May 31, 2013

Finding A Pair Of Cute and Comfortable Sandals Should Not Be This Hard

After several weeks, I finally have a pair of black sandals that meet my feet's finicky requirements.  It was not easy.  I needed black sandals I could walk all day in without pain and that would look good with skirts and dresses.  I specifically needed these sandals for Disneyland and Europe.  But the requirements didn't stop there.  My feet have needs.  I cannot tolerate things between my toes, I need an ankle strap, and I need a slight heel.

May 28, 2013

Chocolate Chia Pudding

As you already know, I am newly infatuated with chia seeds.  There is a recipe on the back of the Trader Joe's chia seeds I bought last week so I decided to give it a whirl.
 
It's no-cook and has just 4 ingredients.  What's not to love??!
 

May 25, 2013

Weekend Links

What I'm loving this week:

Surprising study shows moderate-fat Mediterranean diet is significantly healthier than reduced-fat diet at One Medical Group

How your marriage can thrive even in the busyness of life at Scream-Free Institute

A Guide to Becoming Unbusy at Becoming Minimalist.  I'm going to try to make a habit of responding to the question of "how are you?" with "fine" or "good"... or really anything other than "busy".

Lana Del Rey's Born to Die

The Great Gatsby movie soundtrack

Have a wonderful Memorial Day holiday!

May 23, 2013

Trader Joe's Chia Seeds

While I was doing my weekly shopping in Trader Joe's earlier this week, I noticed small bags of chia seeds on the shelves next to the oatmeal and granola bars.  I had vague recollections of friends discussing their health benefits.  Right on the bag it said:
6g of fiber
2.9g Omega 3
Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia [Seeds]
3g protein

May 22, 2013

International Travel Luggage Purchased!

I wrestled for weeks with the luggage dilemma.  Do I buy rolling wheels, swivel wheels, or convertible backpack style?  And what about the kids: rolling or backpack?  And are they old enough to be accountable for their own luggage in crowded airports and train stations?

In the end, I decided to go with a convertible backpack style.  The biggest reason for this was because I will be flying back from Europe solo with the kids.  In case they wimp out and/or melt down, I'll need to have both hands free to handle their luggage.

We're doing carry-on luggage only.

May 21, 2013

Travel Overpacking: Lessons Learned

I've been looking at photos from my 1995 Europe trip.  I spent 10 days as an exchange student in Bavaria, Germany then 10 days sightseeing solo in Austria, Switzerland, France, and Holland in late June and early July.

I was explicitly told to bring hiking boots and sleeping bag for the educational exchange.  So, what else did I bring?

May 14, 2013

Planning My Capsule Wardrobe, Part 1

I've already started purchasing necessities for our Europe trip in mid July.  I believe it's better to spend $500 spread out over 2 months rather than right before the trip when there's already a lot of money moving out of the bank account, i.e. I can more easily absorb the expense.

Since we're traveling solely with carry-on luggage, we'll be packing light.  Everything I've been reading says to pack for 5 days whether you're traveling 5 days or 5 months.  Anything over 5 days and you'll have to do laundry.  However, Laundromats in Europe are supposedly very expensive.  Plus, I'm not convinced we'll be able to easily find one when we need one.  To alleviate Laundromat worry, I'm now thinking it will just be easier to pack a bar of laundry soap and a large poly mailer and wash clothes myself in the hotel room, then hang to dry.

May 13, 2013

7 Ways to Survive Stress

Extreme stress.  Have you experienced it?  You feel so stressed out you feel like you're going to explode or have a nervous breakdown.  You can't sleep.  Your stomach is upset and you don't have much of an appetite.  You are moody.

This type of stress is usually situational.  You may have an intense deadline, lost a job, are going through a break-up or divorce, or have lost a loved one.

The following 7 tools can help you get through your most stressful days:

May 8, 2013

Maximize Your Time in Disneyland

We are heading to the happiest place on earth in three weeks and can't be more thrilled!  Our last trip to Disneyland was in August 2011, when Crumpet was 7 years old and Gümby was 3.  That trip was the first Disneyland trip where we used my newfound "Divide & Conquer" method - it was a big hit!  I was amazed at how much we could see in just two days at Disneyland Resort during peak season (August).

May 7, 2013

Miffed at Arcane Legends

I just spent an unreasonable amount of time fixing my son's tablet software for his beloved Arcane Legends game.  Okay, nearly 3 hours but who's counting?!

He's been unable to play his favorite game for the past week.  He's been seeking solace in the Arcane Legends game he downloaded onto my cell phone (why did I approve that?!) in the meantime.

The Beginning

Hello again!  It's been 14 years since I started my first blog (called an online diary back then) and 6 years since I've written in it.  It's sadly growing cobwebs over in Diaryland land.

Why start another now?  Well, most importantly, I miss writing.  I miss the focus and insight it allowed... and I feel like I've lost a little piece of myself by giving it up.  Writing is one of my first loves.  I've been writing since my early elementary school years.  I remember my teachers asking for, say, 2 pages of creative writing; I'd turn in 8.  I loved making up stories and with as much detail as possible.

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