Congratulations! We made it through the holidays and into a whole new year-new beginnings, new challenges, and new adventures. It’s time for new goals-or habits if that sounds more appealing. Many of us aim for better nutrition, a higher level of fitness, less clutter, more financial security, and stronger relationships. These are laudable values that are worth prioritizing year after year, and 2017 is no exception. This year, though, let’s spice it up. If you got your Southwest Companion Pass like we …
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Review: Love Your Life, Not Theirs
Who doesn’t want to be one of the cool kids? I certainly did, and I thought if I looked like them and had all the right stuff, maybe someday they would accept me into their clique. I didn’t want just one cool backpack or snap bracelet (don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about)-I wanted All The Backpacks and All The Snap Bracelets. If each cool girl just had one and I had all of them, I’d be …
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To Give Thanks-It’s A Verb, Not Just A Day
Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday. No presents, no costumes, no distractions-just us. A LOT of us. Sometimes the house holds 30 friends and family members celebrating and giving thanks together with a pot-luck (Thanks for hosting, Mom!). It’s chaos, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. So while I’m aware that Thanksgiving was last month, and even Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone, I want to clear out space amid the crumpled wrapping paper and glitter …
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All I Don’t Want For Christmas: My Un-Wish List
When was the last time you wrote to Santa with your Christmas Wish List? Were you 5 years old or 35? I received a few wish lists from the family kids this year (sorry girls, we won’t be buying Shopkins this year but we will have a full day of fun and adventure together) and pondered what I would include in my list if I made one. Then it hit me-instead of wanting more this year, I actually want less.
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Perfectly Imperfect: The Gifts Of Imperfection
Hi. I’m Julie, and I’m a perfectionist. Whether by nature (how many other 6-year-olds take 30 minutes to put their hair up in a perfect ponytail?) or by nurture (how many other parents make their 6-year-old write and rewrite papers until there isn’t a single smudge or mistake?), the description fits me through and through and has been consistent my entire life. I used to think this was a good thing, and now I’m trying to embrace imperfection. How ironic …
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Your Emergency Didn’t Just Happen Today
It hits like a ton of bricks. The bad news you knew was coming. Please no, not today. You wish you could have a do-over-go back to bed, wake up, and try again, like in Groundhog Day. But you can’t… Or can you?
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The What-The-Hell Effect
Just one bite… Most of us began yesterday’s Thanksgiving overindulgence with the best of intentions. I planned to eat the healthy stuff and skip dessert. Well, mostly skip dessert, but I’d hurt Mom’s feelings if I didn’t at least try her homemade pecan pie. And it’s good-really good. Just one small piece… And while I’m at it I’ll have to try my cousin’s pumpkin cheesecake, which is heavenly too. And even better with whipped cream. Plus, it’s my niece’s birthday and …
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DIY: Homemade Household Cleaners
Here it is-the post you’ve all been requesting and eagerly anticipating: How I clean my toilet! Sort of. Last week I wrote about why I clean my own home. It isn’t the right choice for everyone, and hiring someone to help isn’t even an option for everyone. For us, though, it fits with our lifestyle. We try to live simply and make our actions as gentle as possible on both our health and the environment. However, I’m not about to spend twice …