I am in the midst of my inaugural “me-cation”. That’s a term I’ve coined to represent taking extended time away from home just for the purpose of relaxing. As a wife and mother time alone is a luxury hardly seen. It doesn’t happen without some planning. But it’s worth the effort. I began this weekend of self indulgence on Friday night. Dinner with a friend and girl time afterward at her place. Saturday morning kicked off with time in the salon, and the shampoo girl had apparently eaten her Wheaties because she gave my hair a thorough scrubbing and my scalp felt brand new by the time she was done.…

Recently, I’ve been buying thank you cards. There was no particular reason other than I liked the cards, I find them on clearance and I believe in keeping some handy. There is nothing like a tangible expression of appreciation. I think it’s a lost art. Most of the time we tell a person “thanks” or send texts and emails, but a card is more lasting and permanent. While on jaunts to this store or that one, I began collecting the drastically marked down and overlooked cards. I decided that I would personally revive the art of giving thanks and take the time to acknowledge the good deeds that come my…

I’m developing a new habit. It’s an addiction of sorts. And believe me, I never thought I would fall prey to this kind of activity, but it is so refreshing and exhilarating that I find myself wondering how I stayed away from it for so long. I’m exercising! It’s not that I’ve never worked out before. In fact, I’ve been taking 30-minute walks on a daily basis since the spring. But now…now I’m getting up before the sun to head to a gym and do an hour of the unthinkable. I’m spinning. Let me explain. These spin classes are the most excruciating form of cardio that’s been dreamed up to…