5 Ways to Turn a Bad Day Around

We all have bad days, it's just part of life. No one is happy all of the time, just like my kids, we all wake up on the wrong side of the bed. So here are....

5 Ways to Turn a Bad Day Around

1. Cry it out. Sometimes you just need to cry. It's helpful as well as therapeutic. It really does help to just cry it out. If you are sad, angry, whatever just cry because you feel so much better. Trust me!

2. Vent. Every time I am upset I vent. Usually I vent to husband. We all need someone like that, that someone who will tell you when you are wrong or just let's you complain.

3. Watch something fun. We all have those go to movies or tv shows that we can watch over and over.  For me, I like to watch Grease, Dirty Dancing, and Bride Wars, for tv shows, I watch Friends, Gilmore Girls, How I Met Your Mother, Fuller House, and The Ranch. These are so much fun to watch and always put me in a better mood.

4. Change your surroundings. If you are in a bad mood at home get in the car and go somewhere. Go to the gym, go for a walk, or get some retail therapy. The key is to change your surroundings you will feel better.

5. Help someone. The best way to turn your bad day around is to help someone. Pay for someone's coffee, help someone carry their groceries to their car. Helping someone will cheer you up.

What are some ways to turn a bad day around that you use?

5 Common Meal Planning Mistakes

Meal planning can be overwhelming. The trick is to just get started. But before we talk about meal planning, let's first talk about some common mistakes that most people make when meal planning.

5 Common Meal Planning Mistakes:

Mistake #1-- Not making a menu at all

I'll be the first to admit that there are plenty of weeks when I don't have a meal plan in place because of not knowing exactly how our week is going to plan out. But, you know what? When 4pm rolls around, I always regret not having a meal plan to rely on.

Even a simple meal plan that you have to change it better than not having one at all.

Mistake #2-- Thinking you have to plan out every single detail.

Guess what? If you are making the meal plan, you are the boss and you get to make the decision on how much you plan out and how much you want to "wing it". I usually plan the main dish with a side. When it's time to cook, first I check the fridge to see what produce needs to be used up and then I make a decision based on that.

If you are only planning one item per meal, then meal planning goes alot quicker.

Mistake #3-- Thinking you have be extra creative when meal planning.

There is no planning rule that say you have to plan something amazing for each meal. My breakfast menu is very simple and consists of cereal, eggs and toast, poptarts, and toaster strudel.

It's perfectly fine to add simple item to your meal plan-- you will be prepared while still having the ingredients on hand.

Mistake #4-- Thinking you cannot change the menu plan.

You are in control of the meal plan, the meal plan is not in control of you. If the time comes and find out that you do not have the time to make what is planned that day, then swap for something easier.

Do not avoid menu planning because you feel it's too limiting.

Mistake #5-- Being to ambitious in your meal choices. 

The opposite of mistake #4 is to be too ambitious while you are meal planning

I try to learn from my mistakes and plan accordingly the next time.

What types of mistakes have you made while meal planning?

Happy Homemaker Monday {1/29/2018}

Good morning Friends, hope everyone had a great weekend.

Ours was fairly quiet. We just hung out at home, played outside since it was nice and warm, and watched some movies together.

Breakfast time....what is on the plate this morning

I had a blueberry cheesecake muffin with a small glass of milk

Right now I am

Sitting at the dining room table typing up this post.

The weather outside

It's supposed to be in the 60s for most of the week. I hope it stays this way for a while. I am tired of wind chills being in the single digits. I just want some warm weather for a while.

 

Looking around the house

The living room still needs be picked up and the kitchen needs to be cleaned. The rest of the house is clean and the laundry is finally all folded and put away.

On today's to do list

Laundry- wash and dry one load and then fold 2 loads from yesterday
Cleaning- general tidying of the house needs to be done.
Cooking- baking muffins for snacks this week, and then I need to get started in suppper later today

Currently reading

Still reading Under the Dome by Stephen King. I think I'm going to have to check this book out more than a few times.

On the TV today

Not much just catching up on Little Women LA and Teen Mom OG. I also pulled out my Roseanne dvds and started watching them again this weekend.

On the menu this week

Monday- Creamy chicken with mashed potatoes
Tuesday- Beef stew with homemade bread
Wednesday- Beans and cornbread
Thursday-
Friday- Pizza and breadsticks
Saturday-
Sunday- Baked potato bar and some other snack foods 

If I have a few minutes to myself I will

Pick up the book that I am currently reading and read a couple of chapters

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key verses

Sunday Scoop

Hi Lovelies!

Welcome to the second edition of Sunday Scoop!

This week's questions:


1. What is the name of your blog? How long have you been blogging?

I blog at Scattered Musings of a Stay at Home Mom and I just started this blog a couple of months ago.

2. Why do you blog?

Right now, it's just a hobby, but I hope to eventually starting making some money with my blog.

3. What is the first blog you ever followed?

I think the first blog that I ever followed as The Glamorous Life of a Housewife. I don't think she blogs anymore though.

4. What is your favorite post you wrote in 2017?

3 Things that will help any Mom stay sane

5. What are your blogging goals for 2018?

1.  create a blogging editorial calendar, and stick to it
2.  post at least 3x per week on my blog
3.  share posts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
4.  collaborate with other bloggers during the month of February

6. Top 3 favorite blogs to follow?

Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
The Every Day Joys
Mix and Match Family

Currently {1/27/2018}

 Time and place: 9:42am  and I am in the dining room, typing up this post.
 
Eating: Just finished breakfast scrambled eggs with sausage and toast

Drinking: A big glass of water (always)

Watching: Roseanne Season 2

Reading:  Still reading Under the Dome by Stephen King

Loving: the bullet journal that I made. I love how it is coming together and I am loving the layouts that I have created. I am also loving the planner inserts that have made, they are so functional for me.

Working: I just started designing a meal planner. I cannot wait to see how it turns out! I'm so excited for this new project. I am also working on a weekly planner insert that I am excited about.

Listening: to the TV and my youngest talking

Buying: just groceries later

Planning: I have all of my posts planned for January and most of Feburary. I just have to write and schedule them. I am working on setting up some deadlines for my meal planner. I am also working with my husband on designing a new website. I am also working on some planner inserts. This should keep me busy for a while!

Wondering: can I pull it off? How will I pull it off?

Feeling: tired, but happy, always.

What are you currently up to?

Friday Favorites

 Hi Lovelies!

Happy Happy Friday!!!! I just thought I would share some of my favorite finds from this week.

Favorite Recipe: Roast Beef and Gorgonzola Hoagies

I make a similar hoagie, but these look so delish.

 Favorite DIY: Braided T-shirt Bracelets

I plan on trying to make these one say with some old t-shirts that I have laying around. They look pretty easy! 

Favorite Treat: Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Rolls

I've made these before, and they are so yummy. Even the Little loved them (she loves anything with peanut butter and chocolate chips).

 Favorite Fashion

Self explanatory!

Favorite Plate: Spaghetti sauce with meat sauce

I love to try new recipes for such a classic dish. 

Favorite Place

London. This another place that I would like to visit one day.

Favorite Sip: Pomegranate Cooler

I have never had a pomegranate, but I would love to try this sometime. 

Favorite Snack: S'mores snack mix

Now, I make a similar snack mix and I know the Little would love this!

Favorite Find: Kitchen command center

This is something that I have been wanting to do in my kitchen. It would keep everything organized. I love this idea.

 Favorite Slurp: Crockpot potato soup

Favorite Decor

This is a breathtakingly beautiful bedroom. I love the shade of blue that was used on the walls. 

What some of your favorite finds this week?

~Angie

What To Do When You Aren't Getting Enough Sleep

Raise your hand if are getting enough sleep! Crickets right? I figured! The truth is most people do not get nearly enough sleep. Myself included.

Backstory:

I have a toddler who does not sleep through the night, which means that I am up with her usually 2-3 times almost every night. She goes to bed around 730pm, my oldest goes to bed around 830pm and I try to go to bed around 11pm. This means that two hours after I go to bed then my toddler wakes for the the first time that night. It then takes 1-2 hours to get her back to sleep. This repeats until about 7am the next morning. So this means that I usually get maybe, if i am lucky 1-2 hours of sleep every night. However, there the occasional nights where she does sleep through the night, but let me remind that these night a few and far between.

Because of my lack of sleep I decided to research ways in which I can get more sleep. Here's what I have found to be the most helpful:

What To Do When You Aren't Getting Enough Sleep

In my research I have found that taking a catnap in the early afternoon will make for some of the sleep that is lost at night. They key is to make the catnap brief, by doing this it will improve your alertness, performance, and mood. The short afternoon nap can make up for the loss of one hour of nighttime sleep.

1. Do not nap after dark 

This can trick the body clock into thinking we're down for the night, making it harder to shake off the sleepiness when we wake up. This is somewhat challenging in the short days of December, especially for those who in are a place like Seattle, where the sunset can come as early as 4:18 p.m. 

2. Power up your power nap

Try drinking your post-lunch espresso immediately before you're scheduled to nap. A nap can help clear the brain of the sleep-inducing compound adenosine and gives the coffee just enough time to kick in.

3. Don't over indulge

As most of us know from experience, 10 to 20 minutes hits the sweet spot. Research shows that hat anything longer can put us into the deeper stages of REM sleep—that's when we wake up with a bad case of "sleep inertia," the clinical term for that groggy, where-am-I? sense that makes us feel even worse than we did before we closed our eyes. So, this means that severely sleep deprived may only want limit naptime to only 10 sweet minutes. 

4. Give in to an early bedtime

On those nights when we can barely keep our eyes open it is important to try and go to bed an earlier. A consistent bedtime is important to feeling well-rested, so tuck in early if you must, but don't even think of touching that snooze button. 

What are some tips that you might have to get enough sleep?

Note: Information taken from the following website. http://www.oprah.com/health/how-to-make-up-for-lack-of-sleep-sleep-deprivation-tips#ixzz554ewSj9f

Happy Homemaker Monday {1/22/2018}

Good morning Friends, hope everyone had a great weekend.

Ours was fairly quiet. We just hung out at home, played outside since it was nice and warm, and watched some movies together.

Breakfast time....what is on the plate this morning

I had a sausage egg and cheese muffin with some grapes and a small glass of milk

Right now I am

Sitting at the dining room table typing up this post.

The weather outside

It's supposed to be in the 60s for most of the week. I hope it stays this way for a while. I am tired of wind chills being in the single digits. I just want some warm weather for a while.

 

Looking around the house

The bedrooms and bathrooms are clean, the beds are made, the floors have been vacuumed and mopped, and the dining room is been rearranged for the Christmas tree.

On today's to do list

Laundry- wash and dry one load and then fold 2 loads from yesterday
Cleaning- my morning routine is done, and I will have to declutter the living room and clean the kitchen from lunch during naptime.
Cooking- baking muffins for snacks this week, and then I need to get started in suppper later today

Currently reading

Under the Dome by Stephen King

On the TV today

Not much just catching up on Little Women LA and Teen Mom OG. I also pulled out my Roseanne dvds and started watching them again this weekend.

On the menu this week

Monday- Popcorn chicken with noodles and green beans
Tuesday- Creamy ranch chicken with homemade bread
Wednesday- Beef Stew with homemade bread
Thursday- Mississippi chicken with mashed potatoes and peas and carrots
Friday- Lasagna roll ups with side salad
Saturday- Meatballs with pasta and veggies
Sunday- Beans with ham and potatoes and cornbread

If I have a few minutes to myself I will

Pick up the book that I am currently reading and read a couple of chapters

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key verses

Currently {1/20/2018}

 Time and place: 10:29pm  and I am in the dining room, typing up this post.
 
Eating: Nothing at the moment

Drinking: A big glass of water (always)

Watching: Roseanne Season 1

Reading:  Still reading Under the Dome by Stephen King

Loving: the bullet journal that I made. I love how it is coming together and I am loving the layouts that I have created. I am also loving the planner inserts that have made, they are so functional for me.

Working: I just started designing a meal planner. I cannot wait to see how it turns out! I'm so excited for this new project.

Listening: it's quiet

Buying: nothing at the moment

Planning: I have all of my posts planned for January and most of Feburary. I just have to write and schedule them. I am working on setting up some deadlines for my meal planner. I am also working with my husband on designing a new website. I am also working on some planner inserts. This should keep me busy for a while!

Wondering: can I pull it off? How will I pull it off?

Feeling: tired, but happy, always.

What are you currently up to?

Friday Favorites

Hi Lovelies!

Starting tonight and every Friday I will be posting my Friday Favorites. Friday Favorites will consist of things like recipes, DIY projects, fashions, books, etc. Basically just anything that I like that I find on the interwebs. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the first installment of.......

Favorite twist: Creamy Brie Four Cheese Mac and Cheese with Buttery Ritz Crackers. This looks like a delicious recipe, however, I have never thought of this particular combination for mac and cheese. I can't wait to try it sometime.

Favorite DIY: Washi tape notebooks. I have recently discovered the world of washi tape and I'm loving it.

Favorite treat: Gingerbread Cookie Cups with White Chocolate Mousse and Caramel. White chocolate mousse? Yes, please!!! I so want to make these for New Year's Eve.

Favorite Fashion: I'm loving this color combination for the winter months. So girly!

Favorite plate: Famous Pulled Barbeque Chicken. This recipe looks so delish!

Favorite place: Ireland. Beautiful.  I have always wanted to visit Ireland. It's on my bucket list. One day... one day.

Favorite sip: Cranberry Splash Punch. I think this would be fun to serve around Valentine's Day.  In my opinion anyways.

Favorite snack: Microwave Potato Chips. As soon as my mandolin comes in the mail I'm so making these little guys!!! These would be fun to serve at a Superbowl party with some french dip sliders. So yummy!

Favorite find: Perfect picture wall. I have always wanted to do this to my walls. I have already started so I just hope that it comes out the way that I want it to.

Favorite slurp: Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup. This looks so hearty I can't wait to make it sometime next week.

Favorite Bite: Cheesy Oven Fried Ravioli. I have made these one time and they did not turn out well at all. I think I'm trying this one soon!

Favorite decor: Custome wedding pillows. Love these pillows!

Favorite sweet: Cinnamon Sugar Apple Noodles. This looks so yummy!

What are some of your Friday Favorites?

A Few of My Favorite Things

Hi Lovelies!!

I just wanted to pop in and share a few of my favorite things with you. These are the things that I am loving right now... so here we go!

1. This 14 minute workout

2. These meal planning tips

3. This simple bullet journal layout.

What some of your favorite things?

Currently 1/13/2018

 Time and place: 4:12pm  and I am in the dining room, typing up this post.
 
Eating: Nothing at the moment

Drinking: A big glass of water (always)

Watching: Beverly Hills 90210

Reading: Under the Dome by Stephen King

Loving: the bullet journal that I made. I love how it is coming together and I am loving the layouts that I have created.

Working: I just started designing a meal planner. I cannot wait to see how it turns out! I'm so excited for this new project.

Listening: to the TV

Buying: nothing at the moment

Planning: I have all of my posts planned for January and most of Feburary. I just have to write and schedule them. I am working on setting up some deadlines for my meal planner. I am also working with my husband on designing a new website. I am also working on some planner inserts. This should keep me busy for a while!

Wondering: can I pull it off? How will I pull it off?

Feeling: tired, but happy, always.

What are you currently up to?