Summer vacation is coming to an end for most of us in the South.  Use the last few days to organize not only you kids  schedules, rooms, clothes and lives…but yours too.  This may sound daunting but your mornings  will be easier and your evening  cooking more pleasant.

I have started not buying in bulk, this might sound crazy, we got into a rut of eating the same preserved foods…now I  shop like European folk who go grocery shopping just about every day.  I buy very small quantities and I  can cook what I feel like that day for my family.  This has made supper more fun and tasty.

As for mornings, I will simply slip on my walking  clothes, no make-up necessary which will cut lots of time in the early morning rush, and go walking straight after I drop the kids off at school.

Thereafter, I can enjoy a shower and put my make-up on in peace.

Enjoy the last chapter of that book, put all in order if you can, throw away what isn’t used or give it to someone, clean out and ponder on the more free time that you have created with more peace…hopefully.

 Vana Shipton

Just this morning I blogged about balance.  I know I keep harping on about how important it is to give ourselves some pleasure, no matter what it is.

I got a call from a good friend this afternoon to join her and some other friends to a movie tonight, which made me sigh with relief that the end of my work-day was nearing and that I had to freshen up to go out.

I was  expecting to enjoy the movie Julie/Julia, but not as much as I did, what a pleasant surprise, it was certainly like soul-food.  It made me feel safe and familiar although I have never been to France I thoroughly enjoyed the thought of going there one day.

We often feel  exhausted, overwhelmed and spent and find it hard to give ourselves permission to enjoy, for just a little.  The more I enjoy these innocent and fairly cheap evenings  with friends the more I want to do it and the more beneficial they become.  I feel happy and content afterwards, so go on, give yourself permission to a great movie…since I’m greek…Kalí óreksi!.

Vana Shipton

Our days… moms, are filled with schedules, to-do lists, school meetings, sports meetings and we are constantly doing for others, husbands, children, house, dry-cleaning.  It all sounds  pretty glamorous to some, and we may squeeze a lunch date in there somewhere,  however is it extremely time-consuming.  A very little is  left over for us,  if any at all.

Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t enjoy exercise but I do see the benefit in it.  Our bodies obviously need it for health purposes and it will look good in turn.  One of my favorite parts is the mental silence or mental shower as  some  call it.  The bliss of no cell, no email, no computer, no tv, no input what-so-ever, just the slight cool breeze coming off the shore while I walk.  My all time favorite part is when I’m done and showering, knowing I have done it and that alone puts  my mind at ease. So go ahead  put on a great looking t-shirt, and get some mental bliss, everyone will benefit from it, most of all you and your family.  I’m sure they too will appreciate a happy mom.

Vana Shipton

Wow, what a productive day and  above all I designed The Bird Notecard and Bookmark Magnets in rose petal, sage green and robins blue egg.  A fresh notecard just right for spring, allowing you to show your friends and family just how special they are to you, in style.  Enjoy the fresh air and gorgeous blossoms.

Vana Shipton