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 my 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 quiet 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 routine 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.

 

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?

 

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?

 

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 a lot 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?

 

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? 

Jake Ryan, Electric Youth, and Sweet Valley High: A Trip Through the 80s

 Hi Friends and welcome to day #6 of Blogtober!

I have been taking a trip down memory lane and loving every minute of it! As some of you know I am an 80s baby through and through. It was a time of mismatched socks, scrunchies, feuds between pop princesses, and of course the ultimate boy band, New Kids on the Block. Those were some of the best days. So, today's post is dedicate to some of my favorite 80s memories. 

(1) Putting plastic charms on every possible accessory and knowing that each charm had its own special meaning.

(2) You knew being a rock star with a secret identity was the best job ever!

 Also, the life lessons Jem taught you:

 

1. It’s OK if your man cheats on you, as long as it’s with your secret alter ego.

2. Sometimes it’s way more fun to be the villain (looking at you, Pizzazz).

3. That anything can be solved by pressing down on your earring and saying, “Showtime, Synergy!”

 

(3) The importance of always nailing the perfect sideways ponytail.

(4) The smell of Electric Youth.

(5) How Jake Ryan is still your perfect man.

(6) Knowing that Over Our Heads was the best fictional store to ever exist.

(7) Watching these movies over and over again.

(8)  You went through, like, one Sweet Valley High book a day.

(9) You needed to a SWATCH watch to match every outfit.

(10) Making something in your Easy-Bake Oven was your favorite way to spend a Friday night.

(11)  The style icon that was Denise Huxtable.

(12)  Wanting to paint your room like Punky Brewster’s

(13)  And totally wanting that badass sofa chair from My Two Dads.

(14)  The horrible smell jelly bracelets left after you wore them all day…

(15)  …but knowing that these smelled way worse:

(16)  Drooling in front of your TV on 21 Jump Street night. 

(17) You looked forward to ABC Afterschool Specials and felt sort of edgy watching them.

(18)  Sitting in your room for hours poring over Teen Beat, SuperTeen, Bop, and Tiger Beat.

(19)  You loved NKOTB and had memorabilia mostly of your favorite one in the group.

(20)  The importance of the Slam book.

1. 

 

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 insomnia 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 commodity. 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 lavender 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 the

night and to wake up refreshed the next day.

What are some ways that you relax before bed?

How To Create Healthy Habits

Figuring out how to create healthy habits is not something that came to me naturally. It's always been difficult for me to stick to any kind of healthy habit. I love my sweets and they are definitely a weakness of mine.  Also I should probably tell you that I rarely workout out and didn’t take vitamins. Last year, I decided that needed to work on myself and develop healthier habits. Now at 50 years old my life looks completely different and so do my habits. This is how I did it.

 

 

How To Create Healthy Habits

Set goals: Before you create healthy habits you have to decide WHICH healthy habits you want to have. Do you want to eat healthy foods more? Do you want to exercise 4-5 days a week? Do you want to drink more water? Etc. So decide what your personal healthy habit goals are.

Be realistic: You can’t DO ALL THE THINGS so be realistic. Don’t say my goal is to lose 50 lbs in 2 months. Maybe say I want to lose 50 lbs and I am going to be healthy and do that in however long it takes. I lost 30 lbs after A was born and 25 after C. It took me nearly a year both times. Don’t force yourself to go to the gym every day if you haven’t ever worked out before. Just ease into it.

 
Don’t do everything at once: You can’t do all the things right away. Maybe focus on 1-2 healthy habits at a time.

 
Start slow: If you want to work out more just start by going. Then go the next day or maybe for a beginner go every other day. Do a little cardio and experiment with weights. Or try a new class. Maybe you will find that Zumba or Barre is your thing and you will want to go every day! If you want to drink more water see what you naturally drink in a day and gradually increase it.

 
Introduce One Thing At A Time: Like I have said don’t try doing everything at once. I remember when I started my healthy living journey I started by switching out a lot of crap processed foods for whole foods. Then I started working out more, then I started drinking green smoothies. Then I got really into my water intake. Then meditating. Then I switched to clean beauty and clean products.  It can’t all happen at once.

 
Decide what makes sense for you: Not everything will make sense for YOUR life. So you have to decide what makes sense for you, what you want etc. This goes back to goals. Not everyone wants to use only clean beauty and not everyone wants to follow an 80/20 rule for eating.

 
Prioritize Healthy Living: If you want to create healthy habits you have to prioritize it. You have to prioritize a healthy life. That may mean scheduling workouts, not going out and eating a huge dinner with friends, not having that drink every night, etc. You have to prioritize the things you want.

I would love to know how you create healthy habits.

October 2023 Goals

Hi everyone and welcome back to my blog!
 

October is one of my favorite months. Between Halloween, the cooler weather, and all things pumpkin it's just a fun month. Today's post is all about my goals for October.

Now that all of our routines are established, I am excited about setting some goals and I am really going to push myself this month. There are a lot of things that I would like accomplish so hopefully by the end of the month I will feel good about things. Here we go!

 

 

Personal Goals

• drink more water
• meditate for 10 minutes
• stretch for a few minutes before getting up
• get better quality sleep by going to bed earlier
• workout consistently
• read 2 books

 

Family Goals

•  keep adapting to our Fall schedule. Continue to work on morning, afternoon, and evening routines
• celebrate Halloween
• Cross off items from our Fall bucket list

 

Blog Goals

•  post once per day during the month of October
• make a new list of blog post ideas
• schedule posts until the end of Ocotber
• create an editorial calendar for the rest of the year

I hope your October has started out as a fantastic month! Have you set any goals yet? Any fun Fall plans? Have you started crossing things off of your Fall Bucket list?

 

Beating the Sunday Scaries: 7 Strategies for a Stress-Free Weekend

The Sunday Scaries refer to that overwhelming feeling of anxiety and dread that often sets in on Sunday evenings as the weekend comes to an end and the workweek looms ahead. It's a common experience for many people, but luckily, there are strategies to help combat these Sunday blues. In this blog post, we will explore seven effective strategies to beat the Sunday Scaries and make the most out of your weekends. 

1. Plan Ahead

One of the main causes of the Sunday Scaries is the fear of the unknown and the feeling of being unprepared for the upcoming week. Take some time on Sunday to plan your week ahead. Create a to-do list, prioritize tasks, and schedule your time efficiently. By having a clear plan, you can alleviate some of the anxiety associated with the unknown.

 

2. Practice Self-Care

Make self-care a priority on Sundays. Engage in activities that help you relax and recharge. Whether it's taking a long bath, reading a book, going for a walk, or practicing mindfulness exercises, find what works best for you and dedicate time to it. Taking care of your mental and physical well-being can significantly reduce the Sunday Scaries.

 

3. Reflect on the Positive

Instead of focusing on the negatives, reflect on the positive aspects of your weekend and the upcoming week. Write down or mentally acknowledge the highlights of your weekend, grateful moments, and things you are looking forward to in the coming days. Shifting your mindset towards positivity can help alleviate the Sunday Scaries.

4. Get Organized

Use Sunday as a day to get organized for the week ahead. Set aside time to tidy up your living space, do laundry, and organize your belongings. A clean and organized environment can help create a sense of calm and control, which can reduce anxiety and stress.

5. Make Time for Pleasure

Ensure you include activities you enjoy in your Sunday routine. Whether it's spending time with loved ones, pursuing a hobby, or indulging in your favorite leisure activities, making time for pleasure can create joyful moments that counteract the Sunday Scaries. Plan something fun or rewarding to look forward to on Sundays.

6. Establish Work-Life Boundaries

Boundaries between work and personal life are vital. Avoid checking work emails or doing work-related tasks on Sundays. Instead, dedicate this day solely to personal matters, relaxation, and leisure. By setting clear boundaries, you can prevent work-related stress from encroaching on your weekends and contributing to the Sunday Scaries.

7. Cultivate a Positive Sunday Night Routine

Create a Sunday night routine that is calming and promotes relaxation. This routine could involve activities such as journaling, meditating, enjoying a comforting tea, or taking a relaxing bath. Establishing a consistent routine can signal to your brain that it's time to wind down and helps prepare you for a restful night's sleep, paving the way for a stress-free week ahead.

 

By implementing these seven strategies, you can beat the Sunday Scaries and make your weekends more enjoyable and peaceful. Remember, everyone experiences the Sunday blues to some extent, but with a proactive approach and a bit of intentional planning, you can overcome them and start your week with a positive mindset. Embrace the weekend fully, take care of yourself, and ensure you have a smooth transition into the coming week.

 

Welcome to Blogtober 2023

Hello and welcome to Blogtober where we begin the first of 31 back to back posts in October! I am so excited to be participating again this year.

Let me tell you a little bit about myself.  I have been blogging off and on for a few years now as a hobby, but I am hoping to turn it into a full time job (which I know will take awhile to accomplish. I am married to my college sweetheart and we have known each other since elementary school (that's a story for another day). We have two beautiful girls, our oldest is in the 8th grade and our youngest is in the 3rd grade. We also homeschool them. My husband is a Psychology professor while I am a stay at home mom. We are in the process of launching our new businesses soon (more details soon).

I love to read (Stephen King and Mary Higgins Clark are my favorites) and I love being in the kitchen creating delicious meals for my family.

I am looking forward to the rest of Blogtober and to see what other bloggers post this month.

Tomorrow's post will be all about overcoming the Sunday Scaries!

Are you participating in Blogotber?

 

Currently {9/30/2023)

 

 

Time and place: 12:33pm and I am in the dining room, typing up this post.

  
Eating: We just finished lunch. We had roast, cheesy scalloped potatoes, and carrots. It was delicious!

Drinking: A big glass of water (always). This afternoon I'm making frozen watermelon lemonade since it's still over 90 degrees in my neck of the woods.

Watching:  Manifest on Netflix. I'm also re-watching Gilmore Girls, and Cobra Kai

 

 

 

Reading: I'm still reading Flowers in the Attic and plan on reading the entire Dollanganger series over the next few months. 

I'm trying to find a new book to read either by Lisa Jackson or Fredia McFadden

Loving: Being able to sit down after a long day of housework and taking care of my family and read my book for a little while.

Working: I'm still working on my meal planner. I cannot wait to see how it turns out! I'm so excited for this new project. I am also working on a weekly planner insert that I am excited about and a note pad that I have been wanting to design for a while now. I am also working on a monthly/weekly planner (that's almost done and should be ready in the next few weeks). I can't wait to see how these turn out. We will be launching our 2024 Weekly Planner on Amazon the first week of November. So, stay tuned for that announcement. My Etsy shop is open and I am adding new listings every week.

 

Here is the link to my Etsy shop:

 

Pen To Paper Designs Inc  

 Listening to: the TV

Buying: Groceries for this month and stocking up on certain items that are needed. I'm also looking at clothes and other household items that are needed.

Planning: I have most of my posts planned for October, I just have to write and schedule them. I am working on setting up some deadlines for my meal planner and other planners that I am working on. I am also working on some planner inserts. This should keep me busy for a while!

 

I'm working on homeschool lesson plans for my kiddos.

 

I'm trying to plan out a work schedule for this month. Hopefully I will figure one out soon.

Wondering: can I pull it off? How will I pull it off?

Feeling: tired, but happy, always.

 

 

Spetember 2023 Goals

 Hi Friends!!

I can't believe that September is already here! It's the time for chunky sweaters, boots, forts, movie nights, apple cider, and yummy fall inspired treats. Shorter days and longer nights are on the horizon. It’s ALMOST socially acceptable to have all the pumpkin things, and put that fall decor out. Football season is here and the temps are starting to somewhat cool down. And homeschool is in full swing! It’s time for me to share my September goals with you guys.

 Personal Goals

• drink more water
• practice yoga 3x a week
• eat more fruits and veggies
• walk 10,000 steps every day
• Complete one Bible study

Family Goals

• Take a special trip
• Create a better after school routine
• Revamp morning and evening routines
• Have a movie night with the girls

Blog Goals

• Post at least 3x per week.
• Make a new list of blog post ideas
• Schedule posts until the end of September
• Create an editorial calendar for the fall (in progress)
• Start a food blog (in progress)

What are your goals?