Trying a little self care

I'm trying to take care of myself. At least a little bit. As most parents know, and especially those of us with special blessings for children we aren't very good at self care. However, self care is so very important. It is what helps keep us refreshed and able to take on the world for our children. It keeps us focused on the blessings, on the strides they have made and how fortunate we are to have them in our lives for us to love.

For those of you who are regularly practicing self care I take my hat off to you! You are doing your child/children a world of good (as well as yourself). I on the other hand, am not so good at this. I occasionally do something for myself. I went to the movies and dinner with a good friend last week. That was so much fun. We saw Magic Mike. What a fun movie that is, although I don't think many men would like the movie ;~}

So, last night I decided to use a mud facial mask. It felt really nice and my skin felt wonderful after. I came out of the bathroom and said hi to Will. He told me in no uncertain terms that I did not look pretty. I'm ok with that.

I also have some marble cold stones for massage. (have I mentioned that I'm a massage therapist?) I was hot and had a headache so I decided to take them out of the fridge and give myself a face massage and use these fabulous stones.

I have always wanted a hot stone massage and to learn how to give them in my practice. However, due to my MS. I am not allowed to be near hot stones. I am however allowed to use cold massage and use them I did the other night.

Well, I'm trying.....

I'll get the hang of this self care thing, the benefits are too important for me not to try. I think I'll try doing something for myself every day. Today.... I think I'll break out the massage stones again. What will you do to take care of yourself today?

Getting what you want

I had a conversation the other day with a good friend. We got laughing over the fact that most women we know, want a man who wants to give us a foot rub, or a back/shoulder massage just because.

I've found this mythological creature. We have spent several evenings/days together now, and he has offered to give me some form of massage every time, just because he wants to make me feel good/better. How wonderful is that? I didn't think such a man existed and I'm very grateful that he does. But what do you do when you actually have what you want, and find out that this wonderful, thoughtful man doesn't give a relaxing feel good massage? Don't get me wrong, the foot rub is ok, but the back/shoulder massage just wasn't enjoyable and he broke me (although to be honest and fair that was mostly my fault for not remembering I need a lighter massage) my massage was on Tuesday and here it is Saturday and I'm finally feeling better, although still slightly sore.

So what do you do when you get what you want? I guess it means it's time for a talk with my friend. Maybe I can teach h how to give a back rub, and if not I guess I have to learn to "Just Say NO."

Lesson learned

When facing a difficult period in your life, I have learned a valuable lesson.  --  Buy a hamster.
Ok, so that isn't the lesson, well, not really.  Things haven't been great lately as you might imagine.  Our case manager came over this morning to help me try to figure out my finances.--YIKES!--  I know, I stress shop.  I also shop when depressed.  Can we say I've been majorly depressed lately?  Guess what I've been doing--  Yup, spending money I don't have.  Well, I have finally pulled my head out of the sand, and am facing my finances head on, so to speak.  Now, I'm not perfect, so I'm sure I will make mistakes along the way, but I'm hoping if I do, they will be small ones--like buying a cup of coffee at Dunkin Donuts--not going out and spending $100 on a cricut I really want but don't need.  Although I'm hoping that I'll be strong enough to pass on the irresistible call of Dunkin Donuts!
I really thought Jenn would yell at me for spending the money on the hamster, but she was actually happy we bought her.  Recognizing that she's therapy for Will.  Yeah!
However, the real lesson came from working hard to stay positive throughout the last few months (2 years).  When Jenn walked in the door she told me that she was given the OK from her bosses for me to offer massage at her office throughout the month of December.  They will provide a room for me to use, people will sign up on certain days during my available times and I get to keep all the profits!  Wow!  She also wants me to gather some of my crafts to sell at her office.  They will set up a table for my cards, crocheted animals, vinegars, oils, body scrubs, and anything else I want to sell.  I can also market myself and sell gift certificates, as well as take orders for other personalized items I make such as the book frames.
So the lesson is, always strive to see the positive, and act positively (I'm not perfect, but I work at it every day) and you will attract positivity to you.  I am truly blessed.  Plus as I write this Sophie has been running around the entire downstairs of my house in her hamster ball.  She is quite the speed demon.  I think she might deserve a speeding ticket at this point.  She also might be texting or involved in some other form of distracted driving as she keeps running into everything--maybe she's intoxicated..... The fine for that would go quite a ways at financial freedom. ;-)

I know, she's in her hamster wheel here, not her purple ball, but she's too darn fast in the ball!  I'll share a picture either here or over at Emily's perspective when I catch her in the act.

Now, it is time to try and catch her so she can go back in her cage, and I can go to bed!