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Y'all. Mother's Day is right around the corner! 

I know. I almost forgot too. 

I grabbed a few super cute things from around the web I thought you might like. 

It's totally okay to:
1) Buy it for yourself
2) Leave this page open with a note for your husband and kids 

You have my permission to do whatever it takes to get an awesome gift for Mother's Day (because we both know we won't necessarily get that nap) 

1: Mid Century Modern Free Standing Shelves
Apparently this comes fully assembled (because who wants extra work on Mother's Day?) and gives a neat place to set all those books we don't have time to read. 

2: Pastasaurus
Freaking Adorable. If you're going to cook enough pasta to feed the neighborhood but have your kids want something else, at least get a giggle out of it with this adorable pasta spoon. 

3: Dino Salt And Pepper Shakers
If you or your kids love dinosaurs, this is your chance to add it to the decor in a functional way.

4: Corelle Square Simple Lines 18 Piece Set
If your house is anything like mine, you need new plates to replace the ones your kids broke. Why not make them adorable? 

5: Don't Want No Scrubs Grapefruit and Blood Orange
Support a small business with this awesome body scrub! The citrus scent is perfect to wake up your senses in the morning while you wait for the coffee you chugged to kick in. 

6: Owl Heart Wall Art
This piece is perfect for the owl lover in your life! The black and white coloring makes it perfect for any room in your house. 

7: Hillary Cleanton Pumice Scrub
Get your feet sandal ready with this super exfoliating scrub. Eucalyptus, Rosemary, and Mint will give you a second to breathe and pretend you're at a spa instead of sitting on the edge of your bathtub yelling at the kids to just give you a minute.

8: Sitting Deer Wall Art
 You need this adorable piece in your room. Yes. You do. Trust me. 

​9: Long Tunic Front Patch Pocket Vest
Available in several colors! Grab it and feel fancy without overheating. IT HAS POCKETS!!!

Get a gift for yourself or someone special! You (they) earned it. 

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Let's be straight: Anxiety sucks. Whether it's a full blown panic attack or an irrational reaction to a simple problem...anxiety sucks. 

I compiled a list of things in a "fun" format to try the next time you feel *that* feeling coming on. 

Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor. Not all of these things will work for you. Do not take my advice as gospel. Make sure you have an official anxiety diagnosis from a professional, as it can actually be a symptom of other issues. 

Ready? 

A - Animals
Hug your pet. Ask your friend if you can hug their pet. Go play with puppies at the humane society. Ask a stranger if you can pet their dog (ALWAYS ASK).

B - Breathe
Breathe properly! Anxiety can cause a choking sensation and shallow breathing can make it worse. 

C - Coping Statements
"It's anxiety, I'm not dying" or "I'm breathing" or "I'm safe" can make a world of difference in the moment.

D - Distract Yourself
Download the FREE Kindle reading app on whatever device you have on hand (usually your phone) and start reading! There are always free books available. 

E - Expect The Best
Yes, it's the "power of positive thinking" in a way. "It's going to be okay." 

F - Fresh Air
Go outside. Open a window. Stand in front of the A/C vent or fan. Sometimes a simple change will bring you back around. 

G - Grounding exercises
Name 5 things you can see, name 4 things you can feel, name 3 things you can hear, name 2 things you can smell, name 1 good thing about yourself. 

H - Have a Snack/Gum
Okay, it sounds weird and I'm definitely not saying "eat your feelings" or anything. But popping a piece of gum or a mint can trick your body into calming down a smidge. If you're eating, you're not in danger.

I - Ignore It
Controversial tip but stay with me. For me, sometimes I have to just pretend everything is peachy keen and hope my brain gives up. 

J - Joke (laugh)
Tell a joke. Read a joke. Have someone tell you a joke. Pick a comedian on Netflix or Youtube and sit back. Laughing releases endorphins and can release tension.

K - Keep Going
Push through the task at hand if possible. Occasionally I'll find myself on the other side saying "oh, it wasn't that bad!" 

L - Learn Something New
What is your favorite lesser known Greek god/dess? Which presidents had dogs? Can you train a ferret? 
I don't know. Go Google it and distract your brain by learning a new tidbit. 

M - Music
Music is my go-to. I have a playlist on my Amazon Prime Music labeled "Anxiety Girl" and I'll play through it when I need to breathe. If I can, I sing along as well. 

N - Narrate Your Life
Here's an embarrassing thing I do but it works for me. I start narrating what I'm doing. Usually, I'll pick an unusual voice. Picking up the kids and it's crowded on rough anxiety day? Insert me in a computer voice saying "Children acquired." 

O - Ocean Sounds (or whatever you like) 
Ambient Mixer offers all sorts of neat options. A lot are full of geek. Check it out. I like to ride in the Impala in the rain, personally.

P - Pills
THERE IS NO SHAME IN REACHING FOR YOUR PRESCRIBED MEDICATION. 

Q - Quote (mantra) 
Repeat a quote that will keep you going. Write it down in pretty font. Write it on your arm/hand. Mine? "Be brave. Live." 

R - Reframe Your Thinking
"I'm going to kick ass at this interview" instead of "Oh crap, I hope I do okay"

S - Stop Negative Thinking
Stomp on that mental spiral as soon as you can! 

T - Talk it Out
Post on social media asking for help. Start a blog (there are private options). Write in your journal. Text/Phone a friend. Tell your significant other to just sit there and mostly listen while you chatter away. Half the time, I find my own solutions. 

U - Uplift Yourself or Others
Say something nice about yourself. Compliment a stranger. Comment on a friend's social media post. Do a random act of kindness. 

V - Validate Your Feelings
I know this is in direct correlation to the "ignore it" advice I gave earlier, but I also said not all of the tips would work for everyone. There are times when I have to tell myself "I'm freaked out and that's okay." 

W - Wait It Out
A lot of anxiety surges are short lived. Remind yourself that you made it out of the last one and you'll kick this one's ass as well. 

X - Exercise
(X words are hard, yo) Use that energy! Do some cardio. Go for a walk (And get some FRESH AIR!) Clean your house. Clean your car. 

Y - Yell
Put your face in a pillow and scream all of those bad words building up in your head. Lock yourself in your car and yell until your chest feels better. Just be sure and yell with your diaphragm or you'll hurt your vocal chords. 

Z - Zen (meditate) 
Get your zen on! Find a quick meditation on Youtube or download an app on your phone. Do some yoga poses. These tie back to BREATHING as well!! 

As of writing this post, I'm sitting in the 3rd hotel room I've stayed in during my time in Alaska. We've been in hotels for the month since we arrived. 

This time doesn't include hotel stays during my long drive. Or the time spent in a hotel while in limbo after my Household Goods were packed but we hadn't left yet.

It's been....stressful
​ 

During my time, I've had several thoughts. Enough of them were useful and not just "SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP I HATE EVERYTHING" to put in a post. 

1) My kids are loud. 
I mean, DUH, right? Kids = Loud. However, this is really driven home when you realize you're sharing multiple walls with people who are possibly jet lagged and trying to catch up on sleep. 

2) Housekeeping is a blessing...sorta.
It's really nice to have someone come in a take out all of the trash, make sure you're stocked up on clean towels, and change your sheets whenever you ask. 
However...
I get weird about people touching my stuff. I also get worried about how "trashed" the hotel room looks when they come in. Logically, it's not awful. Stress induced OCD like thoughts? It's a trash heap. 

3) I have a love/hate with cable.
I like being able to watch things like Animal Cops or other reality TV shows. I don't, however, like commercials. I've been out of the commercial loop for several years now so I didn't get to watch the evolution of commercials...and these are weird. 
I also get frustrated for/with my kids when they want to watch something but that specific show isn't on yet. They're spoiled on streaming. 
​

4) We all need our own space. 
We've gotten suites whenever possible so there's a separate room for adults and kids. But, for me, that isn't always enough. I need my own space and time where literally no one talks to me or needs my attention. Sometimes I need to be able to separate my kids from each other without one having the "better" space. 

5) I need my cats
The last 2 of the 3 hotels haven't been pet friendly. I've been able to visit my kitties and I know they're being taken care of by someone who truly loves animals...but they aren't with me and sometimes that's difficult. 
My Shadowcat is my unofficial emotional support kitty. His cuddles can calm me when I'm having anxiety and I definitely sleep better if he's nearby. It's been a difficult few weeks without him. 
​

Kas, you may be asking, why the hell are you still in hotel rooms? 

House hunting sucks and we can be picky. That about sums it up. I want a space I can live in comfortably for at least a year, I need a fenced yard, I need 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, some homes aren't even available yet, and I want my kids in a good school district. 

And I definitely don't want to live on base. 

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I just got the nod to become a Land of Nod affiliate! 

Y'all. Their stuff is downright adorable. But not that "cutesy baby crap" adorable. This will grow with your child. Hell, I'm seeing a few things I'd put in MY room! 

This Rainbow Blend Knit Blanket is really pretty. 

Not gonna lie...I squealed a bit when I saw this book! 

I LOVE THE POKY LITTLE PUPPY!!! It was one of my favorite books as a kid!!! 

If anyone can help me talk my husband into a Poky Little Puppy Throw Pillow, I'd appreciate it...
They also have adorable things like a Poky Puppy Hooded Towel! (That's on SALE right now!) 
SOMEONE BUY IT SO I CAN LIVE VICARIOUSLY! My kids are outgrowing hooded towels. 

Definitely explore their website. They have a blog full of cute ideas, tips and tricks, and an awesome sale section. 

If you're looking for handcrafted decor for your child (or your inner child...I don't judge) THE LAND OF NOD is your site!