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Pampering Ideas!!
We asked for you to send them in and you did. Here is part one of your wonderful Pampering Ideas!!
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I am a SAHM/grad student with a 4 year old DD (who attends pre-k) and
a 2-month-old DS. Twice a week, I take a "baby and me" exercise class
at the Y, then afterwards comes the pamper part.
I put DS into the Y's free day care, and I hit the sauna! I hang out
there for 20 minutes or so, then I take a long shower with yummy
aromatherapy products. It's very relaxing in and of itself, but
moreso because I know DS is being well-loved by the staff upstairs.
When the weather gets warm and the sauna seems less appealing, I might
just take 20 minutes in the Y's lounge to read a book -- I love to
read and I'm usually too tired to do it before bed, like I did before
DS was born.
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My 18-month-old DS takes wonderful 3-hour naps on weekends. Of course I use some of this time for errands (if DH is home), house projects, etc. But every Saturday, no matter what I "should" be doing, I make sure I get a pampering bubble bath.
During the week, if I get my nightly bubble bath, it's pretty quick because I need my rest, after all! But Saturdays ... those are the days for two facial masks, leave-in conditioner, body scrubs, really thorough leg-shaving, and a good book.
Before FLYLady, I usually took this bath toward the end of naptime, after I get "enough" done, and I would feel guilty, like I had to find excuses why I deserved it. Now I make sure to do it early in the naptime, since taking care of ME is just as important as almost any other chore on my list. (Except shining my sink, of course! LOL) On those rare occasions when DS wakes up early, I'd rather still need to unload my dishwasher than be grumpy and resentful because I didn't get to pamper myself.
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Here's something that always picks up my spirits and can be done with or
without spending any money. It's for spring and summer mostly.
Go take a walk in a public garden. Two of my favorites are rose gardens;
one is part of a public park and the other is part of the grounds at our
Junior College. The scent of roses fill the air and it's a beautiful place
to renew my spirits. Sometimes I've gone thinking perhaps I'd pick out a
rose to plant in my yard in the future.
Or go to a nursery. For this, I think the best are the local special
nurseries, not the big flower sections of a mega store. Check out all the
variety, the color, the scents. Plan a flowerbox. Maybe buy a 6 pack of
pansies or petunias to brighten a corner but mainly just experience
walking through all this beautiful variety. Sometimes flowers can remind
me that we go through stages too. And we aren't always at a beautiful
stage... maybe we're still in bud and not yet ready to display our
blossoms, but we will!
I don't let myself beat myself up with critical thoughts while I"m
there... no mental lectures about stalled gardening projects or anything.
Just a time to enjoy the beauty and the variety of life in our world.
MaryLynne
Santa Rosa, CA
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Hi Flycrew!
I have been either pregnant, nursing, or both for over three years now, and am a SAHM to my toddler DD and infant DS. As such, I haven't had a glass of wine in a *long* time. Also, I don't get much time to pamper myself these days, but will in a few months, when I wean my son. (You can probably see where this is going.) Once my son is taking milk well and really ready to give up nursing, I am taking a whole weekend - my weaning weekend, to take the train into Boston, stay in a hotel, and do lots of girlie things. All by myself! (I also haven't had much alone-time in 2 1/2 years.) I will go to the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum for a jazz brunch, I will drink a mimosa, I will swim in the hotel pool, I will walk in the park and on L street beach. I will take a lesson with my old piano teacher. I will get a manicure and/or massage, and I will eat chi-chi food that my husband would never touch. I will see a chic-flick, stop in my favorite book shop, and read to my hearts content, with no interruptions. I will *soak* in the hotel tub, and I will *sleep* through the night, with no 4AM feedings, and no trips to the bathroom, and no tucking the kids back in, no wrestling the sheets back from DH, for the first time in what seems like forever! In short, I will do whatever *I* want for a whole day or so, with no guilt, no interruptions! And I will come back renewed, a less frazzled wife and Mom. I can't wait!!!!
Thanks you guys for all you do - and happy Valentine's Day!
FLYnewborn in Nashua, NH
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Mine is so simple but it took me years to get here. Our house starts very early. Teens start leaving at 6am. So I let the frantic carrying on of getting teens out of the house, and sending DH off to work get over with. Then I sit down with my cup of tea and the newspaper and spend 15 minutes for me before I start my day. I can quietly read, eat breakfast and enjoy my tea then I'm ready to get on with my morning routine.
That 15 minutes is a wonderful break after the frenzy and I have learned to sit down and enjoy it.
Still learning to fly in Alberta
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I live alone and work full-time plus go to school full-time. I work 9/80's which means I have every other Friday. I treat myself to a day at the movies, which is one of my favorite pastimes when I can truly relax and escape from the day-to-day reality.
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I am a homeschooling mother of 3 girls 6, 8, and 10. I work 1 day a week at the town library, and 2 hrs a week teaching knitting. Between those things I fit in the regular things that all moms do... Drs. appointments, shopping, TRYING to fly, errands for DH, etc. I can't find a big chunk of time to do any pampering so I try to fit in small ones. I pamper myself with a time to sit down, savour my favorite chocolate bar (yes I do need to share with dds sometimes! :o) )and read a chapter of the current book I am reading. I am one that can really immerse myself in my reading, so it is an escape for me no matter how short a moment. I really do appreciate these times that I can do this.
Kathy in CO
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I love to take five minutes and just sit with one of my pets. No
agenda, just petting the cat on my lap or sitting next to one of my
two dogs who are too big for my lap, and rubbing a tummy or furry
head. They love it, and the extrememly simple pleasure of it all
puts all worries in perspective.
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1. Hand softening/cuticle remover - Before bed & while my hands are still moist, I slather Bag Balm on them, then slip on socks. This stuff works great even though it stinks...but then I sleep alone. : ) The next morning, I wash my hands and then use cuticle remover & push back my cuticles. If I don't make myself do this on a regular basis, I get hangnails, which makes me feel totally unfeminine and I'm miserable until they heal.
2. Mini-pamper - I splurge and buy several bottles of lotion--I set one by each sink, by my bed and my computer, to remind me to lotion up my hands to help keep them nice in cold weather.
3. Baking soda face scrub - just a little gently rubbed onto shower-moist skin then rinsed off, and my face feels brand-new.
4. Salt scrub - GENTLY rub on entire body except... um... sensitive areas...and rinse off under a warm shower. The feet can use a little extra work and a not-so-gentle touch. When my skin's extra dry, I mix the salt with a bit of olive oil first. A drop of fragrant bath oil is nice, too.
5. Tooth & gum pamper - I brush my teeth with toothpaste, floss them, THEN brush them again with my toothbrush moistened in hydrogen peroxide and then dipped into baking soda. I pay special attention to gently massaging my gums and cleaning my tongue. I rinse thoroughly, being careful not to swallow any--yuck! My mouth feels VERY clean.
6. Going to bed EARLY with a book and a cup of herb tea after a warm shower with my favorite shower gel--no matter what the rest of the household is doing, and no matter what crisis is happening in anybody else's life, client or friend. Sleep is the very best pamper mission for me, and I'm learning to see that it is an investment in my own ability to care for my family and my clients. If I don't make the time to do this on a regular basis, then I use up my reserves before I know it, get sick and then I HAVE to take to the bed and nobody gets taken care of properly. It is a worthy investment to do this on a regular basis, no matter what else does not get done when somebody else wants it done. I simply need to "clock out," and call myself off-duty, if I'm going to FLY and teach my DD how to FLY, as well. Whatever the work is, it'll still be there when I wake up. If I'm rested, I'll be in a better frame of mind and have more energy to do it. I say this, understand, having NOT done it for way too many weeks--yet again--and am now paying for it. I WILL pay attention to Flylady's "Go to bed" Email reminders! I will. Starting today.
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Anyone could do this, but it means a lot to me since I have bitten/picked off my fingernails most of my 55 years (with a few brief stretches of "sort-of" quitting). I have actually PAID for a manicure three times--hey! I will not pick off what I paid good money for!--and even got adventuresome enough to let the manicurist put some COLOR on my nails the last two times. I really felt pampered and encouraged that my hands could look so good. My DDs were amazed (I think mostly that I would pay someone to do this for me). No more nail-biting because I'm special. I think I'm beginning to FLY!
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One way to pamper yourself, especially on a budget (either financial or calorie) is to treat yourself to s special cup of coffee or tea and a small treat from a local bakery or coffee shop. Not the chain stores but those local merchants who really put love and care into what they make and to whom your business is important. These products are much better tasting and are a real treat to enjoy. I especially like to savor my treat in a quiet sunny spot with or without a good book.
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For the past couple of years I have had the worst
hangnails and my fingernails were always chipping and
breaking. About a month ago I bought a tiny little jar
of cuticle cream and a little manicure stick ( it cost
about $6.00) Everyday for 15 minutes I rub it into my
nails,push my cuticles back with the little stick.
It's a mini manicure everyday and it fits right into
one of my sit down for 15 minute breaks. I usually
drink a glass of water or sip tea too. I get back into
my routines feeling totally spoiled. How many people
do you know that get a manicure everyday? And no more
painful hangnails and stronger nails.
Thanks Flylady for a great 15 minutes.
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I treat myself to a manicure and pedicure every 2 weeks religiously. I have ingrown toenails so it's a two-fold session. It's helping keep my feet happy and healthy and I love my pretty toes. My nail tech goes to my church and loves to do fancy nail art. It's no extra charge and it's great advertisement for her. She matches my big toes to whatever she does on my nails. This means a lot to me because I bit my nails all my life until I was 27. So now I reward myself for HAVING nails to get pampered. Also playing soft music and she has the vibrating chair and warms up a neck pillow while having my pedicure. I am in heaven. (Big sigh)
Pampered in Georgia
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Something simple I do to pamper myself is smoothing lavender scented lotion on my feet before I go to bed and also in the morning before I put on my socks. It makes a WORLD of difference in how my feet look and feel! Before I started FLYing, I had skanky callouses and rough heels. They are so wonderfully soft now that even DH won't make "gross out" faces if I ask him for an impromptu foot rub! LOL
Flybaby K in VA
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My husband has been unemployed for almost a year and a half now, so I've been working 6 days a week until he can find something permanent. I have 2 young children, thus lots of laundry and dishes to wash, baths and whatnot.
To me, the most luxurious thing is a manicure. I can't afford to pay someone to do it for me, so I take an hour to myself and really indulge. I use real olive oil for a cuticle softenener, take the time to file my nails to a nice shape, exfoliate with cocoa butter and sugar, and put on a nice hand cream. Then, I paint them a pretty color suitable for the season or whatever I'm doing that week. If I have a little extra time, I will do a French manicure. My nails aren't really long, because I am an accountant and work on the computer all day. But, keeping them nice makes me feel very ladylike, and very pampered.
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I love Saturdays when we don’t have any commitments. It’s sort of an unspoken rule in our house that on these rare occasions, I’ll be doing a little self pampering. As soon as my dh gets up, (he’s a morning person and I’m not, so he always wakes up before me), I roll over, grab his favorite mushy feather pillow like it’s a Teddy bear (I like how it smells of him), and sleep in another 30 minutes or so. I don’t sleep in too long, because I don’t want to mess up my weekly sleep schedule. But it’s still the best sleep I get all week, because I know he’s taking care of everything downstairs. There’s nothing like stretching out in that big bed all by myself with absolutely no pressure to hurry up and start the day. Then I treat myself to a long shower while blaring my favorite 80’s tunes. I take advantage of the extra time to deep condition my hair and really shave my legs well. (Versus those ankle ripping quickies I do during the week.) Lastly, I drench myself in moisturizer, dress to the shoes (of course), and sashay down the stairs, transformed into the well rested, sexy diva my dh fell in love with.
--Whistling While I Fly in Canton, GA
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I give myself a facial and manicure. I lock my self in the bathroom with candles and soft music playing. I run a bubble bath and while the tub is running, I scrub my face and put on a mask and then I soak in the tub. As I soak in the tub, I work on my fungernails. This sounds like a lot of work, but it is so worth it. I come out smelling nice, my skin is soft and glowing and my finger nails look like I haven't been working all day. To see the look on my husband's face and the way he touches my skin, makes it worth while.
Mom of 4 in Iowa
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As part of developing my bedtime routine, and trying to signal to my body that
it is time to go to sleep, I started to rub my hands with a scented hand
cream/lotion/moisturizer. It feels nice, and the smell is calming, as well as
being now a sort of trigger for getting sleepy.
So, that is my idea for a simple pamper mission: make scent part of your
bedtime routine. Burn a scented candle, spray your sheets with a light scent
or use some scented moisturizer, just before you tuck yourself in.
Susanna
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Hi there, Flycrew.
FLylady says you need ideas for Pamper Missions. Well, here is how I pamper myself when given the chance (I have 3 boys and a DH too!).
I run a very hot bath and add some essential oils to smell up the room as well as me! Last time I used Lemon and it smelled heavenly! Then I usually apply a mask of some sort; clay or the peel off kind and soak there in the hot, smelly-good tub while it dries and I take it off. Then I get out and follow up with a rub down with my favorite lotion. I always feel so wonderful after that. I get to use all the products that I love like my facial scrub or foot scrub and the lotions.
Then sometimes when I have the time I choose to just lie on the couch with a very good book. You know, the kind that get you all teary-eyed? :-)
I can't wait to read all of the other replies about how they pamper themselves. I always find some new ideas!
Thanks to Flylady, Kelly and all of the FlyCrew for all the missions inCLUDING the PAMPER Missions! They are my fave!
Flygirl in Alabama
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I love learning new things. Sometimes I just take time to ask questions and listen to new ideas. Once while at the mall I walked into a specialty popcorn store and asked how they made all that yummy stuff. The lady was alone - she had time - and she loved answering my questions. She showed me how the popcorn was added to a huge kettle, seasoned with specialty toppings, packaged, and prepared for purchase. The popcorn smelled wonderful! I learned something new and sampled a fresh new flavor. It took all of 5-10 minutes, and both the shop employee and I enjoyed ourselves.
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As a single mom with a full-time job and full-time school, I have very little time for myself. When I do get a bit of time, I love to lock myself in the bathroom (a movie and some snacks for my DD ensures uninterrupted time) for a home-spa treatment. This is when I soak in the bathtub, shave thoroughly (we all skip the legs in winter! lol), give myself a facial masque, a pedicure, a manicure, use my pretty scented lotion, etc. I have all these things in my bathroom already, so it's all FREE! The best part about this is that when I'm done, I feel so pretty and feminine!
A variation on this for family fun time (my family consists of my 5-yo DD and me) is to include my daughter. There isn't a 5-yo girl out there who doesn't love a little home-spa pampering!
Fluttering along,
Talitha in L.A.
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One day I visited a friend for a chat. She got out her nail care kit, and
polish, and little bowls for soaking, a hand towel for each of us, and we
sat, talking, and gave ourselves a manicure. Since I usually don't do this,
it was lots of fun, and very pretty. Only took about 30 minutes, and we
looked great!
Flybaby in Central PA
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Hello, Flylady and crew.
My favorite way to pamper myself is to have a hot cup of either toffee or french vanilla cappacino topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of all-spice (or nutmeg).
I take a few moments to enjoy this in a quiet spot somewhere -- sometimes even in a nice, warm, bubble bath.
WV Flybaby
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well first of all i love flylady!i've been flying for 6 weeks and must say i can see my work paying off even 15 minutes a day--i brag to anyone who will listen!!well enough about me--we just had a pamper party for one of my best friends who is expecting her 3rd baby--it was a small gathering of 7 of the people closest to her--we each brought small tokens for the baby ie: pampers,wipes, bibs, blankets, towel etc--but we pampered her with a manicure and pedicure and also pampered ourselves each with a manicure too!it was a fabulous night we all enjoyed being pampered and the baby soon will too!so to any of you that know of a friend or family expecting their third baby by which the bibs,pampers, wipes etc are adding up to lots of $$--its a great idea to pamper them and maybe even yourself too!
fabulous flybaby in boston!
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Dear Flycrew,
I homeschool my 7 y/o twin boys. So when I need a little pampering I put a date on the calendar for a Saturday off. It is my day to do with what I want. I usually get breakfast and try to leave around 10 am. Then I can go shopping or a movie. I usually end up at a book store and get a cup of coffee and read a book for a long time. During this day I am alone, it’s great.
The important thing is that I don’t have to do anything for the boys or my husband for that day. He fixes them their meals and keeps up with them all day. He doesn’t lord this over my head either. He is perfectly willing to do this and that is what makes this day so special.
Sincerely,
Janet Vanlandingham
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Because of your instruction and inspirational 'flywashes' I started giving MYSELF gifts.
I bought my own birthday gifts last year and loved doing it. It was so much fun to know
what I was getting and that it was JUST what i wanted!!! I actually bought myself three
books. I have a favorite author that I don't tell many people about...I fell in love with Tolkien
and his hobbits when I was 9. I have only met one other who enjoys him the way I do. School
mates thought i was 'nutty'. My dh thought it was silly, foolish. Work mates would sometimes
actually know the story but not want to talk about it or if we started to, never went anywhere.
For over 17 years of my marriage, I secretly hoped my husband would 'bless' me and get
me some more Tolkien books. Well, he never did and I didn't want him to see me getting them.
Finally, after a year and a half of FLYLADY, [and over 17 years of mostly wedded bliss] I decided I adored Tolkien STILL and would just get them because I wanted them.I ordeded them in Jan or
Feb, my birthday wouldn't be until the end of March. I gave the Amazon box to my daughter and
told her to wrap the contents and put tags on them to me from her and her older brother and her
father. She thought I was absolutely nuts!!! I giggled and laughed and looked forward to my
birthday more than I had in many a year! My husband still got me some things on his own. I had
a 'secret' hobbit birthday and THOROUGHLY enjoyed myself. I still feel warm and wonderful at
the memory of it. As a matter of fact, I used my xmas Barnes and Noble gift card this week to
order my next batch of birthday gifts!!! I'm thinking once a year book & video buying is a WONDERFUL thing! I want to give and be generous to others all I can but if you have never splurged on yourself, ESPECIALLY those things everyone else in your life says are silly and frivolous, then you have not really lived. You will KNOW what finally loving YOURSELF REALLLLLY means when you dare to spend MONEY and TIME and enjoyable emotions on YOU!
Books are common and may seem stuffy or boring or silly. But they speak to so many of us. I say, "Pamper yourself with new books" Purchase old favorites you haven't read in years. Buy your
favorite author's latest. Dare to dive into long neglected subject matter. I bet you are smiling just
at the THOUGHT of this. You will glow when you buy it. You will SHINE when you read it. The fire of enjoyment and enrichment will give you glowing warm embers for a very LONG time...I know I
am still kindling!
Thank you flylady and crew for caring about us and helping us learn how to care about ourselves.
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Something we do to pamper the whole family is have "Spa Night". Both my big kids love it, (DS 13, DD 9) as does my husband. The new baby (6 weeks) hasn't had one yet!
All we do is go to the store (Target, Wal-Mart, whatever) and buy those $1 Facial packets in whatever type each of us wants or needs for our skin, and a hot oil treatment for everyone's hair. Then we spend the evening giving each other facials, massages, and hot oil treatments. Everyone feels pampered, we get great photos of everyone with towels on their heads and green or pink goo on their faces, lots of laughs and family time together, all for a couple bucks.
Cinder in St. Louis
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With 3 young children, 6-1/2, 5 and 3 next month, and single for almost 2 years now, I have missed one of my passions dearly. Reading. I make sure my children do their phonics programs at home (even though they attend school daily) and keep the shelves stocked with all kinds of children's literature. I can't even remember the last time "I" got to read a book of my own. So, after finding Flylady, getting some routines in place and having a few extra minutes to play with my youngest while his sisters are in school, I'm now left with LOTS of minutes for ME to READ my new mystery books that arrived Saturday, when he naps. By noontime, my morning routine AND my home-blessing with timer on Mondays, are already done now. At night, after my Flylady clingy reminds me to wash my face and my 5 year old daughter sets up my toothbrush before her bedtime (she is the self-appointed bedtime toothbrush prep person) I will don my facial mask and set up my foot spa after the kids retire to bed, a couple of nights a week. It's been while since I've taken care of me beyond "make sure you get a dr's appoitment for yourself too," and boy, do I enjoy it!! Thanks to you, I'm pampered wonderfully!
Finally Flying,
Flybaby in NYC
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I bought myself 2 heart decorated mugs to drink my tea and to remind me to love myself.
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Before I do dishes, I rub some oil or lotion into my hands and then
don rubber gloves. The hot water and rubber help the oil penetrate
and soften my hands so I end up with a shiny sink and soft hands!
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Well I'm not sure if these qualify as "pampering".. but these are things that I do because I love myself and I deserve to be treated well.
1. Paint my fingernails even though they will get chipped and broken at work that night. {Prior to 3 months ago, I painted my nails for my DH's Christmas party and that was it for the year}
2. Have a very hot bubble bath to ease my weary bones when I get home from work in the morning. {Used to be my PMS treatment only}
3. Wear a bit of makeup so that I don't look so tired, even though I have a dusty job, and noone at home sees me except for my 2 toddlers mainly. {make-up used to be a Christmas party only thing too}
4. Bought myself purple flannel pajamas... this may not seem that unusual except that I'm basically a nightgown only person. I have a track suit that doubles as my pajamas on work days {since I sleep during the day/evening}, and nightgowns I wear on my nights off. I bought the pajamas for after my bath on Sunday mornings when DH treats us to breakfast with all the fixings. Flannel is also something I've never bought because with how it shrinks and such, it's just not practical... buying 2 sizes larger makes for comfort *and* shrinkage room!
5. I try to put cream on my feet at least twice a day... helps to prevent work boot feet!
I know there's a lot more that I do... but I can't think of anything else at the moment because it's become second nature to treat myself better... that's something I never would have thought of or done before FLYlady!
Nicole
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With 4dd (16, 15, 8, 4) mine are usually inexpensive and short but here are some of my favorites:
Go out on the back porch wrapped in a blanket with hot chocolate or hot tea and look at the stars.
Get a really good chocolate bar or "bon bon" and take about 5 minutes to eat it with my eyes closed so I can really taste it.
Soak my feet in hot water in a dishpan in the tub and finish by scrubbing them with a paste of kosher salt and olive oil.
Curl up in a sunny spot on the floor for 10 minutes.
Put a heating pad on my towel or in the bed so it will be warm when I use it.
This one takes a little longer: Give myself a "spa". Take a long bath with oatmeal with a masque on my face and conditioner in my hair; scrub my feet as above; slather on a really good smelling lotion; and really take time to dry my hair.
Swing on the swings at the park.
Bake refrigerated cookies.
Watercolor (cheap kids stuff)
Have a "tea party" by cutting up Little Debbies into bite-size pieces and serving tea using the good china.
I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone elses ideas!
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Dear flycrew,
I pamper my feet every morning as I get ready to put on my laceup shoes. I sit down and apply moisturizer to my feet, and use a pumice stone to smooth down any rough spots. I started doing this last summer, and my once rough as sandpaper feet are now very soft and smooth.
Love you all,
Evie
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Have any one of your supper's catered to your home for two, served & cleaned up by the caterers usually for about $50. Special bottles of wine of course add to the expense but what could be more romantic then staying home, sharing a wonderful meal and going to bed to get the dessert! Money well spent and well worth it I think!
Paula Jo
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I can think of a whole bunch of ways to pamper myself...
1. A nice hot bubble bath... if you have sensitive skin, use baby shampoo for the bubbles... light some candles... put on some nice music... turn out the lights... sip some champagne... relax in all those bubbles...
2. Get a parafin manicure and pedicure... not only are they great for your skin, but they also help with arthritis and tendinitis relief (temporarily)...
3. Get a "makeover"... most cosmetic counters will do this for free at major department stores... you can also call a Mary Kay consultant and they will teach you how to take care of your skin...
4. Have a facial...
5. Have a massage... either at a salon or a spa... or by your DH
6. Make a nice cup of tea or hot chocolate, settle down in a big comfortable chair and read a good book or watch your favorite movie...
7. Sleep late one morning... rest is restorative...
8. Go to bed early one night... for the same reason...
9. Spend time working on your scrapbooks... or looking at old scrapbooks or yearbooks...
10. Put on your favorite CD and move to the music or sing along...
Bonnie Jean
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Dear Kelly,
I'm not sure if this will count as a pamper mission or not, but here goes. I am a SAHM looking for a job outside of the home. Since I've been off of work I have taken my son out of day care and it has been a BIG adjustment. I've worked since he was born and he will be for next week.
During hunting season my husband hunts whenever he's not working. Needless to say I was home with my son all, with no break, because by the time he got home it was 9 PM and he went straight to bed. We made a deal that after hunting season I could go and have an afternoon to myself on Saturdays.
This has proven to be a great energy boost. I usually just run errands, but this past week I went to Barnes and Noble had some coffee and just read for 4 hours. I had so much energy when I got home that I cleared all of my hotspots without a moments hesitation. Pampering yourself can be pampering your mind so you don't lose it. Thanks for all of your great work and encouraging words.
Fluttering in NC
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I mix Calgon Bath Oil Crystals and some ordinary Epsom
salt, both bought at the Dollar Store, and make my own
"mineral salts" for my bath.
It is great for sore muscles and the bath oil crystals
make my skin smell good and become softened. You use
about a handful each time.
One year I put this mixture in inexpensive jars, with
a decorative ribbon, and gave them as Christmas Gifts.
Everyone raved about how good it made them feel.
Flying In Georgia
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On Sunday mornings before church I go to the gym I belong to. There are very few people there on Sundays so I take my time swimming (which I LOVE to do), sitting in the hot tub, sitting in the sauna, taking a long shower, taking my time getting dressed before leaving to head home. Sometimes I get coffee on the way home. There are 5 people waiting at home for me and we only have one full bath so the house is very hectic in the morning. Taking my time at the gym gives me a physical workout and a mental break and I am able to face the week with a better attitude.
Sue
Attempting to fly in Rochester MI
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Dear Wonderful FlyCrew,
Every Saturday I take a little time out for my favorite pampering. First, I take out a deep conditioning mask for my hair that was given to me by my very best girlfriend, Suzy. When I massage it into my hair and smell the wonderful smell, it makes me think of my love for my friend and how blessed I am to have her in my life.
Then, I treat myself to a little nap. This consists of sleeping or reading a good book.
By the time this routine is done, I feel like a million bucks!
Anyway, thank you for all your hard work. Were it not for you and Flylady, I would never have reached this point in my life, where I am learning to take care of myself. Many thanks from the bottom of my heart!
Love,
Flybaby A. in Costa Mesa, CA
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My DH bought me a gift certificate to a local nail salon for a manicure and a pedicure. This is a sweet gift by itself, but it is made sweeter when he offers to watch our three children (DD-8;DD-4;DS-28mos) when I go to redeem my gift certificate. When I get back home, he has them all three bathed, hair dried and in bed. Then all I need to do is sing them their bedtime songs and settle in with a new novel.
Pampered in Georgia
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I take what I call a "Reeses vacation". I can do this anywhere and it costs about 35 cents! I simply sit somewhere, close my eyes, eat my Reeses (very slowly), and do all I can to relax and imagine myself elsewhere. I've been all sorts of places - the Carribean, riding an elephant in Thailand, etc. I imagine the warmth of the sun on my skin, the feel of the sand if there is any, a slight warm breeze, birds singing... I've been know to do this in the midst of my living room with my three young boys running around sounding like hungry tigers.
After the Reeses is gone I find I'm incredibly relaxed and can handle most anything. Even hungry tigers.
Thank you for all you all do!
Flybaby in Rhode Island
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When things start getting to me and I need to "chill"
(as my daughters call it) I head for a place to pick
up a cup of coffee then take whatever book I'm reading
and drive to the busy Tops market. I sit in the car
and read/drink my coffee and nobody can ask me
anything ! Usually about 1/2 hour is all I need .
It's just enough. Especially fun when the Buffalo
weather is being Buffalo weather and I don't have to
get out of the car!
If I still had my beloved horses I would be heading to
the barn instead of Tops and reading while sitting
(actually lying down) backwards with the book
propped on Poco's rear.She would be contentedly
munching grass and wandering around the pasture
while I read and went along for the ride. (She was a
very tolerant animal!)
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To pamper myself I buy my favorite ice cream bars. Then I have an ice cream bar and curl up with a good book and my dog. The two of us spend some quiet time reading and enjoying our ice cream. This is time that I carve out for just me.
Thanks,
Louise
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Mine is very simple. I have a full body massage matt that my DH got me for Christmas. I also have a foot massage (you know, the water kind) that he got me 2 yrs ago. Put the two together, add some candle light (or a fireplace i wish I had), and some soft music..... hmmmm I'm relaxed already!
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Me and my best friend from grade school (since 1970)
have a girls' night out. We check into a nice hotel
near a great shopping center. That night we treat
ourselves to a really nice dinner, and the next day we
shop 'til we drop. We save our money all year long so
we don't go into debt. We have one of these a year,
usually around our birthdays in the late summer.
Til later,
Kim
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I take five minutes to put on makeup every day. It's just for me. Even with a two
and a half year old who may be whining for some of my time and a baby who is often
hungry or needing to be carried, I take the five minutes to put my best face forward.
That way I smile each time when I look in the mirror because I not only know I'm worth it,
but I showed myself a little love by taking that time for me. I'm sure my husband also appreciates it - not because he believes that makeup makes me look more beautiful (he actually prefers me without it). He does know that I feel like myself and a bit more pulled together because I've taken those five minutes to pamper myself. Other moms sometimes comment how "fresh" I look - I think it's actually the inner beauty showing through because I took care of myself in a small way that gives me huge smiles and feels like I hugged myself.
I hope everyone finds a small way to pamper themselves - we're all worth it!
Tanya, Oak Park, CA
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I *love* going to our local cosmetology school. The
most expensive thing they have is only $5.00, and you
can have a wash, cut, style, massage, manicure - all
very relaxing. The students work on you, but the
teachers are all there monitoring - no mishaps that
I've ever seen. The particular school that's close to
me is part of a junior college that also has a
culinary arts program, so I usually stop for some
"specialty" coffee and a small treat.
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Since I live alone now, I am free to pamper myself even more. I wouldn't miss my nightly soak with good-smelling salts and such, using fragrant candles whenever I wish, and spritzing the house with fragrant oils regularly. My other lady-friends and I have ball going out to eat regularly and lazing over cups of special coffee.
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The way I pamper myself lately is to use the new vanilla-lavendar scented Downy on my masterbedroom sheets and the towels. Oh my gosh...it's heavenly. It's a bit more expensive than regular Downy (and I usually use generic at that) but this is my one indulgence.
Brenda - Soaring in Texas.
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Dear flylady crew,
I read you like to hear a few pampermissions, so here are a few...
I love to take a footbath with simply hot water.
You have to sit for the next few moments, unable to move... So prepare yourself for those moments.
something to dry your feet with, something to treat and pamper your feet, clean socks and something to read. Then you're ready to sit back and relax.
I love to take a short nap in my bed. Not to sleep... But just for not being disturbed... My DS gets a timer when he has to wake me. But I'm not sleeping. I'm enjoying the silence, reading a book or...
I love to pamper myself with hiring a beautifull movie. No it's quite simple here... We have the television, but not the view... So we are only able to wath te tv when we hire a film.
Further I like to take a walk with the whole family, a few friends taken with us. just walk a little in the woods or the country. Talk, having fun, and the relaxing moment afterwards with a cup of tea at home. That really feels good. Spending time with friends, doing healthy things for your body and relaxing afterwards.
What a good thing it is when you give your loveones and yourself a little pampering by a breakfast in bed:) Just a few things like a cup of tea, bacon and eggs or whatever you like.
what to think of making a card by yourself and write a good message for an other person.
Wrinting nice things, will bring you a good mood as well....The good reaction is also quite a pampering for yourselfl.
For Valentine I made a card for my son as well. Don't know where he is keeping it. But the smile he gave me when he read it was great!
Sometimes I ask friends to come over and eat together. We'll just take a look in both kitchens. Both just looking for mjummie things. And we'll have a strange meal but with a lot of fun!
I like to have a few hobbies. So sometimes I use the timer to give myself metime for my hobbie.
That could be: drawing, painting, reading, cooking, baking,
it could be anything...
That's all of the moment. I probably have more pamper missions for myself because I have a little money and when there comes a pamper mission which costs me extra money... I just think about a cheaper replacement.
With love,
Judith from the Netherlands!
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