The Friday List (nice things you did for yourself this week)
I wasn’t going to do it. For the usual reasons–too silly, self-indulgent, it cost $5.99, etc.
But because I told you all this week I’d do it, I did. I bought myself a bouquet of daisies.
Squeeeeee!
They look so pretty! And so girly! And so unnecessary, unless you count random happiness as a necessity.
So there’s one nice thing, and another is that I sat and read A LOT yesterday. Very sweet to myself, if I do say so.
And you? What sweet things did you do for your deserving selves this week, even if those things were silly or self-indulgent or cost $5.99?
Technorati Tags: The Friday List, Self-Care, Pampering, Self-Sweetness, Relaxation, Kindness, Peace Begins With Being Nice To Ourselves
I got to the airport early because I knew they had chair massages.
I did a nice thing for myself this week. I didn’t stress about my conference paper. I wrote it in 15 minutes per day and then, simply, delivered it. I didn’t even print it! I just “read” it from my computer.
True, I had done the research before, but I didn’t get all tied up in knots about the correct wording. It never matters in the end anyway. Hooray for middle age!
Robin, I’m so proud of you for the daisies. Flowers are definitely a good habit to get into! One of the first reasons I knew I wanted to marry my husband was his habit of buying flowers just because he felt like it. It was a revelation.
My nice thing is, I went to the gym last night, so tonight I get to skip it in favor of tacos and margaritas.
Kathryn, don’t you love that? A hard workout one day (which feels good on its own), followed by some relaxing indulgence the next night. Sounds like a very balanced life.
Kelly, you’re so right! Stressing out wouldn’t have helped the process–you would have delivered the same speech, but wouldn’t have enjoyed it nearly as much. Excellent use of your accummulated wisdom. Told you reaching 40 puts you in full-on babe status.
Patrick, what a sweet thing that was. For someone who travels as much as you do, those kinds of treats must do you a world of good.
Good for you with the daises! I love fresh flowers-it makes me smile whenever I pass them on the table.
This week I got 3 cavities filled and was so relieved to have it over-it may not sound like the nicest thing to do, but I had been putting it off and now just feel good about finally taking care of it.
I’m also painting my son’s room-a big job as he wanted 2 different colors with contrasting trim, but we have 2 walls done and it looking awesome, so it will be worth the effort. It’s the first time I have painted a room and I am feeling good about myself!
Deborah, I understand what you mean about the dental appointment–not fun as an activity, but certainly fun to get off your nagging “I should do” list.
And I’m glad to hear I’m not the only adult who has never painted a room. I want to paint my office bathroom a pretty blue, but I haven’t had the guts to figure out all the steps yet. Maybe now I will!
You did it! And the nice thing about daisies is that hang in there pretty good. I favor tulips myself…love them, love them…but they poop out way too quickly.
My office is light green, but only because the person before me painted it. It is so wonderful and relaxing. But I rarely ever paint my walls, because we move too much, and I just can’t be bothered.
My nice thing: my daughter introduced me to champagne mangoes, and she and I had French vanilla ice cream last night, topped with succulent mango pieces. Yum, yum. I think I’ll keep her around.
Champagne mangoes? Are those some special strain of mango, or are you adding your own champagne? Fruit of any sort of top of French vanilla ice cream sounds wonderful.
They’re smaller, yellow mangoes, and they’re extra sweet, no liquor required. But IF you were over 21, you could chop a few into a tall glass and pour champagne over them. Or the other thing my daughter showed me was how to sprinkle diced mangoes with lime juice, sugar and chopped fresh basil to make a lovely salsa.
My nice things: Visiting with out-of-town friends, giving my daughters special surprises that lit up their faces.
Yum, Sara, all those things sound good.
LOVE daisies, too. Way to go, Robin.
I’m so jealous (in a happy way) of Kelly’s conference-going. I. am. determined. to get my Ph.D. in Children’s Lit one day and drool over scholarly conferences like that.
Ohhh… I love daises!!! =)
This week I drank PINK champagne and (non-pink) margaritas to celebrate my new job! I also went pole dancing last night (after not going for the past few months). It was fun, but I’m covered in bruises this morning.
I spent time with some wonderful friends and sewed an awful lot. I also bought myself a 3.5 inch square ruler, which is the exact size I need to keep from going crazy as I cut squares for a new quilt I’m working on. It’s so easy now! I don’t know what I ever did before. And it cost even less than $5.99… although the net result of my fabric shopping was, uh, a little higher than that.
Christen, congrats again on getting a job as a children’s librarian! I’m sure the kids will love you.
Jules, Christen just finished her master’s, so now it’s time to devote all our energy to you getting your Ph.D. Sending those vibes your way.
Katie, look at it this way: you saved all that money on psychiatric bills by getting the proper ruler, so now you can count that extra money toward all your future fabric purchases.
Butting in here, Robin, to say to Jules:
GET your PhD and get it now! Writing a dissertation with small children sounds tough, but it’s easier than being on the tenure track with them, believe me. There’s lots of freedom in a grad student’s schedule, lots of undergrads willing to babysit while you are in classes–on campus, so you don’t waste time and money on transportation. Or, another good time, is when your first child goes into kindergarten.
Happy Friday!
I went to Manhattan and let myself spend money.
I bought blinds for my house. Every room. Finally decided to make the leap and splurge.
I took a day off to try to fight off an impending cold.
Have a great week all!
I started re-reading the Harry Potter books this week. I really shouldn’t – I have stacks of new books to read – but oh it felt comforting to go back to Harry’s cupboard under the stairs. I’ve seen the movie several times since last reading the first book that it’s interesting to see what’s different between book and movie.
I remain in awe of J.K. Rowling’s ability to create worlds, and to name things (the thing Dumbledore uses to put out the streetlights on Privet Lane is called a PutOuter. Of course. Because it’s the opposite of a lighter). And did you know that J.K.R. has the same initials as me?
I’m completely with you, Robin, by the way, that Rowling deserves every penny that she makes from these books, for all the people that she’s enticed to take up reading.
Enjoy your daisies!
I FOUND A FIDDLE/VIOLIN TEACHER!
I start lessons on the 27th of this month. I’m sure my neighbors will be thrilled when I can actually play the damned thing. The guy is young, enthusiastic, immensely talented, and knows multiple styles of playing– he’s NOT a classical snob! So he’s exactly what I’ve been looking for!
Tomorrow I’m roadtripping to meet my favorite WebGeek Guys. Not too often I get to go out with four men, drink exotic coffees at a great coffeehouse with live music, and geekspeak with other geekspeakers. Just once a month.
So glad you got the daisies. Isn’t it amazing how a simple little flower can brighten up the mood? Happiness.
I finally scheduled a haircut and my annual mammogram. Regular maintenance I always put off and finally decided it was time to be nice to myself.
And I turned the ringer off my phone so I could have some quiet in the house. Amazing.
Yay Jules! Get you PhD! I kind of want mine… just not yet! I need a break from school for a little bit =)
Kelly, that was a good butt in. Always happy to step aside for a PSA like that.
Nancy, good work taking care of yourself before the cold could force you to do just that.
Jen, I never noticed the initials thing before. Cool! And I know what you mean about returning to those books being comforting. That’s the way I feel about any book where I can tell from the first page that I’m in good hands–that this author knows what he or she is doing, and I’m going to love spending time in the book. J.K. is the master.
BJ, yay for you and your neighbors! What fun to take up an instrument because you want to, not because your parents are making you. Amazing the dedication we can bring to somethig when it’s our own choice.
Vivian, time in the vice, eh? Not such a pleasure, but it’s like Deborah going to the dentist–taking the time for regular maintenance, like you said, is just part of our jobs as people with bodies. I try to notice how diligent I am about scheduling those kinds of appointments for my husband and dog (regular shots for one of them, teeth cleanings for the other–you figure it out), and give myself at least that much attention.
I find it’s so much easier to schedule other people to have their moment of discomfort for their greater good.
As for time in the vice (good one)…I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how freaking uncomfortable it is. I remember I used to secretly think my friends were exaggerating and total wimps. Until I had over a year ago. Which probably why I’ve been procrastinating.
Only a man could think of some tortuous device like this. Sorry guys. I’m just saying.
Vivian – We designed it to see if it is really true that women are more tolerant of pain than men. Most men won’t even put their breasts in there.
This week I took not one but two — TWO — naps. I just felt like a happy little cat…
Oh, Liz, the indulgence of it all. Happy little cat–what a great way to describe it.
I can’t believe all my spelling errors in that last comment. Sigh.
Patrick, I’m not sure why not. Surely as Space Lord, leader of our universe, you have powers over things like this.
Vivian, blame me. I usually try to catch those, but I’m tired. Going to bed now.
But not before I say, “YEAH, PATRICK, WHAT OF IT?”
Excellent point, V.
I’m sorry. Men are just too distracted by the breast self-exam graphic hung on the wall of every mamo room.
(Trust me, they are in every room. I’ve checked.)
This week, I played host to Free Monkey, did a lot of work, and dreamed.
Jen, the truth comes out, Ms. Rowling!
Little Willow, sounds like a good week–especially the dreaming part.
Patrick, thanks for the inside scoop into how Space Lords think.