Tag Archives: Random Thoughts

Nov9

Making Time For Me Time

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Making Time For Me Time

Hello! I am self employed and have been running two businesses for over half a decade now. Of course, I love my jobs so much but anyone who is their own boss can tell you that it can be highly stressful – especially because if you don’t work, you don’t get paid. Two businesses means a demanding schedule with weeks feeling too long and the weekends, sadly, not being long enough!

I never really realize how much I push myself for my jobs until something as small as the common cold knocks me completely on my ass. On Halloween day, I woke up with an unbearable cold and it was a struggle to get out of bed. Thankfully, a scary movie day was on the agenda so not much movement was required but I had to call off of work on Monday, which is something that I rarely do.

For most people, a cold is something that they can usually still function through but for me, it was the polar opposite. This was pretty alarming to me and I knew that it was related to just how hard that I have been working for what feels like forever. Whenever I fall sick, I always tell myself that I am going to be more lenient with giving myself a day off if I need it. While it never happens, I actually mean it this time lol.

I will be taking time off for Thanksgiving and Christmas and in the new year, I am making it a resolution to give myself permission to give myself a break. This completely goes against my work ethic but I have now realized how important it is to give myself a mental and physical break from my work. I wish that meant lavish vacations to Paris but, in reality, it will be taking an afternoon off to get my nails done or spending a day playing Animal Crossing when I feel myself getting run down.

This, of course, won’t be a monthly thing but pushing through exhaustion isn’t healthy and I know that the next time I fall ill for days on end, I will be wishing that I gave myself a break. Chill evenings with TV and a face mask is great but it just isn’t enough after an uber busy work week and jam packed weekend.

My normal self care involves pampering of some kind but I have come to realize that it is so much more than that. I now know that a more effective form of self care for me would be being less hard on myself and allowing for a day of rest as needed. It will be difficult because it goes against everything that my brain is wired to think. However, I can’t have another half decade of success in my businesses without it!

What is your method of self care? How do you make time for you with a demanding schedule? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep29

Sticker Surprise

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Sticker Surprise

Hi! This past Friday at work, I was having some coffee and thought that I had spilled some on my hoodie. Yes, it’s finally hoodie weather in Ohio and I am LOVING it!! When I looked down, I noticed what I thought was coffee but, to my surprise, it ended up being a sticker that my lil niece had stuck on there back in the springtime:

I couldn’t believe that this tiny butterfly (Her favorite!) sticker had stayed on for that long because it was barely hanging on by the time I noticed it. The sticker withstood me putting it on and running out into the cold and windy morning to my car. I am so glad that it did because this Sticker Surprise was just what I needed after a super long week at work.

I have been insanely busy on the ol’ blog and I had been getting up at 5:45 every morning last week to get things done before going to my other job. By the time Friday rolled around, I was completely exhausted! Looking down and seeing a sticker from my niece on my hoodie turned a normal day into something special. Despite being drop dead tired and all, I had a great day because I had the best pick me up in the morning.

Feeling down or worn out? Always look for your own personal butterflies to help turn things around! It’s the little things, right? ā¤

What makes you smile? When do you normally get up for work? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May18

Radio Silence

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Radio Silence

Hello! For the past year or so, my radio in the Little Red Love Machine would do this adorable thing while I’m driving and stop working. Lol, I used to joke that the ghost from my apartment had made his way into my car because it would always start working again after a day or so. While super annoying, I was never too bothered by it because I knew it would turn on the next time I ran over a bump in the road.

Your girl doesn’t know anything about cars but I knew that there was definitely some type of issue and, unfortunately, my radio stopped working altogether about two months ago. I drive a lot for my job and this has meant no more Top 40 singalongs, CDs, or using the aux cord for my iPod. The only thing I can do is play my iPod at full volume and continue recycling the exact same songs that I have been listening to since I was fourteen! Haha.

Normally, it’s a good thing when you don’t hear any noises from your car because that means everything is in working order. However, radio silence is a whole different ball game – especially for me. I work for myself and provide care for people with special needs. My time in the car with my music while driving between clients or returning home from work allows me to decompress from the stresses of the day and it is very hard being without.

“Then why haven’t you gotten your radio fixed, Sarah?” I was just getting to that! Between paying taxes, repairs for my car in April, and purchases for my wedding I can’t justify another charge to my bills. But trust and believe that my car radio will be fixed sooner rather than later and the Little Red Love Machine will return to her former glory in no time!

What is your go to driving music? Do you have a name for your car? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr11

Back To School: My Reoccurring Dream

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Back To School: My Reoccurring Dream

Hey! I have reoccurring dreams fairly frequently and if it isn’t dreaming that I’m back to working retail or in a play and have forgotten all of my lines, then I am dreaming about going back to school. In fact, I just had the dream last night and it never fails to freak me out as soon as I wake up. Not because it’s “scary” by any means but it feels so real that I wake up really thinking that I never took a class that was essential for me to graduate!

The dream always starts out with me in the counselor’s office at Cuyahoga Community College and he or she is explaining to me that there were a few classes in grade and high school that I didn’t take and, technically, never graduated from either of them. Then, with a flash, I am back at my grade school and retaking classes and tests like my life depends on it. It’s so wild!

Last night, the dream ended with me completing grade school because I was kind of waking up. Sometimes, however, the dream will end with me finishing the high school classes too. It’s basically the dream equivalent of Adam Sandler’s “Billy Madison” but not anywhere near as fun lol. No matter how the dream ends, trust and believe that I always wake up with a start! I dream really vividly and, as soon as I am waking up, I feel like I need to rush to get ready for school.

I have been having the same reoccurring dreams for literal years and each of them have never really changed. Clearly, that doesn’t mean that I don’t feel shocked every time they happen, though! Whether they are reoccurring or a one time thing, dreams can be so crazy and I am curious about everyone else’s so feel free to answer the following prompts:

What is the craziest, scariest, or funniest dream that you have ever had? Do you have any reoccurring dreams? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Ā 

Mar14

Random Lil Red Fun Facts

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Random Lil Red Fun Facts

Hi! I bet none of you knew before my recent post about my old school phone that I was using such an outdated model. Meanwhile, I am constantly getting comments on it whenever people notice it in public in my neck of the woods! I am very open on both my blog and Facebook page (Sarah Mushenheim) about all of my little quirks and favorite things but I’m sure there are many that I have overlooked. So, today, I am going to share some Random Lil Red Fun Facts that you might not have known before:

  1. My favorite fast food restaurant on planet Earth is and will always be Taco Bell forever and ever, Amen.
  2. I am a Diet Coke fiend and I always have to have it in my apartment.
  3. I never don’t want to watch America’s Next Top Model and freaking love Tyra Banks even though she butchered hosting on Dancing With The Stars.
  4. I used to despise listening to the radio a few years back but now I keep fairly up to date on all of the top forty hits. My current favorite is Dua Lipa – I loved watching her perform on Saturday Night Live!
  5. It’s no secret that I am a die hard TJMaxx Maxxinista and my favorite thing to shop for is definitely shoes. Mainly because you don’t have to worry about them not fitting when you online shop lol.
  6. I worked retail for a good four and a half years as well as participated in theater throughout high school and my early twenties. I still have dreams to this day that I am running late to open up the clothing store I worked at or have forgotten all of my lines before a big show.
  7. I have worked in the care field for people with special needs for over five years now and enjoy my job so much!
  8. I am a really organized and clean person. However, there are just some chores that I freaking hate doing – taking out the trash and cleaning the bathroom, blegh.
  9. Saying I am obsessed with soup is a severe understatement and I will crave a big bowl of French Onion even in the summertime. Don’t even get me started on minestrone, tomato, broccoli cheddar, cauliflower cheese, butternut squash, and lentil soup… The list goes on!
  10. My boyfriend is currently on a huge Popeye’s kick and, I kid you not, just ordered it four times in one week lol. Their biscuits are heaven on Earth. ā¤
  11. The things I miss the most during the pandemic include figure skating, seeing family and friends regularly, and going to see my boyfriend play shows with The Outside Voices.
  12. My blog will have its seven year anniversary in September!

What are some fun facts about you? Do you have any questions for me? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar11

This Old Thing

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This Old Thing

Hello!! A fun fact about me that shocks many people is that, at almost twenty-seven years old, I have never owned a smartphone. Rather, I have been steadily rocking a slide up or flip phone for the past thirteen or so years. This is pretty uncommon for someone who works in the social media field but I have stood by my signature catchphrase of “when keyboard phones are no longer made, you can call me on the landline” for over a decade. As you can see, I am pretty old school and this is my current model:

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My whole reasoning behind never owning a smartphone is that I fail to see the point of having immediate internet access wherever I go. Pre-pandemic, I would gain inspiration for my daily blog posts by being out and about and seeing what catches my eye and that would be hard to do if I were scrolling through social media instead of observing and enjoying my surroundings. I also never want to be the friend who is constantly on my phone when I am hanging out with someone. My phone allows me to call and text and that is really all I have ever needed especially because all of my blog pictures are just taken using my iPod Touch.

I have always had a low maintenance “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” approach to technology. However, I’m not saying that it wouldn’t be nice to have a better camera and an Instagram! I just discovered that if I wanted to use the Like To Know It program for my viewers to shop my outfits that I would need an Insta if I don’t want to upgrade to a business plan on WordPress. I am super interested in Like To Know It and don’t necessarily want to change my current plan on WordPress so a smartphone might be the next logical move.

For now, I am fine with the phone that I have had since I was like fourteen lol and I enjoy the novelty of having an actual keyboard to text with. It’s actually a major step for me to even consider wanting a smartphone but I will definitely think more about it if any of you would be interested in shopping my style! So please let me know in the comments and I will stay using Johnny’s phone for OOTD pictures in the meantime. šŸ™‚

What kind of phone do you have? What is your approach when it comes to technology? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb22

Whole Lotta Nothing

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Whole Lotta Nothing

Hi everyone!! Valentine’s Day has come and past and, now, I am eagerly awaiting the warm weather and (hopefully) lack of snow that comes with the spring time. It is exciting to think of the possibilities that come with spring amidst the COVID-19 pandemic because warmer weather means the opportunity to social distance with friends outside. Unfortunately, we are not quite there yet as Ohio has been getting hit with a fair amount of snow, which means a few more months of a whole lotta nothing.

Johnny and I will have been hunkered down for an entire year on March 19th and we will continue doing so until it’s considered safe. However, I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t getting a little impatient waiting for it! The excitement of the holiday season has been long gone and, while it has been nice hibernating, it will be even nicer to enjoy the sunshine and see people in person (while following all safety regulations) as opposed to on the screen of my laptop.

Despite having a whole lotta nothing going on, I still feel insanely lucky because boring is good right now. Being tucked safely into the apartment with Johnny watching our shows, listening to music, or playing games is the best thing that we can both be doing for ourselves and loved ones and I am proud of our dedication for the past year. The pandemic is a scary thing but knowing that we are both doing everything we can to protect people is really comforting to me.

If the cabin fever is starting to kick in more intensely for you in your lock down lifestyle, I get it completely. But, in a few short weeks, the sun will be shining and being outdoors with friends will be possible and I encourage all of you to keep holding on until then! Being able to say that you’re doing a whole lotta nothing during a pandemic is something to be grateful for, no matter how boring it is. Sink into the couch, start that new series on Netflix, and let the countdown till spring and better times begin!

What is your lock down lifestyle like? What are you looking forward to come spring? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb11

A Great Day

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A Great Day

Hello! Whenever Johnny and I ask each other how work went for the day, our usual response is “it was day”. Lol, not bad not good… Just day. With the monotony of pandemic life, it has been a while since either of us have had a day that really knocked it out of the park. However, this past week I had a Grand Slam of a day and I am still thinking back on it with a big smile.

To start with, as soon as I got to work in the morning, my client asked me “Can I call you a name?” I replied with, “Well, it depends. Is it a nice name or a mean one?” With a grin he told me, “I wanna call you Lucille Ball… or the Pink Panther” and my heart basically exploded. It was the first time he acknowledged my new hair since I got it done and I know for a fact based on his new nicknames for me that he loves it. šŸ™‚

I was still in a great mood when I arrived home from work so I did not think it was possible to feel any better but I was wrong! Johnny and I never sit on the same couch because both of ours are way too small to comfortably seat both of us. However, that night, we snuggled up on one of the couches together and talked for hours. It reminded me of when we first started dating and it was such a lovely flashback to have.

For the grand finale, Johnny picked up his guitar and played old country songs while I picked up our Guitar Hero guitar and strummed along, lol. After a while, I even picked up his other guitar and tried to match what he was so expertly doing. We also did a charming duet of “Bye Bye, Love” and it was just so much fun that we hadn’t even realized that over three hours had passed!

With the struggles of pandemic life, my Great Day felt like a lighthouse in a never ending streak of the same old same old. It also makes me appreciate the tiny sunshine breaks even more and I will not be forgetting my day any time soon. ā¤

What was your last great day like? Can you play any instruments? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb2

A Day In The Life Of Lil Red

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A Day In The Life Of Lil Red

Hello! I told you that I would be using some of the writing prompts that I suggested for all of you yesterday and here I am – surprise! Yours truly knows a thing or two about writer’s block and, honestly, the best way for me to combat it is to think of a ton of different post topics and go from there. So, as per my own recommendation, I am going to take all of you through a normal day for Lil Red, pandemic style. Here we go:

Morning:

I typically wake up to start getting ready for work around seven. It’s a bit of a mad dash for me because I need to shower, write, and do any other last minute preparations with the hope of leaving for a client’s house at eight fifteen. This may seem like a lot to cram into an hour and a quarter but I have been dedicated to this morning routine for years and it would be weird to change it up now. I also find that I am less likely to keep hitting the snooze button when I have a few things to accomplish before I even leave for work!Ā 

Afternoon:

My afternoons are dedicated to my clients and trying to find fun ways to keep them occupied at home during the pandemic. I love my job so much and have been an Independent Provider for people with special needs for over three years now. The pandemic has definitely put a damper in a normal day at work as community integration is my specialty but I think that I am better at my job for it because I have had to get so creative with endless days at home. No matter what we do, I am always thankful for time with my clients and get home anywhere between three thirty and five during my work week.

Evening:

Once I get home from work, I still have a bit of paper and computer work to take care of before I can settle in with Johnny for dinner and an episode of whatever show we’re watching. Right now, we are working on three different ones: Castlevania, the Ken Burns Vietnam documentary, and King Of The Hill as our comedic palette cleanser. Johnny and I will sometimes play a few video games, as well. I am currently still working on Mario Galaxy and it is so much fun! I also like to incorporate some time into all of my evenings to read and practice the five languages I am learning on Duolingo for a mental work out.

My days have felt rather blah lately but after writing out a typical day in my life, I have realized that I actually do a lot even during the pandemic. I feel proud of myself for sticking with all of my routines and still trying to make every day a great one despite not feeling my best. Here’s to safer and happier times to come!

What is a day in your life like? Which shows are you currently watching? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb1

Have Some Writing Prompts!

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Have Some Writing Prompts!

Hello everyone and happy February! Can you believe that we are already one month into 2021? I, personally, am having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that we are quickly approaching the one year mark of when the bars, restaurants, and salons first shut down in Ohio on March 19th, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Time really seems to be flying and dragging on at the exact same time.

This pandemic has done us writers literally no favors and I understand how hard it is to come up with daily content better than anyone. And, as we approach the one year anniversary (worst anniversary ever) of the coronavirus, writing can seem even more daunting as this limbo we are all stuck in feels never ending. If you are struggling to come up with content on your page, fear not! Lil Red is here to help with some writing prompts and I can’t wait to see what all of you come up with:

  • How have you adjusted to life during a pandemic?
  • What has been your favorite memory during the past year?
  • Valentine’s Day is almost here! Do you have any ideas for at home dates and gifts?
  • The pandemic has put many big events on hold. Did you miss out on any concerts or plays?
  • It’s never too early to start your spring cleaning! Any tips on the best ways to deep clean your place?
  • How has your personal style changed since the pandemic?
  • Working from home? What are the pros and cons, in your opinion?
  • Do any of your friends run a small business? Now is the time to support them by giving a shout out on your page!
  • What is the most binge worthy series you watched during the pandemic?
  • What is the most unputdownable book you’ve read this past year?
  • Where do you turn for inspiration when you are writing?
  • Describe a typical day in your pandemic life.

Believe it or not, this post is as much for me as it is for all of you because I will be using some of these prompts, myself! If you plan on using any of the above, let me know so I can check your post out. šŸ™‚ Happy writing!

What do you do when you have writer’s block? What are you most looking forward to post pandemic? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah