Strategies For Not Letting Your New Business Impact Your Home Life

Launching your own company is a big deal. You should be proud of your accomplishment and happy you get to work for yourself. The obstacle is not letting it consume your life and take time away from other people and activities you love. You need to create balance even though the business will try to suck you in.

You have to have a lot of self-control and put measures in place that help you not let your new business affect your home life. It’s not enough to simply wish and hope that you’ll be able to do it. Make it a priority and follow through on what you say you’re going to do.

Hire Help

Let other people in and allow them to help you. Don’t try to do it all yourself. This includes hiring employees and knowing who to call in a crisis. For example, if you lose your data don’t try to spend all night fixing it yourself. You should hire Secure Data Recovery Services to step in and retrieve your data for you. You have to know when the issue is one you can work through yourself and when you need to ask the experts for help.

Stick to A Schedule You’ll be able to manage your time better when you’re on a tight schedule. Prioritize your tasks and come up with a routine that allows you to accomplish what’s necessary each day. This will prevent you from sleeping in or staying at the office late. Be sure to include activities like working out, taking a lunch break and spending time with your kids and spouse. Without a schedule, you’ll feel lost and become disorganized.

Set Aside Time on the Weekends for Family

Use your weekends wisely when you own a business. You have the power to shut it down on these days and focus on what matters most to you, which is your family. Go for bike rides, play games and watch movies to grow your bond together. Plan your weekly tasks well in advance, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute to catch up on work projects over the weekend. If you do have to work, then block out a few hours early in the morning or late at night when your kids are sleeping.

Unplug in the Evenings

It’s important that once you walk in the front door of your home, you’re removed from your business. While you may need to respond to a client emergency here and there, don’t make it a habit. Unplug from your computer and phone and focus on the people you love. Make it easier on yourself by cooking dinner, engaging in conversation and eating together as a family. You also should unplug for you, and so you feel refreshed the next day.

Conclusion

While your new business is important, it’s even more important you don’t let the other parts of your life slip away from you. Work-life balance is extremely important in your case. Be glad there are ways for you to have a successful business and home life.

Disclaimer: This is a guest post.

Pour Painting Demo

I love learning new techniques. I watched several online Pour Painting demos with Isaak. We were hooked. We watched 10 to 15 videos that day.

Things to Use for a Pour Painting:

• A Trash Bag or Tarp
• A Stretched Canvas
• 4 or 5 Different Acrylic Paint Colors
• The Same Number of Disposable Cups as Paint Colors That You Have
• Any Kind of Liquid Dish Soap
• Liquid Silicone {Optional}
• Crackle {Optional}
• Elmer's Glue
• Popsicle Sticks for Stirring
• A Foam Roller or Paint Brush
• A Blow Dryer {Optional}

Set Up:

You'll want to prime a canvas with acrylic paint, house paint, or Gesso. You can use a stretched canvas, or a hard back canvas. Isaak painted his black. We repurposed an old canvas I had laying around. He painted it on a trash bag, so paint didn't get on the floor. A blow dryer was used, so we could move right along to the fun part.

Disposable Cups:

Isaak picked 6 colors. You can pick more or less than that. Make sure you use white for sure. Each color went into a cup with some water, a squirt of liquid dish soap, a squirt of Elmer's Glue, and crackle paint. Isaak mixed them up with a popsicle stick.

Keep all this stuff out during the process in case you have to make more.

All the colors:

We put the base of a disposable water bottle down to pour on top of. It really didn't have any effect on what was done. It just gave us a focal point to know where to pour.

Start the Pouring:

Pour more and more of the colors down.

After about the fourth color it starts to look pretty cool.

You could stop there, or continue to pour more and more paint.

Because I added the crackle in there, it dried with cracks. If silicone was added it would dry with bubbles.

End Result:

Have you ever tried or even heard of a pour painting before?

WW: Cyst or is it a Tumor? {Linky}

On Sunday we went out to a fancy place for Omaha's Art and Entertainment Awards. Travis was nominated for one of the best group shows in Omaha. He didn't win, but a super nice couple won that were sitting right next to us. They had a group show that was all based around sensory. The wife was blind, and the husband had only one working leg.

Proof that I'm pretty.

Fast forward to yesterday. I had an appointment to see a Plastic Surgeon. I've had a cyst (so I thought) on my forehead for a year or so. I've tried Apple Cider Vinegar, Tea Tree Oil, and something called Bread Poultice on my forehead to get it to go away naturally. 

I tried to go to a Dermatologist. They sent me away saying if they cut me part of my face could go paralyzed. 

Mr. Plastic Surgeon said, "Easy Peasy let's take it out." 

No wonder nothing natural would work! It was behind a muscle, and he thinks it was a tumor not a cyst. It was about the size of a pea. The tumor is off to be turned in. He doesn't think it's cancerous.

This is what I look like today:

The swelling should go down. That's from him digging around behind the muscle and the pain med. I think it looks worse than it will look like after it's healed up. 

For some dang reason I'm all emotional. Why would that happen. I've felt like crying at the drop of a hat. 

I taught today. I'm so thankful for my 1st year class. One guy said, "You actually look pretty good. Like it's better than I thought it would be." I had others ask me if I was ok, which was nice. 

Then there's my 3rd year class. I've never thought they were kind. More like a lazy class. Top that off with the fact that when they walk into the first year classroom they say, "Why is their work so much better than ours?" My answer is always, "Your work could be better. You just need to apply yourselves." They leave the classroom often, fall asleep when they shouldn't, don't get their work done, and the list goes on...

Well a third year student walks in, looks at me, giggles, and talks to a friend. Then giggles some more. I said, "What's so funny? My forehead?" They giggled and said, "Yes." It took a lot not to call them choice words. Remember I'm their teacher. Looking back I should of said, "Have a little empathy!"

I wanted to cry over the good students, and cry over the bad ones. I don't know why I'm so emotional. Could a doctor cutting into your head really set off emotions? It's so weird. 

How to be a Mindful Mommy

Becoming a parent is, of course, a huge blessing and a wonderful experience: nothing quite compares to being a mommy. It’s also true though, that since the birth of your little love, you’ve likely struggled to find much time for yourself; the morning flies by before you’ve had a chance to brush your hair and change out of your pajamas. January quickly becomes June, and other than marking the milestones in your baby’s development, life becomes a bit of a blur!

If you can relate to this feeling, then perhaps introducing some elements of mindfulness in your daily life will help you reconnect.

Make Mindful Movements

The next time you’re walking around the block, with your little one in a stroller, take a moment to really observe the space around you. Look at your neighbors’ front doors: how many different colors can you count? Getting into the practice of being alert and connected to your surroundings, rather than inside your mind with an internal monologue planning what else needs to be done in the day, will allow you to take greater ownership of your time.

Even if you’re housebound most of the day, you can make your movements more mindful when doing anything from brushing your teeth to chopping vegetables.

Use the Time You Get to Nurture Yourself

Regardless of whether your child takes long or short naps, you can steal back little portions of time and spend them on yourself. For sure, get the dishes washed and toys packed away so you’ve got space to breathe, and then sit yourself down for a short meditation practice. You can feel the benefits from even 5 minutes spent breathing mindfully; reducing stress and anxiety, especially if you’re having a stressful day.

You don’t even need to put your child down to sleep to meditate, by purchasing a baby mobile or sound machine, the little one can be simply taking their own timeout while you do the same. If you’re worried about leaving them awake and unattended, take a comfortable seat on the floor of their nursery — you never know, you might find the sound machine calming for you too! If you’re in the market for baby bedtime entertainment, an online parent guide will lead you in the right direction.

Mommy Baby Yoga

A craze that’s blowing up right now, and for good reason, is the practice of mommy-baby yoga. Whether you look for a yoga studio near you, or just find a class or tutorial online, yoga can further strengthen the wonderful bond you’ve got with your child through stroking and soothing techniques. It also won’t hurt if you want to get your pre-baby body back!

If you’ve only recently given birth, consult an expert opinion before you start any rigorous exercise though.

Mindful moms raise mindful children

As a parent, you’ll know the importance of leading by example. If you can adopt mindfulness in your everyday life — through mindful movements, short meditations or yoga — the benefits will transfer to your child too.

Disclaimer: This is a guest post.

How To Keep You & Your Family Healthy & Happy

One of your major concerns as a mother is how to keep everyone healthy and happy. It’s not an easy task when life gets busy, and everyone’s going their separate ways. That’s why it’s a good idea to have practices in place that help you achieve your family wellness goals.

Create a household that’s focused on the well-being of each family member and get everyone committed to living a healthy lifestyle. Talk about it and explain why this is a priority for you. As the parent, it’s your job to help educate your kids and get them to understand why it matters that they care about their health.

Take the Initiative to Research Health Topics

One place to start is to learn about different health ailments and proactive solutions for improving your wellness like taking vitamins. Use a site such as echiropractor.org to understand better what actions you can take today for a better tomorrow. Study and absorb this important information, so you know what to do in various situations and what’s going to allow you and your kids to feel better fast.

Embrace Physical Activity

Be that family who loves to exercise and move. Limit the kid’s video game playing and television watching time, so they’re not always sitting in front of a screen. Go for walks as a group and get the children involved in physical activities and sports teams. Set a good example by working out daily and showing your passion for staying fit. Exercise has many benefits, and your family will be that much healthier and in a better mood when working out is a priority.

Cook at Home & Eat as A Family

Get in the habit of cooking meals at home instead of eating out. While restaurant food is convenient, it’s typically distributed in larger portions than you need and is packed full of fats and unwanted calories. See if your kids want to learn how to cook and have them help you in the kitchen. Then when it’s all done, eat dinner as a family and talk about your days. This is the precious time that you won’t get back with your loved ones, so make the most of it and ask everyone to be at dinner each night.

Practice Open Communication

Being closed off and secretive will cause conflict in your home. Encourage open communication and let your kids know they can come to you with anything that’s on their minds. Everyone will be happier when there isn’t information to hide or talking behind backs. Bottling up emotions will set the stage for a big blowout later on. Avoid this scene by encouraging everyone to speak what’s on their minds and share their feelings.

Conclusion

Guide and teach your family how they can improve their wellbeing, and you’ll have a much happier home life. Set the tone by taking action and educating your family members on what healthy behaviors look like. You’ll thank yourself down the road when they grow up to be stand up adults.

Discloser: This is a guest post.

Borosilicate Glass Water Bottle Review

I ❤️ this glass and silicone water bottle made by Borosilicate.

What I Love:

It has a no slip bottom. That's not to say that it will never tip over, but it's less likely to. I have only glass bottles that tip over too easily.

It has a silicone handle, so if the bottle is hot with tea you can hang onto it without burning your hand.

It has a loose tea basket! That's the most amazing thing ever!

Isaak has a sore throat. I hope he doesn't have what I had last week: Strep Throat! I steeped loose leaf tea with fresh ginger. Travis happens to be breaking up dried hot peppers from our garden last summer, so I told him to sprinkle pepper into his drink. I swear it kills the germs inside a sore throat!

What I Dislike:

The fact that it can't be microwaved is annoying. I know I'll want to use this at work. I thought for sure, since it's glass that it would be able to be microwaved. Nope!

I used a 2 cup measuring cup to pour over the tea. You could use a ceramic mug too.

It is glass and a BPA free silicone. The silicone is probably what prevents it from going in the microwave.

Where to Get Borosilicate Glass Water Bottle:

You can get it on Amazon Prime http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079FPG9QL for $25.99.

Colors:

All of these colors are $25.99 - Lime Green | Pink | Grey

This is $24.99 - Light Blue

What do you prefer to drink out of: Glass, Plastic, Metal, or Ceramic?

Disclaimer: I got this product to review for a discounted price. The company did not tell me what to write. I only review things that my family finds useful, or fun.

Aroma Essential Oil Diffuser Review

I really love my new Aroma Essential Oil Diffuser. I swear I could have them in every room of the house, in my office, and in the classrooms. They just make everything smell better, and I heart that they put moisture in the air.

Where to Get This Aroma Essential Oil Diffuser:

You can pick one up on Amzaon for for $27.48 on Prime https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N8ZUJ9O

They have the dark wood base that I got for review, a light wood base, and a white one.

What it Comes With:

• A Manual
• A Standard Cord
• The Diffuser
• A Pour Cup

It Glows Green!

I was expecting it to be kind of a blue when the light is turned on, but it's more of a mint green. I'm not sure if this varies. The photo on Amazon looked blue.

Other Features:

• It uses a LED light, to ensure that it lasts a long time. 
• It's quite! I can't even hear it when the heater is going.
• It has automatic shut off when the water level is low. 
• It has a strong, and weak mist option. I chose the strong. 
• It holds 250 ml of water.

Can Be Used to Help:

• Dry air
• Allergies
• Asthma
• A cold or sickness
• Congestion 
• Just to make your space smell good

Do you have a diffuser, or a humidifier? 

Disclaimer: I got this product for review. This company in no way influenced me on what to write. I only write about things I think my family, or you my readers would find helpful, interesting, or fun.

Getting rid of the Procrastination Habit

You probably don’t realize you’re doing it, but your day will be full of little bits of time that you waste on something unimportant rather than getting on with what you need to complete. It’s easy to get distracted when faced with an unpleasant chore or find reasons why you should leave a particular task until you have more time/the weather is better/your head doesn’t ache/you don’t need to collect the kids from school etc. How can you beat procrastination?

Everyone does it

No matter how organized you are, or how efficiently you run your life, there will be moments when you know you need to start work on a business proposal or get the laundry out of the drier. Instead, you discover a fascinating article in the local paper or remember that your Jack Reacher collection needs putting into alphabetical order. When you eventually decide it’s time to get on with the original task, you find several hours have passed, and you now need to take the dog for a walk or race off to a dental appointment. Three days later you still haven’t written your proposal, and the clothes are stale and wrinkled. Cue panic stations and stress because your deadline is looming, plus you’ve created extra work for yourself by having to re-do the laundry.

Positive and Negative Loops

I share with my students how you can get on a positive loop and a negative loop. I think it's important to get back on the positive loop.

My first year students are in the positive loop, while my third year students are stuck in the negative loop. I wish I could figure out how to motivate them. I've tried bringing in food, a calming steamer with peppermint oil and lavender oil. I've also played the audio book: The Book of Joy By: Desmond Tutu and Dalai Lama. Nothing seems to help on what I do. In the end of the day I have to realize that they are in control of what they do.

Positive Loop:

Negative Loop:

Two Types of Thinking

Divergent Thinking:  Where the process determines the results in the end. This process uses mostly the right side of the brain.

Convergent Thinking: Where the end determines the means. You know what you are seeking before you begin. This process uses STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

Now STEM is becoming STEAM. Art is added. I think both ways of thinking are important. What way of thinking do you use the most?

Managing Your Tasks

The truth is that a few minutes spent working towards finishing a task here and there will reduce the enormity of it, and if you chip away at big things, they will get done far more quickly, instead of waiting for the ideal time to do it all at once. Breaking down a large task into smaller sections can make it easier to get going because instead of thinking about the overwhelming job of having to get the spare bedroom cleared and decorated, for example, you know today you just need to empty the drawers in the spare room dresser.

The right rewards Some productivity gurus will claim that the use of rewards is not necessary, and you should find ways to motivate yourself and be disciplined enough to get things done without the promise of a reward at the end. That may be ideal, but in the meantime, it does no harm to give yourself a little treat for completing a task. Treats and rewards shouldn’t mean illicit pleasures, so don’t promise yourself a Hershey bar every time you complete a task, or you’ll soon end up with a weight problem to tackle as well! A ten-minute break sitting in the sunshine with a good cup of coffee, or fifteen minutes laughing at funny photos on a website like lolhit.com, are much better ways to reward yourself.

There are plenty of resources to be found, both on the Internet and at the bookstore, that will offer guidance on how to stop procrastinating, so have a browse around and try different tricks and tips until you find something that achieves results for you. You’ll be amazed when you realize how much time you can save by dropping the habit of procrastination.

Random Tid Bits

1. My car is in the shop from the crash that happened. Thank goodness it wasn't too bad. It was around $1,500 to fix it. They are paying for it. *I know I already posted a photo on my dented panel, but if I didn't post this, this post would be pictureless, and I can't have that. 





2. One thing I'm not good with is numbers. The insurance lady said, "Take it in on the 19th.", which is a Monday. Fast forward to the rental car place that said, "Do you need it on Monday?" I said, "Yes." Then I took it in this past Monday, instead of the next Monday. I felt like I did something wrong, but couldn't figure out what it was. I called to, "Touch base" with her, and confirmed I had in fact messed up. OMG this caused some major self beating, and confusion. Then Travis and I that hardly argue, argued about what to do with the rental car. I thought we should return it after the 3 days, and he said we should keep it. This was all discussed in the evening when the insurance lady wasn't available to talk to. The rental car was returned, and after talking to her we get it back. 


3. Isaak's teacher got in a wreck too. Only it was a much more serious wreck. Her poor car is totaled. Her back hurts! It must have been pretty bad because she's missed class a lot. Isaak said she was crying, and has had to go to the nurse to have her put stuff on her back. :( When I hear about her accident I feel bad for complaining about mine. It's nothing in comparison. 


4. I forgot to wear my glasses on Monday. I went home, and Travis asked why I look so bitchy. That must have been the look he said I had a lot before getting my glasses. The squinty bitch face. Ha!


5. Apparently I have, teacher tone when I talk too. Travis says I get, "A teacher tone" when I talk to the boys at times. I needed Mica to do something, so I walked into his room to ask him to pour water for dinner. He said, "Ok." I waited, and waited...No Mica! Finally I yelled, "Mica! If you don't want me to have teacher tone, or to nag like you men say women do; come to me when I call you!" Oh he heard me that second time.

A Beginners Guide to Electric Food Smokers

If you’ve ever had smoked meats, then you probably know how flavorful they can be. Smoking is actually an age-old tradition that used to be done to safely preserve meat. Although we now have modern refrigeration and freezing available, smoking adds a great deal to the flavor of a good meat. Electric smokers make the process much easier today. If you’re interested in trying smoking on your own, use this guide to get started.

Choose a Smoker

There are a huge number of electric smokers on the market today, so do some research before purchasing one. Sites like Electric Smoker Center can give you some guidelines and expertise in this area. However, you’ll want to consider the size, price, ease of use, durability, and brand to make your choice. Decide how much meat you’re going to be smoking and how often. These factors will help you find the best option for your needs.

Prepare the Smoker

Before you get started, make sure that the smoker is in a safe place. It can’t be in a house or garage, so make sure that it’s in a well-ventilated area and on a flat surface. A concrete slab is a good place if available.

Before adding the meat, you’ll add water to the water pan and wood chips. Some people don’t use the water pan to smoke their meat and this is an area of personal preference. It does help keep temperatures stable though and may be a good idea when you’re just starting. Add wood chips or chunks of your favorite type of wood, as this will affect the flavor of the meat.

Start the Smoker

Turn on the electric smoker to the recommended cooking temperature without the meat. After the smoker has been preheated, check to make sure that there is adequate smoke. You may need to wait a little longer. It’s a good idea to wait until the wood chips start to ash and you begin to see coals.

Add the Meat

After you’ve gone through these steps, open the smoker doors and place the meat on the doors inside. Do this as quickly as possible to retain heat. Now that you’ve gone through these steps, all you have to do is wait for the meat to finish cooking. This time will vary depending on the amount of meat, types of meat, and your smoker itself. You should monitor the temperature and condition of the meat throughout the cooking process.

Once the meat is done, take it out and allow to cool slightly before enjoying. You can also store smoked meats until you’re ready to serve them. Most people smoke larger batches at one time for efficiency so that they can space out their smoking times.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve got the basic directions for smoking meats, you’re ready to get started. When you get a smoker, make sure to read the user manual carefully, as there may be some more specific directions to follow. These electric smokers are easy to use and will help you make delicious smoked meats at home easily.

Do you like smoked meat? 

Disclaimer: This is a guest post.