Day 8. Pay the piper when you have do and ...

Day 8. Pay the piper when you have to & talk it out with a friend.

Today I am having one of "those" days. This morning I told Jeannie I was having a lousy week. She reminded me that it was only Monday at 11:00 a.m. Yikes.

Today all my disorganized chickens are coming home to roost. I woke up mentally tired - hiding under the sheets from the biggest cluck. Taxes. When I did get up I fumbled and bumbled through a couple hours. Got a call from my husband wondering which credit card he could use on his trip. Good question and another chicken. Accounting.

Then at 11:00 Jeannie called me with dire news. My foster dog she's been fostering isn't doing well - constantly drinking, urinating and pooping in the house. Sad as I am for her and for Sydney the dog (and I am) I immediately started to feel very sorry for myself, my rugs and hardwood floor.

As I write I am three hours away from rescuing Jeannie, picking up Sydney and bringing her into my already unmanageable home. Did I mention I have 5 dogs, 3 cats and a bird? Thank goodness my main animal, my husband, is out of town for the next couple days ... Over the past year and a half he's become increasing less excited about new members to our pack. Wonder why.

I'm sharing this because one characteristic of the tired-woman-clan is that we take on toooooo much. Before one project ends the next oneS are being slipped under our door. Where others say NO we say "Sure, I guess I can." That's my people pleasing, animal pleasing chicken.

Right after that phone call I called my foster coach who reminded me that "no good deed goes unpunished." We laughed, brainstormed and commiserated. Can't say we came up with any great solutions but I feel better. That's what friends are for. Perspecive.

Pray for me, Sydney and my pack tonight. I'm already cookin' up a chicken and making stomach settling broth. Is that for her or me?

Cheers!

P.S. What's up with your week? Do tell ...

Day 7. Get ready tonight for tomorrow.

This is a standing commandment for Sunday nights.

When I have my luncheon fruit & veggie bags made up ... and I know exactly what I'll be wearing (clothes - outer & under) jewelery, shoes ... and the table is set for breakfast ... and I have an easy dinner just waiting to be reheated I know I am starting my week off right.

I wish tomorrow was going to be the kind of day I am describing.

Tomorrow I'll tell you about how my day really goes.

So for tonight just do what I'm telling you to do instead of what I am doing and you will wake up feeling on top of the world, energized, optimistic and full of life!

Cheers!

Day 6. Go with the flow be it snow or shine.

Day 6. Go with the flow be it snow or shine.

The more we accept what is out of our control the more we can enjoy our lives. In fact, about the only thing we can control is how we feel and react to our flow.

I love this saying and have it at the top of every page of my daily planner "Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom." First Things First

My flow today includes lots of snow, snowdogs and cats,a bird named Peetie, my husband and comfort food. Here are two of my pals chillin out ...

Day 5. Defrost something delicious and share.

Day 5. Defrost something delicious and share. The flip side to this is, of course, doubling up on a yummy recipe and freezing half for use on a rainy (or snowy) (or lazy) day.

Tonight I am taking a night off from cooking and will enjoy every moment! Michael and I will be sipping on red wine and dining on that Boeuf Bourguignon we cooked up a couple weeks ago. I LOVE the Barefoot Contessa and this recipe from her book, Barefoot in Paris: Easy French Food , rocks!

Perhaps that is thanks to that 1/2 cup Cognac that burned so brightly?

Anyway ... another version of the "Defrost something delicious" exercise is the "Swap-something delicious-with-your-girlfriend" version. Any method of getting one or more nights off and out of the kitchen, in a healthy, delicious way, is exhilarating and energizing! Go for it!

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Day 4. Sleep in tomorrow.

4. Sleep In.

If you suffer from adrenal fatigue you need more quality sleep! Sounds obvious but adrenal fatigue has a way of starting our days slowly and drearily then amping up our energy in the evening so that we toss and turn instead of sleeping. Sound familiar?

My simple strategy is to be in bed by 9:00 p.m. with a good book. This in not a thriller that revs you up but something like the autobiography I'm reading about the life of Martha Washington. If you fall asleep and wake up again don't fight it - don't toss & turn, just move. Get up and take your book to another comfy location in the house and read some more until your drift off. (I'd also recommend a small bowl of cereal and milk ... works for me.)

For more insomnia busting tips, click here. If you have tips, please add them here!

Oh and tomorrow, Saturday, sleep in as long as you can and/or at least until 9:00 a.m. Our adrenal glands are doing important recharging after 11:00 p.m. and up until 9:00 a.m. so take advantage of this natural healing opportunity. If need be - get help from your significant others to help you hit this goal.

Cheers!

Viveca

Bye the way --- It is estimated that 80% of American women will suffer from adrenal fatigue at some point in their life. They also recover. I can attest to that.

Day 3 - Mail Thanks & A Smile

Day 3. Friend-mail. Have you ever noticed the feel-good-buzz you get when you open a personal note from a friend (vs. a bill, a notice or other random "junk-mail?") You get the same little buzz when you think about someone, write a note to someone and mail it off ...

Yep. There is nothing quite like friend-mail. Today, take a moment to write a quick note to a friend. Let him or her know you're thinking about them --- appreciating them ---- thinking of that fun or special time you spent with them --- remembering a snowball fight or a slumber party --- seeing their smile in a new friend --- toasting them ---

Who should you write to? Whoever comes to mind first.

Psst. You can send friend-mail, smile-mail AND raise money for dog and cat rescue when you order DogCaption Cards! Check them out here ... I ordered lots of their "No ... I insist ... Thank YOU!" card packs to catch up on my holiday gifts and favors.

Orange ... the energy-boosting color of joy & optimism!

Did you know that looking at the color orange is an instant mood boost? It is. And, our moods effect our body chemistry which in turn RAISES or lowers our energy levels.

Today - Day 2 - wear something orange. I have a fun pair of orange earrings that I love to wear. They cheer me up and everyone who sees me!

You can also place something orange on your desk, within your sight, like a fruity drink with an umbrella from that fabulous get-away, or a bunch of carrots, a figurine ...

There. Wasn't that easy?

28 Creative Ways to Boost Your Energy, Happiness & Self-Satisfaction.

I confess. This idea was inspired by watching the movie Julie & Julia in which Julie cooks at least one recipe a day from the Julia Child's Cookbook. She does this for a year! Me - I'm committing to daily posts for one month - the fabulous month of February!


Day #1: A Shopper's HIGH for less ... CD Shopping at Goodwill.

Yep. Now you know my secret. I feed my adrenals the good stuff shopping for oldies but goody, sometimes goofy, treasures at Goodwill. I love music but never bought much because it so expensive ... then I discovered $3 CDs at Goodwill. FUN FUN FUN! (And I'm raising funds - funds - funds for them.)

So far my growing collection features CDs by Trisha Yearwood, Melissa Etheridge, Amy Grant (listening to her now) Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julio Iglesio, Dixie Chicks, Cecilia Bartoli, Whitney Houston, Annie Lennox, Chris Isaak, Abba Greatest Hits and Norah Jones. Norah's feels like home CD is fabulous.

Then I've picked up some cool totally eclectic pieces like a CD called "Natural Stress Relief" by Solitudes music for your health. I'll let you know if it works! "The Glory of Gershwin" is a jewel that inspired my husband and I to dance in our kitchen while cooking up a Boeuf Bourginon last weekend. Then there's a rhythm country and blues duet CD, a Letting Go "Relaxation in a Busy World" Cd that puts music to stretch poses - cool eh? Another gem is a comedy cd of Jerry Seinfeld's "I'm Telling You For The Last Time." Finally, you-guessed-it, I bought a CD holder for $3.00 to hold all of them and more.

Yes. I'll Go Baaack soon. Right now I'll put in that Abba and listen to "Dancing Queen." That will help liven up my next tedious chore.

Oh, do let me know what you find on your treasure hunt! Take a friend and hang out for hours!

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