Just in case you were wondering how to keep the stress level in your life high, here are some things you can try:

1. Don’t exercise
2. Personalize all criticism
3. Throw out your sense of humor
4. Be “macho” and never ask for help
5. Become a workaholic
6. Worry about things you can’t control

I saw these things listed on a handout and thought it was very true. I especially need to work on #5. What about you?

This made me laugh so I just had to post it!

Pretty weird.

Joey and I had a lot of “Reward Points” our credit card (that we pay off monthly) and it was time to spend them. This time Joey let me pick out the reward. What a nice husband I have.

After looking at our options (and asking Joey what he thought), I decided to “order” a 5-piece luggage set. I have been wanting to upgrade my old luggage set for a while but could never force myself to spend the money to do it.

When I got home today (after driving 2 hours in the snow – going 5 mph) there was a note on the door saying there was a package on our balcony. When I saw the huge box on the balcony I knew it was the luggage. What a nice surprise.

I dragged the snow covered box in the apartment and took all the pieces out. It’s a nice luggage set. I feel sorry for the delivery guy that had to throw that over our balcony – the box weighed a ton! I think I could fit my whole apartment in this luggage set. It’s huge!

Here’s what it looks like:

Joey – I am ready for a trip now. How about a cruise? Just kidding. For now I will just keep using the credit card to get more reward points.

I recently got an email from Grandpa titled “The Laws of Life” and I wanted to share some of them with you.

Here are the “laws” I liked the best:

• Law of the Probability: the probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.
• Law of the Telephone: If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal.
• Variation Law: if you change lines, the one you were in will start to move faster than the one you are in now.
• Law of the Result: When you try to prove to someone that a machine (i.e., computer) doesn’t work, it will.
• Brown’s Law: If the shoe fits it’s ugly.
• Wilson’s Law: As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.

And finally, the “law” I can identify with the most since working with little kids:

• Doctors’ Law: If you don’t feel well, make an appointment to go to the doctor, by the time you get there you’ll feel better. Don’t make an appointment and you’ll stay sick.

How very true.

I really enjoy Christmas and the giving and receiving of gifts but I have to admit that I have a hard time with all the treats that get passed around this time of year. They are all so yummy and tempting and just plain dangerous.

Some of my favorite Christmas treats include: Egg Nog with peppermint ice cream, the usual treats my mom and sister make for Christmas (mini cheesecakes, magic bars and banana bars), and a piece of my Grandmother’s shortbread.

Work was a dangerous place to be. This year I took a box of oranges to work to share with everyone and let everyone else take care of the treats. Every day there was a new treat in the office. I also got quite a few treats from coworkers and some of the families I work with. Here’s a list of what I brought home:

• Homemade caramels
• Homemade cookies
• Homemade coconut bread
• Homemade chocolate bark (with coconut, nuts and dried cranberries)
• See’s CANDIES Dark Chocolate Balls
• A box of peppermint patties
• Various bite size chocolates (Snickers, Peanut Butter Cups, etc.)
• A large Symphony Chocolate Bar
• 3 large candy canes

Yikes! No wonder losing weight is a New Year’s Resolution for so many people.

Joey got some treats at work too but they never made it home. I guess he didn’t want to share with me but I’m not complaining.