Congratulations to Whitecap on the winning Coping Skill Contest! Here is her coping skill!

    Read ONE verse in the Bible and meditate on it - or read the weekly reading on the Shepherd of Hope Scripture Page -- meditate on it and see how the Lord uses it in your life this week!

    Brush your teeth; smile -- you're in front of the mirror anyhow, so just do it!

    Wash your face; put on lotion and go relax for several minutes before going on.

    Brush your hair; make an appointment for a trim!

    Eat something good for breakfast, this is truly the most important meal of the day!

    Limit caffeine, if you are completely 'leaded' now -- go to 1/2 and 1/2 to help cut back!

    Drink lots of water - fill a container and leave it near where you sit most of the day, and keep a glass nearby so you don't have to remember to get up and go get it!

    Put ONE load of clothes into the washer (if you don't have time to do your sheets, just throw in the pillow cases - they will smell great and help you sleep tonight!

    Fold ONE load of clothes - just do hang up stuff first, then fold t-shirts and pants, put socks and undies in a basket and 'ask for help' with those items... Kids are great at socks too!

    Make your bed. I do this partly before I get out of bed by using my legs and arms to stretch the covers to the proper portion of the bed -- by the time I get out of bed, it's mostly done!  Just fluff the pillows!  During the day when you see it made, you feel better about it!

    Carry a garbage bag around the house and pitch JUNK! (try this on days when you feel the house looks cluttered)

    Carry a bag, box or basket around the house to collect the "things" 'out of place'

   One trip with hand lotions, bathroom things that got left out, etc.. gather it all into one bag and then make ONE trip to that room to put it away.  Next time, gather stuff for the kitchen, garage, etc... just do ONE room at a time!

    Using a disposable dust cloth (or dollar store wet ones) wipe off the TV screen, glass objects in the living room, etc...  don't get carried away, there is always tomorrow!

    Put all the books and magazines into a basket and set it beside a sofa or under an end table.

    Clean off the kitchen table - set it for dinner if you are really feeling energetic!

    Clean ONE counter in your kitchen -- tomorrow, do another, then another, etc...

    Collect all of the garbage -- from every room -- take it to the bin.

   Get a large basket (laundry basket) and put everything in it that is NOT where it belongs from one room only -- over the next day try to get it all put in it's rightful place.  Do that again on another day with clutter from another room.

    Using those disposable kitchen cleaners (like Clorox) wipe down the registers in ONE room - do another on another day, etc... nothing to wash - and the house smells nice

    Using those disposable dust cloths, wipe down the living room furniture one day, perhaps a bedroom or a dining area another day... nothing to wash!

    Keep a nice clean dish drainer (just a buck at the dollar store) in one side of your sink. Using one of those sponges that holds soap, keep dishes and cups wiped up during the day rather than letting them gather up.  Let them air dry and put away before you got to bed.

    Read a book - yes, reading grows your mind and keeps you young -- perhaps you like crosswords, sudoku, etc... read or play a book game that keeps your mind busy!

    It's amazing what a nice warm bath can do to soothe the muscles, the mind and the spirit.  For a detoxifying bath (helps to draw toxins that have built up in your body) add a couple of cups of Epsom Salts to a full very warm tub of water.  Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.  Soak for no longer than 20 minutes - (NOTE: Check with your doctor before doing this type of bath!) - and then wrap up in a warm towel or robe and jump into bed for another 10-20 minutes.  You will sweat excessively.  Take a warm shower to rinse off and 'slather' your body in your favorite lotion then enjoy the feeling of refreshment.

    If you have high blood pressure or are on medications, ask your doctor before doing the detox bath.  If he says not to use that method, do not add the Epsom Salts, but use a tea bag or other fragrant bath oil or soak.  Spend 20 minutes reading, resting or just letting your mind meditate upon the Lord.  Slather with lotion afterward for a soft smooth feeling.

   Here is one of my favorites - wash your hair, apply a very heavy coating of conditioner (doesn't need to be expensive, but I like something like Neutrogena's Intense Treatment) and coat it on heavy -- rub it in and run your fingers through your hair.  Put on a plastic shower cap and wrap your head in a hair towel (a warm one is nicest).  Leave it on all day or yes, all night!  When you rinse your hair, it will be so shiny and silky soft and your scalp will feel so fresh.  There is nothing like a soft clean head of hair to make you feel pampered!

   Grab a good book and a dish pan - and head for a comfy chair.  Fill the pan with hot water and Epsom Salts and either a foot soak or some body wash soap.  Lay a towel underneath the pan to protect the floor, but also for drying your feet.  Use the salts in the water to rub against the soles of your feet, then when you are done soaking, clean and shape your nails, and if desired, apply some polish. And, then, yes, slather them in a good foot lotion and put on a pair of fuzzy socks and take a ten minute 'nap' -- but leave the socks on all day! 

    I happen to appreciate the fact that I can do something about the look of my hands - I like them to be soft, smooth and callous free. So, I keep hand lotion (I like Crabtree and Evelyn's Gardener's Helper) around my house and when I pass it, I apply it.  I also keep a pair of white cotton gloves nearby so I can wear then until the lotion is well soaked in.  Mary Kay makes a great product (Satin Hands) that is meant for this very purpose -- I am a HUGE fan of this set and do this at least once a week -- it truly pampers my hands, but also reminds me that even if I don't get out much, I need to take care of my own body too!

   If you are a guy asking 'what about me?' - there are great ways to pamper you too -- first, these things are not 'just for girls' so consider that bath, a rest, or soaking your feet!  However, there are some ways a guy feels pampered that don't require water.  A ride in the car with no particular direction or purpose -- just drive -- stop when you feel like it, have a cup of coffee and a sandwich and then return home!  Just being alone in the car sometimes refreshes you and let's you get your thoughts sorted out and leaves you feeling refreshed.

   Try attending a game.  It doesn't HAVE to be a Michigan game to be good *smiles* -- it can be at your local high school.  basketball, soccer, wrestling, baseball, football, and other games can get you out of the house and give you reason to 'holler' a bit!  I don't know the reason behind it, but sometimes just a good holler makes you feel better!

   Fishing and Hiking are not just for men -- a quiet walk in the woods, or in your own backyard can relieve a lot of tension, give you time to talk to the Lord and relieve you of a lot of stress.  Fishing, one of my favorites, is just a great time to be on the water and, really, who cares if you catch anything or not?  It's mainly about the quiet and the time away from the things that weigh heavily on your mind.

   Again, with doctor's permission, try sitting outside in the sun.  I love the sun (and the Son) and for me, when the sun in out, I feel better - period!  I live in Northern Michigan where the winters are long, and that tends to add to my own 'SAD'ness issues.  I use only valances so that my windows are open to allow in all the sun I can during the winter days.  In the summer, the heat really bothers me, so I don't spend as much time outdoors as I used to, but I do pull out my lounge chair, a tall bottle of water and 'slather' myself in sun-tanning oil and for at least a little while, I 'close my eyes' and feel the "Son" warm my heart.