Stressed Out! Where's the Balance?

This past week, my husband and I both were under alot of stress from our work lives and it was a difficult week to get through. What do you do when you and your husband are stressed and are both looking to the other for a bit of sanity to balance you out?

This was one of those weeks that I wished I was a stay-at-home mom with 2 children. I think I would have found more enjoyment out of managing a household, caring for my kids and husband and enjoying a fufilling day without all the stresses of a my typical 9 to 5 job. My 9 to 5 job turned into working 4 out of the 5 nights at home or from a coffee house after dinner. This meant that my personal time and quality time with my husband suffered...not to mention household things like cleaning, cooking, laundry, paying bills, etc.

Throughout the week, I have to be honest, my husband and I were both experiencing very high irritation levels and with both of us at those high levels it just fueled the stress with each passing day. But I am amazed and blessed at the fact that we still managed to support each other through the week. My husband unexpectantly brought me flowers to my office on Tuesday and if I needed to vent about an stressful situation, he was there for me (even if it was through Google Chat). I called him randomly during the day, took care of things he couldn't get to and left him notes in his lunch bag. I hope I was able to recipricate the support to him as well as he did to me. We really do rely on each other for support, to lift the other up when we are done and to just comfort each other when we've had a long day. I think Adam and I do balance each other out very well in times of stress. Some times require more work and other times it just comes naturally.

Today, we are back to our normal selves and enjoying our quiet Saturday mornings drinking coffee, reading, having conversation and occasionally squeezing out a blog post. Despite the snow falling outside, we're excited to have a nice lunch today at one of our favorite local spots. So while this week felt like 2 weeks, I am thankful that our wonderful, strong marriage brought us back to the quiet, lovely weekends we enjoy. By Monday, I will be recharged and ready to face the 9 to 5, knowing I can get through the most stressful week because I have a supportive, loving husband and a strong marriage to guide me through.

Adam - thank you for all the support, love and understanding you continually show me each and every day. I love you more each day. Happy Valentine's Day!

Life Without Television

Since 2009 began, my husband and I decided to eliminate watching regular television. Recently, we made a huge committment to this life change by cancelling our cable service. Some of you might think this is ridiculous and wonder:

• "What would drive you to do that?"


• "What are you going to do now when you get home?"


• "I could never do that, I need to watch my shows?"

I am here to tell you that this is one of the best decisions we have ever made. Before we cancelled our service, we were watching only sporting events or 30 minutes of television to wind down from the day. Since we started watching television less and less, the times we did watch became more and more frustrating. Some of the things that are on television are astonishing. Why do members of our society feel compelled to religiously watch television shows about other people's misery? Does it make us appreciate our lives that much more? Is it the same feeling you get when you drive by a car accident and you just can't look away?

All I know is that my life has more fulfillment in it now that our household does not have cable television. Since the change:

• My husband and I have better and more conversations.


• I am more productive around the house and don't leave things until the weekend.


• We aren't feeding our brain with some of the garbage that passes for quality television.


• I am reading more books than I thought I would (goal was 2 per month and in January I read 5).


• My work productivity has increased because we read in the morning and get our brains firing so that by the time I get to the office I am ready to tackle the work.

So, not only are we saving money by cutting out the cable but we are increasing our overall quality of life. When telling someone I know about this life change, I was shocked when their response was, "what are you going to watch at night?" I pray that people find the value of enriching their lives with things other than the "boob tube".

Having Your Cake and Eating It Too

Can woman find balance between being a housewife and a career woman? I absolutely believe we can. I have been a career woman and a housewife for the past 8 years. Some days it is tougher than others to keep that balance in my life but I do believe it is possible.

Some essentials that help me achieve balance are:

• passion


• organization


• love & support of a great man (I've got mine)


• caffeine


• sense of humor


• focus


• time-saving tricks


• simplicity


• downtime

So in this blog I will be writing about my personal experiences and observations. As well as sharing great tips, tricks, products, books and websites with my readers to help them have their cake and eat it too.