My Sanctuary

For some reason, I have been a grumpy grump for the last few days... or as my husband told me tonight...FOREVER!!!

hmmm... well, I'll give him a couple of days... maybe...

So I decided it was time to think about what makes me happy... and do it...

My very favorite thing to do when I need to de-stress or get a fresh perspective on anything that might be bothering me, is to take a BATH.

it's not just a bath... not just a shower.

it's a whole ritual that takes at least 30 minutes but preferably an hour or so. this is not something that even happens once a week, although that is my goal...(and yes I shower in between, but it's not the same thing)

We are a family of five... that means we have a lot of laundry and it doesn't always get done in a timely manner. Things can get pretty Lord of the Flies around here when it comes to having a fresh towel. But for some reason, my towel is sacred. Maybe it's because everyone knows that it is so important to me. Maybe it's because they all live in fear of my bath/shower NOT going as planned... if that is the case, my family is pretty smart! : )

There are several products involved in this ritual for me.. but I can guarantee a happier Mama on the other side of it.. it has NEVER failed me.. not once... now I'm not promising that little birds will come land on my finger as I sing merrily... but it will always de-grump me...
I just got out of the bath...and YES...I do feel better!

I promise that I am not working for any of the companies that supply me with these mood altering products... but I have to let you all know that I LOVE. EACH. AND. EVERY. ONE!!!
for me aromatherapy isn't just some hokey word, but a real way to elevate my mood and consciousness... and it helps that all of these products are natural and good to my skin, animals, and the earth all at the same time... how cool is that?
anyway, I whole-heartedly recommend all of these products... if they seem like something you would dig... go for it... because they rock!

so here they are:

It starts off with some salts. They are a little pricey, so they only get used when I know I can spend some time in the bath with them. They make a world of difference to my over-taxed ( &under-toned) muscles... because as most of you know this whole Mama business is hard work! : )

This part lasts as long as I can let it.. depending on how long I think I have before the world downstairs starts to unravel... which does happen at times without me! ( I know I sound immodest, but what can I say, my kids love me!)


The next step is full body cleaning with a poofy thing...whatever they are called in the real world. This soap smells so good and doesn't dry out my super sensitive skin...pluses on both counts! It also gets nice and foamy, which I admit makes me happy, deep down I still like bubbles!

Then there is some foot scrubbing and so forth which is neither sexy nor interesting... so let's move on shall we? : )


The next step is a clean head.
I am a stinky hippie.
I think I have eluded to this fact before, but it is totally true. I only wash my hair about once a week (preferably this way). It is mostly because I have sensitive skin (including my scalp) and washing it too much dries out not only my hair but my scalp and causes itchiness and flaking (although this shampoo stops the flaking part...) But it is also because I like my hair way better on about day three. I hate my clean hair because it is unruly and crazy sticky outy... it behaves much better when it gets a little dirty. Sorry for all of you who wash yours everyday... I know you don't get it... it's ok... we'll probably never meet in real life! ; ) We can still be friends!

Now washing my hair in the bath ends the bath... because I don't like sitting in my dirty hair water... so it's on to the shower part...

Time to rinse off any residues.. wash my face with an amazing smelling (and working) facial cleanser (with some alpha-hydroxy because let's admit it... I'm getting older now). I wash my face while my conditioner is hanging out on my head smelling good and doing it's job...
then it's time to get out.

But never you fear, it's not over yet...
there are more luscious, relaxing smells to lift my spirit.

I use a toner and also a facial moisturizer from BWC as well (BWC, btw stands for Beauty Without Cruelty- they are an old company that does good, check them out!)

Now the moisturizer makes my face really red... but it the price I pay for smooth happy skin... I think that my skin reacts to something in it.. but it feels so good afterward that I decided I just won't use it right before going out into the world... so far that works for me.

Then comes the whole body moisturizing, with you guessed it...my patchouli stank, already in it... score for me! I rarely use the oil I have because this lotion gives me enough of the smell to feel like myself!

So there you go.
That is a peek into the little ritual that has probably saved my marriage and possibly the lives of one or more of my children on a bad day!! : )
And I'm hoping that when I wake up in the morning..smelling perdy and feeling refreshed that my recent funk will have lifted and I can move with a happier face!

Tonight I am thankful for the time to relax and enjoy one of my favorite "me time" rituals.