Happy Friday, RISERS! I hope this week has been good to you. As we enter into the last weekend in October (how is that possible?), I hope you’ll have the opportunity to get outside, visit a corn maze, or just sit and breathe the cool fall air.
Happy Birthday to all of you who turned a year older this past week. And Happy Anniversary to you and your loved one for reaching another milestone year together.
Quote of the Week: “October is crisp days and cool nights, a time to curl up around the dancing flames and sink into a good book.” –John Sinor
Movie of the Week: I know that I’ve suggested this before, but it wouldn’t be October without watching “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” When I was growing up as a kid in the ’80s, watching this program on television was a big deal. Weirdly enough, my husband says he can still remember the commercials the station ran during the 30-minute time slot. Who can resist poor old Charlie Brown getting a bag full of rocks, Linus convincing Sally to wait for the Great Pumpkin, Lucy mercilessly using Charlie Brown’s head as a model for her pumpkin’s face, or Snoopy’s infamous dog fight with the Red Baron?
Joke of the Week: How do vampires get around on Halloween night? A blood vessel.
Recharge Tip of the Week: Last week, we talked about how we spend our time—how we could use the spare time we have to help others. I wanted to take a moment and remind you to mind your time and not overbook yourself. Maybe you feel compelled to spend time with many people or to attend the “most happening” events. Some people think that every minute of their time needs to be filled or else they aren’t doing enough.
Having a busy calendar isn’t always a good thing. It’s important to spend time with your family and to pencil in your besties once in a while. You have a sense of connectedness with them, and they can energize you.
When it comes to activities, it’s important to keep the time you have available relevant to your hobbies. Now, I understand that you may occasionally be invited to something for a friend, but if you are already stretched for time, it’s okay to say “no.” You can probably tell that I have a hard time saying no.
Socialization and activities are great and all, but you do need to set aside time on your schedule for just yourself…no appointments, no distractions, just a bit of time for a breather. You’ve heard the saying, “You can’t pour into others with an empty cup.” That just means that you won’t be able to benefit others at the expense of your own peace of mind.
Recipe of the Week: This isn’t exactly a recipe, but it’s something I came across while scrolling on Facebook. This is a cool way to do a taco/chili bowl.
What you’ll need:
one bag of small (6-inch) flour or corn tortillas
shredded cheese
your favorite taco toppings
Take the tortillas out of the package and make a 3-inch cut to the center of each. Fold the tortilla around until it makes almost a circle, then place it into a lightly greased muffin pan, making sure it’s like a bowl inside the pan. Next, sprinkle a bit of cheese in the tortillas. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. Set aside to cool. The bowls can be stuffed with chili or taco meat and topped with just about anything you’d like to try.
Coming Next Week: I got a brilliant idea from the multiple Facebook craft videos my sister and I send back and forth to each other. From now until the week before Christmas, I will add an idea for a homemade craft to give to family and friends. I will try to include prices, though they will vary by location, and I promise to make the cost as low as I can—not over $20.
Shout-Out of the Week: This week I want to give a shout-out to everyone taking care of themselves this weekend. Whether it’s doing the corn mazes, catching the latest movie, or reading that book you’ve been putting off, I hope you find just the right balance between getting work done and doing absolutely nothing.
Have a great weekend. Remember, you are most awesome, and YOU ROCK!
Marion Rhines is a foster-turned-adoptive parent. She lives in Knoxville, Tenn., with her husband and five children. She has written and published two children’s books as well as two foster-care-themed novels. She has a Facebook blog, Tips from the FLIP Side, and enjoys working with children of all ages.