
Oh man after
a stressful tax season the family and I went for a quick getaway. I loved sitting on this balcony being able to stare at the trees, just ignore the payment. I just look right on past it to the trees. We had some good times going on some walks, although there are some mountains in Branson. Oh my, it is like walking straight up, I think at one point I was down to my tank top. My husband said some people were looking at me funny since we were by a road. "I don't care!" I really didn't want to go on at times. I wanted to just lay down were I was at at times, but I didn't give up. The old me would not have made it at all on some of the walks we went on. The old me probably would have past out somewhere. NOW, I'm like sure lets walk here and let's walk there, until it came to the going back up the steep hill, then it was "who's idea was this?"

Anyway, so we stayed in this one bedroom apartment for FREE! Yes I said FREE! I think it is bigger than my oldest son's 2 bedroom apartment. It had a full kitchen and a huge soaker tub in the bedroom. Starbucks, mini golf, swimming pools, and more. Can't wait to go back when the big water park opens.
Oh, we also went to BBQ and an aquarium. Everyone like to take me to the aquarium, because I go in the kid section and then they take my picture as I'm looking in the tank. Or my son said you can see the water fountain better over here. I follow him over there to find out that was were the water was coming down at, but hey you could see it better. Quality time with the family is the BEST time!

Do you ever feel like you're drifting through life without a clear direction? You are just wondering around? Oh you are definitely not alone, I was that same way. Think about it though if you don't plan your life someone else will. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hustle and lose sight of what you truly want to achieve. That’s where the power of goal setting comes in. By setting clear goals, you can transform your life, giving it direction and purpose.
Why Goals Matter
Setting goals is like creating a roadmap for your life. They provide a sense of direction and help you focus on what’s important. Without goals, you may find yourself working hard but not making significant progress. Goals give you a target to aim for, making it easier to track your progress and stay motivated.
The Benefits of Goal Setting
1. Clarity and Focus: Clear goals help you prioritize your time and energy. When you know what you’re working towards, it’s easier to focus on the tasks that will get you there.
2. Motivation: Having specific goals can keep you motivated, especially when the going gets tough. Each small achievement brings you closer to your bigger goals. Celebrate each step no matter how small.
3. Accountability: Goals hold you accountable. When you set a goal, you’re making a commitment to yourself to follow through.
How to Set Effective Goals
1. Be Specific: Vague goals are hard to achieve. Instead of saying “I want to be healthier,” set a specific goal like “I will exercise for 30 minutes five times a week.”
2. Make Them Measurable: Ensure your goals can be tracked. This could mean setting a timeline or having a set target.
3. Achievable and Realistic: Set goals that are challenging but attainable. Unrealistic goals can lead to frustration and burnout.
4. Time-Bound: Give yourself a deadline. This creates a sense of urgency and helps you stay focused.
When I took Wood Badge training when I was a Scouter we called these S.M.A.R.T. goals
Putting Goals into Action
Once you’ve set your goals, break them down into smaller, actionable steps. Create a plan and schedule time to work on these steps regularly. Celebrate your progress along the way to stay motivated.
Goal setting is a powerful tool that can transform your life by providing direction, motivation, and a sense of accomplishment. Start by setting clear, achievable goals, and watch as your life begins to change for the better. Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. So, set your goals and take that first step today!

Are you juggling a million things at once and feeling like there just aren't enough hours in the day? Time blocking could be the game-changer you need to take control of your schedule and boost your productivity. Let’s dive into how this simple yet effective technique can help you make the most of your time.
What is Time Blocking?
Time blocking is a method of organizing your day by dividing it into specific chunks of time, each dedicated to a particular task or activity. Instead of jumping from one task to another, you focus on one thing at a time, reducing distractions and improving efficiency.
Why Time Blocking Works
1. Clarity and Focus: By assigning a specific time slot to each task, you know exactly what you need to do and when to do it. This reduces decision fatigue and keeps you focused.
2. Reduced Overwhelm: Breaking your day into manageable chunks makes even the busiest schedule feel less overwhelming.
Increased Productivity: Focusing on one task at a time helps you work more efficiently and get more done.
How to Time Block Your Day
1. List Your Tasks: Start by writing down everything you need to accomplish. This includes work tasks, personal errands, and self-care activities.
2. Prioritize: Decide which tasks are most important and need to be done first.
3. Create Blocks: Divide your day into blocks of time, assigning each block to a specific task or group of tasks. Be realistic about how long each task will take.
4. Schedule Breaks: Don’t forget to include short breaks to rest and recharge. A 5-minute break every hour can do wonders for your focus.
Stick to Your Plan: Follow your schedule as closely as possible, but be flexible if something unexpected comes up.
Tips for Successful Time Blocking
Start with a Weekly Plan: Plan your week ahead of time, but adjust daily as needed.
Use a Planner or App: Tools like Google Calendar or a dedicated planner can help you visualize your time blocks.
Review and Adjust: At the end of each day, review your progress and make adjustments for the next day.
Time blocking can transform your day from chaotic to organized, helping you achieve more with less stress. This wasn't a technique I was familiar with, and I don't always do the things quite like here, although I try. I at least say ok for this 30 minutes whatever I'm doing x, y or z, but just one of those.
Give it a try and watch your productivity soar!
Here is a great planner I've used. https://amzn.to/3QQ2zFc

Stress is something we all experience, and it's normal. It is perfectly normal. When we feel stressed, our body releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which help us get ready to deal with whatever is stressing us out. This is called the "fight or flight" response. I remember when I took psychology class in college that talked about “fight or flight” and talked about what if a tiger came into the room right now, what would you do? At that time, I thought well if that happened I would surely not make it.
But too much stress, especially over a long time, can be bad for us. It can make our heart beat faster, raise our blood pressure, and weaken our immune system. Stress can also affect our mood and make us feel anxious or sad.For me it also gives me quite a headache.
To manage stress, we can use techniques like mindfulness meditation or deep breathing exercises. These help calm our body's stress response and make us feel more relaxed. Sometimes when I’m having my coffee in the morning I do some deep breathing. Or when I was in labor with both my boys I did deep breathing instead of an epidural.
It's also important to address the things that are causing us stress in the first place. This might mean setting boundaries with people or making time for self-care activities we enjoy. And if stress is really getting to us, it's okay to ask for help from friends, family, or a therapist.
By understanding stress and learning how to cope with it, we can take better care of ourselves and feel more in control of our lives. Let's work together to manage stress and live happier, healthier lives.
What is a way you deal with stress? Put it in the comments so we can all help each other.
Here is a self care guide I use.
In a world where stress and chaos seem to be the norm, finding moments to laugh can be the best medicine to keep us grounded and happy. This charming collection of jokes, funny quotes, and witty anecdotes serves as a gentle reminder of the power of humor. From pondering why a tomato blushes to contemplating the risks of skydiving for the not-so-successful, these snippets are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
Humor can be found in the simplest things in life, such as the misunderstood intentions of a clumsy person or the factual creativity of scientists. The selection shares a variety of jokes ranging from the classic "Why did the scarecrow win an award?" because he was "outstanding in his field," to playful banter about the downsides of drawing eyebrows too high. Each piece is a testament to the endless creativity humans can harness to bring joy and laughter into our lives.
Remember, spreading laughter is one of the easiest ways to light up the world around you. These carefully picked jokes not only encourage you to find humor in everyday situations but also remind us that sharing a good laugh with friends and family is invaluable. So, take a moment to let these jokes tickle your funny bone, and don't hesitate to pass the joy along.
Read more...