Comfort and Joy part 2

 When I left you last night, it was around 2:30am.  My Husband and I had just settled into bed and turned on the History Channel and dozed off to sleep.  About an hour later we were awakened buy a strange silence.....the kind that never happens.  No furnace running, the computers were not whirring, not even the refrigerator was making it's low hum.  

  For the second time in less than 24 hours the power had gone out!  I still don't know what happened, but at least it is back on now, and we can resume our normal "electricity" craving lives.  :)

  I have a few more items of comfort on my list.  Two come from this little chain store, maybe you have heard of it??  OLD NAVY??  One of my all time favorite places to shop, especially for the kids, because their prices are just right for back to school clothing.  AND they carry school uniforms.  My two youngest children wear school uniforms, and YES it is a PUBLIC school.  But that is a different story all together.

  On to MYfavorite Old Navy things for ME!  As I have already told you, I am often cold, so I dress in layers  ALL the time.  Old Navy makes these AWESOME tank tops, they are super long on the bottom.  For me, that is an incredible thing, because I am 5'8.  Nothing ever fits me right, and my shirts have a tendency to ride up in the back.

Right now they are on clearance for $4.99.  But in the summer time they will come out with more, I am sure.

   I wear these underneath their long sleeve v-neck or scoop neck T-shirts.

They aren't very fancy, but they are comfortable, and great for running around with the kids or grocery shopping!

   I pair these two tops often with a pair of jeans, and if it is cold outside, I throw a blazer or cardigan over the top of both of these.  The tanks run Large so my recommendation is ordering the size smaller than you would normally pick up.  


  Okay enough about clothing and p.j.'s.....I am almost at the end of my list now.  


  The next few items I have learned from experience are REALLY important to us all, and often the most over looked.  We spend half our lives in bed, even more time if you become ill for any reason.  Our beds and bedroom should be a haven of rest and comfort.  They should be an area we can retreat to after having a bad day, or when you are feeling lousy, and to go to daily to get rest and feel refreshed for the following day.  


  For a very long time I bought really cheap sheet sets, they always felt scratchy to me, and after a few washes looked dingy and thread bare.  In my mid 20's I developed an addiction to Martha Stewart and she explained thread count to the masses.  Even then, you could mostly only find high thread count sheets in department stores, and they cost an arm and a leg.  


  Now EVERY store you go to, EVEN WALMART has high thread count sheets.  If you haven't already bought yourself a set of sheets 300 thread count or higher, treat yourself now!  You won't regret it, I promise.  Most stores have their white sales in January, if you can afford it.........that would be a great time to invest in your first set. 

  

Filedcrest Brand at Target starting at $39.99

  You can find sets even less expensive than these if you shop sales.  But it is worth the investment.  I guarantee you will end up replacing the 200 thread count multiple times over, before these even start showing signs of wear.  They feel great against your skin, and make sliding under the covers a JOY every night.

  Great pillows can never be over rated either, I love feather pillows because they seem to last MUCH longer than their fiber fill brothers, and fluff back up again nicely for years to come.  Just remember to use a pillow protector as well as a pillowcase. 

 For those of you who may not know, I have been dealing with a knee injury for the last 9 months.  I recently had a surgery in hopes to repair some of the damage.  My life wouldn't have been the same without one of these handy little things.

I have had mine for years, but funny enough this is the EXACT one I have.  It folds up and slides next to your bed.  It is $24.98 and you can find it on this site Bed Tray

 Last on my list is the cheapest and the simplest.  Most of us have them all over our house collecting dust  somewhere.  Many of you SAVE them for special occasions...and end up throwing them away because once the dust collects on them, they can't be cleaned.  (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE)  LOL  :)  Just teasing.

CANDLES!!!

 I don't know what it is exactly....but lighting candles just makes everything feel "better".  It doesn't have to be a special occasion.....just light them.  You can get them at the dollar store, and use them over and over until they are all gone!  Scented ones are great, tea lights are REALLY cheap, talking CENTS....especially if you buy them in bulk from a place like Ikea!  But my personal favorite, particularly in my bedroom are the "religious" candles.  They may have another name....but I don't know what it is.  They last a really long time, if you keep the wick trimmed and away from a draft.  I feel safer because they are in a glass holder, AND the best part.  They cost a dollar!  

These candles come in a bunch of colors too.  I have them in red, burgundy, white and off white.  I love how simple and elegant they are, and very inexpensive.

  I am not in any way telling you to go out and BUY all of these products.  I am telling you what things I already have that bring ME joy everyday.  Most importantly I am telling you that I had to actually "think" about these overlooked everyday items in my life, and realize that there are many simple pleasures I have been blessed with that often go unnoticed.  Even when things are not the way we would like them to be, and our checking account balance makes us cringe.  There are things like these in our lives that should be met with gratitude.  
  
  This is my way of showing you the abundance of "things" I have to be grateful for.  OH...I have so many more things like great kids and loving husband too.  I try to not ever take that for granted either.  But in a world full of so much STUFF.....I thought I would show you some of the stuff that makes me the happiest.  

 Part of this years Newest Journey is going to be about GRATITUDE.  Here is goal Number #1.  To take time to be grateful EVERY day!  

  What are you Grateful for?  Right now in this moment?

Blessings <3 Paula 

Comfort and Joy part 1

  Before I loose you all completely....I KNOW Christmas is OVER.  LOL  This isn't a post about Christmas.  While lying in the bathtub I was inspired to write this blog before I deal with all the heavy things I have been wrestling with lately.  

  Bathing is one of my all time FAVORITE things in the world to do.  It relaxes me completely.  Sometimes I read a book in the tub, sometimes I light candles, a glass of wine sometimes sits on the edge of the tub too.  I have the greatest bath pillow with suction cups to keep it secured in just the right place to rest your head.  It helps me regroup, and I often do my best praying there as well.  Now to the inspiration part.....I thought with most people having money issues now a days, why not blog about some of my favorite things that cost very little money and bring me "COMFORT and JOY"  every day of the year.  


  So here is the rest of my list in no particular order. 

 I have a coffee mug that I picked up at Walmart one day, just because I like the way it looked and felt in my hand.  I don't have the dishes or any other piece of the china.  But I drink out of this mug EVERY day.  Holding the heavy warmth of it in my hand in the mornings while getting my kids ready for school is the perfect start to my day.  I am very much a creature of habit when it comes to certain things, and when it is not clean, or someone else is using it....(totally drives me CRAZY)  the same level of soothing does not happen.  

The coffee cup is JUST the right size in my opinion.

   While we are on coffee mugs I thought I would mention the beverages IN them.  I love coffee in the morning, Folgers half and half.  Caffeine bothers me in excessive amounts so no strong stuff for me thank you.  I enjoy tea as well, but not nearly as much as I enjoy Motts hot cider drinks.  They are wonderful, and you can usually find them at Sam's club, in the fall.

  In the cold months There are a few things that I wear almost daily.  Knee socks have become a new love of mine.  I don't know why it took me so long to fall in love with these wonderful little things, but the warmth they add is astounding!  Who would have thunk it?  

As you see they come in all kinds of colors.  They are the best thing to put on in the morning when frost is in the air.

  I have Grave's Disease and Raynauds syndrome so I am often cold.  Have you noticed a theme yet?  Next is my robe and my knit slipper socks.  They ROCK.  I got them at Target last year right before I had the radioactive iodine procedure done to kill my thyroid.  

This robe is like wearing a fleece blanket.

Also from Target.  Soft warm and has little grippers on the bottom.

   While cuddled on the couch with my Hubby or kiddos, You can often find me underneath one of these.  

These look particularly luxurious, I couldn't find the ones I have, but they cost half the price of these.  About $20 to be exact.

   We like to keep the heat down to a reasonable but not balmy temperature.  As I mentioned I am often cold.  Between these throws, my robe, and my slippers I am a happy and cozy camper.  

  Ikea, is always one of my favorite places to visit.  Sometimes to shop and other times for inspiration, ( And the Swedish meatballs).  They have the best kitchen ware.  If you are a klutz like me, but don't want to drink wine out of a tumbler.  Have no fear, Ikea is here.  

$4.99 for 6 pack

 There is just something wonderful, comforting, and luxurious, about drinking a nice glass of wine with dinner, or on the porch with a friend, or sitting on the patio with your husband discussing the days events.  Something so simple, to feel so very pampered. 

  I will need to pick this back up tomorrow, but till then....What makes you happy?  Something small maybe?  Do you use it everyday?  I would love to hear from you!  

                                                      Blessings!  <3  Paula