...on how to de-stress

Who doesn't have stress in their lives?  Just about everyone I talk to has some sort of stress.  Today's post is a reminder to all of us (including me) that we need to take time for ourselves and de-stress.  During lunch today I made some birthday spa appointments (my birthday is coming up soon and it is the most important day in the entire world, but that is for another posting).  I realized I haven't been doing my de-stressing techniques on a regular basis.  Please also comment on any ideas you have for taking the stress out of your life!

1.  Change the scenery! Get outside and enjoy some sun and fesh air.  I actually do this often on the weekends when I have more time.  I am lucky enough to live right by the North Country Trail.  It is beautiful!  I love looking at the trees, smelling the fresh air, and occassionally I get to see some wildlife.  My favorite time of the year is fall when the air is crisp and the leaves have changed colors. 
2.  Make a new friend.  One of my friends says, "you are only a stranger to someone until you say hello."  An unexpected conversation you have has the potential to lead to so many great things!  I have been blessed to meet many different interesting people over the years.  I have my grandma to thank for my love of conversation.
3.  Get some lavendar scented stuff.  I love the smell of lavendar. I have had lavendar scented lotion, satchels I put in drawers, and I have recently again stocked up on lavendar essential oil that I can basically add to just about anything.  There has been some research that shows lavendar can help release feel-good brain chemicals and may lower stress.
4.  Laugh.  It can be joking with friends, watching funny youtube videos, a funny movie, etc.  It helps relieve tension!
5.  Make a spa appointment!  This always makes me feel good.  It doesn't really matter what service I get, but my favorite is a pedicure.  My birthday is coming up so please feel free to send me gift cards!
6.  Take a bath! I love taking baths.  I try to use bath salts that have a lavendar smell.  Sometimes I light candles, have a glass of tea or wine, but most of the time I just turn off the lights and do nothing but relax!

...on snow

I hate it and want to move somewhere warm. Any questions?

...on the library

I still can't believe that there are people out there that do not have a library card!  It is free and the library has really cool stuff!  You can even download e-books and audio books for free!  How can people not like free?  The library also has DVDs, CDs, X-Box games, PS2 games, and Wii games for FREE!!!!  Did I mention FREE???  Plus, the library is cool because I work there :) I also just made a new rule:  I am not dating anyone that does not have a library card.

...on the restaurant Bankok View in Wyoming, Michigan

My lunch was completely awful and I will never go back. The egg drop soup had so much salt in it that I thought my spoon was going to get stuck.  I am most likely going to be retaining water for the next week.
Here is their website:

http://bangkokviewthaifood.com/default.aspx

...on Christmas trees

Everyone should have a real Christmas tree. It does not ruin the environment to have a real tree in your house for a few weeks.  It is a CROP!  It provides work for people in my community and I plan on supporting them once again this year.  If you have a fake tree it is not really a tree!  Most artificial trees are made from metal and plastic!  The whole point in having a Christmas tree is to have a REAL one.  I also provide shelter for little animals in the local woods by placing my tree there when I am done with it.  Having an artificial Christmas tree in your house is like marrying a Kardashian. 

...on cars

My car has 220,000 miles on it.  I don't mind my car, but I wish it would not stall out when I am stopped.  I have to put it in park and press on the gas pedal and rev up the engine so it doesn't die.  It is kind of getting on my nerves.  I know I could take it in and get it fixed, but I'm looking at it more as a challenge.  My 17 year old son drives the better of the two vehicles because I prefer him to have a more reliable vehicle.  I figure I can cope with  most of the problems that might "pop" up.  He is a little young and still views everything as a tragedy.  My insurance still costs an arm and a leg because of the accidents my son has gotten into over the last year.  I am keeping my fingers, toes, arms, and legs crossed that he does not have any problems in the coming year.  So, basically my car gets me where I have to go! ...if I remember to get gas!

If I could have any car in the world it would be an exotic kitty.  When I was growing up Jaguar had billboards that would advertise their cars as an exotic kitty. How could I not want one??  I never grew out of it.  I dream of owning a car with a cat leaping out of the hood ...

...on shopping

I wish I enjoyed shopping, but the thought of having to go shopping so the boys can have a few things to open at Christmas is not topping my list of favorite things to do this holiday season...  I don't even like to go shopping for myself! When I find a pair of work pants that I like at the store I buy a pair in every color!  I do the same with underwear, but I probably shouldn't go there... The only kind of shopping I truly enjoy is shoe shopping.  I could spend hours looking at and trying on shoes.  I enjoy the time that can be spent debating over which pair or pairs to buy.  I don't care that I might have to go to 20 stores to find the perfect pair.  In fact, I have been looking for a pair of brown boots for a few years now and I'm still looking!  I hope that someday I will have a closet that is made up of shoes.  I also need a new pair of black flats, but I might not be able to wait as long to purchase those since my favorite pair is starting show signs of shoe death.

I forgot to mention grocery shopping, or how I hate to stop and get gas for my car, but we can save that for another day!  Let's just enjoy the thought of new shoes for today...