HA!!  So funny that our guest writer today emailed her write-up and this exact topic was on the table of conversation at last nights girl’s night for me as well!!  We all have them, we all hate them…Sky is lucky she’s only got one!!  I’ve had hundreds since I was in my early twenties!  Meet Sky from Seeryus Mama…Sky and I have a wonderful working relationship and I love reading with her {daily}!  I’m looking forward to following her as she embraces “old-age” {NOT} and perhaps decides to hide the greys! {BYW Sky, congrats on your The View news!!  Awesome!!}

“I knew this day would happen…I just didn’t expect it so soon. Really, it’s not fair, I mean, I’m only 31.

Yes, I found my first grey hair.

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I do know that I yanked that puppy out before anyone could see it. And I’ve been scrutinizing my hair in the mirror. Turning this way and that – are there any grey hairs in the back of my head that I don’t know about?

I can see the effects on my 2 year old daughter. Paige doesn’t miss a thing. She watches me apply moisturizer and she wants some. The same goes for concealer, foundation and powder. Let’s not forget the lip gloss and mascara. While I don’t have a problem giving her moisturizer to put on, I don’t want her to feel like she’s not pretty if she doesn’t apply make-up. I’m walking a fine line with my little lady, and essentially forming her views on beauty this early in life.

As I flat-iron my hair, Paige sits on the counter watching. She likes to stand up in the sink and talk to the mirror, giving herself kisses and lately turning her head from side to side, in what resembles my search for grey hair. This makes me question whether or not I should color my hair.

And if I do? I haven’t colored my hair for 7 or 8 years. So should I turn my auburn locks into blond? Should I go darker brown? Or do I *gulp* let those greys come in gracefully?”

“Seeryus Mama is a mish-mash of my life as a Mama to two beautiful children, as well as reviews of products I’m fond of. Keep your eyes peeled for those giveaways! I work outside of the home part-time as a Librarian, volunteer for several local boards and blog. I’ve recently added college student to that as well. If I’m not busy, I’m not happy! Seeryus Mama is MY baby book. It’s out there for everyone to see, and I’m excited to show it off!

Keep a look out, I’m changing the way Seeryus Mama looks (yeah, again!), I can’t wait to reveal the end look!”

2 days til the “loveliest holiday” of the year!  My SIL is coming into town so hubs and I get go out and enjoy ourselves kid-free!  I can not wait!!  Life is hectic for us all at this time in our lives {who else is wishing for retirement right about now??}…our guest writer today shares “finding time for yourself” as a Valentine’s treat to yourself to help ease the woes of a crazy lifestyle!  Tina is one of the faces behind Otherhood, LLC, a blog for mothers of all kinds!  Find giveaways, recipes, parenting stories, and more at Otherhood, LLC…add these ladies to your {daily} reads and enjoy!  Remember, the 14th is about LOVE {not retail in-saneness} but pure love for everyone close to you.  If you slow down for just one weekend to embrace and cherish those around you, make this weekend it!

“There are so many demands in life and moms seem to never have enough time to get everything done. Between family, work, and the daily chores, I often feel exhausted and drained by the end of the day. As moms we are great at taking care of others and putting our families’ needs first, yet not so good at taking care of ourselves.

I admit I am struggling with the idea of finding time for myself. Actually the other day I sat down to think about this and sadly I couldn’t remember the last time I went out for the day without the kids or went on a date with my husband. I am really trying to work on this because I know it is important for my sanity and it is such a nice refresher once in awhile.

To celebrate Valentine’s Day this year I am going to make some “me” time and I encourage you to do the same. We all need to reconnect with ourselves and loving yourself has to be a priority – a happy mom means a happy family!

Here are some fresh ideas on treating yourself and your heart this Valentines’ Day.

1. Count your blessings; Take a few minutes in the morning to reflect on 3 things that you are grateful for and make a list. You can add to it each day and whenever you are feeling down, stressed or just need a reality check – pull your list out.
2. Get together with your girlfriends; A night out with friends can be such a sanity saver. Not only that but it is nice to spend time with others that can understand what you are going through. Call the ladies, grab some snacks and pop open some wine. Talk, laugh, vent, cry if you have to – a night out with the girls is good for the soul.
3. Reconnect with your children; Most days I feel like I am being torn in some many directions and it feels good to just put away the computer, hide the cell phone and forget about all of the chores that need to be done. Just having a day with my kids playing, reading books, doing crafts, cooking, etc. really helps me feel refreshed and reminds me what is important in life.
4. Read a book; Every night after the kids go to bed, I curl up on my couch snuggled with a blanket {and an occasional glass of wine} and read. I probably shouldn’t tell you this but I am currently reading the Twlight Series and I love being taken away to a fantasy world. Pick a book that you have been meaning to read and start today!
5. Treat yourself to a bubble bath; Indulge in a nice, long, hot bubble bath with your favorite music, candles and your choice of a glass of wine or cup of warm tea. Relax and enjoy the moment to yourself.
6. Go to a movie; Buy the biggest bucket of popcorn, a HUGE soda and chocolate, chocolate, chocolate {guilty free!}. Take your hubby, a friend or go by yourself if you need some alone time. See a movie that will make you laugh out loud or cry out all of your frustration. Have fun!
7. Change your look; How good does it feel to get a new hairstyle or buy some new make-up? Reinvent yourself today! My hair is often pulled back into a ponytail and I sometimes forget how it feels to actually spend time on myself getting ready. I know by just getting a new fresh hair color or changing up my hairstyle makes me feel alive again.
8. Reconnect with your sweetheart; Book reservations at a nice restaurant, go on a day trip, spend a night away from home… whatever you do remember it’s all about the two of you. Rekindle the spark in your relationship.
9. Find a hobby; What have you been putting off that you have always wanted to do? Cooking, sewing, scrap booking, yoga, pottery making? Now is the perfect time! I really enjoy cooking and I finally signed myself up for a few cooking lessons. I am super excited. Do it today!
10. Send the kids out overnight; Enjoy a quite free night and SLEEP, SLEEP, SLEEP.

I hope these ideas helped you think of ways to nurture yourself and find time to do something you love. Don’t let this list limit you. Find things that will help make you feel refreshed and take care of your inner self. Enjoy the moment!”

Tina Seitzinger
Otherhood

http://otherhoodllc.blogspot.com