Feelin the Burn - and it ain't from workin out....

This has been one of those weeks.....from non stop problems at work, a rental turn over and a mix up in a diagnosis for Steve on his back....it was like every time the phone rang or I would get an email I would brace myself for more bad news....it is times like this that I know I am sooooo close to a burn out and I have learned over the years to stop and slow down and try and be good to myself....easier said than done sometimes, but I have to mix it up or it really starts spiraling and not in a good way. I don't need to make major changes or go off the rails like a shopping splurge 10k on my charge card or going out on the town....I do better with simple and calming tasks.....
I tried a new recipe.....this is one I found in USAToday when I was in Tampa - it was delish....basil shrimp over Orzo rice....it is a keeper!

I met Kristen at our fave Thrift store and scored this zoo menagerie for the boys for $8.00 - I scrubbed it up and created this little scene for when the boys came over Friday night.

After we played outside and played Zoo we cuddled we made popcorn and watched 'Ice Age'....Friday nights are my best medicine of the week....I love having them, playing with them, tucking them in....I love the casual Sat a.m. when they wake up...wrapping them in blankets in the a.m. and that Dylan wants the breakfast as soon as he gets up (bacon and eggs, Please GiGi) and Brody casually eats about an hour later (banana, blueberries and a little bowl of peanut butter). This Saturday after they were picked up I got to spend time with my BFF Annette - we went to Starbucks for coffee and egg white wraps and then breezed thru the isles at Target and the Dollar Store....I love spending time with her.

At the Dollar Store I found these adorable cupcake aprons....Kristen and I are doing a booth at the Children's Toy Swap so I thought I would make us some aprons with pockets. I bought 3 to make 2.

I love the pattern - it makes me happy to look at....

So I squared the 3rd one off .....

Then I cut it in 2 to make the pocket pouches....

I pressed the little seams down and pinned them on the aprons....

Then I measured off the pockets in 3 parts equally....

It was simple stitching on the machine to merge the fabrics and make pockets.

This picture is with the apron folded so you can't see the top but it shows the pockets.

So with a few simple things to lighten me up I feel I can enjoy the rest of today...Church, then to the condo to do some tasks for the renters, then back for Sunday Dinner with fam and Super Bowl....I just might be ready for another Monday!

Hint of OCD or Keenly in Touch with the Universe

Rocky and I are creatures of habit.....in the morning we have the same routine....I get up and get on my walking clothes, he stretches, I brush my teeth and comb my hair, he yawns, I get on my shoes and he scratches on the foot board of the bed....if I take one minute too long he starts to make this strange noise between a yap and a whine. I pick him up and we head downstairs....I get this leash on and grab a Kleenex - out the front door, take the plastic bag off the newspaper for 'collection' and off we go, yes - no need to say it - on the same walk every day. The same bush, the same tree, the same 'favorite collection spots'. Once in awhile we see someone out with their dog, and often see Coyotes and bunny's....but one thing that I have been in tune with is the amount of cars that pass me reflects on how my work day is going to be.....sound crazy - well you novices in the world of OCD or being in touch with the universe can doubt all you want. Some days cars are out early and drive very fast (this is not a good sign) some days cars move slowly and casual (this is a good sign) and once in awhile someone will wave (a very good sign) and sometimes no cars - (vacation is coming soon). There you now have all the facts laid out before you and you must be convinced that the evidence points to me being keenly in touch with the universe. I rest my case.