Stress Relief?

A lot of people say that exercise, and lots specifically say running, is what helps them de-stress.  I'm not sure if this particular practice is a stress-reliever or stress-inducer for me.  I guess I'm just not very good at pushing myself through pain.  Soccer practices were never my favorite, all that running and having to be faster than others or a specific time.  Killed me!  I hated it.  Yeah it made/makes me be more in shape, and yeah I probably feel good afterwards, but I just have a really hard time being in the middle of it.  Also, exercise - I guess I'm not so fantastic at getting myself motivated to do it.  I'm trying to be better, and I'm getting there.  But mornings are probably the worst.  And ironically my ideal time to work out (and could be a whole other post discussing that).  If I can stay inside and work out it's usually better.  But trying to get me to get up early and go outside and run?  I can't say that it's easy.  Our new apartment complex has a nice work out facility AND a tennis court AND a racquetball court, and I am determined to do better!  Once we get there.

I think my personal stress relief is sleep.  If you know me at all, you probably know that I enjoy my sleep.  I like the mornings but don't really see much of them.  I'm working on that too.  Baby steps.  So, sleep = stress relief?  I don't know if that really is true, but if I didn't get much sleep the previous night and I find myself alone in my quiet apartment in the middle of the day, the couch is very inviting, and I will probably give in.  This also could be a-whole-nother subject...  I don't pop awake when it's morning-time (I'm not sure many people do? Hopefully I'm not alone in this...) but I also don't have great will power to make myself awake.  My warm and comfy bed is oh so VERY inviting.  It doesn't help that Adam covers the window with a thick blanket, which = no sunlight, and likes all sorts of fans blowing making it chilly up in here.  But on the other hand, if I sleep too much I'm quite susceptible to feeling guilty for doing so.  Which could = some stress.  Hmm.

I really need to learn to lead a stress-free life.  It makes life more enjoyable for me and everyone else around me, and I also worry about my ulcerative colitis acting up when I'm pregnant.  Stress = flare ups.  Example: planning a wedding.  I think I do pretty okay most of the time, but like I just mentioned, I tend to, I guess you could call it stress, when I sleep in and skip my shower to avoid taking another hour or more to get ready and then add a half hour to that to get to work.  I'm lucky though to have a loving boss who doesn't mind what hours I come in to work as long as I get my work done.  She's a good mom, I mean boss.  :D  I just don't want to put any future babies in any sort of harm with any sort of medication I may have to take if I have a flare up while pregnant or breast feeding.

So here's to being stress-free!  Wish me luck on finding my relief-outlet.  Thanks in advance.

Some Money Savin' Tips

I'm no expert, but I'm learning and so I wanted to share!

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Money Saving Tip #1 - Don't spend more than you earn.  This is a no-brainer but apparently lots of people have trouble with this concept.

Money Saving Tip #2 - Create a budget and STICK TO IT.  Make realistic and reasonable goals for how much you want to spend on certain things each month.

Money Saving Tip #3 - Coupons.  (This includes ad-matching.)  But don't buy things you don't normally buy just because you found a coupon for it.  I am a super beginner when it comes to coupons, but I'm trying to learn little by little!

Money Saving Tip #4 - Make a grocery shopping list before you go to the store.  Sounds too easy, right?  But it really does help!

Money Saving Tip #5 - Add up your groceries while you shop.  That way you can make sure to stay on track with your budget.

Money Saving Tip #6 - Keep a price log - of the things you buy and from what store.  This sounded hard and time-consuming when I first heard of it but Adam and I did it tonight and it is pretty simple!  Just write the current prices while you shop next to each item on your shopping list.  And then transfer it to an Excel spreadsheet when you get home.

Money Saving Tip #7 - Don't buy too many things you don't need.  I like to say we each can get one extra item, or maybe get as many extra items that doesn't exceed X amount each shopping trip.  We can live being frugle without living like we're poor!

Money Saving Tip #8 - CHECK THE RECIPT before you leave the store!  Silly?  Not so!  Just tonight Adam and I found we were charged double for something of which we only bought one.  Who knows how many other times that has happened!  Every dollar counts.

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And there you have it.

We are striving for better spending trends, and I feel like we're on a good track!

Do you have any tips of your own?

Prayers Do Get Answered

I love so much and am so grateful that God is not only all-powerful and all-knowing but He is our Heavenly Father and He loves us so much!  I'm so glad that He cares about us, His spirit children, so much that He will always listen to the prayers of our heart and will always give us the help and guidance we need.  Just as James suggests:

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

I know that our Heavenly Father hears and also answers our prayers.  Sometimes it is through another person that He meets our needs.  But the Holy Ghost will always testify of truth, if you are listening.  How grateful I am for that- to know that my Heavenly Father wants me to be happy and that He has provided a way for me and all of us to learn truth, no matter what the world is telling us:

"...I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

I'm so grateful to have a way to communicate with Diety.  And I am also so grateful that Diety desires also to communicate with me.

We all matter.

More.

One of the Two Most Awesome-est Weekends In the Whole Year

This weekend is the 181st Annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!!


Picture from http://www.lds.org/

Saturday and Sunday will be packed with inspired messages from prominent leaders of the Church.  They are humble followers of Jesus Christ, and I look up to them.  The President of the Church, the current prophet, seer, and revelator, who directly communicates with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, currently President Thomas S. Monson will be speaking uplifting words of encouragement and love.  He will say what Christ would say to us if He were on the earth with us this weekend.  I am so grateful for having Conference twice a year so we can hear the inspired messages we need to learn how to improve ourselves and our lives and our families in the following 6 months.

I know that there is a living prophet on the earth again today, President Thomas S. Monson.  I know that he is the one through whom Jesus Christ leads and directs His church on earth in these latter days.  I would invite all who read this to watch and/or listen to some of the messages that will be given this weekend, and see for yourself the goodness of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (nicknamed the Mormon Church) and its humble followers.  People aren't perfect, but the gospel is.  Come unto Christ and be healed.  His invitation stands to all who will listen.  He is waiting at the door and is knocking.  Let Him in.  Come unto Him and find peace and rest.