Shortcuts to Inner Peace

I found these rituals in a magazine and I thought they were good. Turn daily routines into stress-busting rituals with these shortcuts.

1) Taking a Shower: The shower is an ideal place to wash away concerns because you're in the water having a physical cleansing experience. In your head or out loud, list some of your worries, then imagine dropping them down the drain. It's called "catch and release". Catch the concern by bringing it to your consciousness, focus on it for a moment, then let it go. There's a huge advantage in identifying what's bothering you and then consciously releasing it. This is an easy exercise that allows you to start your day with a fresh perspective.

2) Writing a To-Do List: You've got a pen and paper in front of you when you're making a list; why not also write a little note to someone in your life while you're at it? Thank someone or tell a friend that you're thinking about her. When you focus on positive emotion and generate love, you feel peaceful and happy. Write a note, drop it on someone's desk, on a pillow, or in a lunch box. It can say 'I'm thinking of you, 'I love you,' or Thank you for helping me.' It doesn't have to say much to be effective.

3. 3) Lying in Bed: As you lie in bed, mentally review three things that happened that day that you're grateful for. Recreate them in your mind and really absorb how they make you feel. The sensation of gratitude will spread over your entire body, relaxing you. Some people recommend writing down things you're grateful for at night. But at the end of the day, that can feel like too much work. This is something you can do anywhere. Gratitude opens your heart and creates an energy of goodwill and happiness that will ease you into slumber a lot better than focusing on all the things you have o do the next day.

An angel in Primary

On Sunday in Primary the children were learning the Christmas song "Angels We Have Heard On High". Try as I could, this little angel would not stand still for a good shot. She was enthralled with her wings. It was very sweet.

The Boat Shed & the new Manette Bridge

On Friday Fred and I went to a late lunch at the Boat Shed in Bremerton. We wanted a good view of the new Manette bridge. A vast improvement over the 80 year bridge that has served our city. By the time we finished the clouds rolled in and rained and rained. This was the beautiful sunlight when we started our lunch.

Fall Cleaning

We had to buy a new electric blanket this year. Installing made it obvious that I needed to vacuum out from behind the headboard.

Clinching cheeks here.

Thanksgiving decorations

This is my exerted effort to decorate this Thanksgiving Season. I have my Thanksgiving CLOTH tablecloth on the table, my pilgrims on the front door and what I call a napkin holder that Scott made for me in cub scouts with Kris Fry. Whew - I'm tired.

A nostalgic journey

The couple in the middle are the reason for our road trip to Spokane the last weekend in October. Annalisa & Ben were sealed in the Spokane Temple.

What makes it nostalgic is this is the Temple that our daughter Shannon and her husband Brian were sealed in on December 30, 2004
Unfortunately both Fred and I forgot our camera so we had to buy a disposable one at Wal Mart. It was hard to know if we were ever getting ourselves in the pictures. Kind of frustrating after perfecting our self portrait posing.

Lots of family photos were taken at this spot.

This is the bridge at Manito Park where Shannon & Brian had many wedding photos taken.

This is also the grounds where more photos were taken.

Despite the rain, I tried to recreate one of Shannon's poses here.

This photo is dedicated to Scott. Beginning the spring of his Freshman year, we traveled to Central Washington University for Scott to perform at State Solo & Ensemble. He qualified every year to compete. All four years on the tuba and the other three on the tenor saxophone. His senior year he placed 2nd on the sax. This is the music building.

That is the end of our Eastern Washington road trip.

the coolest thing

Strange you may be thinking.. but this was THE COOLEST thing ever. Yesterday I went to Seaport Salon & Spa to take advantage of my rewards $50 certificate for a spa treatment.....and added a paraffin dip to my manicure plus hot stone massage....they pull out this contraption and I was duly impressed. I always wonder how dirty the wax dips must be that they use at the "other" places I frequent....well this is a one time use paraffin dip machine. They have these hand shaped baggies with the wax in them that they put in this chamber, add some kind of heating pouch and then close it up. Soon it steaming like this picture. Remove the hand baggies and slip your hand in. .... TaDa instand melted paraffin CLEAN!!! never been touched by another human hand.

Let me add some particulars if you are interested... Spa manicure $32, hot stone massage additional $15 (not worth it), paraffin dip addidtion $15. Seaport Salon treats me like royalty...it's great. It helps that I go there monthly if not more to buy or get services. If you ever go, tell them I sent you!!!