The Reason...

I decided to put up a picture of my girls: Sophie and Zoe. I consider them the reason that I can not seem to find even 5 hours each week to do something just for me! The truth is that I love spending so much time with my babies, but I find that just like in romantic relationships, a little bit of absence makes the heart grow fonder. One of the things that I took time for this week was working on Zoe's first year album. I made one for Sophie, who is now two, and she loves to look at it. It includes pictures from her first year of life, and I wrote a little something about each one. Zoe is now 13 months old, and I'm only up to her 5th month of life in her book! I love working on her book because I get to relive those moments, and I just marvel at how much she has changed! I also used 2 hours yesterday for a much needed nap. This week I plan to have a pedicure. I may not get to go somewhere to get it done, but even if I have to do it myself, I promise to take time to make my toes look pretty, cause they're looking a little scary right now!

In the thought process

A whole week went by and I put this project to the back of my mind. I woke up today feeling like I've spent another week with my tires spinning. I do a lot for the other people in my life and take care of myself last. It was for that reason alone that I was excited to join this project.

This week I am researching new gyms to join, something that will inspire me, a new place to workout. I am also going to go food shopping today and buy food for me so I can cook and bring my meals to work all week. I am an RN and health and diet are very important to me. These are things I have not been paying attention to. I am using some of my time this week for these things.

I also want to attend yoga classes and start running and swimming. A few years ago I was competing in du-athalons (swim and run). These all seem ambitious but have been obtained by me in the past and I know I can get there again.

Thanks for this blog. I look forward to reading about what others are accomplishing.

Hi From Liz Mouse

Hi everyone. I'm Mara's sister-in-law (big Andy's little sis!) My husband and I live in Chicago with our 13 month old daughter Lauren and our retired racing greyhound Indy. I am going to be pampering myself big time starting next week. A good friend who lives in my neighborhood is going back to work part-time and she has hired a nanny to work in her home several days a week. I will be sharing her nanny for 4 hours a week by dropping my little princess off at her house. I look forward to seeing how those hours can be used to help me feel a little more pampered. I promise not to spend the whole time running errands or cooking and cleaning. Here's a picture of us.

I really look forward to reading what everyone else likes to do to pamper themselves! Thanks, Liz

Why the Blog

Hello to all my fellow pampered princesses! Thank you for participating in the project. I am really excited to hear about what everyone is up to. My vision for this blog is that it will be a place where everyone in the project can connect and share about what they are doing with their 5 hours. I would love to see pictures too! So if you get a pedicure for the first time in 5 years, take a picture of your pretty toes for all of us to see! This week I have been using my time to get some extra sleep. I almost never nap during the day, but the other day I rested for almost 2 hours. It made my evening much more enjoyable!

I look forward to hearing about what you're all doing and also to getting to know those of you who I haven't met before!

Standing in the possibility of Dreams Come True-- Mara

Welcome to the Pampered Princess Project

Details on the Pampered Princess Project are coming soon - stay tuned!