Keeper of Things

How is it that we become the keeper of things? Why is it we are always supposed to know where everything is? I keep telling my family that if they put things back where they got them they would know where they were. Why is this so hard to do? The silverware always goes in the same place, your socks always go in the same drawer, the towels are always on the same shelf. Why is it so hard to put toys back in the same place or put keys in the same place every time? If I kept track of all the time in a day I spent telling or usually showing one of my family members where the lost item is, I would have an extra hour a day! I have started saying "I don't know where it is, why don't you try remembering where you last saw it or look for it." Once they spend time at least looking for it, then I am more willing to help them find it. The one that drives me the most crazy is the "I can't find it." I then reply "Did you look in xyz?" "Yes", they say, so I get up and go look and sure enough it is right there but slightly behind something else. Is there some rule that says you are not allowed to move items to see behind them? I don't know if it is a gift or a curse to remember where everything is all the time. I wonder if I just stop helping them find things if they would eventually start remembering where they put things? Maybe I should start collecting things and then make them pay me to get them back. Could be a lucrative part time job!

What am I Grateful for?

Two years ago we were sitting in the doctors office when my husband received the news he had Hodgkin's Lymphoma. My husband lost all the color in his face and was immediately nauseous. I tried not to cry. As the doctor explained our options, I started writing everything down as I knew we would not remember anything when we got home as we were in shock. Upon returning home, my husband just sat on the couch in disbelief. I immediately got on the computer and started doing research. We also called our family and gave them the news. The other thing I did, which I believe played in big part in my husbands mental state, was tell people exactly what they were and were not allowed to say to him. There would be no "I'm so sorry" or "Oh, my, you have cancer." Not on my watch!!! Everyone was instructed to be positive and says things like "What are your plans for treatment and getting healthy again" or "If anyone can be successful at staying positive through this, it is you!" After doing my research, I immediately changed his diet and eliminated all sugar - yes, all sugar! Was it hard for him? A little, but I just gave him the choice of "health or sugar?" I made sure he ate healthy, drank a lot of water and supported his system with the right supplements. We watched only comedy and positive shows on TV, no negativity of any kind was allowed in our house. We decided to get treatment at the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Tulsa as they use both traditional and non-traditional treatments. This decision would turn out to be the best one we could have ever made. They have been beyond fabulous throughout his treatment. They were amazed at his mental state, how well he responded to the treatment and how quickly he overcame Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He was declared 100% healthy a year ago and at his last scan one week ago he is still 100% healthy. So what am I grateful for this year? I am grateful that my husband is here with us, 100% healthy and following his passions! I feel blessed everyday when I wake up and see him lying next to me. Happy Holidays!

Red Flags

I really enjoy this time of year but sometimes at work and at home things can start to pile up and suddenly some small thing breaks the camel's back. The good news is that I have learned to recognize these moments for exactly what they are - red flags! Red flags show up in the form of snapping at an employee for not making enough copies, getting frustrated with the little old lady chatting with the check out clerk or yelling at your kids for not hanging up their coats. These everyday occurrences usually don't even ruffle me at all but when they do, I know it is time to dis-engage for about 20 minutes. I need to change my "state" both physically and emotionally. I do this by either taking a walk or sitting in a quiet place. I then start doing a little bit of self talk and ask myself what is it that is truly affecting my mood? I have learned that if I ask myself this question and pay attention to the first few things that come into my head that 99% of the time these are really the things that need to be addressed. I then take a few minutes to do some deep breathing to release any tension in my body. Then I take some time and think about how I can change how these items affect my mood. At the end, I simply just be quiet and take in my surroundings and focus on getting centered again. This whole process only takes me about 20 minutes but I always feel refreshed and have a new perspective on my day. I have learned to not ignore those little red flags when they pop up as they can turn into flying bricks and really do some damage.

A Time to Give Hope

As a mom and a business owner, it can be easy to let work overflow into what should be family time. For some reason around this time of year we can feel like we need to accomplish certain things at work before the end of the year. I don't know why, but the end of the year feels like some sort of deadline. Over the past few years I have make a conscious decision to lighten my work load from Thanksgiving through the New Year. I love the holidays and I tend to get disappointed when I feel I can't truly enjoy the season because my work interferes. I like going to the malls just to see all the decorations. I love driving around neighborhoods at night and seeing all the lights. I look forward to getting our tree and decorating it. What I enjoy the most is giving gifts to everyone. I love to give presents! We also have our family traditions like taking a day to make cookies. I think this is such a wonderful time of year where we can focus on our families and friends and make a difference in other people's lives. Even now with so many things in our world that seem to be upside down, I still love the season. I think I enjoy it even more because now more than ever it is important to support all of our families and friends. There are also many people who are struggling and need someone to believe in them and give them a hand up. We need to take the time and be the person who gives someone else hope. Enjoy the season!

Holiday Gifts

We, like others, are watching our spending this holiday season. Not only has our family decided to cut back on the gift giving but we have decided we are going to make many of our gifts. People are so busy these days that it is just easier to buy presents but it is always so nice to receive something that someone has made special for you. I was in JoAnn's the other day and wandered around the store looking for just a couple of items for a project my son was doing. As I wandered around I saw so many things that I thought would be fun to make and give as gifts. I decided I am going to bring my son back to the store with me so he can help decide what we should make for our family gifts this year. We can make picture frames or collages, jewelry, ornaments, purses, blankets or pillows, garden signs and so many other things. I am looking forward to getting creative and spending the time with my son making our gifts this year. I know my family will love their gifts as it always means so much when those little fingers are involved. These are also the gifts that are kept for years to come and truly cherished. I have also come to realize that I really enjoy creating things as it is relaxing to me and also gives me a sense of accomplishment. I also love the reactions from people when they realize I made it rather than bought it. I just seems to mean a little more. If you are stressing over spending this holiday season take a stroll through a craft store and I think you will be surprised at how many options there are and also how simple many of the items are to make. Happy crafting!