Mother's Day and the out-of-town family...

I have this bittersweet feeling every time I go home to see my family. I start out dreading the drive but really wanting to be there. To see my niece probably especially.

Wouldn't you miss this face?

I try to see whoever I can, my mom, my brother , my sis-in-law, oh yeah and that sweet (ok not so sweet, little mischievous) niece, usually make plans to see my bestie and her family. By chance maybe run into someone I know at the grocery store. Sometimes feeling like this is where I belong. I grew up here, these are my people. I like running into people I knew years ago. 

But then, I always get this feeling that I hate this town, I don't know why anyone stays here. I never fit in and no matter how many retail chain mall stores they add, this place is just not appealing to me. And then I get to come home to this beautiful town I'm in love with, Austin. I wish I could pick up all the people I love and have them here with me :)

"It's the rare man, who truly knows who he is?"

Light Therapy?? Gluten? Something's working...

Day 22 Get Happy Challenge

Today is the first day I can honestly say was a good day!

So far I have already run twice this week. It's Tuesday :)
I've avoided gluten and dairy and coffee and...
I woke up feeling really good this morning, I'm not saying great, but good is a good start. I even took Kiddo to school and realized I didn't even make tea. So I got out of the house without any caffeine. Woohoo!

So what's different or what's working? Is it cutting gluten? dairy? Is it waking up by light? I'm really not sure but I will keep doing them all if I keep feeling this good.

I worked a trade show today with a new "friend". She's actually a launching a start-up website. I was really interested in the idea and decided to help her in any way I can to get her name out there. ...Red Chair Market Red Chair Market Red Chair Market... Some days I think why did I get myself into this. I'm not making any money and I need a day off. I never get a day off because I just keep offering to work for people. But today was really fun. And when it comes down to it, I really enjoy hanging out with her and I still think her idea is great and I could really learn a lot from her and networking is always great at an event like that. Check out her website Red Chair Market. Our final break down for the day is "it's Craigslist for furniture but better".That was shortened from all our millions of tries at various blah-blahing.

So I am involved in two start-ups hopefully one will make me lots of money some day!

This made me laugh today so I shared! Ahahahahaha

*What is the Get Happy Challenge? It is a totally made up challenge between me and my best-ie, Melissa, to motivate each other to get and be happier mommies by Xmas. Each day we will try our darn-est to post a tip, goal and thought of the day, and each night we will post how our day was. We will share ideas and words of encouragement along the way as our Xmas gift to each other. Feel free to join our challenge. The more the merrier =HAPPIER! also see Melissa at The Home Momager*

Somebody Help Me Please!

Day 20 Get Happy Challenge

I just can't keep up. I need a cheer-leading squad. Or a coach that stands over me and screams orders. Hmm no actually that might make me cry :( Or it's possible I might just haul off and punch him in the face. I might be little but when provoked, watch out... LOL yeah right...

I just can't seem to get up at 6:00 am like I want to.
I am not running as much as I want to because I just can't make myself. (But I did go tonight and I feel much better about it.)
I can't seem to make myself stick to better eating habits.
I'm not drinking enough water.
I am not blogging as often as I want to be.
I haven't read in too long.

Neg.. Neg... Neg... Nag, Nag, Nag
Gosh do I nag myself enough?

I tweeted a few days back,
@lifeofastar_eso
Is there a service that can send someone every morn to turn on all the lights, yank me out of bed, and push me to go run? Taking applicants!


So I have really been thinking how to get my booty out of bed. It's easy (well easier) for me to get up just in time to get to work or Kiddo to school, but the problem is I'd really like to be up at the same time everyday getting things done before work and just having more time.

My friend told me you can get sunrise light, that is also an alarm clock. Hmm so I did a little looking...

Doesn't that look amazing!!

It's really neat, check it out here click 

I soo want one, the one that works with your iPhone...

but because right now that is not in my budget (Mom/Dad great Christmas gift!)

I bought a lamp timer to program the lamp by my bed to come on. I tried it for the first time and it did wake me up but I just rolled over and went back to sleep. More light... So I bought two more timers (thank you TreeHouse for my awesome employee discount) and tomorrow I will have three lights from different areas of my room come on, one 10 mins behind the others. That's the best I can do for now. Updates tomorrow.

A few personal goals for the week:

1. Run three days at least.

2. No gluten.

3. No dairy.

4. No coffee :( :( :(

5. Go bowling.

6. Cook at least 4 nights.

7. Read at least 3 nights, a book not the internet dang it.

8. Send a family member a card. Hmm my distant cousin Ashley just had a baby shower, she is now family member of the week. 

9. Come up with my trailer plan, estimated cost, lease agreement, look at a potential trailer.

10. Hmmm, one more just to round it off, build a quote/daily reminder wall. Love it!

11. Oh and one-one more, once and for all, secure that demon kitty's name... She-Ra?, Jellybean?, Pumpkin?, Lucky? (lucky to have a home), Lucy? (short for Lucifer), Princess Meow Meow (Kiddo's pic)... and try to be patient, hopefully she will grow up.

A few thoughts to leave you with...

 "You know it's going to be a long day when you yell 'Seriously?!?' at your alarm clock."

 I love this girl!

 

So true, glad to know I'm not the only one.

Deep... 

OK I gotta sleep now... snooze. Can't wait to wake up to my simulated sunrise :)
Goodnight!!!

*What is the Get Happy Challenge? It is a totally made up challenge between me and my best-ie, Melissa, to motivate each other to get and be happier mommies by Xmas. Each day we will try our darn-est to post a tip, goal and thought of the day, and each night we will post how our day was. We will share ideas and words of encouragement along the way as our Xmas gift to each other. Feel free to join our challenge. The more the merrier =HAPPIER! also see Melissa at http://thehomemomager.blogspot.com/*

Would anyone want to adopt one demon kitty?

Day 14 Get Happy Challenge.... Dang-IT!! Do I even keep counting after skipping so many days?

The answer is YES, I gotta keep going. And my blogging buddy better get on it too.
I had to force myself to run today and I think I wind-burned my lungs...wth? ("what the heck", bc "wtf" makes me feel trashy!) Hey but for the first time I made myself RUN, like the whole time. That's an improvement from my run/walk that I usually do.

So let's see if I can catch up on a few tips, goals, etc. I've been trying the last few days.

I tried to cut dairy... unsuccessfully. I don't know how to live without cheese. I'm just laying off the ice cream :( I sooo don't need it right now. Plus it's getting cold soon. That's an easy one.

I am still trying to run 3 times a week... I lost track but I don't think I made it last week. Boo! My lungs still hurt!! Ugh.

I couldn't go without coffee... I tried drinking tea but it just left me craving coffee in the afternoon. That left me feeling bad all around.

I picked up some extra hours at my other job... so that accomplished me getting a LITTLE more mula. Not a huge deal but a little feel goodi-ness!

I want to kill my kitty... oh ooops... off subject...

I've been burning my beeswax candle... not sure it's doing anything but will keep trying.

Which reminds me of a funny story. My friend and I were talking about seasonal depression and how light treatments are supposed to work. Light treatments come in various forms but the easiest to do on your own is buy this lightbox that looks similar to a lit makeup mirror. Well she's tried it. "It's this bright light you sit in front of, you can't look directly at, but you have to keep your eyes open. It was awful, I couldn't sit still" Does the vitamin D really sink into your eyes? I'm sure the ADD got her! I was like "Gosh when you feel depressed you will try anything, right? No matter how hokey it sounds" Then I told her "So I'm burning a beeswax candle every day because it releases negative ions and they are going to save me!" LOL Fingers crossed.

Okay new tip... get rid of unnecessary stress... does anyone want a FREE kitty?

bad kitty, but yes she is the rare female orange tabby, that I hunted and hunted for, she's a terrorist

On another note, I'm thinking of selling all of my stuff... stuff=stress...
and remodeling a tiny vintage travel trailer to live in. Crazy? Maybe. I've been researching tiny living for awhile now. Working in a green store makes you aware of so many things you may have never thought of before, like the amount of energy a big home wastes. Plus I just really want to own something and I need something dirt cheap so I can pay off my *%^$ing student loans, among other debt and save to buy my dream house which may just be a bigger house on wheels. I don't know, we will see how it goes.

A lot has gone on in my mind in the last few years. I've had to size down and size down again. I still have unpacked boxes in my closet from the last move and the truth is if I haven't seen it in several months, then I don't really need it. All this stuff is just stuff to clean up, which I usually don't have the time for. In the end it is all just stuff and I don't need useless stuff. I only use half my refrigerator so that's not going to be much of an adjustment. The kiddo is always right on top of me so that won't be a big change and she has too much crap. What kid really needs more than some construction paper and a set of crayons. And a few good stuffed animals.

So I have been on the hunt for the perfect vintage trailer. If you run across one please let me know. I'm dreaming of a 24' bunkhouse. I'm slowly becoming a trailer connoisseur. An Airstream would be dreamy but the price is pretty steep. It seems Shasta's are a cheap cool vintage trailer. So I'll take one of those please. If anyone wants to offer any help, expertise or advise. Bring it on baby!! I only have 5 short months to bring this dream to life!

Here are some cute pictures I've been saving....

So stinking cute!

And again so stinking cute.

Yes! I'll marry you, but I'm keeping my trailer! Forever!!

Wow this actually looks like I live there.

I soo have to figure out how to make the loft work!

I'm in trailer love!

LOL couldn't resist.

I will have this sticker!

Bee Happy

Get Happy Challenge Day 9

Gosh I hadn't realized we already hit a week! WoW!!

So yesterday I really meant to blog but a killer migraine debilitated me and I was in bed the second I got in the door. Ugh! I was thinking though, but now I've already forgot what I was thinking. That's the trouble with blogging at night.

I've been soooooo tired. I'm trying all these tips and I'm not sure if I am not trying hard enough or not focusing enough but I am still so freaking tired.

Oh yeah, I was thinking about Beeswax candles.

photo and great how to/homemade: a beautiful mess

So we sell real 100% natural beeswax candles at TreeHouse. When we first got them I was like "huh, who wants dumb old non-scented candles". All the girls there thought I was crazy and I thought the same right back at them. Hey I'm used to very smelly, yummy candles from Back Home Furniture. So as I was working on our Pinterest page I stumbled across the website we buy our candles from and did a little reading.

So...
"What's so great about beeswax? It's an all natural substance made by bees in contrast to paraffin, a chemical byproduct of the oil industry. Beeswax candles burn with the spectrum of the sun emitting a brighter, longer burning flame. It is a well established fact that while burning, beeswax candles naturally emit negative ions which clean the air and invigorate the body."

So what are negative ions, I though...
"Negative ions are odorless, tasteless, and invisible molecules that we inhale in abundance in certain environments. Think mountains, waterfalls, and beaches. Once they reach our bloodstream, negative ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy." click here for more

I also found a great new blog in my search...
"Negative ions help relieve stress, increase vitality, strengthen the immune system and so much more. That’s why we all feel so incredibly good after being at a waterfall, in the mountains or at the beach. The human body is meant to be absorbing negative ions on a regular basis, so it’s no wonder why there are so many health problems related to fatigue, depression and immune disorders. It’s no wonder why so many people find it incredibly hard to let their true nature shine. Most people aren’t exposed to nearly enough negative ions." click to read more

So I've been burning my beeswax candle at night while I'm winding down and in the morning while I'm getting ready. Hey I'll try anything at this point.
BRING ON THE NEGATIVITY, OH I MEAN NEGATIVE IONS!

Omg! Super cute must haves...

Oooh funny moment of the day: A designer friend of mine brought a client in the store to show her around. She was really digging these popsicle trays. She wanted to buy them as a gift for her sister-in-law. I told her "you know you can only put organic ingredients in those". She said "what? she doesn't even recycle", then she realized I was totally teasing her. LOL But what does that have to do with recycling :)

 LOL!!!

Goal: Stop skipping days!

Get Happy Challenge Day 7

Let's see I need to catch up. The last two days have been a blur. The last thing I remembered was taking brownies to work Saturday. What happened since then? Um??? Hmm?? Oooh... I did get a great deal on some new running shoes. They are beautiful... hopefully they are as awesome as they look :)

My goal for today was survive LOL. Well not really I didn't set any specific goals today. I was at work at 7:30 and pretty steadily busy form the moment I got there. I even worked on my lunch break.. ugh! Stay busy, stay positive. 

Let me see... I'm going to go ahead and setup my tip, goal and thought for tomorrow...

Tip:
"Always look at what you have done and not at what you haven't.

Sometimes you may begin the day with the desire to accomplish several objectives. At the end of the day you might feel frustrated and unhappy, because you haven't been able to do all of those things.
Look at what you have done, not at what you have not been able to do. You may have accomplished a lot during the day, and yet you let yourself become frustrated, because of some small things that you did not accomplish. You have spent all day successfully carrying out many plans, and instead of feeling happy and satisfied, you look at what was not accomplished and feel unhappy. It is unfair toward yourself."

Daily Goal: Run in my new shpes :) and maybe bowling! Bowling always makes me feel good!!
Weekly Goal: Stop skipping days!

Thoughts: OMG! I found the greatest happy art and blog! http://notsalmon.com/blog/

Love it!!

Found this: click to view more

"Here are a few tips for increasing happiness in daily life:
1) Endeavor to change the way you look at things. Always look at the bright side. The mind may drag you to think about negativity and difficulties. Don't let it. Look at the good and positive side of every situation.
2) Think of solutions, not problems.
3) Listen to relaxing, uplifting music.
4) Watch funny comedies that make you laugh.
5) Each day, devote some time to reading a few pages of an inspiring book or article.
6) Watch your thoughts. Whenever you catch yourself thinking negative thoughts, start thinking of pleasant things.
7) Always look at what you have done and not at what you haven't.
Sometimes you may begin the day with the desire to accomplish several objectives. At the end of the day you might feel frustrated and unhappy, because you haven't been able to do all of those things.
Look at what you have done, not at what you have not been able to do. You may have accomplished a lot during the day, and yet you let yourself become frustrated, because of some small things that you did not accomplish. You have spent all day successfully carrying out many plans, and instead of feeling happy and satisfied, you look at what was not accomplished and feel unhappy. It is unfair toward yourself.
8) Each day do something good for yourself. It can be something small, such buying a book, eating something you love, watching you favorite program on TV, going to a movie, or just having a stroll on the beach.
9) Each day do at least one act to make others happy. This can be a kind word, helping your colleagues, stopping your car at the crossroad to let people cross, giving your seat in a bus to someone else, or giving a small present to someone you love. The possibilities are infinite. When you make someone happy, you become happy, and then people try to make you happy.
10) Always expect happiness.
11) Do not envy people who are happy. On the contrary, be happy for their happiness.
12) Associate with happy people, and try to learn from them to be happy. Remember, happiness is contagious.
13) Do your best to stay detached, when things do not proceed as intended and desired. Detachment will help you stay calm and control your moods and reactions. Detachment is not indifference. It is the acceptance of the good and the bad and staying balanced. Detachment has much to do with inner peace, and inner peace is conductive to happiness.
14) Smile more often."

Oops! Skipped a day... but I'm still here!

Get Happy Challenge Day 5

Yesterday was my day off and I just got caught up in the fact that I was feeling a little better and getting things done. I didn't officially get up until 8 but I got in my run, a lot of laundry, the dishes, a planned grocery trip, made dinner, enjoyed a movie and did my nails. All pretty feel good things for my day off.

Today I was up at 7:40, naturally, no alarm which is pretty good for me. I didn't plan to run because I already accomplished my run three days goal, but a friend encouraged me to get put there anyways and I thought why not exceed my goal, so I did! Yay! And I have to admit I did more walking than running but hey I still got out there.

My tip for the day was do something nice for someone, so I baked brownies before work and took them to my coworkers. They loved em'. It felt good! I am kinda making it my personal goal to try to up the morale at work and just make people happier in general, so today was just a little step.

Thought for the day:






*What is the Get Happy Challenge? It is a totally made up challenge between me and my best-ie, Melissa, to motivate each other to get and be happier mommies by Xmas. Each day we will try our darn-est to post a tip, goal and thought of the day, and each night we will post how our day was. We will share ideas and words of encouragement along the way as our Xmas gift to each other. Feel free to join our challenge. The more the merrier =HAPPIER!
also see Melissa at http://thehomemomager.blogspot.com/
At the very least comment to help us along. *