farmed salmon can be especially high in mercury, as can tuna. Always check for “Line-Caught Fresh Fish.” The Sacramento and Davis Food-Co Op’s are great places to find good meat.

-Nuts

This is a food group that’s easy to forget about. Not suitable for young children (due to choking hazard) they are wonderful, fast, healthy snacks for older children (school aged) and adults! High in healthy fats and vitamins, they add great crunch to salads and are a super snack.

Luckily organic and whole foods are easier and easier to find now days. Even Wal Mart has a surprising variety available. Just remember that the closer to the way it’s found in nature, the better. For example. A whole apple is best, apple slices are good, apple sauce is ok, apple juice is so-so. The less steps and processes involved, the better.

Be a label reader! There is more sugar in regular cranberry juice than in a can of Coke. It never hurts to check out the ingredients. If you can’t pronounce what’s in it, you may want to think twice about feeding it to your child.

It doesn’t have to be complicated. Children love food with colors and textures. How about some fresh carrot sticks that they helped wash and peel? Colorful berries, organic apple sauce, whole wheat pita bread, free-farmed hormone free, nitrate free hot dogs, baked yam, button mushrooms and grape tomatoes in ranch? The more the children are involved with the preparation (shopping, washing, arranging, serving), the more they will want to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Here are a few of my favorite places to shop and goodies to serve the kids. Enjoy and stay healthy!

Amy's Natural Prepared Foods

http://www.amys.com/

Ian's Natural Foods (Prepared Food Kids Love)

http://www.iansnaturalfoods...

Happy Baby (Natural Baby Foods)

http://www.happybabyfood.co...

Sacramento Natural Food Co-op

http://www.sacfoodcoop.com/

Whole Foods Market

http://www.wholefoodsmarket...

Natural Beef, Buffalo & Turkey Jerky

http://www.jerkyranch.com/

Organic Produce Delivered To Your Door

http://www.farmfreshtoyou.c... 

Davis Farmers Market

http://www.davisfarmersmark...

Sacramento Farmers Market (list of locations & times)

http://www.california-grown...

While at coffee with the other moms yesterday the conversation turned to communication with your partner. Trying to find the balance of giving each other space and time to be individuals, but conveying your needs when they arise, is a challenge we all face.

Of course this doesn’t only come up in a marriage; the same is true with your children, with co-workers, with friends… but the situation does get tricky when it’s with your partner. How do you communicate your needs with your partner?

In the past this has been a huge issue for my husband and me. I wouldn’t communicate my needs. Instead I would expect him to know (because I sure would have if I were him!), then just bottled up my anger and resentment as I was left hanging time and time again. Of course the cork would fly off that bottle a few times a year and my guy would be left confused and floored. Not the best way to communicate. I also sadly have the impulse to “nag” rather than “talk” AND am defensive if I am asked to do something, change something or given reminders. Are you now seeing why I work for myself?

After a lot of practice, talking (and therapy), we have slowly changed our ways. A simple “Hey honey, could you please take out the trash?” Or, “It would be so helpful if you could please stop by the store on the way home and get…” Then he isn’t expected to be a mind-reader. He’s happy to help. I feel loved and less-stressed and thought of. It’s win-win really! So why is it so hard?

I think part of it is the un-seen pressure women (moms) have that we’re supposed to do it all. Take care of the house, the kids, our partners (and often jobs too). Women also are (generally speaking) natural nurturers. We can tell when someone needs help, or what they need, or how to help. We jump in and do it. So to realize that there is a different sex who doesn’t just “know” and actually needs some communication to help takes some realization and practice.

A little communication goes a long way. It’s also a talent that requires a LOT of practice. Trust me though. What you gain will be priceless. You’ll also need all the practice you can get for when your children are teenagers!!!

This morning I had the pleasure of meeting up with two moms from this site for a little Valentines Day coffee and visit. Let me just say what a wonderful start to my day it was!

I love meeting interesting, fun moms. Especially when they have beautiful babies in tow. As my own little man-cub is now a teen, I frequently am in need of a baby fix. That's where you all come in.

Believe it or not, mom2twinboys actually made the trek out to Davis with both her cuties in tow. What a treat to bask in the glow of twins! Jennifer (southernmom? I forget her momsclub name!) also made it with her precious 14month old baby girl (who I couldn't get enough of). We had a nice two hour coffee and got to know each other a little better. The babies were all amazingly well behaved and did nothing to curb my springtime baby urge.

Here are some fun pics from our coffee. Next time hopefully more moms can come (missed you blahblahblah mom. I hope your boy is feeling better!). I’m open to doing it more centrally located too (like Natomas?).

I’d also still like to plan a mom’s night out at Chevys. I’m thinking at the end of March? I’d like plenty of notice for those who have to arrange sitters (or grandma) to come. Nothing expensive or too time consuming. Just like today, come if you can.

Happy Valentines Day!

My father-in-law, like many grandfathers, has very little in common with our son. He is very mechanically minded, loves to fix things, enjoys the value of a good book or fixing a broken pretzel machine. Thrives on running marathons and scouring every yard sale he passes for treasure. Our son however enjoys video games, map making, hates physical exercise of any kind (except maybe swimming), would never fix anything (nor know how) and would rather be placed on a rack than hit the local yard sale circuit.

Through the years each did his own part to initiate some conversations, play games, take camping trips together and just get to know each other a little better. Recently however, my father-in-law’s steps have become leaps. He is lunging himself across the generation gap in a serious attempt to get to know my son better and have a relationship with him.

I believe that his retirement had something to do with this newfound interest in forming a bond with him. Or perhaps it is due to his new found interest in technology? I’m not really sure the “why”, but am very happy for them both.

Usually when we go up to Diamond Springs to visit them, my father-in-law will be out doing errands, in the garage tinkering, or watching a baseball game (all activities my son doesn’t enjoy). This past Sunday however, he took genuine joy in showing my son how to play his harp, they sat on the couch together reading and sharing my son’s iPod (too cute! I think they were listening to the Lord of the Rings soundtrack) and playing games with the family. My son enjoyed his visit and we all had a great day.

My father-in-law has plans for them for the future. He’s interested in making a documentary movie and would like my son to help him out (something he would honestly be very interested in doing).

 In spite of their glaring differences, I also see a lot in common. My father-in-law was a stutterer as a child (and still sometimes does), he also would be classified as having Aspergers Syndrome (in my opinion) if he were a child now-days. He is also kind and generous. Always happy to lend a hand and help out family. He very much enjoys sharing his knowledge and has a good heart.

I feel there is a lot they can learn from each other.

Hello Ladies,
A few of us in the Yolo County area are going to be meeting up for coffee at Starbucks on Thursday, February 14th @ 9:00AM in Davis.

Anyone is welcome to come and join us if you can! They have a nice little patio and are very close to the freeway. The weather has been so beautiful that it would be fun to sit outside and visit a little.

Hope you can make it!

The address is:
Hwy 113 & Covell - Davis
2038 Lyndell Terrace
Davis, California 95616

Here's the link to their map.
http://www.starbucks.com/re...

I really do wish I had Rapunzel hair. I truly do. I also wish for a million dollars and a pony. Being 35 I am also old enough to know we don't always get what we want!

With the exception of my cousin and aunt, my family doesn't have great hair. It's straight, thin and delicate. I couldn't grow my hair long if I tried for a hundred years locked in a tower. It's just not in my genes. My husband however has amazing, thick, curly hair that will never fall out (where as I already feel awkward about my lack of mane and tense up when I see my hair in the sink). Of course, our son got my hair. Poor lad.

It also doesn't help that I constantly futz with my hair. I always have! Many little girls went to school with their hair the exact same way every day. I however had my first home perm at age 2. I blame that stage-setting-trauma for why I now just can't leave well enough alone.

I decided today that I wanted my hair short again. Yup, today. So did I sleep on it? Talk it over with my husband? Nope, I looked up some pics on-line, printed them out and booked it to Supercuts. My lady there rolled her eyes, laughed, then gave me just what I wanted (I love it when that happens!)

When I look at pictures of myself, I always like it better longer. I love the day-to-day care and fun ness of short hair though! I can't escape the feeling that short hair = playful, fun, flirty, pixie, adventurous. Just as blonde=well, you know.. red=fiery temper and so on. It's interesting what a role hair can play in one's perceived personality.

Perhaps it the weight loss (-3 more lbs this week) or that spring is in the air. I was ready for short hair again. Now I just hope my man isn't too irritated about it! He claims to like it better long, but plays with it more when it's short. I don't blame him. I think it feels nice too. Let me know what you think (it's hard to take pics of your own head. Especially the back!)

Have a great weekend!

…And one pill makes you small. Remember that song? White Rabbit I think it’s called. I like it. Anyway, it’s what was running through my head this morning as I was vitamin shopping at our local Davis food co-op.

My son will be going on a three day field trip in March to the Museum of Tolerance in LA (I know this sounds like a drastic topic switch, but just keep with me). As part of getting ready to go, he needed a list of everything he takes (or might need) while on this trip signed off by our doctor. That means his vitamins, if he gets sick, car sick, headache, and diarrhea, whatever. It must be packed, signed off by his doctor and accounted for in writing with explicit directions. Yes, I’d rather be shopping at Ross about now.

Due to some pretty major food intolerances, my son has been taking daily digestive enzymes for quite a while. They have made a huge difference in his health and focusing abilities. I was at the co-op this morning to get a small bottle of them (yes, all medications have to be in their original packaging), when I was distracted by all the healthy promises.

Not to settle for just the bottle of enzymes for my son, I re-examined our vitamins as well. $68 and an hour later I left the store with the enzymes, a “Complete Daily Support Vitamin for Teen Boys.” Or, as they call then on the label, “Boyz!” A new One-Per-Day “High Energy-Heart Healthy-Multi-Vitamin-Multi Mineral” for moi and a small tube of homeopathic remedy for stress and anxiety.

My son is naturally high strung and sensitive, but after a semester full of Hitler, Anne Frank and Roots, he’s starting to look a little worse-for-wear. I’m thinking he may need a little homeopathic help at the museum if things get tense (which I’m sure they will). Can’t hurt, may help (as my grandmother likes to say).

Luckily I have a doctors appointment set for tomorrow, so I’ll lug in my new bottles of promises for her to approve. I’m sure the school will love me for sending all this along with my son. It’s the price they pay for me being raised to the motto of “Better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it.” My kid will be the healthiest one on the trip (if not the poorest cause mommy has no self control around vitamins).

When my son was younger, we would snuggle all the time. We are a very huggy, kissy family and snuggling with our child was a no-questions-asked activity. In spite of being on the Autism Spectrum (most children on the spectrum don’t like to be touched), our son grew to love snuggles. I often tell my husband that we “force” snuggled him till he loved it.

Here he is now, a young man of 14, and you’d think that he would be right back to not wanting to be touched. Luckily, that’s not the case. Every Wednesday his school starts later than usual, so we get a nice sleep-in break. I go in to wake him up and hear a weak little sleepy voice say “snuggle?” He rolls over to make room and that’s my cue to snuggle him for a few minutes. I scratch his back, ask about his dreams, and it’s a few cherished moments before our day starts. I know someday soon he won’t ask for snuggles anymore (but I think I can always scratch his back), so I really savor each one.

This morning after our snuggle I went to make him a healthy breakfast and saw that it must be "end-of-the-paycheck" time (as we didn’t have very much around). On Wednesday’s we have a little more time in the morning, so I decided to make us some muffins.

Like I said, we didn’t have much around and so I had to get inventive. The results were both healthy and delicious!

I would have posted this under TALK, but I like to post pictures with recipes. I like to see what I’m making before I make it (and assume you do too).

CREATRESS’S PINEAPPLE MUFFINS

2 cups flour (either wheat or unbleached white is healthiest)

1tsp baking soda

1 egg

1 can pineapple (big can) run through the blender

Brown sugar (for topping)

(if you have some Vitamin C powder on-hand, add some to your batter for an extra healthy boost!)

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. Then add wet. Scoop batter into baking tins (or tray if you’d rather have it like a cake than muffins). Sprinkle each muffin with a little brown sugar. The pineapple is naturally so sweet, that you don’t need to add sugar to your batter.

Bake @ 350 for 25min (for muffins). Enjoy!

My life, (like yours I’m sure) is indeed a teeter totter. I must confess, I’m not very good at keeping a balance. In fact, I’m more of a trebuchet. I can focus and deal with one big task at a time, and I over-react to everything. If you think this sounds like an exhausting way to function, you’re right it is. So what keeps me balanced? What transforms my trebuchet back to a teeter totter? Surprisingly enough, it’s not just one thing.

My husband is a big one. Having the constant emotional (and financial) support of someone who loves me no matter what is HUGE. He’s also wonderful at helping me keep my perspective and balance when I start to lose it.

My son is surprisingly another. Yes, even though he’s a teenager. I genuinely enjoy spending time with him and hearing his thoughts on life. I take great pride in the young man he is becoming and knowing he’s a joy to our family.

My to-do list. I don’t think I could make it through my week without it. If I start the week without having made one yet, I feel lost. It is my road-map through the days. I have a to-do list, (that I print-out every week. Just a Word document) my planner, (for the year) and then the family calendar, (for everyone to use and see). It may seem like a redundant system, but I need all three to keep me balanced.

My dogs. Animal therapy is amazing. Whenever I’m feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders, I just take a minute and pet my dogs. Ok, pet, kiss, make baby noises at... Since I have two, I have one for each hand. My favorite instant de-stressor is to sit on the couch between them. They’re like sweet little heating pads.

Finding Time For Me. On my weekly to-do list I make sure I add in time like “meet (blank) for coffee” or “art day” or “writing day” so that I don’t forget to make time for these little things that help you stay balanced.

The biggest challenges I have as a wife, mother, business owner, employee, etc… is myself not getting lost in the shuffle. You can spend your entire day from the moment you rise to the moment you hit the pillow only servicing other people with ease. To take a step back and squeeze yourself into that crazy day isn’t always easy; nor is finding the strength and motivation to do so.

That’s when things like blogging, talking to other moms, or just watching a Masterpiece Theater, (with a dog of course) a call to my husband at work... can really make my day!

It’s not always easy to make the time for friends, family or yourself. Heck, did I say always? I mean often. So when a friend asked me if I would like to hit Macy’s downtown with her for a 1hour shopping whirl, my gut reaction was “I’m busy.” It was just a habit really, to not make the time for myself on a weekday like that. But then I looked at my calendar and saw that I surprisingly did have the time. I even took it to the next level. Could she meet me a little early at Starbucks so we could grab a coffee a catch up a little? Yup, she could. It was a date. Yay!

We had a great (but short) little visit and a wonderful time shopping together. She’s a beautiful curvy woman and it was fun to shop with a friend who also needed to go “upstairs and all the way to the back” (plus-size department). We’re going to the same event Saturday night and both bought stunning new outfits. I left her on a high like I haven’t felt in a while (and not just because of the coffee or that my dress was 3 sizes smaller than it would have been had I bought it at the beginning of the month). It was just the charge I get off being around such a fun woman with whom I have a lot in common (and met HERE by the way). Yes you, blahblahblah mom.

She had to rush off back to her sitter, but I was a free woman till late afternoon. I ended up squeezing in a quick lunch with my husband, and then surprising my aunt at her work with more coffee in my hands.

Finding time to spend with the people I love, even just for half a day, really makes me rejuvenated, revived and blissful. It’s so easy to forget about that feeling and just let life overwhelm us from day to day. So call a friend, take a break, and surprise someone you love… you’ll be richer for the effort.

 The pic is of my new dress.

TRES Audrey Hepburn.

I love it!