A pain in my side.....

For the last few days it has felt like I had a pulled muscle in my side. Sleeping was uncomfortable. Last night I did something about it. I didn't put heat on it, I spoke to it. Once I got into bed last night, I pictured all the people that could be causing the pain in my side and spoke to them one-to-one in my mind. This morning the "pulled muscle" is gone. This speaks to the power of mind over matter and the importance of a good night's sleep.

Flexibility is key...

I work with my clients to build in flexibility to their daily and/or weekly schedules in case they get a last minute work assignment, the kid gets sick or their elderly parent falls and is rushed to the ER. Well, today it paid off for me. My daughter's school bus was running really late, so we and the other parents and kids waiting, hopped the subway to get o school on time. Since I was just headed to the gym after she got on the bus, I had the flexibility to do this. Having kids, makes flexibility a must.

R&R

This traditionally means rest and relaxation. In my house I am teaching my 11 y.o. teenage daughter that it means respect and responsibility. Respect is for others and their belongings. Responsibility is for accepting her role in a situation and not to be quick to blame others. So far, my new travel coffee mug has been used twice without asking. I still have some teaching to do. Even though the school year ends tomorrow, my daughter still has some learning to do.

The magazine pile

It is gone, never to return. I looked at my weekly schedule and decided to allow time on Saturday mornings to read the newspaper (yes, I still get it delivered) and magazines. Over several Saturday's, I read through the pile and even had time for the new issues. The result, I have found more time for magazine reading and find myself with a magazine or two on a weeknight. 

In the kitchen on Thursday or not....

For my Thursdays, I post a recipe that I have made recently and well since I had wrist surgery last week, I haven't been cooking and not starving either since I hired a caterer to prepare some meals for me, so my family could eat well (not take-out every night) and I wouldn't have to worry thankfully.

Wednesday's words of encouragement

"You can do it." —Coffee

Tuesday's Tip: For the New Year...

Be sure to print a hard copy of your address book on your computer and your contact list on your phone, so that you can recover the information should you need to do it.

Tuesday's Tip on pet "accidents"

Pour baking soda on pee spot on a rug or carpet and it will soak up the pee and remove the order, then just sweep or vacuum up after a few minutes. (Can you tell we got a puppy?!)

"It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer." — Albert Einstein

Wednesday's Words....On dogs

"A tired dog is a happy dog." —Zak George (Dog Trainer)

Tuesday's Tip: Reheating rice or pasta

If you are reheating in the microwave, place a wet paper towel on top to keep it moist.

(I learned this from my best friend, Melissa and my mother swears by it.)

Tuesday's tip: Laundry time

Do loads of laundry at night when you family doesn't need hot water for showers.

Wednesday's Words: Professional vs. Amateur

"If you think it is expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." —Red Adair

Tuesday's Tip: Diaper Change

Use a plastic shopping bag to line a public changing table and then use the bag to discard the dirty diaper and wipes.

(P.S. I learned this by observing a mother in a public restroom.)

Tuesday's Tip: Plants

Water plants when the soil up to 1" deep feels dry, so as not to over water them and possibly kill the plants

"Snow" in summer

Every summer the Linden tree in front of house "snows" flowers and I sweep and sweep and sweep and this year our babysitter suggested using the snow shovel which was an excellent suggestion, since I refer to the flowers and "summer snow" and learned that thinking outside the season my help bring about a new solution.

Goals then and now.....

I wrote these goals for a trip back packing through the US Rockies with the National Outdoor Leadership school and now fast forward nearly 20 years and I am a productivity coach helping others achieve their goals.

(P.S. I should note that some of the goals on the list were not achieved because I was sent home after three weeks with knee problems that prevented me from continuing and despite this, I still consider this trip to be one my best life experiences.)

Tuesday's Tips: The Germs on your toothbrush

Did you know that you should replace your toothbrush every 3 months? And you should clean it regularly?

Well, according to Real Simple Magazine...

Toothbrushes: Every other week, swirl each toothbrush in ¼ cup warm water and ¼ cup baking soda. Let soak overnight, then rinse. Toss and replace every three months. (Yep, it’s time.)

Real Simple Magazine

Tuesday's Tip: Cleaning the refrigerator

To clean refrigerator drawers—like mine where forgotten food rots and smells, try this from Real Simple Magazine....

Refrigerator drawers: Remove them and soak for 15 minutes in hot, soapy water in the sink. Drain, sprinkle the insides with baking soda, and wipe clean with a sponge. Still smell something? Use this age-old trick: Wipe down drawers with a cloth dipped in undiluted tomato juice, rinse with warm water, and dry.

Real Simple Magazine

Tuesday's Tip: Gift Cards

Don't toss out those unwanted business cards you got at the networking event, recycle them by using the blank side as a gift card. If you want you can glue the printed side to some paper and cut it out to make a fun gift card.

(P.S. For paper, I use glossy spreads in the newspaper or pages of a magazine.)