dumped my "boyfriend" of 5 years which was not really a boyfriend, more of a friend with benefits. Am able to explore the idea of opening my heart as I date fantastic men (which actually is not making it easy on me...ha!) And am keeping ex as a platonic friend which is what it should have been anyway. Sex was great, but I am getting same if not better sex now....yes!

For my wedding, I was determined to make my own bouquets, being that I once learned how from my friend and to add a personal touch to the wedding. I told all my bridesmaids that we would all get together and make them at my mom's house the day before the wedding. I ran around trying to look for deals on flowers and supplies for bouquet-making when I realized that we didn't have enough refrigerator space or vases to store all nine bouquets at the house so they would be fresh for the wedding. We also had to squeeze in a nail appointment together that same day. After thinking it through, all I wanted to do the day before my wedding was relax with my friends and get pampered. So, I went to the florist, gave them my budget and ordered the bouquets through them. A massive weight was immediately lifted off my shoulders that day!

My stepchildren and grandchildren and my sister were all coming for a Christmas holiday dinner. I am "of a certain age" with the aches and pains that go with it, and to boot, I was singing a "Messiah" concert at our church in the middle of all of this.

Solution? Appetizers (crackers, cheese, chips and dip) combined with some catered sushi and spinach pies) in the early afternoon. Everyone went off to the concert - me to sing, and them to enjoy. Then, for supper, a lot of pizza, a home-made salad, baked ziti brought by my stepdaughter, and home-made spinach casserole. They loved it - adults and kids.

No roast goose, but everyone had a great time.

I switched dinner and lunch. I'm a teacher and after a long day with a room full of first graders I come home exhausted. The last thing I need is to try to make a decision about dinner and then try to get my two kids to eat. So instead of taking lunch to school, I started buying lunch, which is a pretty big meal at our school with fruits and vegetables, and for dinner, it's soup, sandwiches, etc. Hubby eats out everyday for lunch so he doesn't need a big meal late at night. I have so much more time to relax, read, spend with my kids.

I don't balance my checkbook each month anymore. Haven't for several years. In all the years (20!) that I did do this thankless chore, I never...ever...found an error that the bank made. I simply pay my bills, and then move the money from my savings to my checking to cover them.

In order to get my husband and I to stop swearing around our 8 month old son I created a "swear jar". I wrote a bunch of chores on little pieces of paper and put them inside a jar. Every time one of us swears, we have to pull out a piece of paper and do that chore. We end up with a clean house and clean mouths!!!

Can't ever find your keys? I finally came up with the idea of screwing a couple of hooks under the kitchen cabinet, so now every time I walk in the door, with the keys in hand, that's where they go. Straight to the kitchen to hang them up. No more searching in a hurry!

I just had my second daughter 2 months ago and am back at work. I definately get stressed out, and was losing my milk, on the 2 nights my husband gets up with my daughter, I take a bubble bath/jacuzzi for about 1/2 hour - 45 minutes and let the hot water relax me before going to bed early. It doesn't sound like much, but I look forward to it every week and it is so relaxing that it quiets my mind and I drift off to sleep quickly... plus, my milk production increased once I started taking time for myself. Taking care of yourself can be the best thing to help you take care of your babies!

I finally replaced my 15+ year old mattress. I'm getting much better sleep now, and I no longer wake up with a stiff back every morning. Better rest at night = more energy and a better mood during the day. What a difference it's made!

I take time out of my crazy busy day with my three little kids to do the crossword puzzle. It makes me happy to know that I have 'wasted' a half hour each day keeping my mind sharp.

Before I went to bed I used to always think about what I didn't get done that day and the deadlines I had to face tomorrow. Needless to say, I put a lot of unnecessary stress into my life. Now I think about my favorite part of the day, what made me laugh, and what made me smile. I start my mornings by preparing a reasonable to do list. My day runs smoother, and I feel much better about myself.

started seeing a shrink once a week.

I have a long commute and have never been an early riser, so my morning routine is rushed. When I get home I take a hot shower using my favorite cath products and conditioner. I save time, and after a long day its nice to know I have fifteen minutes of me time.

I enjoy walking,however, I am not very self motivated which then gets me down. So, I have found new friends to walk with that are just as ready to walk as me. I never walk alone.

I have 4 children under the age of 5. I am married to a Chef and my children will not eat any vegetables or real food that we eat. Chicken nuggets, pizza, grilled cheese PB & J is it, pretty much. It absolutly makes me nuts. My husband & I eat a variety of heathy & delicious food and I have been nuts about the guilt of my childrens diet. How have I made it easier -- I am not losing sleep over this anymore. I will still attempt to have them try new things but if they don;t, for now, they don;t...

When I find myself - having a stressfull day - and things keep getting worse. I stop and get off the merry go round. I take a personal 15 minute break. Get a cup of coffe. Take a walk. Read somthing.

This stops the fussing - Gives me time to refocus. and manage better the situation.

I SAVE UP MONEY AND PURCHASE TIME AT THE LOCAL TANNING BED SALON. I REALLY ENJOY THE TWENTY MINUTES OF WARMTH, LISTENING TO MUSIC, AND OF COURSE THE TAN!!!!

I set a bed time for myself & stick to it. I give myself 30 minutes to relax and unwind before bedtime (writing in my journal, reading, taking a bubble bath... whatever) and then i hit the sack. Anything that I can't get done before then has to wait until morning.

I quit my job so I can focus on taking care of my 2 children (3 if you count my husband!)

I have started going to a water exercise class at the local park district.

I have started going to a water exercise class at the local park district.

There are people who, even though I adore them, just take up too much time when phoning. I used to feel SO stressed about not taking or returning the call, even if I didn't have time or simply didn't want to be on the telephone. Then I made a deal with myself: I will give myself 3 days and then accept the person's calls or return them. That way I KNOW when I will be speaking to them again (when I have time) and KNOW that I have those 3 days at a time stress and guilt free. I'm sure that makes the eventual conversation better for both of us.

Saying no. Sometimes a politely worded" no "to something I either don't have the time for or don't want to do can be such a relief! It only "hurts" once. Life is just too short to worry it. In my experience, "they" always find someone else.

I coach my 3 daughters in basketball (3 teams) and this year the parents got together and bought keepsakes for the players and coaches. Thet gave me a beautiful engraved box with such wonderful words that it brought me to tears. Now I buy these for birthdays all the time. You can see these great people at www.madeinmarlboro.com