a happy (work)place

One more layer in my very zen office space.....

1. Desktop Japanese Maple

2. BalanceBall Chair

3. A Properly Labeled Filing System

help me, help you, help me

After staying at home with my children for 7+ years and doing all the "magic elf" work. The "magic elves" I speak of, are from Grimm's Fairy Tales, "The Elves and the Shoemaker" about a cobbler who would wake up every morning to wonderful, perfect shoes would have been made. By who? The magic elves. When I was a full time homemaker I felt like an elf (except I didn't work in the nude, unlike the elves in the tale). I was doing all this "stuff" that nobody really registered I was doing; there was food available, toilet paper stockpiled, requests filled, needs anticipated but it all just magically happened somehow. Everyone was happy, then oh no, I went back to work. The standard of living that my family was used to has come to a halt. I just don't have the time to do everything I used to do. My husband is doing some of the basics but it is time for "those people" (the children) to put on aprons. A few months ago, I gave each of "them" a chore list and left the completion schedule up to them. From what they tell me, they are not able to fit chores in with playing, television and harassing each other. But I may have found their kryptonite. The website Chorebusters.net will automatically generate a "fair" chore schedule that lists names, chores by level of difficulty, desirability and completion frequency, then will email the schedule to me daily or weekly. Fair and efficient.

After the kids have it together, the dogs are next. I wonder if I can train them to do their "business" directly into the Doggie Dooley or at least near it. The Doggie Dooley is a septic contraption that the dogs "business" is put in, eliminating bags of "business" and stinky trash cans. The possibilities are endless.

fancy feet

I really don't like going to get pedicures. The few times that I have had a professional pedicure I leave feeling like I could have done the same or better job at home. I am sure that the pedicurist has seen many feet worse than mine but for some reason I believe that my hooves are so noteworthy that they are bound to be the topic of conversations after I leave.

To avoid my paranoia induced panic attacks, I have a little pedicure kit that I use at home. I can spruce my toes up at midnight if I want. I have all the colors that I love on tap and I don't have to share. My friend was kind enough to point out that I really like two different nail polish color schemes, very dark (purples or deep burgundies) or as she puts it "the color of skin". Funny but true. However, I have branched out and now have a lovely gray polish.
1. pedicure kit
2. jellybath foot soak

3. cuticle oil

4. nail polish

Ohm All the Time

As everyone I work with knows, my knee was horribly and traumatically injured. I ever so gracefully, like a swan, fell to the ground in front of almost all my coworkers. I hobbled around, applied ice packs, changed bandages and grossed everyone out with "band aid flashes". Although I was initially embarrassed, it was also a source of office entertainment for nearly a month. The silver lining of the whole ordeal (and necessary for the bandage changes and flashes) was needing to wear wide-legged pants. I was able to wear all my yoga outfits for almost a whole, entire month. Stretchy pants with style! I have to say that, yoga outfits are more dressed up than a normal sweatsuit with all the comfort of pajamas. It was great.


The only real danger with wearing yoga pants all the time is that they don't have a real waist band. I could have gained 20 pounds without ever really knowing it or at least I would be able to maintain a perpetual state of denial until I attempted to put on a pair of jeans. (All is well, my jeans went right on. I only have to deal with my normal level of despair. I predict at least a week of vegetarianism in my near future.) I may have to add yoga outfits to my normal outfit circulation or at least for jazzy weekend wear.


1. cotton soy jacket 2. twisted tee 3. puma ballet flats 4. yoga pants

ain't no mountain high enough, well.......

I have yet to meet my friends at the base of their dumb, old mountain for their Saturday morning hike. My latest (yet valid) excuse of a hurt knee is heeling and unless something else happens I will have to meet them bright and early. (But, why so bright and early?)

Since summer has finally arrived I will need to bring water along with me and, I think, a pair of walking poles. They are supposed to reduce stress on major joints, making me faster and less fatigued. As an added bonus, I will be able to lightly whack a smart mouthed companion, if necessary.

The "waist pack" (this isn't a fanny pack because it is far more attractive) can hold my keys, pepper spray (for wild animals, as well as, my smart mouthed companions) and cell phone (so I can easily call for helicopter pick up). I think if I wear it to the side, in a carefree and whimsical fashion I won't look so tacky.

early to bed, early to rise - makes me grumpy

It is summer and the kids (a.k.a. those people) are on vacation. Since I don't have to wake up to take them to school by 7:45 a.m. (a torturous time) it is getting harder and harder to wake up for work. Normally I am able to wake up without the assistance of an alarm but, times are a'changing (and I am usually asleep).

1.Digital Zen Alarm & Meditation Clock / Wake to the gentle Tibetan bell-like chimes of the digital zen alarm clock and start your day more renewed and refreshed. Use the countdown as a meditation clock or timer for yoga practice.

2.Clocky Alarm Clock / Clocky is the alarm clock that can jump down from up to 3 feet and run away and hide if you don't get out of bed on time. After one snooze cycle, Clocky will roll and move around the room with randomly patterned alarm beeps. (This "feature" can be disabled.)

3.Early Bird Alarm Clock / Early Bird Alarm Clock will awaken you gently and sweetly with woodsy chirping and a little bird icon that pulses and glows.