Queen of the Castle: Week 28

For those of you playing along...(if you've just joined us you can get caught up a bit here) we are on week 28 of the book Queen of the Castle: 52 weeks of encouragement for the uninspired, domestically challenged or just plain tired homemaker.

This week's chapter is titled "Shh! The Queen is Rejuvenating: Nuturing Ourselves".  While we find it easy to say yes to various tasks around the house or to things other people outside of the home ask us to do we often find it difficult to say yes to doing something for ourselves.  Now don't get me wrong, I think the "Me Time" mantra has been blown way out of proportion in some homes, but we do need to do something fun for ourselves once in a while. Lynne, the author, suggests making a list of fun things you like to do such as sitting in the sun with a good book, window shopping, playing the piano, or just listening to music (that does not include hand clapping or ending in "Bing-o was his name-o").  Pick one thing from the list a week.  Mark it on your calendar even to remind yourself to do something fun and for yourself!

"Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands" (Isaiah 49:16)

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!" (Isaiah 43:1)

We are valuable to Him and He tells us so!  He created us and loves us.  Kind of like how we feel about our own children, wouldn't you say?  Lynne goes on to say that "we serve our families all day long that we forget to treat ourselves.  Not buying a new living room set or anything but a quiet moment during the day to reflect on the wonder of being crafted by the same God who made the sun and the stars!"

Here are a few of my suggestions for little pick-me-ups!

*While the baby (although she's 2 now I guess I should call her a toddler?  Nah...) is napping I sit down with a nice glass of chai or iced tea and read through a magazine or a book (This is when the other kiddos have some quiet play time in the playroom!)
*Give your feet a soak in epsom salts and milk!  Scrub them with a pumice stone and then when they're dry slather with cream.  
*Paint your tootsies!  Even in the winter!  I give myself a pedicure about once a month.   (I paint my girls' toes, too!)  I even indulge in some little toe decals to make it fun!  (Hearts around Valentine's Day, stars in the summer, snowflakes in the winter...you get the idea.)
*Pandora.com has a lovely selection of free music you can listen to.  Play it on your computer as you paint your tootsies or read a book  
*Set aside one night a month to get crafty!  I go to a monthly rubber stamp club where I have fun with friends and enjoy being creative!  


So...make your own list of fun (and inexpensive!) things for you to do that give you a boost and a little bit of "me time".
  

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"God created man in His own image." (Genesis 1:27)