Because I have nothing else to do
Friday, December 30, 2016
Pause. And get your toes scratched.
At the start of a new year, I always reflect and consider something I need to work on, change, alter, adjust, etc. Two years ago, my goal was to keep up with my hair. May sound completely shallow to some of you but it wasn't. There's a backstory there. I had just had a baby, I felt pulled in a million directions, and I never did my hair anymore. My thyroid started to get crazy. I was put on pills. Terrible really. So me vowing to keep up with my hair meant taking care of myself. It meant I needed to pause, schedule time for myself, etc. That was a really big deal. And I did it. It was also awesome how there was a trickle effect into other things. It was awesome.
So this year, my focus is to pause. Take a moment. Doesn't mean I don't know how to hustle, or work hard, or that it means I stop. But pause. Kind of the opposite of react. How powerful, really, if you think about it. Harsh words can fly out of my mouth sometimes. Me saying yes to something before I think about it. Eating extra bites of something when I'm already stuffed. Some good pauses will be helpful for all of those things.
So I started today with a massage. And it was awesome let me tell you. There's a place I go to over Colima and the people there are legit. It also gets a little wacky sometimes but it's cool. For instance, the guy will scratch the tops of all my toes during the foot massage portion. He will also lift up my legs and let them drop. Like freefall. Boom. At one point today, I was laying on my stomach and he moved my leg into a tree pose position and proceeded to stretch my hips. Amazing. He also kept burping every five minutes which was weird and I really wanted to offer him some digize and peppermint. But then I just went with it and embraced it. I also think he could tell that my upper back has been really tight recently. As he was digging his elbow into my back, I tensed up. And he sort of whispered but loudly said "it's okay." And it was. My body listened to his direction and I relaxed. Pretty dang awesome. I was there for a 70 minute massage. And it was $30. That's some good self care right there.
So why do I have a picture of abundance in this post? Because when I pause, I can remember some good words from the Lord. Like abundance. I have everything I need and then some. We are not lacking. In everything, give thanks. Be still and know. Be still. Pause.
Happy New Year.
Em
Monday, October 5, 2015
Laughter is the best medicine
So that is me. Like all the time. I'm always trying to keep up and be as efficient as I can. So, for instance, if I just changed Jack's diaper, as I walk out of his room to the kitchen trash can, it becomes a game for me to see what items I can pick up and put back in their place on the way to the kitchen trashcan. So that later I won't have to pick those things up. I can proudly announce that I did it in one swoop on my way to throw out a crap diaper. Bam! I know you are totally jealous of my skills.
So I clearly needed a weekend away to breathe, regroup, etc. With no children.
When was the last time you laughed your freaking head off? And was just yourself and didn't worry about judgement. You were just absolutely free.
So you can imagine how excited I was to have a weekend in Scottsdale, Arizona to relax, see my fellow lemondropper peeps, have a blast, etc. I was so freaking ready. And oh my gosh - we had the best time.
There were awesome people and awesome discussions going on. So much encouragement. And holy crap let me tell you - I laughed so hard all weekend.
That was seriously the best part. I freaking cracked up throughout the weekend which has left me feeling rejuvenated, connected, and free to be myself. There were random moments of running around a resort during a scavenger hunt trying to find photos. I was trying to hunt down someone dressed as a lemon so I could take a selfie with them. Say what?! There was a Target run (of course) where Missy Elliot is blaring out the windows and the guy in the car next to us didn't pull up next to us at the signal because, well heck, 3 moms blaring Get Ur Freak On from a Honda Pilot could seem crazy to some people. But you know what? Who the heck cares?
Why do I care about what people may think of me sporadically breaking out into a run to find a person dressed up as a lemon? Why do I need to worry about what people will think of me as I do a Whip Nae Nae at a conference? I don't! And it was so freeing.
A random bride and groom kept knocking at our door at midnight because they were trying to find their friends. So I go out to the balcony and yell loudly if it's Gladys. Because I thought it might be Gladys. This got the bride and groom to stop knocking.
My sister asks the server at the sushi place if the fish is firm while she is also making hand gestures which makes all of us crack up. Including the server. Who became really red and couldn't finish his speech about the fish because, hello - firm.
In the car on the drive there, I really wanted to blare some Peter Cetera from the car because I'm thinking Who Doesn't Love Peter Cetera? Well, apparently lot's of people don't love Peter Cetera. Two for sure don't - Natalie and Gladys (be prepared girls to get some happy mail with some peter cetera tunes included on a compact disc). Did I mention I'm a 33 year old mom of 2? Who's not apparently hip? Don't care! Love me some Peter Cetera!
On the drive home, we had to stop to pee. As we are waiting in line, there's two people taking up lots of time in the bathroom which can only mean one thing if you catch my drift. This is why you always need to be prepared with oils so you don't suffocate. Anyway, Nat then comes out of the bathroom hardly able to speak because she's cracking up so dang hard. She starts spitting out random sentences about the toilet and how whatever was in the bowl before her radiated heat. And how the lady before her must have held the heat in as she sat on the toilet. I'm telling you - HISSterical.
There was awesome conversations, goal setting, plans made, etc. And even texts this morning about how we are already working today on our goals. Because we have some pretty crazy big dreams. And guess what? We wrote them all down yesterday. Which makes things real and a little scary. But that's what Lemondroppers do - make really big crazy dreams and then hustle like crazy to make it happen. All while completely understanding that you are never too good to clean the floors. Serving others, encouraging others, helping others - what a wonderful tribe we have found.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
You're Welcome
1. Online banking.
Who left of you is not doing this and why? I can't remember the last time I bought a stamp and I can't even tell you how much a stamp costs. 40 cents? No clue. Paying my phone, electric, and gas bill in 46 seconds while sitting on the toilet while my kids are in the bath is the best invention ever. EVER.
2. This thing:
Whatever the heck this thing is has saved me on many occasions. You use it to open lids. I got it as a wedding gift and it was one of the best gifts ever. This and my flower print screwdriver that comes apart and has any attachment you may need.
3. Dollar Shave Club.
Holy heck where has this been my whole life? Lets have a reenactment shall we?
(Tony yelling) "Babe we don't have any more razors!"
Me: "Not true my sweet potato! 5 new ones just came in the mail for $3.64. We never need to leave the house to buy razors again!"
Tony: "I knew I married you for a reason!"
4. Young Living Essential Oils.
But oh you picked up your lavender from CVS and also picked up a chemical burn in the process? No folks! Not a darn chance! I will only buy from YL. The purest of the pure, they've been in the essential oil business for 21 years so they have had a beautiful amount of time to learn how to achieve the purest of the pure essential oil, they have a Seed to Seal guarantee because their stuff is distilled slowly at low pressure low heat so as not to lose the therapeutic properties of the plant, you can visit their farms - you know I could go on and on right? They are the best of the best. Don't waste your money or time on anything else. And if you have, come to my house and we will compare our stuff. And I will win. Boom.
5. Winder Farms delivery.
Food delivered to my door every Tuesday morning that I have picked out the night before? So if I need something it just shows up and I don't have to leave my house with children or wondering if I put on deodorant? Yes please! Minimum purchase is $10 a week and you can skip weeks. Amazeballs.
6. AAA
I have been a member of AAA for about 12 years. Yes you can get a tow, jump, get your keys out of your locked car but this is not why I do it - never dealing with the DMV is why I do it. Tags expiring? Walk right into AAA and hand over your car registration money for those cute stickers that the government makes you get every year. Need to add your husband to the title of your car? AAA will do it! The DMV would mess that stuff up. And ruin your life.
7. Thieves Cleaner.
8. Essential Beauty Serum
I use this on my face morning and night and my skin has never felt better. I do not use face lotion - I use jojoba oil with two drops of this stuff. Lasts me about 2 months. Costs $19.
9. Wine in a box.
Nothing more to say other than you're welcome.
10. Unfiltered Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
Add some to your water for digestive stuff, clean with it, I use it in my hair about once a week - gets rid of build up and my hair is so soft and shiny after. Itchy scalp? Mix a little with water and pour it on your head. Itch is gone and your smile will return. Stinks to high heaven but at least my hair and scalp feels great.
And there you have it folks! May you all rest a little easier tonight because of this info!
-Em
Monday, July 20, 2015
Sleeping through the night? When does that start?
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Brazilian Boom
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Like A Girl
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
To the salesman at LA Fitness ...
To the guy at LA Fitness who isn't getting a sale from me: I get it. You're in sales right? Well guess what? Me too kind of. And let me tell you the first thing about sales. People want to feel heard.
So when I walk into your establishment with a kid on my hip and a 7 year old and ask loudly "I just quickly want to know how much this will cost to sign up and per month" I don't need you to shuffle me over to your desk. When you see me still standing and refusing to move, you just need to tell me the cost. Because clearly, I don't have time to go to your desk. And then when you don't let up so I give in and walk to your desk (so congrats on that move), I will let my one year old tear up the papers on your desk. And guess what? I don't even care. Because at that point, I'm thinking, "this guy doesn't care. And he didn't freaking hear me. So go ahead Jack - have at this awesome guy's paperwork." And when he looks at me like, 'why are you letting your kid destroy my desk?' I'll tell him - "see you didn't hear me Mr. Man. I told you from the moment I walked in that I just really quick wanted to know the cost so I could get a membership for my hubs for his birthday. Did you not see the active child on my hip? Did you not hear what I said? Can you not read body language? Because guess what? If you would have shouted at me "It's 199 for 40 bucks a month or 99 for 45 bucks a month!" You would have grabbed my attention. You would have basically sold me. And then you could have shuffled me over to your desk like the tired mom I am and said, "guess what? We even have child care. And today we have a special for 50 dollars off. You want me to do that for you real quick?" I would have kissed you. And gave you my money. Because you didn't waste my time and you connected with me. But the minute you didn't hear me and all I heard was "I want this sale", you lost me buddy. You need to be a lemondropper is what you need. Holy crap.
End rant.