That is Just About Enough!

When is enough, enough? Because I am pretty sure that I have had just about enough! Since the beginning of February it has felt like one thing after another. Let's recap, shall we?

Our well pump and pressure tank went on the fritz, requiring a lot of expensive plumbing work.

My dad was back in the hospital for another episode of angina.

My husband broke his foot. 

I caught Covid.

Our son also caught Covid.

I had to have a root canal.

The root canal couldn't be completed because the tooth had too much decay, so now I am scheduled for an extraction and implant.

The same tooth had a chunk break off a.week and a half ago.

I had to have follow-up images done after my mammogram showed changes.

I have had a flair up of carpal tunnel, putting me in a wrist brace for a couple of weeks..

My oven went on the fritz two days before Easter. 

Now, fortunately these things are either minor inconveniences, were easily  and/or well resolved, or both. But when things just keep coming at me like this , it still starts to just feel as if I can't catch a break! 

Do you know what I mean? 

There are so many things in life that we just can't control, no matter how much we try to take care and prepare. Sometimes all we can do is a lot of praying and focus on the things we can control. 

My lists of monthly and weekly goals help some.  They give me some sense of order when life is crazy.

Goals for this week:

• Finish and ship open Etsy orders
• Update listings for dish cloths and washcloths
• Take pictures of new dish cloth sets for Etsy shop
• Write 3 blog posts
• Purge and reorganize shoes

What's on your list for this week?

It's Been a Long Week - and It's Only Wednesday

I know it's only Wednesday (aka: hump day).  But have you ever had one of those Wednesdays where Monday feels as if it was so very long ago?  That's my story right now.

It's all because I am a worrier. And because of this:

Max, the dachshund puppy, had his surgery to be neutered yesterday.   

I didn't sleep well Monday night because...

1) I was worrying about his upcoming surgery

and

2) I had to be up early to have him to the vet at 7:45am and for whatever reason I never sleep well when I know I have to be up early for something.  I guess part of my brain is worried I'll oversleep and be late or miss it, so I keep waking up

After dropping Max off at the vet, I can home and anxiously awaited the call from the doctor letting me know it was over and he was ok.  On the bright side, I took advantage of this time to sweep, mop and vacuum without having a little canine chasing me around, barking his little head off and trying to bite the broom/mop/vacuum cleaner.

Of course, his surgery went well.  He's a little champ.  And I was even able to pick him up earlier than they had told me to expect when I dropped him off.  

Once home, I had to keep an eye out for any signs of stress, nausea, diarrhea, etc.  I had to watch him because he was still a little groggy.  He was also learning to do things with the "cone of shame" - walking for example.  

Last night, he was a little restless.  Probably sore from the procedure.  And I can't imagine sleeping with a plastic lampshade around your neck is exactly comfortable.  Needless to say, I was aware of every time he shifted or moved around and would wake up to check on him.  That made night #2 of poor sleep.

Woke up with a headache this morning.  It started yesterday.  I think I can blame that on the change in the weather to cool and rainy.

Today, Max is clearly feeling much better than he was yesterday evening.  He seems to be mostly back to himself.  Which is good.  Except that this means he wants to play, and wrestle with his blanket, and run and try to jump on me.  All things he should NOT be doing right now.  It's giving me all kinds of anxiety.

I had hoped his pain medicine would keep him a little tired, but so far that doesn't seem to be the case.  The vet had said I could try some Benedryl if I need to sedate him a little.  Or she could prescribe something.  I hope I don't have to resort to that, but if he feels even better tomorrow and is trying to bounce off the walls - desperate times call for desperate measures. 

He does seem to have quickly figured out that the has to hold his head up to walk with the cone.  But he still keeps bumping into things.   I thought about getting him one of those soft, inflatable neck pillow type of rings to see if he likes that better, but there were mixed reviews online - so I'm not sure about that.

Have you ever had to cope with the recovery of a pet following neutering?  What's your best tip for getting through the process?

Why Complaining is Bad For Your Health

I do it. You probably do it, too.  Most of us love to complain about life's frustrations, challenges, annoyances and complications .  Research says that in a typical conversation, we complain about something about once every minute.  It's a common thing.  Just a harmless way to let off a little steam.

Wrong!!  

According to science - all that complaining can actually be harmful to our health.  Here's how:

Negative talk is a slippery slope.  You see, the brain can rewire itself.  Whenever we have repeated thoughts, they create neural connections.  The more these thoughts are repeated, the stronger those connections become and other neural connection cells decrease.  As the connections become stronger the brain focuses more on the negativity.  This makes it easier and easier to focus on negative thoughts while pushing out more enjoyable, positive thought processes. This can lead to an increase in stress, anxiety and even worsen depression.  A 2014 study by the University of California found that chronic stress may cause changes in the brain that makes people more susceptible to anxiety and other mood disorders.  Frequent complaining may also shrink the hippocampus, the area of the brain related to memory and problem solving. 


All those negative thought processes have an affect on your physical health also.  

Whenever you complain, your body releases higher levels of Cortisol (aka - the stress hormone).  High cortisol levels can be harmful to the heart, cause an increase in blood pressure, and lead to a higher body weight. One study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry in 2004 found that pessimistic people had a higher risk of death from heart failure than those who are more optimistic.  

It's not just your own complaining either!  Listening to others moan and groan causes damage also.  That's right - secondhand complaining is bad for your health.  So, if you want to kick the complaining habit and improve your mental and physical health - surround yourself with positive people!

This post is in no way intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new healthcare regimen, and nd never disregard medical advice or delay seeing help because of something you read on this website

How Are You Doing ?

How are you doin? It's a mad, mad world we're living in right now.  Things are changing everyday thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.

Many of us are living a life we couldn't have imagined a month ago. Businesses closing.  Grocery store shelves are emptying as fast as stockers can fill them.  We're being told to stay home as much as possible.  Limit the number of people we gather with.  Keep a distance of at least six feet from anyone we encounter.  Suddenly we're a nation of homeschoolers - whether we want to or not. 

It's enough to give you a big ol' tension headache.  And good luck finding any Excedrin in stock at the local Walmart to help with that! 

Which brings me back to my original question.  How are you really doing? 

I thought I was handling things well, until I found myself crying one morning last week for pretty much no reason what-so-every.  That's when I had to take a deep breath and start asking myself, "What exactly is making you so anxious?"  It didn't take long to come up with a whole list of things (and y'all know how I love a list), but what it all boiled down to was that feeling of having no control over the situation.  

I can't control how long this will last, what's going to happen next, or, for the most part, whether my family gets sick or not.  I certainly can't control whether will be able to find what I need at the grocery stores, when the schools will be able to reopen, or what others are doing.  All the worrying in the world is not going to change any of that. 

With all this uncertainty,  is it any wonder we are feeling stretched to our emotional limits?

We all have to take care of ourselves right now.  Especially if we have others we need to care for and support through all of the changes and uncertainty.  That means finding ways to cope with our stress.

So, what are things we can do to help manage our anxiety levels?

Acknowledge Anxious Thoughts and Emotions  You're not the only one feeling this way.  It's only natural to be concerned and stressed during a time like this.  If you try to ignore those feelings - instead of going away, the pressure will keep building until you eventually  break.  It's better to accept them for what they are.

Set A Routine  When things feel out of control - control what you can. Setting a routine for yourself can give some familiarity and comfort to your days.  Scheduling your days, especially tasks and work assignments can be especially important if you are telecommuting during these days of quarantines and social distancing. 

Talk To Someone  As we are recommended put some distance between us, it's easy to feel isolated.  Reach out to others!  Have conversations with the other people in your home.  Call someone.  Skype or Facetime with people you can't visit in person right now.  

Talk About Something Else  We are all consumed by thoughts of the virus right now, but we don't have to be.  Find topics other than the pandemic to discuss and get your mind off it for a little while.

Turn It Off  Sure, we want to stay aware of the latest news and information.  But there's a fine line between staying informed and becoming overwhelmed.  Turn off the tv, the computer and maybe even the phone for a while to give yourself a break. 

Self Care  Make time to care for your physical, emotional and spiritual health.  Enjoy your favorite hobby.  Pray and/or meditate.  Step outside to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air

Get Some Sleep  Lack of sleep makes every little stress that much more difficult to handle.  It also contributes to anxiety and depression.  It also makes you more susceptible to illness.  Be sure to get your beauty rest!

We're all trying to find our way though this new normal.  Which doesn't feel normal at all.  

Be kind to yourself and others.  Practice patience.  Better days are coming.  

Are You Stressed About The Week Ahead?

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

When Things Get Messy

My house is a mess, y'all.   Not "kind of messy".  A big ol' embarrassing mess.  Pretty much a disaster area.

Ok - no, it's not that bad!!

Nothing much is getting done around here.  I am neglecting the housework while I try to push through to complete a few big orders facing deadlines.  (And not making the kind of progress I would like to see).  Meanwhile,  things are piling up around me.

I keep nagging at the offspring to help with keeping the kitchen clean.  They do the bare minimum to be able to say they did what was asked.

I'm dangerously close to running out of clean laundry.  And the Man of the House may or may not be rewearing socks.

Something is going to have to give soon.  I feel stretched too thin and on the edge of that place where I just might snap soon.

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

My Love Dare: Day 6

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he who rules his spirit than he who captures a city. ~ Proverbs 16:32

DAY 6: Love is not irritable

“Love is hard to offend, and quick to forgive.”

How easily do you get irritated and offended?

How easily do you get irritated or offended by your spouse?

If you are like me the answer may be “depends on the day”.  Some days I am quickly hurt or frustrated. Minor events bring on major reactions.  Not exactly a loving response. 
A loving spouse exercises emotional control. They are a joy to live with, not a jerk.

According to The Love Dare, we often become irritable for two main reasons:

1)Stress: we’re all familiar with it. It drains and weakens us. It’s an open door for irritability. Stress can be caused by relational causes such as arguing and bitterness. It can be caused by excesses such as overworking, overspending, or overplaying. It can also be caused by deficiencies such as not enough exercise, nutrition, or rest.

The answer to this is to slow down! Pray through your anxieties instead of taking them out on your spouse. Observe the Sabbath each week to worship and rest. Recharge, refocus, and give a margin to your busy weekly schedule.

2) Selfishness: Insecurity or selfishness can send us spiraling down a road of irritability!

The calming cure for irritability? Love. Love causes us to be grateful. To forgive. To be happy. To prioritize family. Love lowers stress. It brings a response of patience rather than anger or exasperation.

TODAY’S DARE: CHOOSE TODAY TO REACT TO TOUCH CIRCUMSTANCES IN YOUR MARRIAGE IN LOVING WAYS INSTEAD OF WITH IRRITATION. BEGIN BY MAKING A LIST OF AREAS WHERE YOU NEED TO ADD MARGIN TO YOUR SCHEDULE. THEN LIST ANY WRONG MOTIVATIONS THAT YOU NEED TO RELEASE FROM YOUR LIFE.

I made the choice to react in loving ways instead of irritation.  I also realized that it is a work in progress.  I will have to make that choice over and over again.  I may slip up sometimes.  No, I probably will slip up sometimes.  When I do - I have to acknowledge it, apologize for it, and take steps to do better the next time.

Margins:

• Prioritize time for date night
• Allow for relaxing Sunday afternoons with family instead of staying busy with chores/duties.
• Make time for myself each week (exercise, bubble bath, mani/pedi, etc)

Motivations to Release:

• Admiration and attention of others
• Selfishness
• Envy

Everything and Nothing: The Follow Friday Four Fill In

  TGIF!  Which means it's time again for the Follow Friday Four Fill In Blog Hop! Each week, Feeling Beachie gives us four statements with a blank for you to fill in on your own blogs.

Want to be featured as a Co-Host to the hop? Come up with four fill in’s of your own and email them to her at feelingbeachie@gmail.com. If she uses them, you get a nice little mention in that weeks hop! Please help her out and email some statements! This week’s co-host is Annie from The Lemon Drop she came up with the last two statements.

It's only fair that we share and share alike! So, since Feeling Beachie is sharing with us - be sure to tweet, facebook, etc about the Follow Friday blog hop. If you tweet, please use #f5-bloghop And add the little linky tool there at the bottom to your own blog if you participate!

This week’s statements:

1. I like to __ when I am ___
2. ___ is my favorite vegetable
3. I get ________ when I ___________.
4. I’m surprised by _________ and ____________.

My Responses:

1. I like to read when I am trying to fall asleep.  (This was tough, because I immediately had 3 responses jump into my head when I read this statement!!!)
2. Asparagus is my favorite vegetable  (followed very closely by broccoli and brussel sprouts)
3. I get stressed out when I think of everything I need and want to do.
4. I’m surprised by everything and nothing all at once!

Three Of Me... And A Maid

Things were sailing along so smoothly.  I couldn't believe how stress free the Christmas preparations seems to be for me this year.  I wasn't stressing.  I didn't feel pressed for time.  All of that has changed. 

I now realize that it was the calm before the storm.  I wasn't stressed because I didn't realize how much still needed to be done.  I thought I had plenty of time.  I was WRONG!!

This week I am stressed.  I feel pressed for time.  To be completely honest - I am freaking out a little bit.  My to-do list keeps getting longer, rather than decreasing in size.  I keep realizing what else needs done.  Projects finished.  Presents wrapped.  Baking done.  Much of it before tomorrow's dueling Christmas gatherings at both my own and The Man of the House's places of work.  Much more of it before Thursday when family starts arriving.

Today I look at that ever growing list and think to myself  "I need about 3 of me, and a maid!" 

And yet, I sit here blogging about it, procrastinating - rather than diving right in.  Apparently I still have not learned my lesson.

Thoughts For Today

Today, I think I'll eat whatever I want for lunch - even if that's ice cream

Today, I think I will not stress over the laundry that didn't get done.

Today, I think I'll stand in the shower until the hot water runs out.

Today, I think I'll read a good book while I sip a cup of herbal tea.

Today, I think I will just take some time to watch the wind blow.

Today, I think I will allow "good enough" to be enough.

Today, I think I'll have a glass of wine.  Or two.

Today, I think I will sing if I feel like it.  No matter who may be listening.

Today, I think I shouldn't over think today!