On the Right Track

I think I am on the right track!  Tried not to stress too much at work last week!  Working on the work/life balance.  Here are some things from my "Plan" that I accomplished:

• Brought my lunch to work three days last week
• Had a really nice sit down dinner with my Hubby (candlelight and all:-D)
• Oh, a big one, turned on music instead of TV and went to sleep without the TV on...yea me!!!

You would think that by the end of the week things would have gotten easier, but I found myself reverting back to "old" habits.  I am not going to let that get me down!  This week is a new beginning and all I can do is try my best.  My motto this week will be "Reduce Stress"...don't take myself so serious.

Until next time...pamper yourself...you deserve it!!!

Variety

Variety is the spice of life.  So many people are in ruts!  That was/is me!  My life revolved around my family before my children left the nest and now it revolves around work (less people doing the same or more work).  Now that I have a plan, which includes variety, I will have a little more spice in my life!!!

Well tomorrow is day one of my plan. I am going to put my all into making this work!

Oh yeah, I have decided that I will update my blog once a week (probably Sunday nights).  This is usually "my time".

Until next time...think of doing something nice for someone!

Optimistic

Feeling very optimistic today...yea me!  Formulating my "Plan" and picked a date (Monday, 1/24/11) to implement the first phase.

The "EmptyNester" Plan Phase I:

• Save money by bringing my lunch to work at least three days a week (didn't want to push it right off the bat...I still have to be realistic...lol)
• Limit the time I watch TV when I get home from work to two hours a night (this is going to be hard because I am a Political junkie)
• Have a sit down dinner with my Hubby at least three nights a week (we can do this now since I will not be watching TV)
• Update and maintain our Budget Planning worksheet (on-going).  This will help focus us on our Retirement Plan...retirement will be here before we know it!!!
• Have a date night-Eat dinner out at least once a month (maybe see a movie if there is something I want to see)
• Research possible "volunteer" programs (I really want to do something for others...this will help keep things in perspective)
• Research possible extracurricular activities that I can do alone and some that both me and my hubby can do (really want to try Vikings Cooking school)
• Exercise at least 30 minutes three days a week (should be easy since I won't be watching TV)

Ok, now that it is in writing, it is real!!!  Saying a little prayer that this truly is a new beginning...for the better!!

Until next time...Always be thankful for your many blessings!

I'm baaack!!!

Wow!  I really thought I would be committed to this blog.  Well, what a busy end of 2010!  I guess the only good thing about being so busy and an empty nester is that I did not have the added responsibilities of rushing home to children.  Maybe that was a double edged sword...if I did have that responsibility, maybe I would have forced myself to have more of a work/life balance.

So far this is what being an empty nester has been all about...having the freedom to work long stressful hours.  I had visions of working on hobbies, going out with friends on a Tuesday, exercising, reading magazines that I subscribe to and did not have time to read in the past, spending quality time with my Hubby, etc. 

Going back to "I NEED A PLAN"!!!!!  If not, I am going to stay on this path that is not good for me mentally or physically.

Until next time...take time to "breath"!

8/9/10-Where is the motivation?

Sitting here thinking...I should be cleaning the house, exercising, writing thank you cards, studying (increasing my knowledge), writing that book I always wanted to write, but I don't seem to have the energy.  How do you make that first step??

Once I get home from work, I just don't feel like doing anything else.  I guess it goes back to having a plan.  If my life is more structured when I get home, I know I will be able to accomplish the things I need and want to do.  I am going to pick a date...and then there is no stopping me.  Motivation starts with "me"...only I can make this happen (of course with my faith in God). 

Until next time...tell someone you love them!

8/3/10-It's All about having a Plan

I attended a seminar today and the guest speaker was a former executive from Disney World "Lee Cockerell" sp?.  He has a great book called "Creating Magic".  One thing I got from his presentation is that you have to have a Plan.  This is the only way to ensure you get things done.  I think that's where I went wrong last year when my daughter went to college.  I didn't have a plan or a schedule of "things to do." This year I am going to plan fun activities...something to look forward to every week. 

Feeling better already...great outlook on the year ahead.

Until next time...live life to its fullest!

8/1/10-New beginnings

I guess the first post on your blog is the hardest.  Trying to figure out just how much information you want to share and with who to share your most private thoughts.  Well, I am leaving my comfort zone and opening myself to experience new and exciting things now that I am an empty nester.

I have to tell you that actually I am going into my second year as an empty nester.  My daughter will be going back to college at the end of August.  The first year is a blur.  I will tell you about my first year experience soon.  I am still trying to sort out what I did and how I felt.  All I can tell you at this point is that the first year alone with my husband went by fast.

Until next time...be happy and productive!