Something to look foward to.

31 Mar 2011 4 Comments

by Tara Rummell Berson in Uncategorized Tags: , ,

Admittedly there are days when it seems like NOTHING will put a spring in your step–not even looking at the petite lap giraffe webcam! This is only my 5th day of trying to find “today’s happiness” and I’m already struggling (sad but true!). I mean there are lots of things that make me smile throughout the day, but after constantly reprimanding the kids, coming up with meal ideas,  unloading and reloading the dishwasher, etc. my mood kind of sours. It’s always a battle of the “have-tos” versus the “want-tos” (i.e. I HAVE to clean up the kitchen, but I WANT to kick up my heels and read the latest issue of US Weekly).

So since I’m feeling a little blah about today, I’m going to talk about what’s to come: a spa weekend getaway! My friend Rachel and I are heading to Deerfield Spa tomorrow a.m. for her birthday, but I feel like it’s more of a gift to myself than to her! I can get through today knowing that I have a warm stone massage to look forward to, some healthy meals, and of course quality time with my friend (and myself).

What are you guys looking forward to? Any exotic vacation plans in-the-works? A hot dinner date? Let me know what’s keeping you motivated and happy.  Feel free to share so we can all live vicariously through you!

Enjoy the day my friends.

xoxo

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Daffodil Days

30 Mar 2011 Leave a comment

by Tara Rummell Berson in Uncategorized Tags: ,

As I was running up my walkway, I glanced down and noticed our daffodils emerging amid the brown, crusty leaves. While they’re not the most gorgeous flowers I’ve ever gazed upon, they were just the pick-me-up I needed to push through yet another chilly–and somewhat monotonous–day.

Cheers to new beginnings!

So thank you daffodils for encouraging me to take a moment to appreciate you and all of the hope and renewal you symbolize. Hope you enjoy them as well!

xoxo,

~T

Little things can make a big difference.

29 Mar 2011 4 Comments

by Tara Rummell Berson in Uncategorized Tags:

So it’s Day 3 of saying no to “Dr. Crankenstein” and while I’ve still been on edge (mostly due to PMS), I definitely feel lighter in spirit–and I really think it has something to do with this blog. Here’s why: I looked like total crap yesterday (messy ponytail, no makeup, sweats–you catch my drift) because I was home with the kids and had NOTHING on the agenda, but whenever my phone would buzz with one of your positive comments on my FB page or blog it really kept me going. For example, my mother-in-law wrote this as her status update:

“Walked on the beach for an hour, sunny, hot, the ocean is pleasantly cool. Came home and had a glass of white wine with ice. Little pleasures of life. One day at a time. So far so good.”

How could that not make you smile? (And make you wish you were hanging out with her!)

And here’s something my friend Danielle wrote on her FB page in response to my first post:

“…I am so glad I logged on to Facebook today and read this. Life is hard. It has so many ups and downs and sometimes it is easiest to stay down. I too love my baby girl Maggie’s cute little feet and I am going to kiss them more often until they become big girl feet (like our other two daughters!)”

When I realized that I’d helped her focus on one of the “ups” in life it warmed my heart. Even if I wasn’t the most productive person yesterday, I at least made a tiny difference in someone’s day. (FYI, I know I sound kind of cheesy, but for those of you who don’t know me, this is really how I am–a total sap.)

Please keep sharing whatever it is that’s making you happy today. I really want to know. And who knows, you may end up turning someone else’s frown upside down. 😉

Okay, now on to TODAY’S HAPPINESS (for me):

My new kitchen table. I know it’s kind of lame to talk about material things already, but this table encourages my family to eat together because it’s a lot bigger than the one we had previously–and it’s not glass (so I don’t have to see greasy little fingerprints all over it!). Every time I sit at it, it just makes me happy. Plus the chairs are waaaaay more comfortable. Check it out:

Wee giraffes make me chuckle.

28 Mar 2011 3 Comments

by Tara Rummell Berson in Uncategorized Tags:

Have you seen the latest DirectTV commercials with the Russian gazillionaire and his petite lap giraffe? I was bummed to hear that they don’t really exist, but this site still makes me happy:

http://www.petitelapgiraffe.com/

Say No to Dr. Crankenstein!

27 Mar 2011 8 Comments

by Tara Rummell Berson in Uncategorized Tags: , ,

Lately I’ve been a grump. A somewhat closeted grump (meaning I still smile brightly and answer “I’m doing great!” when people ask me how I am), but none-the-less I’m simply not as chipper as I used to be. Granted, it’s been a loooong winter, and I recently threw out my back, and I haven’t had my parents to lean on since they’ve been in Florida the whole month–all not easy when you have two little ones to entertain constantly–but I could still find my happy place at the end of the day chilling on the couch with my hubby and a glass of vino. Sadly, that hasn’t been the case recently: I’m more “bitchy Tara” than “fun Tara” and I don’t like it.  But yesterday, I saw the light–literally.

I was driving my 4-year-old to swim lessons and as we crossed over the bridge into Red Bank (the next town over), I pointed out how pretty the river looked with the sun reflecting off of it. My son agreed, but said that he likes it more when the sun sets “because it’s orange”. When I told my husband about our little exchange over breakfast, he said, “Who doesn’t appreciate a good sunset?” As I sipped my coffee, this comment got me thinking about happiness–and how simple it is to feel a moment of joy when looking at something you like or even just envision it.

I used to write a monthly column for REDBOOK called “Time For You” and on that page I’d list 5 things to be happy about. While sometimes it was hard to come up with stuff–particularly when I was on a tight deadline!–I always smiled while reading the list I had turned in to my editor. So you know what, peeps? Right HERE and NOW I’m going to change my way of thinking, and this blog is going to encourage me to do it–as are you (I hope!). I’m going to shun the woman I refer to as “Dr. Crankenstein” and start focusing on something that makes me happy every day.

Today’s happiness for me is:

Sniffing my daughter’s little feet. Sure they’re sometimes a little stinky, but they’re so tiny and cute and I just love who they’re attached to!

Delicious baby feet!

Delicious baby feet!

I hope you’ll join me on this journey towards living a more positive lifestyle. Please free to chime in with what’s making your heart smile today!

XOXO

~Tara

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