Tuesday Coffee Chat

On November 8, my last Tuesday Coffee Chat post, I talked about some of my plans for doing something for myself. That was the challenge.

I rambled a lot in my post because I had been feeling very blah/lost/apathetic/etc. I just hadn't felt myself for quite some time.

My goal was to read a chapter a day out of A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George and allow God to be infused more into my daily activities. So, how did I do?

I did not read a chapter a day. But, I did start reading it and have been reading it slowly and absorbing it into my life. It's a good book with lots of insight. Throughout my reading I realized some other things I need ...

* I need to lighten up about relationships and just allow them to be what they are, to allow people to have the flaws that they have and worry more about my own flaws than theirs.

* I need to start my day with God so have been enjoying a daily devotional sent right to my phone via Joyce Meyer's app. It starts my day off right.

* I need to get back out on the pavement and run. Running helps me clear my head and makes my body feel so much better.

* I need to keep things simple. So my Christmas decorating this year consisted of buying a small $20 artificial tree to decorate and only putting out stockings and few other things. I love the glow of the Christmas lights and a little greenery, but I don't like clutter so this fits my need for order. I actually wasn't angry the entire time I was decorating this year. That's new for me so this simple thing must be a key to my peace.

* I am reading for pleasure every day and taking some time to binge watch some television series (really from Netflix and Amazon) in my quiet time.

* I am doing most of this by getting up earlier in the morning and starting my day before the rest of the family. It really does make a difference for me even though I would love to sleep in a little later.

* I have started taking a supplement called Vitex (chasteberry) in hopes that it will help regulate my hormones. I think that my hormone imbalances may be a big part in the feelings I have been experiencing these past several months. I am trying everything I can to keep from taking synthetic hormones, so am hopeful this will help some.

The holidays can be a very exhausting time for an introvert. Taking care of myself may seem selfish to others but it really is a necessity. Doing the things I have mentioned in this post really make me feel more refreshed and ready to tackle the busyness of this season. I am looking forward to spending time with my family enjoying the holidays.

ABCya

Eli's reading resource teacher shared a website with me yesterday that I would like to pass along. It's called ABCya . There are separate educational sections with fantastic games for ages kindergarten through 5th grade. I browsed the 2nd grade level, and it includes age-appropriate games about Letters, Numbers, Shapes, Geometry, Patterns, Mouse Manipulation, Art and Holiday games. There are lots and lots of fun and creative games for children to play. They are fun, but oh, so educational. Eli's favorite, in his short time playing it, was Create a Car . A lot of the games also have Apps available for purchase (99 cents for most of them) for the iPad and iPhone. I have been looking for another free website for games similar to Starfall , for some time. I think I have found it. I can feel confident having Eli and Brynne play these games.

A Thomas Jefferson Education "This Week in History" ~ Schoolhouse Review

Talk about a GOLD MINE! A Thomas Jefferson Education's This Week in History by Rachel DeMille is her "labor of love" ... and I absolutely LOVE it! " This Week in History is a daily resource that brings your home school or classroom to life." For just $9.99 per month, you can log onto TJEd.com and click the "This Week in History" link to obtain many, many, many resources tied to specific events that occurred in the upcoming week in history. Or even better, you can receive the summaries and links to ALL resources right in your email Inbox each week! It doesn't get any easier than that! What does this really look like in real life? Each week, I receive an email from Rachel DeMille that sets out each date of the coming week. Under the date, there are listed anywhere from one to several events that occurred in history on that date. THEN there are ALL kinds of things to do related to that event, such as books to read, websites to visit, ac

Cells ~ It's What's for Dinner

Dawson made edible cells on Friday. He made an animal cell pizza ... and a plant cell chocolate chip cookie ... He reviewed what he's learned about cells the past two weeks, and I had dinner made by someone else. Win, win!! I am linking up at Science Sunday at Adventures in Mommydom.

UnknownNovember 29, 2016 at 9:24 AM
Hi! I just wanted to pop in to the blog world. I have been MIA since May (I think), and I don't plan to begin blogging again at this point. (I started a Facebook page for Our Side of the Mountain instead.) I hope you are well!
messymimiNovember 29, 2016 at 4:46 PM
It's smart to take care of yourself. You can't give out of a dry well.
LJS November 30, 2016 at 5:38 AM
I understand this. I too, have not felt myself lately. I am taking steps to bring myself back into balance but you have to be so intentional, otherwise I find that my needs slip to the end of the family order. We are enjoying a slow week and as we head into December I am incorporating some of the same things you are. I wish you well! ~Jessica
LA BotcharNovember 30, 2016 at 1:06 PM
I relate to soooo much of this!! I do the same thing regarding a morning devotional, or at least some kind of inspiration/spiritual reading so that when I turn the alarm off on my phone at waking, it is Right There waiting. It certainly does set your mind frame to the right setting first thing in the morning. And I don't know if it is my age of mid 40s, but I too found that I was having more days of not quite feeling myself. In fact some days seemed just full of anger -- and for what??? And that's why I started my own journey of including in my days, along with the care of home and children and volunteer, etc etc. the things that made my heart happy and soul filled. Exercise was a BIG part, because I was tired of feeling tired, ya know? But bringing Art - in many forms - into my daily life was the biggest. I just finally accepted that is a huge part of Who I am, and though pretty much no one in my actual life "gets it' -- it doesn't matter because it's for me.

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