Take Away 80 - More

I have a great 3-day weekend.  All my weekends are three days now. No matter.  I always wake up Monday morning and wish I had just one more day off. 

TAKE AWAY: It's never enough, whatever it is. 

That's how it is with me.

Take Away 79 - Nailing Down Stress

I had my nails done by a professional about two weeks ago for only the second time in my entire existence. I've been a nail biter from early childhood and the thought of having someone actually look at them and try to do something with them was horrifying. The nail lady did a great job and although the $30 worth of polish and pampering has worn off, I found that I haven't bitten my nails since that visit. I bought a nail file and have been caring for them like never before.  I can only surmise the reason I've been able to keep them growing is that my fingers are busy typing 10-hour days. And, I have zero stress in my life.  Love that.

TAKE AWAY: I can add "zero stress" to the 

list of reasons I love my current station in life. 

Take Away 78 - Cheers

"The best way to cheer yourself is to try to cheer somebody else up." ~ Mark Twain

Take Away 77 - Life's Curveballs

Yesterday was the last working day for a co-worker who was "bumped and rolled" out of her union job of many, many years. It was a difficult day for her and the company of people she served in her capacity.  Life has a way of throwing curve balls that we sometimes don't expect.  I am always amazed by other people's grace and how they handle such times. I felt a genuine heartache for her and long-time work friends. 

TAKE AWAY: Sheryl Crow's "Everyday is a Winding Road" is 

my theme song this week.

Change happens.  

It's how you handle it that matters.

 

Take Away 76 - Sleep Well

I didn't get enough sleep last week and it caught up with me. By Sunday, I was cranky and on the verge of a meltdown. I promised myself I was going to work well, eat well and sleep well this week.  I got to bed on time last night, woke up refreshed this morning. I'm gonna do it again today. 

TAKE AWAY: I'm a much better person 

when I take care of the basics. 

HALT: Don't get too hungry, angry, lonely or tired.

Take Away 75 - Sweet Moments

I was having my nails done the other day and there was a little old lady who had just had her hair coiffed (love that word). A guy who came in to have his hair-dresser daughter cut his hair had just gotten out of his chair.  Here is the dialogue that made my day:

Guy to old lady:  "You look beautiful!"

Old lady:   "Well, thank you."

Guy:  "Are you single?"

Old lady: "No, I'm married.  Wait, he's dead. Yes, I'm single."

Guy: "Are you on Facebook?"

Guy's Daughter:  "Dad!!!!"

Guy to Daughter:  "Hey, I'm a lady's man!"

There wasn't a woman in the place who didn't tilt their head to the side and say "Ahhhhhh".  Next, the guy asked his daughter if he could go get her something for breakfast. She asked him what he would bring her, and he said the magic words every woman I know loves to hear, "Anything you want."

TAKE AWAY:  There are tender moments almost every day.

Sometimes I have to listen carefully for them, other times

I'm in the right place at the right time.

Take Away 74 - Planning Ahead

I made Valentine's Day cards for the grand kids about a month ago. I might actually get them in the mail today so they'll arrive by Tuesday.  They are nothing fancy but I sure had fun making them. I like to go to my favorite bank and get those little gold dollar coins to tape inside the cards. The kids are on to me now and I'm certain it'll be no surprise when they get the cards in the mail. I gotta change up my game.  Any ideas?

TAKE AWAY:  It's never too soon to 

make cards for the next event.

Take Away 73 - Carving Out Time

At someone's suggestion, I am on week 2 of preparing 4 days worth of lunches and stuffing them in the fridge so I can free up time to get on the treadmill in the morning. I'm not sure why I didn't think of this on my own except for the fact that I'll use just about any excuse to not get on it. Much to my surprise, this change in my handling of my lunches has gotten me back on track. I'm happy to report that salads stay fresh when I use a dry leafy lettuce mix. I also pack up  containers of grapes to stick in my lunch box. Easy peazy.

TAKE AWAY: I'm finding that at age 52+ there are 

still really good ideas I haven't heard and tried yet.

Take Away 72 - Future Tripping

I've said it before but it bears repeating ... I am usually not a future tripper.  But, I gotta say that I am really stoked about my weekend trip to Seattle to see a good friend I haven't seen in far too many years. To add to it, the weather in Seattle, according to the forecast, is going to be sunny. I'm charging up my Kindle so I can listen to an audio book on the bus ride and I'm just really look forward to the entire experience. I've never taken a long bus ride, and I've never been over the pass in the winter time. In the meantime, I still have today and my thoughts remain focused on today and what I can bring to it and what I can take away from it. 

TAKE AWAY: I won't keep looking at the clock and wishing my day

away. I don't want to miss a minute of my life by wanting it 

to be tomorrow already.

Take Away 71 - Things You Learn Over Lunch

Still loving my temp job after 5 months. Among my very favorite parts is the 30 minutes of talk-time I get with my beautiful co-workers over lunch. We are mostly made up of seasoned women with a couple of youngsters among us. I have learned new recipes, taste tested more new products than I have in a life-time, heard funny and sad stories, and witnessed awesome workplace friendships formed through years of sitting next to one another day after day.  This experience is priceless. Yesterday I learned one of my co-workers has a condition called Keloids. She encouraged me to Google it, so I did. (And she said I could blog about it.) There are people who have this skin condition that perhaps don't know there is a treatment for it.  I love learning new things.  Thank you, ladies!

TAKE AWAY: Don't miss the opportunity to learn 

or experience something new.