Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Wordless Wednesday - Skating Outdoors

December Fatigue

Is it the stress of the holidays? The stress of shopping? The fatigue of getting sick because December is always a bad month in our house?


It seems whenever I get to this time of year I just feel tired. It is like the stress and load of the entire year is winding down and I feel more run down. It could also be that I see the light at the end of tunnel - time off for the holidays. Every year I try to save up as much vacation time as I can so that I can take two weeks off for Christmas and New Years to spend with my family.

Every year I promise myself that I won't get sucked into the stress and hoopla of the holidays. And every year I seem to let myself down and find that I am swept up in the craziness. At this point I still have cleaning to do in the house, baking and cooking to finish, some small presents to buy, presents to wrap and there is only 2 days left. I have one more day of work and then I am off. My plan for Friday is finish up a few things and put my feet up and enjoy my family for the day. I feel like every year the holidays pass me by and I miss the special moments with family and friends. This year I am going to try to make sure that I enjoy the people in my life.

At night we are going to spend time with close friends. Every year on Christmas Eve they have family and us ( we have known each other so long we are like family) over food and drinks. The kids play and check in with NORAD to see where Santa is and how close he is to our house.

What do you do to decompress and de-stress over the holidays? Do you do anything special with friends and family to appreciate the special times of the holiday season?

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Share A Smile - What Makes Me Smile

I have been thinking about this...What Makes Me Smile? At first I was thinking about all those great trips and moments during my life with family and friends. I wanted to recount some great experience or opportunity but you know what truly makes me smile? You know the kind of smile that warms your heart, even when you are feeling down or in a particularly dark place? Well, truly what makes me smile is often those small sweet moments, those moments in time when your 5 year old daughter is signing to her self when she thinks no one is listening or watching. Or the time when your daughter gives you a hug for no reason and tells you she loves you or tells you are beautiful or says you are the best Mom in the world.  It is those unexpected, but heart warming moments of my life that truly make me smile.

As parents we often get caught up in work, bills, functions and events, car pooling, kids homework...you name it we get involved...and we often forget to slow down and notice those sweet moments of joy that happen every day. We let life get in the way of life!



I also think the best way to smile is to share a smile. Let's face it a simple smile from a stranger can make you feel so much better when you are having a bad day.  So what is more special than being able to share a smile online....and with the Snack Pack Share a Smile Campaign http://www.snackpackcanada.ca/ you can do just that and also help out someone who could really use your help over the holiday season.  Snack Pack Canada is donating $1 to Food Banks Canada for every “smile” shared on their facebook page Snack Pack Smile on facebook. They’re aiming to donate $20,000. Check out the page, “Like It,” and follow the easy instructions and $1 will be donated on your behalf. You can even send “smiles” to your friends and $1 will be donated on their behalves as well. There are even prizes to be won. Check it out and bring a smile to someone in your life.





Disclosure - I am participating in the Snack Pack Program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of Conagra Foods Canada. I received a gift card as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.