Real World Mom

I’ve decided to participate in “Give Me 5 Monday”, an idea I got from Sandee at Comedy Plus. This idea is originally from Becca at BeccA’s Buzz!
The ‘Give Me Five’ Monday meme is designed to share fun information with each other in a simple short list! Here’s how it works. Each week, I will put out a random topic from my list of topics and you share 5 answers of your choice on the given topic and link back here! You can add photos, links or stories or just a simple list of your own of 5 things that relate to the topic as it pertains to you and your life experiences. It doesn’t have to be in any order of importance unless otherwise specified.Sign up for weekly reminder emails at beccagirl@charter.net.For more information:
BeccAGirl

This week’s topic: Give me 5 vacation destinations you’ve already enjoyed or would like to some day.

Here are my answers:

1- St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands: LOVED it there! Warm and beautiful beaches. Did I mention it was *warm* there??

2- Florida: Not exotic, but it’s one of my favorite places to go because my best friend lives there! (And it’s also *warm*!)

3- New York, NY: I can hear the snickers and see the eye rolls, but, wait! I have a good reason! I’ve been to NY City before, but I want to go again with my guy because he was born and raised there. It’s always better to visit a place with someone who really knows it!

4- Ocho Rios, Jamaica: My parents were there, and I saw the pics. I wanna go! (And, you guessed it, it’s *warm* there!)

5- Hawaii: I don’t think I even need to give a reason for that!

Ok, now it’s your turn!

I’ve had an item up for auction on e-Bay for about three weeks now, and the damn thing just won’t sell!

The latest go-round ended Saturday, and, like a stubborn fool, I relisted it–again! Even if it does eventually sell, my profit will have already been sucked up by the listing fees!

In case ya haven’t caught on, I’m the type of person that is determined to do something, especially when told it’s impossible!

So, at what point do I give up? Your guess is as good as mine!

Anyone looking for an awesome Valentine’s Day gift? LOL!

It’s 1:20 a.m.  I’m so tired it feels like there is sandpaper on the inside of my eyelids.  Yet, here I sit, in front of my computer, blog-hopping.

Fortunately, I don’t have to be up too early tomorrow. I have to call the place I interviewed with on Friday to give them some references, so I need to be coherent enough do that at least!  No big deal though.

Just seems like since I’ve started blogging, I’m totally hooked on reading, researching, writing, etc.  But it’s so much fun and I’ve met some really cool people, so what the hell!

Ok, before I start writing a bunch of stuff I’ll just have to delete in the morning later, think I’ll send this and head to bed!  Good night/morning Blogger Buddies! 

Music is an important aspect of my life.

While one song can trigger a memory and take me to another place and time, a different one can make me want to sing out loud!

Music can alter my mood or coincide with the way I’m already feeling.

While Country music has been my genre of choice for the last several years, I still enjoy other styles as well.

My favorite songs are those which touch me in some way. Whether it be the lyrics, the music or the performer, I want to really feel it. That’s what makes it good to me.

I like to have the radio on or a cd going when I’m driving in the car, in the shower, surfing the web, or especially while doing housework (think it helps take my mind off the less-than-thrilling task at hand!).

If you’re at all curious about my random taste in music, you can see a sampling here: Mystic Butterfly’s Video Stash.

Ok, so a bubble bath is still one of my all-time favorite ways to relax, but there are plenty of others as well.

My line of thinking behind this blog is that we can’t possibly be good moms, good employees, good partners if we don’t take care of ourselves too! If we’re on our last nerve–how can we expect to deal with homework time without pulling our hair out?! We’ve all been there, done that, and we know how difficult it is to keep a positive attitude when we’d really rather be throwing a tantrum ourselves!

So, what do we do to minimize the fallout of stress in our everyday lives?

-Regular exercise is always an excellent stress-buster, and it’s healthy! Depending on what you choose to do, this could also be a family event. Get out the stroller and take a walk or play a game of basketball with the kids.

-Take some time for you! Whether it’s curling up in your favorite chair to read or going to the mall to get your nails done, do something you enjoy!

-Join something! A gym, a book club, take a class–put yourself in an environment where you get to spend time with other adults who share your interests.

-You can always come here (Real World Mom) to get a break too!

-And don’t forget my favorite: A nice, hot bubble bath!

My point here is, don’t lose sight of the fact that you are still you. And like other, ‘non-super humans’, we moms need love, nurturing and fun too! Granted, we are able to soothe crying babies, answer ringing phones, settle sibling disputes, write a grocery list, all while folding laundry AND cooking dinner, but we do deserve a minute (or 60!) to recharge our batteries! Just give yourself the permission to take it! You and your family will be glad you did!