Mother's Day Challenge - Day 20

The last few days I've been out of sorts for the most part.  You see, I try really hard to balance, juggle and keep things together - and for the most part I feel pretty good about the results.  Sometimes though it all just feels like a jumbled mess - even though, it's not really as bad as I make it out in my own mind.  I guess that's just the way I am.

I'm sure every mom out there knows that you can only keep going for so long before you hit a wall!  Let's face it, we all get tired and just need to crash sometimes.  Sometimes though, my body has a different idea of how things are supposed to work - and the wall hits me first.  This past Wednesday was just one of those times.  After starting work as a very normal morning, I suddenly could not see.  Everything didn't go black (thank God!), but everything in front of me turned into a foggy haze.  I went from sending/responding to emails, to not being able to make out a single image or word in front of me - even with my glasses on.  No matter how much I squinted, blinked or stared...there was absolutely no clarity.

Needless to say, that set into motion a series of events that now have me waiting for the results of yesterday's MRI.  Scary, a little...but I've had MRI's before and have always been fortunate enough to get good results.  I'm hoping for the same results this time - and calling this one an unexplained neurological incident.  Right now the worst thing that's going to come out of this will be some family members being a bit annoyed that I didn't immediately call them.  But hey, it would just feel weird to call someone and say, "Hey, I went to the ER, but I'm fine, and we don't know anything. So how are you?"  I did tell my Mom though.

So today's "me" time is extremely non-monumental! Our work day officially ended a few hours ago, but I have stuck around to prioritize my inbox; make my to-do list for Monday and get to a good stopping place for today.  I have set a mind-frame for the weekend that includes spending time with my family, non-stress time and rest.  A little quiet work time sometimes goes a long way.

One thing is for sure - 20 days into this challenge I have learned a lot about the importance of balance and priorities.  It's really easy to get caught up in life...and really, sometimes we are so caught up that we actually miss out.  I hope that maybe one person who has read this has taken away the same.  Please, let me know, I would love to hear!

For today though, TGIF!  Time for Happy Hour!

Previous posts on My Mother's Day Challenge:

My Mother's Day Challenge

Day 1 - Pick out a new Lipstick!

Day 2 - Give hydration a chance

Day 3 - Take a walk

Day 4 - Mid-week movie night

Day 5 - Properly washing your face 

Day 6 - Head to bed early 

Day 7 - Designate a Chore

Day 8 - Alone Time

Day 9 - A total bust! 
Day 10 - Crafting on a Tuesday

Day 11 - A Good Read  

Day 12 - Healing and Recovery Break

Day 13 - Much Needed Rest
Day 14 - Impromptu Jeans Shopping 
Day 15 - Try Something New 
Day 16 - Strengths Finder Quiz
Day 17 - The 4am Pedicure!
Day 18 - A Pass
Day 19 - Ice Cream for Dinner

Mother's Day Challenge - Day 6 - Fill in the Blank Friday Edition

So I'm killing two birds with one stone tonight!  I'm enjoying a little Fill in the Blank Friday fun mixed in with my Mother's Day Challenge!  I have really enjoyed the Fill in the Blank Friday lately; it's like Mad Libs for Bloggers!  Plus, after the up and down week I've had...these blanks are cheerful and fun.

1.  Something that is very near and dear to my heart is, my husband.  He's personally gone through a lot this past year with his career.  He continues to be strong and has been amazingly helpful and supportive and that means a lot to me.

2.  Friday is a good cause to celebrate!

3.  The most fun I ever had was at our wedding!  Hands down still the best 5-day party ever.  I will never forget one minute of it and still love when others remind me how much fun they had at it.

4.  True friends are people who let you be yourself.  The love you the way you are...no matter what!

5.  Something that makes me terribly happy is my little boy.  I never thought I could love someone so much.  When he hugs me I just melt.

6.  A good way to spend a sunny day is outside in the yard with a cold drink.

7.  My favorite celebratory food is cake!  Cliche yes, but a party or celebration without cake is just not the same.  And think about it, a cake can actually define the mood of the celebration.

And now off to bed I go!  I know, I know...that doesn't sound like much of a me time ending to today's challenge, but tonight it's the best I can do!

Ahh, to sleep like a child!

It's a Friday night, the week has been long and busy, and the weekend is looking to be just as crazy...and I haven't had one minute to stop and collect my thoughts all day.  So, I was trying to think of what the best thing I can do for me right now, the only thing that really sounded appealing was jammies, my book and my bed.

With the benefits of sleep being everything from better memory to clearer thinking - I think this is a great idea.  Plus, the added bonus is that I will be able to enjoy some time reading (which, by the way, reading more was another resolution of mine this year).

My hope is to wake up tomorrow morning refreshed and ready to take on the busy weekend.

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to sleep I go!

Previous posts on My Mother's Day Challenge:

My Mother's Day Challenge

Day 1 - Pick out a new Lipstick!

Day 2 - Give hydration a chance

Day 3 - Take a walk
Day 4 - Mid-week movie night
Day 5 - Properly washing your face 

And if you do your own Fill in the Blank, don't forget to stop by The Little Things We Do to add your link and check out her wonderful blog!

Mother's Day Challenge - Day 3

Tonight I have my first glimpse into how much self discipline this challenge is going to take.  I set out to do this challenge for pure personal reasons; one of which was to dedicate a few minutes each day to doing something that would let me go to sleep at night knowing that I'm taking care of my own well being (something I know a lot of mom's struggle with).  Well today was just a day!  There were downs and ups and more downs...and then more downs...argh.  But you know what...that's life.  There will always be ups and downs.  There will be busy days and lazy days - happy days and sad days.

Even though the urge was overwhelming to fall into bed and leave the blogging for another time, I knew that I was not going to give up.  I especially didn't want to give up because I love today's me time that I spent...I took a walk.  Not a long one, just about 15 minutes.

This morning I threw my flip-flops into my work bag before leaving the house.  By taking my flip-flops rather than my sneakers meant that my walk was going to be relaxing, stress relieving - and not stress inducing like I was trying to get a work-out in during the middle of a busy day (I've tried that and it stresses me out!).  Around 3:00 this afternoon I took a break from my desk, changed into my flops and set out simply taking a lap and a half around my work complex.  A little exercise, some fresh air and a little vitamin D from the sun.

My relaxing thought!

An afternoon walk will be a regular thing for me, and here are some things to enhance your walk:

• Take a work friend with you on the walk - but try to focus conversation on non-work, non-stressful things (this is about relaxing!)
• Put on your iPod and enjoy some positive, up-beat music
• Focus on deep breathing techniques...in and out...in and out...in and out
• Think relaxing thoughts
• Don't stress yourself by setting goals on distance or speed - this is just a little me time, after all!

Oh, and as I get to the conclusion of this blog I have realized something else.  Today I accomplished two me-time's...because taking the time to write this really was a good idea.

Taking it in stride!  'Til tomorrow...

Previous posts on My Mother's Day Challenge:
My Mother's Day Challenge

 Day 1 - Pick out a new Lipstick!
Day 2 - Give hydration a chance

Mother's Day Challenge - Day 2

For those of you following along, day two of my Mother's Day Challenge is coming to a close.  For those of you just joining, you can check out my challenge here.

One of the main objectives of this challenge is to ensure that each day I do at least one thing for me (that would be one thing for You if you're playing along).  Not in a selfish way, but in a way that promotes good self-preservation habits.  Let's face it, as a mom...and a working mom for that matter, I get caught up in the day-to-day things going on around me.  I'm in a constant state of wishing I could get to the bottom of my to-do list, but also facing the bleak realization that there is no end.  It's like that darn infinity symbol on Revenge (TV show reference for those of you are not acquainted!)...it just keeps going and going and going.  Well, when things are moving along at a pace like that sometimes the most basic of things, even things that are good for you, go right out the window!

I have had days at work where I am at my desk, working away, and half a day goes by and I realize that I have not had a sip of anything since I finished my morning coffee.  Nothing, much less water!

Now, we have all heard this before, but a little reminder never hurts.  When we are hydrated we:

• are helping our organs to function properly,
• are helping out digestive system,
• keep our skin looking gooood!!

And of course, I'm sure we have all heard the benefits when trying to lose, or maintain proper weight.  If you haven't heard these things before...give 'em a Google and you'll see even more.

That whole drinking water thing is apparently all that it is cracked up to be. So, how then is it that when we as busy woman are moving and shaking - kicking butt and taking numbers - we so easily forget to drink?  However it happens, I do it way too much.  Today, what I did for me was set out to drink 8 glasses of water.  Happily, I more than accomplished it.

If you would like to do something for yourself tomorrow, give hydration a chance.  Now, one day of getting-your-fluids-on is not going to change your life...but maybe it will make you feel so good that you will give it a try again the next day...or the next...or the next.

Cheers! Cheers with water!

Previous posts on My Mother's Day Challenge:

 Day 1 - Pick out a new Lipstick!

Fill in the Blank Friday - The Good Health Edition

1.  On a scale from 1-10 the frequency with which I get sick is, probably a 5.  I think I get sick about an average amount...but once a year I get a knock down drag out cold!  

2.   The last time I felt sick was March...and pretty much the whole month of March with a sinus infection that would not leave!! 

3.  The worst part about being sick is that icky sick taste you get in your mouth because no matter what you do, or how much you drink, you can't make it go away.

4. When I am sick I like to be taken care of by being left to lay in bed, watch TV, eat chicken soup and sleep.

5. Something I do to keep myself healthy is to take your vitamin C.  I start my day with a packet of EmergenC.

6. A secret remedy that I use when I'm sick is to drink, drink, drink.

7.  One thing that always makes me feel better when I'm sick is the empathy of my 5-year old.  There is nothing cuter then him "taking care of mommy!"  He does this thing where he rubs my cheek and tells me, "it's okay mommy."

I am so very excited about heading into the weekend!  Not only is it Mother's Day, but it's the first weekend in a while that we are not over booked and needing to run around like crazy people.  Is it weird that I am looking forward to being a homebody tomorrow - cleaning and doing laundry.

There is a little something that I'm planning this weekend that I'm excited about - but more details about that will come tomorrow.

Have a great weekend and a Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing mom's out there!

 

Me and my Mom!

Welcome 2012!

Ahhh, another New Year's Day has come to a close.  I'm sure that if someone has a statistic for the least productive day of the year, the first day of January has got to be in the top five.  Speaking for my family, I can honestly say that we do nothing most New Year's Days...and today was no different.  Slept in (nice!!), big breakfast with our friends, mimosa's, football and then the ride home.  Then it was pizza for dinner and soon enough it was off to bed.

At the beginning of 2011 I wrote a blog post and talked about not having lots of resolutions for the new year.  I simply said that I was going to do things "different."  Well, one year later I'm not so sure what I was thinking when I said different, but definitely different works for how things went in 2011.  Whatever though...2011 is now one for the history books.

As for 2012, I'm back to resolutions.  Not crazy, difficult resolutions, but goals and hopes for this coming year.  This year I have resolved the following:

Read More!  Reading is one of my favorite past times that for the last few years has spent way too much time on the back burner.  I really want to make it a priority for myself this year and I'm ready.  I've got my Kindle...a pile of books...and even used a cool new site www.goodreads.com to set a reading goal and there even seems to be some cool stuff to help track your goal, pick new books and make a reading list.  Let's see how that goes.

Cooking resolutions.  Yes, I have made some cooking resolutions.  Weird, maybe, but I've been enjoying my cooking adventures for the past year and writing about them - so this year I'm going to try some cooking fun that I've never done before.  I want to make a crown roast, bake a souffle, make bread from scratch (not using a bread maker) and attempt to make my own pasta.  I think I may try a ravioli.  Keep your eyes out on my foodie blog for how it comes out (What are we having for dinner tonight at http://jenndepauw.tumblr.com/)!!

Practice more self-preservation tactics.  It's not about losing weight, working out more, blah, blah, blah.  2012 is about being better with the things that should be routine.  2011 was not a bad year in terms of fitness, this year I'm going to commit a little more.  I've been eating right, so I'm going to kick that up a bit more, too.  Most importantly - I'm going to pay more attention to sleep and rest.  It's so important and I really do feel better when I get the right amount of sleep.  Over the last year it's painfully obvious that focusing on exercise, rest and eating right helps a ton...and I'm in a lot less pain on a regular basis.

Stress Less.  Easier said then done, but I'm going to try.  I'm still working on the game plan, but I have a few ideas.  I'll definitely report back.

All in all, 2012 us that new blank canvas.  365 days that are unknown and open to our interpretation. I hope I can always be so optimistic by what New Year's means, because I really like the way this feels.

So...what have you resolved for the new year?

Cheers to 2012!

I Bid Thee Adieu

It's time to say good bye to 2011, but not before a little reflection on the things that I truly am thankful for from this year that has past.  A few weeks ago I sat down to write my family's annual Holiday letter that accompanies our Christmas card.  This is by far one of my favorite things to do each year as it gives me time to really think about what went on for the past 356 days.  So every year I usually feel the same sentiments..."wow, this year has flown by," "here we are writing about another year," "it was a fun, loving, exciting...fill in the blank kind of year!"  This year was however different than the last few; and it may sound strange, but I honestly feel like I am leaving 2011 a lot different than how I entered it.

This past year was hard! We felt the effects of the economy and watched people we care about feel them too.  There was unemployment and all the emotions that go along with that.  We said goodbye to the friend who The Mayor was named after...and stood with my family to say goodbye to my step-brother Joe.  I walked away (sadly) from a friendship I thought would be there forever; and watched a lot of hard work fade away. But, even though it was rougher than most I have found things to be truly thankful for.  Good, bad, indifferent...this is that list...the list of things I AM thankful for.

The health of my family!  How cliche, I know.  Everyone is always saying they are thankful for the good health of their friends and family - but you know what, I really am.  I am thankful that my husband has had another great year of sticking to an amazing (and envied!) fitness routine.  I absolutely love that my son has a dad that is fit, active and a man to look up to.  And as for my health...a few ups and downs...a hospital visit or two...an upcoming round (another!) of physical therapy; but it's good.  You are not going to find me complaining...just going with the flow.  Oh, and The Mayor (my son for those of you who've not heard the reference) he is healthy, happy, thriving...and hopefully growing out of his lactose intolerance.  That's a lot of health to be thankful for.  I never take it for granted.

I am thankful for my family - the whole family - and there's lots of them.  I have parents, a step-parent and a father-in-law (who makes me think I won the in-law lottery sometimes); a brother, step-brothers and brothers-in-law; sisters, step-sisters, and a sister-in-law; aunts, uncles and cousins; nieces and nephews and blah, blah, blah.  I am thankful for them, but let's be honest...they can all be a little certifiable from time to time (find me a person who's not!).  But in the end, they are MY family.  One of the things about this year is that I have seen some of the relationships change - but some of them have changed for the better, and that is also something to be thankful for.

My friends are the Bomb!  Ok, I don't quite understand that statement.  And frankly, it sounds kind of immature.  But I have these amazing friends who make life so much better and a statement like that just seems to fit.  I could never ask for more than them.  So in the spirit of my friends, I am thankful for chats on the phone, chats over text messages, chats over IM and especially the chats in person.  Thank you for the meals shared, the tears comforted and for hiding the weapons when you see Jersey coming on full force. I feel truly blessed and sleep better at night knowing they will never post a bad photo of me on facebook.

Did I mention wine?  And good food?  Or, my Cookbooks and magazine-torn-out-recipes?  I know it might sound ridiculous to be thankful for those things...but they keep me sane.  I want to cook, and eat and drink good wine (and sometimes not-so-good wine if the company is right) - and I want to talk about and write about cooking, good food and wine.  I have found a happiness in a hobby this year that I want to continue and get better at it in 2012.  Cheers to that.

I am thankful for my hubby.  This year was a rough one for us - needless to say, the strength of our marriage has been tested.  We had ups and downs and round and rounds - and for the past six months we've even been living in separate states.  It would be easy to say that I am thankful for him because it's much easier than doing the day-to-day alone...but it's so much more than that.  I probably don't tell him enough how thankful I am, or how he saved me.  Not saved me in a literal "life-saving" way, but saved me from following a path in life that would never have proved to be what I needed - or wanted.  We started out on a journey a long time ago, and through that journey he's driven me nuts, made me laugh, made me cry and has even brought out the very worst in me.  But he's also brought out the best in me - and for that I love him and am thankful that I have him in my life, on my team and by my side.

My son has made me more thankful for my mom!  For that and a million other reasons I am thankful for that amazing little face that greets me every morning and hugs me a zillion times every night.  I love being his mom!  But I love that he has given me this new and fascinating appreciation for my own mom.  Being a mom is hard, and tiring, and confusing, and frustrating...but it's full of hope and dreams, too.  No matter how tired I am, frustrated or sad...mom has found this way of putting it all in perspective for me this past year.  The weird thing is that I can't even put my finger on what it is that she does that helps so much.

I am really looking forward to 2012.  Who knows what it will hold, or where it will take me.  It's a new year and a new start - and with that clean slate I'm going to work on treasuring all the little things in life that I truly am thankful for.  Happy New Year!!