If You're Feeling Anything Like I Am...

How to Take a Mental Health Day Without Feeling Guilty

You can take a mental health day off from work without experiencing guilt. Here's how.

If you are the type of person that is a hard worker, and normally goes above and beyond the call of duty, sometimes you need to treat yourself to a mental health day. This is also true if you typically work beyond the 40-hour work week and are the type of employee to take work home.

All of that hard work and diligence will take its toll eventually, without some spontaneous R&R for your mind.A mental health day is not the type of day off that employers recognize or encourage. If you're reading this at work, that's probably not the best idea. Employers may provide you instead withvacation days, holidays, personal days, sick days, or even family sick days. Some employers combine one or more categories of days off, like sick/personal days. Employers don't offer mental health days.Because employers don't offer mental health days, it is up to you to take the initiative and give yourself a mental health day.

What is a Mental Health Day?

A mental health day is an unscheduled day off from work that involves doing something you enjoy doing, alone or with family and friends. A mental health day does not include doing any errands, going to the doctor's office, or cleaning the house. Sometimes the only way to get some time for yourself, away from the office, and away from the demands of your household, is to disappear for a few hours, doing whatever it is you love best. The activity you choose should be one that is fairly close to home, is not near work, and will renew you in some way. It could be going to see a movie or two by yourself. Or maybe you want to spend the day window shopping, or shopping, at your favorite mall. Your mental health day could be a trip to the local greenhouse, museum, or bookstore. It could be a half day at the salon, or getting a massage.The mental health day can be whatever you want it to be, as long as it refreshes your mind.

Why You Need a Mental Health Day

You need a mental healthy day if you are otherwise a hard worker, slackers need not apply...

What IS That????

You see it. The cutesy invitation seal...WHAT IS THAT and WHERE can I get them?!?!?!?


Photo courtesy of Cards and Pockets

My invitations NEED that...or at least something equally clever. Anyone know?

Just Realized...

...I never shared our cake.

Isn't she a beauty?



By the way, I'm still on the hunt for a similar plateau...

A Little Reading Material

So, we decided to add a special touch to our OOT bags. We'll be including personalized brochures that include the following:

A Welcome Greeting

Our Recommendations for Dining

An Invitation to the "Day After" Brunch

Emergency Contact Information

Directions to the Church and Reception

A Special Thanks to Our Parents

A Special Note to My Mom

Am I missing anything?

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A Little House-Keeping :)

Done:

GROOM!!!
Ceremony Site
Officiants
Marriage License requirements researched and in the process of being fulfilled
Pre-Marital Counseling (Session 5 of 12 approaching)
Mr. CB's Rings (he's a 2 ring groom)
Dress
Jewelry
Shoes
Clutch
FABULOUS Fascinator
Veil
Aisle Runner (YAY for Craigslist!)
Here Comes the Bride Banner (50%)
Reception Card Box
Hair Styist
Cake
Cake topper made by moi
Vases for sand ceremony
Bathroom Baskets and some contents
Frames for various places, ie bar, bathroom baskets, gourmet popcorn (??) buffet
"LAST NAME" monogram ceramic dishes for popcorn buffet
cello bags and ties for buffet
banner (in lieu of gobo) to hang over staircase (where we make our entrance)
ceremony decor (50%)
reception decor (50%)
started buying cases of likka for the bar
our broom
"Dancing Shoes" for Our Guests
BM gifts
Groom and other men's attire
New Photographer!!!
Caterer (and menu)
Videographer
Ceremony musicians
STDs are OUT!
DOC
E-pics
TTD pics
Siggy Drink - Because we are just Tickled Pink to be One...
Lighting for Banquet Room
Photosharing Cards to be included in our Thank Yous
cake server set
toasting flutes
matches for sparkler send-off
Crinoline
Aisle Runner
Diamond Confetti
Dessert and Bar Napkins
INVITATIONS
Hotel Block
Photobook (guestbook)
Transportation
DJ
Honeymoon
Aisle Vases
Order Pictures for Card Box
Manzanita Arrangements for Altar
Cake Plateau
Garter
Brochure for OOT Bags

To Do:

Get Barware
Day of Wedding Makeup
Decide/finalize/purchase remaining centerpiece supplies
Programs
Bridal Party Gifts
Family Gifts
Pastor Gifts
Bouquets
Boutonnieres
OOT Boxes (in progress)
Rehearsal Dinner
Undergarments
Chair Linen
Ceremony Programs
Banner Boy Signs
Table Numbers (in progress)
Seating Chart
Menus?
Bridal Party Jewelry

This Coulda Been Me...

On my way in to work this morning, I was reminded of God's goodness and protection. You see, this image could have very well been me.



There was a car in front of me that decided to come to a complete and total stop on I-495, otherwise known as the Capital Beltway. Even though I will never know why she decided to slam on brakes to decrease her 65+ speed, it really doesn't even matter. What does matter is that He made a way. He stopped my car as well as the car behind me from slamming into one another. He cleared paths so that we could maneuver around and avoid a potentially fatal accident...

Do you know what I was doing at that time?? On the phone (hands-free, of course) with Mr. CB. At that moment, I realized how BOTH of our lives could have changed in the blink of an eye.

So, I encourage you to take a moment today (and everyday), to reflect on the goodness of God (or your higher power). Think of all of the incidents you've walked away from without a scratch...and say thank you...

How We Met: Friends Really Do Make GREAT Lovers

Mr. CB and I met randomly in Athens, GA in 2002 . We were both out and about downtown hanging with our friends. Just so happened that one of his friends is just a bit of a show-off and my bestfriend (prior to hubby) is the same. We attended rival colleges for undergrad, and are apart of a brother/sister fraternity/sorority. So this night that the loud mouths run into one another, I noticed him instantly, but was rather shy. He also says the same of me. His friend, on the other hand, was not shy at all and asked for my number. Even though I wasn't interested, I gave it to him anyway. This friend would call and ask me out, but I would never go. Of course Mr. CB, being a good friend of this guy, had to hear about it. Finally, Mr. CB gathered enough nerve to ask me out. Of course, I said yes. Because we were both rather timid people, we ended up being friends.

Fast forward five years. After a rather nice friendship - we could talk to one another about ANYTHING (inclusive of others that we dated) - we went shopping for his birthday. He was throwing a lavish bash at a popular Atlanta night club and wanted to look like the "birthday boy." He invited me along, and I was happy to go. At this point, I had completed my research, defended my dissertation and graduated; so, many of the distractions that I previously had were gone. Little did I know that a shopping trip would change my life. Because this wasn't a "date" , things just kinda flowed naturally. I went along sans my usual makeup and pumps (can you guess which sorority I belong to?), and he dressed down as well. I have NEVER had so much fun on a non-date in my life. We left around noon and didn't return until after midnite. The turning point in our relationship happened on the ride home. He touched my knee. It wasn't anything mannish, but at this point I knew. I knew that the man of my dreams had been under my nose all along. When he touched my knee then (and even now), I got butterflies in my stomach. The rest, my dears, is history...