It’s not every day that I invite strangers into my bathroom with me, but today I’m writing about “me time” and that’s where I spent it.  (Hopefully this blog post won’t attract too many inappropriate comments.  LOL!)

Sunday is the day of the week where I take time for me.  My husband is usually home and I put him in charge of watching the kids while I do whatever it is that I feel like doing… At least for a few hours any way.  Today I decided on some overdue pampering.  I’m not talking about anything elaborate, just some maintenance that I otherwise wouldn’t have much time for. 

I locked myself in the bathroom and did things like trim my bangs and tweeze my eyebrows.  Then I took the world’s longest hot shower, did a full body exfoliation with my Buff Puff, and shaved my legs.  (It’s amazing how much that can feel like pampering when your preschooler isn’t banging on the door or sitting at the edge of the shower watching you.)   I even grabbed my pumice stone and took the rough spots off my feet.  Once I was dry, I put on a facial mask and moisturized just about everywhere else.  I now fall under the category of “soft” again and it feels great!

Now that I’m done blogging about it, I think I’ll go sit on the deck and paint my toenails. 

I’ll bet my readers falls into two categories right now… the ones who are nodding because they know how important it is… and the ones who are really jealous.  Which one are you? 

IF - YOU HAD ALL THE MONEY
YOUR HEART DESIRES?
 
IF - YOU HAD NO WORRIES?
 
IF - YOU CAME HOME AND THE FINEST
MEAL IS AWAITING YOU?
 
IF - YOUR BATHWATER HAD BEEN RUN?
 
IF - YOU HAD THE PERFECT KIDS?
 
IF - YOUR PARTNER WAS AWAITING YOU,
    WITH OPEN ARMS AND KISSES?

SO, WHERE WOULD YOU BE?

HELLOOooo!!!!!!!!!

YOU’D BE IN THE WRONG *&CKING HOUSE!!

Article by: Aurelia Williams

For moms who work from home, balancing the home and business sides of their lives can feel downright impossible, especially when the reason they began working from home was so they could spend more time with family. However, many home businesses actually fail because moms don’t manage to balance business and home life. How can you juggle your family’s needs, your business needs and occasionally find some time for your needs without being a super hero?

The first thing any mom should do to achieve balance is to get the family involved. If your children and husband support you, you will find that they interrupt less often and are more likely to pitch in to get household chores done. You’re probably thinking that will happen the day the moon turns to blue cheese, right? However, if you mention that you need to get a major project done and will be able to buy a pizza and rent a video when you are paid, you may be surprised at how quickly everyone pitches in to help out.

If you have young children, they may not be able to understand the concept of waiting for a reward. To get your younger children involved, try explaining what you are doing in very simple terms and having them help you. Set up a small desk or table for your toddlers and add crayons and paper so they can help you with your work by drawing some pictures or writing a letter. Children that are a bit older can put stamps on envelopes and seal them, paperclip papers together or do other simple organizational tasks.

Of course, no matter how supportive your family and friends are, they are not going to be happy if you work 15 hours a day. Make sure that you ask for uninterrupted time to do your job or run your business, but also make sure that you schedule time for your family and friends. While you are making up that schedule, don’t forget your significant other. If you sit at your computer all evening after the children are tucked away for the night, you may end up with some serious relationship issues!

Once your family and friends are involved and you’ve scheduled time for them in your life, it is time to consider a few ways to make the most of your valuable work time. While you may be tempted to work non-stop during the time you have dedicated to your business, you should actually try to take some breaks. Taking a half-hour walk or having lunch away from your desk can really help you recharge your mind and keeps your body from growing stiff and tired. When you sit back down, you can do so with a clearer view of your goals and fresh energy and focus.

Also, don’t be afraid to make a “to do” list for your business. Write the four or five items you absolutely must do on your list and promise yourself that you will get them done before you visit your favorite forums or check your email. This can really help you get more work accomplished in less time.

So, although you may not have super powers, you can still have a home life, a business life and some time for yourself. The next time you are feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath, ask your family for some help and try out a few of these great ideas for balancing your life.

Article by: Aurelia Williams is the author of Journey To Joy, an inspiring eBook that explores many obstacles that women face. It also provides essential action steps, worksheets, resources and an hour long Balancing Your Life Audio.

I got this in my email recently.  (The original author is unknown.)  I post this NOT as a jab to men, just merely as some humor to emphasize how much we WAHMs do in a day….

____________________ 

Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 4 kids each for six weeks.

Each kid will play two sports and either take music or dance classes. There is no fast food. Each man must take care of his 4 kids; keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework, complete science projects, cook, do laundry, and pay a list of “pretend” bills with not enough money.

In addition…each man will have to budget in money for groceries each week. Each man must also take each child to a doctor’s appointment, a dentist appointment, and an appointment for a haircut. He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a social function. Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside and keep it presentable at all times.

The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done. There is only one TV among them. Each father will be required to know all of the words to every stupid song that comes on TV and the name of each and every repulsive character on cartoons.

The men must shave their legs, wear makeup daily, which they will apply themselves either while driving or making four lunches.They must adorn themselves with jewelry, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep their nails polished and eyebrows groomed.

During one of the six weeks, they will have to endure severe stomach cramps, back aches, and have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties.

They must attend weekly PTA meetings, church, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting. He will need to pray with the children each night, bathe them, dress them, brush their teeth and comb their hair each morning by 7:00.

A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information:  each child’s birthday, height, weight, shoe size, clothes size and doctor’s name. Also the child’s weight at birth, length, time of birth, and length of labor, each child’s favorite color, middle name, favorite snack, favorite color, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear and what they want to be when they grow up.

They must clean up after their sick children at 3:00 a.m. and then spend the remainder of the day tending to that child and waiting on them hand and foot until they are better. Each man will have to make an Indian hut model with six toothpicks, a tortilla and one marker; and get a 4 year old to eat a serving of peas.

The kids vote them off the island based on performance. The last man wins only if…he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moments notice!

If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years…eventually earning the right to be called Mother!