Blogtober 2020- Day #31- Fun Facts About Halloween

Hi and welcome to the last day of Blogtober 2020!!! I finally to the last day of Blogtober!!! I have been participating in this for the last three years and never made it past the halfway point. This time I made it all the way through only missing a total of 6 days. Anyways, enough go that.......

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!! I thought since today is Halloween I would share some fun facts about Halloween with you. So, sit back, relax, grab your favorite Halloween candy, and enjoy some fun little factoids about Halloween.

Fun Facts about Halloween

Halloween Fun Fact #1: Because the movie Halloween (1978) was on such a tight budget, they had to use the cheapest mask they could find for the character Michael Meyers, which turned out to be a William Shatner Star Trek mask. Shatner initially didn't know the mask was in his likeness, but when he found out years later, he said he was honored.

  
Halloween Fun Fact #2: The first Jack-O-Lanterns were actually made from turnips.

Halloween Fun Fact #3: The word "witch" comes from the Old English wicce, meaning "wise woman." In fact, wiccan were highly respected people at one time. According to popular belief, witches held one of their two main meetings, or sabbats, on Halloween night.

Halloween Fun Fact #4: Samhainophobia is the fear of Halloween.

Halloween Fun Fact #5: 9.The largest pumpkin ever measured was grown by Norm Craven, who broke the world record in 1993 with a 836 lb. pumpkin.

Halloween Fun Fact #6: Trick-or-treating evolved from the ancient Celtic tradition of putting out treats and food to placate spirits who roamed the streets at Samhain, a sacred festival that marked the end of the Celtic calendar year.

Halloween Fun Fact #7: "Halloween" is short for "Hallows' Eve" or "Hallows' Evening," which was the evening before All Hallows' (sanctified or holy) Day or Hallowmas on November 1. In an effort to convert pagans, the Christian church decided that Hallowmas or All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2) should assimilate sacred pagan holidays that fell on or around October 31.

Halloween Fun Fact #8: Ireland is typically believed to be the birthplace of Halloween.

Halloween Fun Fact #9: With their link to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (a precursor to Halloween) and later to witches, cats have a permanent place in Halloween folklore. During the ancient celebration of Samhain, Druids were said to throw cats into a fire, often in wicker cages, as part of divination proceedings.

Halloween Fun Fact #10: Scarecrows, a popular Halloween fixture, symbolize the ancient agricultural roots of the holiday.

Have a safe and fun Halloween!!

Blogtober 2020- Day #30- Fun Facts About Pumpkins

Welcome to Blogtober 2020, day #30! We cannot wait until tomorrow! My girls are so excited to go trick or treating tomorrow night! Lets get on with this post, shall we?

I was looking up some facts about pumpkins (per my youngest daughter's request) since Halloween is tomorrow. It just wouldn't be Halloween without the pumpkins. Am I right? So here we go! I hope you enjoy and learn something new!

Fun Pumpkin Facts:

1.  The word "pumpkin" showed up for the first time in the fairy tale Cinderella.

2.  The original jack-o-laterns were made with turnips and potatoes by the Irish.

3.  Over 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins are produced each year  in the United States.

4.  The world's largest pumpkin was more than five feet in diameter and weighed over 18000 pounds. 

5.  The largest pumpkin pie ever baked weighed 2020 pounds.

6.  Each pumpkin has about 500 seeds. 

7.  Delaware hosts an annual "pumpkin chunkin" championship.

8.  There are about 45 different varieties of pumpkin.

9.  Pumpkins are fruits.

10. Pumpkins are 90% water.

11. Pumpkins are usually orange, but can sometimes be yellow, white, green, or red. 

12. A pumpkins is really a  squash.

13. Pumpkin flowers are edible. 

14. In early colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient for the crust of pies, not the filling.

15. pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles and for curing snake bites.

16. Native Americans flattened out strips of pumpkins, dried them, and used them as mats.  

Blogtober 2020- Day #29- Day #29- Winter Blog Post Ideas

Welcome to Day #29 of Blogtober! We are almost at the end of the month, which means that Halloween is almost here. Since everyone is planning their blog content for winter, I thought I would share my list of winter blog post ideas. 

 Winter Blog Post Ideas 

• Holiday wish list.
• Holiday gift guides (you can do a ton of different ones)
• New year’s resolutions
• 2019 goals
• What you are grateful for
• Lessons you learned this year
• Favorite products/items from the year
• Winter date night ideas
• Winter activities to do with littles
• Show us your Christmas/Holiday decor
• Cleaning routine for the new year
• Healthy new year goals/ideas
• Getting fit in the new year
• What’s in your bag for winter
• Holiday shopping tips
• Valentine’s Day gift ideas
• Valentine’s Day date ideas
• What do you do when you’re in a winter slump
• Best snowy day activities
• Winter reading list
• Ways to stay on a budget during the holidays
• How to have the best winter day
• Show us a day in your life during the winter
• Show us the best holiday things in your city
• Do a city guide for where you live

I would love to know what winter blog post ideas you would add to this list. Leave them below!

Blogtober 2020- Day #28- Favorite Horror Movies

With Halloween coming up I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite horror movies. Now, I have always been a fan of horror movies and I understand that some of you might not be, but that's okay. If you are not a fan of horror movies then you might just want to skip this post altogether. For those who love horror movies get your popcorn and your big fuzzy blankets ready!!!

Favorite Horror Movies

1. The Scream series (1996). I love this series!! It's nineties nostalgia in a slasher film. What's not to love?

2. Friday the 13th 1, 2 , and 3. That's it...just those three!! I love all three of these. The third movie I still have a hard time watching because it freaks me out that much.

3. Halloween. Jamie Lee Curtis is the best! Need I say more?

4. Rosemary's baby (1968). Just the right of freaky to scare the crap out of me.

5. The Exorcist (1973). Probably the most disturbing movie on this list and probably the most offensive movie I have ever seen.

6. The Shining (1980). One of the most visually beautiful horror films in my opinion. Jack Nicholson is super creepy in this one!!

7. It. This needs to be on this list. That damn clown gave nightmares for months!! It was worth it thought because I loved the story and the movie!

8. Identity. This is another favorite of mine and John Cusack was awesome in it!  I loved that multiple personality disorder was the focus of the story.

9. A Nightmare of Elm Street. This is another favorite of mine. After seeing the moving I would not take baths for months, which brings me to the last movie on the list.

10. Psycho. I would not take showers after seeing this movie, yet it us one of my favorites!

What are your favorite horror movies?

Blogtober 2020- Day #27- 5 Tips For Better Meal Planning

How do you get dinner on the table week in and week out, without getting bored? How do you stay energized and engaged with the art of cooking at home? These are some questions that you have to ask yourself when it comes to meal planning. Here are 5 tips for learning how to plan your meals.

What is meal planning?

What is meal planning? It's whatever way your organize yourself to cook a meal, whether it breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is the plan that you make before you shop. Some people plan a month in advance, while other's wing it shopping for that evening's meal picking up whatever looks good to them. Meal planning is personal thing. What works for one person might not work for another person. The goal, I think, to find a process that is both, enjoyable and effective.

5 Tips for Better Meal Planning

1. Spend time each week looking for simple recipes

This may feel like an indulgence, but just let yourself do it. Browse blogs and websites for recipes that look delicious. Check out the blog, Skinnytaste. Pile up some cookbooks and reach fo the sticky notes. Get inspired!

2. Create a place to save recipes, and keep it SIMPLE

Do whatever works for you. Don't get caught up in a system, just use whatever works best and most easily. Personally, I like Pinterest because it's easy to visually browse what I've saved.

3. Ask your family what they like to eat

This might sound obvious, but it's easy to get caught up in our weeks and forget to ask our households what they would like to eat. I get extra inspired, too, when I feel like I'm cooking a meal as a gift — trying to please and delight the palate of someone I love. Be aware that this can sometimes backfire. If you ask your family to many times what they like to eat they might get upset with you. Believe me, this has happened to me several times.

4. Check the weather

Again, you may say, duh, but seriously. Right now, the weather is changeable in many parts of the country. Look at the weather forecast, and try to predict if you're going to be in the mood for soup (or grilled shrimp salad!) on Friday.

5. Keep a meal journal

One of my best inspirations is my own record of things I've cooked in the past. Take a look at what you were cooking a year ago, two years ago. It's a good way to remember things you used to cook, and still love. I do this my using a calendar that I write all of our meals on. This really helps to see what meals my family likes the best and what meals they didn't like so much.

What are some tips that you might have for meal planning?

Bologtober 2020- day #26- Meal Planning Tips and Strategies

I have been meal planning for years now and it has become my flight plan for the week. Sometimes I make a very detailed meal plan that includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, and other times I just plan out a week of dinners. Honestly it depends on how busy we are during the week I am meal planning for.

Today, I will be discussing some tips and strategies for successful meal planning.

Meal Planning Tips and Strategies

Every week I try to accomplish the following:

• be flexible with meals 
• try to meal plan around your schedule (this is very important)
• leave at least one leftover night (depending on what I have made during the week I might have two or three leftover nights. It just depends.
• only plan/try one new recipe per week
• move unmade meals to the next week

When you are in a rut with your meal planning try the following strategies:

• take a week off and just use what you have on hand in your pantry or fridge 
• use cookbooks, pinterest, or you can even ask friends
• use an old meal plan
• use "theme' nights (these are my favorites) Monday-slow cooker, Tuesday- taco tuesday, Wednesday- leftovers, Thursday-slow cooker, Friday- pizza night, Saturday-Leftovers, Sunday-slow cooker.

When it comes to inspiration, I utilize the following:

• ask friends and family on facebook
• watch grocery hauls or what's for dinner videos on Youtube
• pinterest
• magazines
• use hashtags (#familymealplan #weeklymealplan #mealplan

What some tips and strategies that you use when meal planning? Please share in the comments below!

 

Blogtober 2020- Day #25- How To Implement A Morning Routine

I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing Sunday! We just hung out at home, played outside (when it wasn't raining), fixed some yummy meals and snacks and just had a good time.  This weekend I decided to implement a morning rountine and it seemed to help quite a bit. I noticed that my mornings were not as rushed and I was much more relaxed. 

So, today's blog post is all about how to set up a morning routine that works for you. 

How To Implement A Morning Routine:

 (1) Wake up

Take 15 -30 minutes to wake up, enjoy your coffee, check out the news, or read. 

(2) Review your daily tasks (to do list)

Review your to-do list for things that have to be done that day. I usually spend 1-2 minutes reviewing my list in the morning to metally prepare me for the day and to adjust my schedule if needed.  I also prepare my to-do list the night before as part of my night time routine ( I also use as sort of a "brain dump").

(3) Make your bed

Beds take up alot of space and when they aren't made they tend to look like a whole lot clutter. Here's a simple solution: take 5 minutes to make your bed and I promise that your room will look cleaner and you will feel more relaxed.

(4) Prepare for dinner

Make sure all of your food items are defrosted and that you have all the necessary ingredients for the evening’s dinner.  Also you should consider how long it will take for you to make dinner and adjust your schedule if need be.  I usually take this opportunity to refer to my meal plan for the following night to see if I need to take anything out of the freezer to defrost or if I’ll need to stop at the grocery store.  This is also a good time to prepare your crockpot meal which is another easy way to streamline your dinner prep.

(5) Empty dishwasher or dish drainer

 Put your dishes away first thing in the morning so that you and your family can fill it up after breakfast and throughout the day instead of waiting to do all of it after dinner.  This is another task that takes all of 5 minutes to complete, and when it's done, you will feel better. 

(6) Workout, shower, and dress

After you shower and get dressed be sure to put dirty clothes in the laundry, put away your toiletries and makeup, wipe down the sinks and hang up your towel.

(7) Make breakfast and clean up afterwards

Return all food items in the fridge, pantry or cupboards. Scrape leftover food in the trash and put your dishes in the sink or dishwasher.  Wipe down all of the counters, sink, stove and microwave.  Like your bed, the kitchen has a lot of counter space and when one counter is cluttered the whole kitchen looks messy.  Take just a couple of minutes everyday to wipe down those counters and appliances…you’ll be amazed at how refreshing it is to come home to a clean kitchen after a busy day at work.

(8) Get on with your day

Now that you’ve got your morning routine complete you can head off to work (on time of course), or to your home office if you work from home, spend time with your kids or take care of your priority tasks and errands.

So, my question is, do you have a morning routine? And how is it working for you?

Blogtober 2020- Day #24- 6 Ways To Relax Before Bed

Every body craves sleep. So why do most people struggle with it periodically? You've tried to do it the right way--- you skip the late night caffeine, you don't eat a heavy meal right before bed, you make sure the lights are off and you follow a consistent bedtime schedule each night. However, as you lay in bed tossing and turning, frustration begins to creep in and none of this seems to matter. When insomina hits you ultimately spend hours stressing instead of doing a few easy things to gently slip into a peaceful sleep.

 

6 Ways to Relax Before Bed

Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep is a common problem, and it is a valuable commidity. Here are a few steps to follow every night that will encourage a more rapid appearance by Mr. Sandman.

1. Soak in the tub

Relax in the bathtub. This soothes both mind and body. Adding some sleep inducing scents such as lavendar oil which helps calm the mind and body, A word of warning though, don't take a shower as this can awaken your body, instead opt for a warm bath.

2. The old wives tale work

 Have a glass of warn milk. Trust me from experience, it works wonders. If you can't stand the idea of warm milk try some chamomile tea. It works the same way as the warm milk and it does make you sleepy.

3. Find an activity

Do something that relaxes you right before bed. Try reading, watching something boring on television. You could even sew, scrapbook, or even write a letter. This activity should be easy and it should be nothing that will key your nerves back up. Once your eyes get droopy, it's time to hit the sack.

4. De-stress

One of the worst things that you can do is lay in bed and think about what you didn't get done that day, and all of the work waiting for you tomorrow. Worrying about it won't get it done. What I do is make a to do list  and then I forget about it. I have found that this relieves so much of my stress at the end of the day.

5. Add some noise

What i mean by this is white noise. Adding white noise can help you sleep. Another thing you could do is add a fan because a cool bedroom can also help with sleep.

6. Listen to your body

Is your body to tense to sleep? Try a relaxation tape that guides you through loosening up and relaxing each muscle group. Work on some deep breathing exercises which mimic your respiration pattern while you sleep.

Make going to bed a routine. Around the same time every night, even on weekends, start your routine. This could mean taking a bath and some light reading. It could also mean changing into your pajamas and brushing your teeth. Do something consistently so that your body will learn the signals to settle down for th enight and to wake up refreshed the next day.

What are some that you relax before bed?

 

Blogotber 2020-Day #23- 5 Common Meal Planning Mistakes

Meal planning can be overwhelming. The trick is to just get started. But before we talk about meal planning, let's first talk about some common mistakes that most people make when meal planning.

5 Common Meal Planning Mistakes:

 

  

Mistake #1-- Not making a menu at all

I'll be the first to admit that there are plenty of weeks when I don't have a meal plan in place because of not knowing exactly how our week is going to plan out. But, you know what? When 4pm rolls around, I always regret not having a meal plan to rely on.

Even a simple meal plan that you have to change it better than not having one at all.

Mistake #2-- Thinking you have to plan out every single detail.

Guess what? If you are making the meal plan, you are the boss and you get to make the decision on how much you plan out and how much you want to "wing it". I usually plan the main dish with a side. When it's time to cook, first I check the fridge to see what produce needs to be used up and then I make a decision based on that.

If you are only planning one item per meal, then meal planning goes alot quicker.

Mistake #3-- Thinking you have be extra creative when meal planning.

There is no planning rule that say you have to plan something amazing for each meal. My breakfast menu is very simple and consists of cereal, eggs and toast, poptarts, and toaster strudel.

It's perfectly fine to add simple item to your meal plan-- you will be prepared while still having the ingredients on hand.

Mistake #4-- Thinking you cannot change the menu plan.

You are in control of the meal plan, the meal plan is not in control of you. If the time comes and find out that you do not have the time to make what is planned that day, then swap for something easier.

Do not avoid menu planning because you feel it's too limiting.

Mistake #5-- Being to ambitious in your meal choices. 

The opposite of mistake #4 is to be too ambitious while you are meal planning

I try to learn from my mistakes and plan accordingly the next time.

What types of mistakes have you made while meal planning?

 

blogtober 2020- Day 22- Where Would I Be

 I recently saw a status update that posed the following question: Where do you think you would be if you hadn't met your significant other? This is something that I think about quite a bit, I know that I would not be the person that I am now and I know I would not be a wife and a mother. As some of you know, the Hubbs and I have known each other since the third grade and all through school we had the same circle of friends and I had a crush on him all through high school (he did not know this). He finally started talking to me about a year and half after we graduated and we started dating in March of 1993. We have been together for 24 years and we have been through so much that has made us that much stronger. 

Now back to the question: Where do you think you would be if you hadn't met your significant other?

I would not have the life that I have now. I would be 44, single, and still living with my parents and taking care of them, babysitting my nieces and nephews, and just not having a life of my own. I thank God every day that Paul saw me leave my parent's house, picked me up, and took me to his parents where I lived for a year until we found a place of our own. I would not have Angelina and Cadence and I would not have Paul. They are the best blessings that a girl could ever have. I love them so much and they have given me the life that I have always wanted. 

Now, it's your turn to answer the question:
Where do you think you would be if you hadn't met your significant other?

Blogtober 2020- Day #21- Self Care Tips For Stay At Home Moms

I'm ashamed to admit, but I have been running on empty and nerves are beginning to show it. Stress is rising and I need some relief. I sometimes have a short fuse with my husband and an even shorter fuse with my kids.

I am ashamed of myself for even thinking like this. I often apologize for this, but I realize that the damage is already done. I mess up to, friends.

We are in this together and I need grace just like you, so I am sharing my tips and tricks on how  to implement some simple ways to keep yourself nourished  so that you can be the mom your kids need and even the wife your husband deserves.

Self Care Tips for Stay at Home Moms 

1. Get outside. 

Try to make it a habit to get outside at least once a day either alone or with your kids.

2. Exercise.

Pick your favorite. You can do yoga, stretching or walking. The point is to get your body moving as much as you. 

3. Take a bath.

Just soaking in the is relaxing. It releases the tension in the neck and shoulders. Light some candles, listen to some relaxing music or read a book. 

4. Take a nap.

This is a great idea that I just recently implemented. Even resting for 15 minutes can make a difference in my perception of the day and how much energy I have until bedtime. 

5. Read for pleasure.

A good story is so refreshing. I love reading, especially mystery and suspense novels. I love when I can pick up a book and lose myself in the story.

What would you add to this list? 

 

Blogtober 2020- Day #20- My Fall Book List

Today's post is all about books! Here is my list of book suggestions for this Fall season.

Enjoy!

 

 1.  Little Fires Everywhere

 In Shaker Heights, a placid, progressive suburb of Cleveland, everything is planned -- from the layout of the winding roads, to the colors of the houses, to the successful lives its residents will go on to lead. And no one embodies this spirit more than Elena Richardson, whose guiding principle is playing by the rules.

Enter Mia Warren -- an enigmatic artist and single mother -- who arrives in this idyllic bubble with her teenaged daughter Pearl, and rents a house from the Richardsons. Soon Mia and Pearl become more than tenants: all four Richardson children are drawn to the mother-daughter pair. But Mia carries with her a mysterious past and a disregard for the status quo that threatens to upend this carefully ordered community.

When old family friends of the Richardsons attempt to adopt a Chinese-American baby, a custody battle erupts that dramatically divides the town--and puts Mia and Elena on opposing sides. Suspicious of Mia and her motives, Elena is determined to uncover the secrets in Mia's past. But her obsession will come at unexpected and devastating costs.

2. On the Street Where You Live

Following a nasty divorce and the trauma of being stalked, criminal defense attorney Emily Graham leaves Albany to work in Manhattan. Craving roots, she buys her ancestral home, a Victorian house in the seaside resort town of Spring Lake, New Jersey. Her family sold the house in 1892, after one of Emily's forebears, Madeline Shapley, then a young girl, disappeared.

As the house is renovated and a pool dug, a skeleton is found and identified as Martha Lawrence, a young Spring Lake woman who vanished several years ago. Within her hand is the finger bone of another woman, with a ring -- a Shapley family heirloom -- still on it. Determined to find the connection between the two murders, Emily becomes a threat to a seductive killer...who chooses her as the next victim.

3. All Around the Town

When Laurie Kenyon, a twenty-one-year-old student, is accused of murdering her English professor, she has no memory of the crime. Her fingerprints, however, are everywhere. When she asks her sister, attorney Sarah, to mount her defense, Sarah in turn brings in psychiatrist Justin Donnelly. Kidnapped at the age of four and victimized for two years, Laurie has developed astounding coping skills. Only when the unbearable memories of those lost years are released can the truth of the crime come out—and only then can the final sadistic plan of her abductor, whose obsession is stronger than ever, be revealed.

4. If You Tell by Greg Olsen

A TRUE STORY OF MURDER, FAMILY SECRETS, AND THE UNBREAKABLE BOND OF SISTERHOOD. A true story of three abused sisters who helped put their mother behind bars. Nobody seemed to notice when a live-in babysitter vanished from the home of Dave and Shelly Knotek in tiny Raymond, Washington, in 1994.

What's on your reading for the Fall?

Blogtober 2020- Day #19- Inspirational Quotes

I just wanted to pop in and share some of my favorite quotes from Maya Angelou, Helen Keller, Carol Burrnet, and Christopher Reeve.

Have a good night and I will see you tomorrow with  a new blog post.

Blogtober 2020- Day #18- 5 Simple Ways To Stay Organized

 Lately I've been thinking alot about habits. I'm realizing more and more that habits are so important because they are what we resort to when we are going through the motions of our day. Forming good habits and sticking to them over time can build phenomenal long term results.

Today I thought I would share 5 habits that I've either gotten into already or am trying to get into that will make life more productive. These are all easy things to d that I think will help my days run more smoothly.

5 Simple Ways to Stay Organized

1. Make your bed. I never used to make my bed, but I quickly found out that If I made my bed my day was more productive. It gives a more positive start to my day.

2. Clean the kitchen and quickly straighten the house. Cleaning the kitchen and straightening the house are the two things that I strive to get done before going to bed each night. Like making the bed a neat and tidy house before going to bed puts me in the right mind set for keeping the rest of life organized. I do love waking up to a neat and tidy house.

3. Use your wait time. I used to be good at this before I had a cell phone. It I was heating up something in the microwave, I would use those minutes to wash dishes or wipe down the counters. I am amazed at what I can get done when I am waiting on something to finish in the oven when I commit to using my time wisely.

4. Make your to do list. I a good to do list. I mean, who doesn't? Right? I love checking things off and sometimes I make them just so I can check things off of them. 

5. Get some sleep. Sleep has everything to do with productivity. My natural inclination is to stay up as late as possible to get things done. Then the next day I'm tired and unproductive. Since realizing this I try to get to bed earlier so that I can get enough sleep.

So, there are my 10! What would you add to the list?

Blogtober 2020- Day #17- 10 Ways To Stay Healthy

The key to getting and staying healthy is what the experts are calling a lifestyle change. This means making simple changes in your diet and exercise routine and even getting enough sleep. To help you turn your knowledge into results I have compiled a list of suggestions.

  

10 Ways to Stay Healthy

1. Drink plenty of water. A couple of litres a day will keep you in tip-top shape, and you won’t eat as much.

2. Be happy.  It’s easier said than done, but being in a good mood will do wonders for your health.

3. Sleep 8 hours. Getting a good night’s sleep can improve your memory, sharpen your attention, make you less stressed and potentially even live longer.

4. Do cardio. Cardio won’t just make you fitter - it can help with weight loss, increase bone density, fend off heart disease and relieve mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

5. Eat vegetables. Eat the rainbow. Brightly-coloured fruit and veg is rich in antioxidants, flavonoids and vital vitamins.

6. Take the stairs. Squeeze a little more movement in by ignoring the elevator. 

7. Eat fish. Fish is packed with vital nutrients like protein, vitamin D, and omega 3 fatty acids.

8. Get some sun. This is very important part of staying healthy, because sunlight helps your body produce vitamin D and help cure common skin problems like acne.

9. Eat a balanced diet packed with fruits and veggies. 

10. Take some "me time". Take care of yourself, give yourself a facial or even a mani/pedi. It will make you feel better.

 

Blogtober 2020- Day #16- 8 Thinks To Do To Make Yourself Feel Better

 Now that I think about it maybe I should explain the title first. When I say better I mean just making small changes that will make every aspect of your physical, emotional, and personal life better. But maybe not everyone needs that. I know for me I am always looking for ways to be better. These are things I am doing to make myself better. So I am sharing the 8 things to do to make yourself better because maybe you need them too!

8 Things To Do To Make Yourself Feel Better

Express Feelings: I am pretty good at expressing feelings to certain people. I have no problems telling ny husband if something bothers me. When it comes to other people I am terrible. I tend to just ignore people, or ignore the situation until I feel better and it’s really unhealthy. One thing I am trying to do better is expressing feelings. If someone says something that bothers me just calmly and in a not accusatory way telling them why.

Take Downtime/Me Time: Recently I have been very stressed lately. I think it's because I am going to bed late and then with my youngest still not sleeping through the night. I am trying to do things like relaxing during C's quiet time (where usually I would scramble to get more things done). I find that taking an hour of her queit time to relax honestly makes me more productive earlier in the day and later in the day.

Go For Walks: I find that even more than going into a gym or class going on walks mentally makes me better. I love going for walks with my kids and husband because we are all getting fresh air and vitamins, we are all enjoying the sunshine, and we are getting exercise. Usually we also stop at the park and let the kids play. It’s amazing how good I feel after. Try going for a 30 minute walk and see how great you feel after!

Change Up Your Routine: I am such a routined person that when I am in too much of a routine and I feel like when can get stagnant in our routines. So try switching up your routine! Go workout at a different time or maybe read first thing in the morning before you start your day!

Wake Up Earlier: On the same note try waking up 20-30 minutes earlier and see how you feel. When I wake up earlier I find that I feel better during the day and then I go to sleep easier at night.

Reward Yourself: Treat yourself once a week to something fun. Maybe splurge on a workout class at a boutique studio, or get a fancy latte, or get your nails done! Just something you can look forward to!

Text Friends/Family: I know as moms especially life can get so busy that you forget to check in with people. So somedays I try to text one or two of my friends, or my family members just to say hi and let them know I am thinking about them. It’s incredible how loved it can make someone feel.

Write Snail Mail: On a similar note, write a piece of mail, a note, a postcard, something to a friend or family member just to say hi and that you were thinking of them. They will feel so good!  Then you will too!

I would love know something you do to make yourself better! I can always use ideas.

Blogtober 2020- Day #15- 5 Ways To Turn A Bad Day Around

We all have bad days, it's just part of life. No one is happy all of the time, just like my kids, we all wake up on the wrong side of the bed. So here are....

5 Ways to Turn a Bad Day Around

1. Cry it out. Sometimes you just need to cry. It's helpful as well as therapeutic. It really does help to just cry it out. If you are sad, angry, whatever just cry because you feel so much better. Trust me!

2. Vent. Every time I am upset I vent. Usually I vent to husband. We all need someone like that, that someone who will tell you when you are wrong or just let's you complain.

3. Watch something fun. We all have those go to movies or tv shows that we can watch over and over.  For me, I like to watch Grease, Dirty Dancing, and Bride Wars, for tv shows, I watch Friends, Gilmore Girls, How I Met Your Mother, Fuller House, and The Ranch. These are so much fun to watch and always put me in a better mood.

4. Change your surroundings. If you are in a bad mood at home get in the car and go somewhere. Go to the gym, go for a walk, or get some retail therapy. The key is to change your surroundings you will feel better.

5. Help someone. The best way to turn your bad day around is to help someone. Pay for someone's coffee, help someone carry their groceries to their car. Helping someone will cheer you up.

What are some ways to turn a bad day around that you use?

Blogtober 2020- Day #14- 10 Things To Do For Yourself Everyday

 It’s very easy  to start slacking off on being good about taking time to workout, meal prepping, and having a good skincare routine. As the year progresses it's easy to let these things go by the wayside. These are 10 things to do for yourself every day that will make a huge difference in how you feel.

10 Things To Do For Yourself Everyday

1. Plan your day. Every night before I go to bed I plane the next day. Often, I take into consideration the amount of work that I have, any doctor appointments, and errands. Having a plan for your day will make you wake up feeling like you can  take on the world.

2. Workout. For me, working out is an esstential part of my day. This may be in the morning or even in the evening. It just depends on the day and what moods my kids are in that day. It makes me feel good. If you've seen the movie Legally Blonde then you will remember this quote:

3. Take time for your skin. N matter how late I am running in the morning or how tired I am at night I always take time to take care of my skin. I wash my face, exfoliate (with a DIY face scrub) once a week, and moisturize. Taking time for your skin is extremely important.

4. Catch up on the news. I usually catch up on the news by watching clips on Yahoo (we use a streaming device) or even CNN.

5.  Listen to or watch something you like. I enjoy listening to Pandora. Some of my favorite stations to listen often include; 80s hair bands, Katy Perry, Nickleback,  and the Bon Jovi station just to name a few. I listen to music whenever I clean my house or when I am studying. Music puts me in a good mood! Who wants to be in a bad mood?

6.  Talk to a friend. Now I don't have many friends, but the friends that I do have do not live in the same state as I live in. So, we mainly talk over Facebook. We send messages back and forth and send each other comments all the time. This is something that I always make time for.

7.  Hydrate. This is pretty self explanitory, but drinking water is pretty important. Hydration is key. It makes your skin clearer, it tends t relieve headaches, and if you don't get enough then you tend to just feel bad all over. I am constantly drinking water throoughout the day. No matter where I am I always have a bottle of water with me. It's important t be drinking 6-8 glasses of water per day.,

8.  Smile. Smile. It will make you happy.

9.  Write it out. Blogging or journaling are great things. Being able to write down your feelings is a great way to help cope with them. Keep a notebook by your bed and jot down everything that happened that day, it will make you feel and you may even sleep better.

Before I even begin my night time routine, I usually do a quick clean in the kitchen and living room (I cannot go to bed with a dirty house it's just not possible) and then I get some computer work done (I work on blog posts, work on the layout for my meal planner, and I update all of my planners).

10. Night routine. After putting the kids to bed, I take a shower, brush my teeth, moisture my lips with a soothing lip balm. I will read for about an hour and then I will finally go to bed.

Doing things for yourself has to be your first priority every day. If you aren't taking care of yourself then how can you take of others?

What do you do for yourself everyday?