Thursday, May 2, 2013

May for Me -- 1st Day of May and a Giveaway!

Some people don't understand what May for Me is?

Again, it all started with a conversation between two friends about feeling like there is never time for me.  That's when I realized, I could find 5 minutes for me everyday in my crazee/busy life!  Two years ago, I decided to find 5 minutes for me each day during the whole month of May.  To smell the roses, to create, to read, to sew, to relax.  

On the first day of May, I decided to start my day off by shutting off my alarm. 



I can do that, because I am my own boss.  I won't yell at myself, if I am late for work.  I woke up at 7:30. The windows were wide open. The birds were singing and the sun was streaming into my bedroom.  What a good way to start May! 

At lunchtime, I decided that every day, I will add an extra glass of water.  I drink alot of water anyway, but I want to start doing more things that are good for me.  Maybe only a half a cup of coffee at lunch, would be a good idea too.



I love adding fruit slices to my water.



While I ate lunch, I took some extra time to play a game of words with a friend, who was on her lunch break too.



Note that one of us used the word quilt!



That was three really good things today --- for me.

Sleeping later was a half hour, but that was OK,
Drinking more water was a very healthy choice,
and
Relaxing a lunch was very enjoyable.

So why should you join in the May for Me Celebration?

to get more sleep? 
to drink more water? 
or to relax during your lunch hour?

You will be a happier person, if you take a few minutes for you!  Celebrate you! It's May for Me!

Here's the first Giveaway! (Update this Giveaway ended)

You can enter to win a Rainbow of Fat Quarters!



Leave one comment to enter.
What only takes five minutes that makes you happy?

Giveaway is open to everyone.
Giveaway ends at Midnight on Sunday, May 5th and winner will be announced on Monday.
All prizes will be mailed out the first week in June.
If I don't reply to you -- you may be a no reply blogger -- check your settings, so I can reply.

Please feel free to share my Giveaway with others.  Blog about it. Share it on facebook. Tweet it to everyone!

Thanks so much!


May for Me!

Marcia

55 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Sounds like lovely minutes. Now that the weather is improving, I hope to take my 'sewing breaks' with a bit of a stroll outside, instead of around the house.

Gill said...

Three great things Marcia that we could all do!
If I have a spare five minutes I like to go for a walk - now the weather has improved I like to walk round my garden several times a day!

Elisabetta said...

it might seem strange to some of you, but I'd really enjoy 5 minutes for me even for a shower, I say this because I am a stay-at-home mom of two little kids that can't imagine to stay without me even for a minute ^_^
thank you so much for this chance, rainbow fabrics are lovely

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

It makes my day to get a phone call sometime during the day from my husband. Even though he is home early evening. It takes less than 5 minutes; and says a lot.

jrwork said...

I want to "celebrate may" too. Then I woke to several inches of SNOW on Thursday...ggggrrrr. Guess I'll just stay in and quilt...yyyyeeeeaa!

May 1-cut out setting blocks for a nephews wedding quilt...good start!

5 minutes a day will be a challenge for me...does thinking about quilting count??

Betsy said...

Marcia, this month I started stitching a little bit during my planning time. It relaxes me before my last class of the day which is also my most hectic one too since the kids are ready to go home, but I am more relaxed because I did something I enjoy.

JoyceLM said...

Playing with my cats always makes me happy - and five minutes usually wears them out a bit. Thanks.

Mhairi said...

I love fruit in water too. Have you tried freezing mint leaves in your iceblocks. As they melt the flavour is more intense and with a dash of lemon or lime, so refreshing.
My five minutes of happy is when my little girl crawls into bed in the (very early!!) morning and snuggles in next to me.
I also love the serenity in the evening when they are asleep and I can catch up on my blogs and emails.
Finally, I love sewing or reading craft magazines and having 5 perfectly quiet , uninterrupted minutes to do that each day would make me very happy!!
Enjoy your 5 minutes of happy for May, I just might join you!!

gpc said...

I take every 5 minute break I can get to practice Morse Code and exercise my aging brain! :)

Melinda said...

I only have one option with any spare time I have...exercise the dog. That's what happens when you get a puppy.

Sewing Mom said...

I already love May for a number of reasons...birthday, anniversary, beautiful weather, flowers, and more! I will have to consider taking a little more May for me...I'm always busy, so it might be nice. =)

Thanks for a lovely giveaway.

Lori said...

May for Me is great idea. I'm a little more selfish than that. Ever since I little children at home, I've tried to get 15 minutes a day for me!

krislovesfabric said...

This is such a good idea, I think a walk around the property first thing in the morning would be a good goal for me.

Sandra said...

I really enjoy receiving emails from my hubbie during the day.

Jocelyn said...

It only takes 5 minutes for me to swing by Chick fil A and order one of their milk shakes. Now THAT makes me happy :-)

Barbara O. said...

Quiet 5 minutes to sit outside on the veranda and look into the garden, just to see green and hear the birds sing, that makes me happy - usually every morning at 5.10 ... ;-)

Diann said...

It may sound silly, but making lists. It makes me feel organized and competent.

Rosa said...

Greata idea May for M.I like read and spend five minutes with a book is just wonderful.

Sharon J. Hughson said...

I pet my fabric at least once a day and if it is 5" that soothes my soul. I'm lucky to have a 'studio' where my quilting is always set up and ready to go. Hope I win that fabulous fabric selection.

Margaret said...

Good for you Marcia! I love to take an extra five minutes in the shower in the morning. After washing my hair I turn the water to as hot as I can stand and just stand there and count to fifty. It is so relaxing to just warm up the muscles and relax.

Sallie said...

I enjoy lighting a yummy smelling candle and sipping a cup of hot tea for a 5 minute afternoon break. Thanks for the great giveaway!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I try to read at least one chapter a day. That takes at least 5 minutes.

Patricia said...

I like to read blogs, read books, pet fabric, watch TV... I don't usually have a problem finding 5 minutes for me at this stage of my life.

Unknown said...

It has to be talking to one of my daughters over the phone. Actually, that takes much less than 5 minutes:) All 3 live in other states -- a 12 hour drive, a 17 hour drive, and a 6 day drive. So we don't get to see them very often making the phone call very special. Nancy: rangerer@sbcglobal.net

hueisei said...

Talking to my mother on the handphone makes me happy.

Anonymous said...

HI! JUST TO GIVE SOMEONE NEAR A HUG!
THANKS FOR A NEAT GIVEAWAY!

msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

P.S. Nothing has improved my health+feeling better than your idea of additional water in my diet>flavored or plain!

Mary said...

Great suggestions!!!

barb said...

I love to sit on the porch looking at nature and being thankful that even though i have cancer and chemo is not going well, i am still alive babscorbitt@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Congratulations on thinking of yourself, Marcia. We all need to do more of that; as women, we are used to thinking of others first.
Reading and replying to a text from a dear friend is a happy thing for me; taking time to enjoy outdoors is also a winner for me.

Carin@Ullhärvan said...

Horseriding makes me happy! I'm very happy tonight!
carin.aschan@hotmail.com

tubilinha tiacarminha said...

Gosto de acordar por volta das seis e ir para fora olhar os tucanos me faz feliz.Obrigada.

tiacarminhapezzuto@gmail.com

Quilter Kathy said...

5 minutes of hand stitching lowers my blood pressure and relaxes me dramatically!

Quilter Kathy said...

5 minutes of hand stitching lowers my blood pressure and relaxes me dramatically!

Unknown said...

My main me moments are taking the time to go online & follow peoples blogs. It gives my creativity some good bumps. I'm retired & live in a small town in Mexico so the internet keeps me connected with quilters & other crafty people.
thelady at hotmail.com

KT said...

5 minutes of reading. I can just relax for a bit. IF I can't read or sew a nice quiet room for 5 minutes with a glass of wine will do just fine!

Janarama said...

When it's warm enough, in the morning I like to take a cup of coffee with me out to the patio and plan my day.

barbara woods said...

we take a couple of hours in the morning just to talk and read the paper and drink coffee

VickiT said...

Sleeping in is always a good thing.

Marcia feel free to ignore my comment if necessary. I have not posted anything for the May for Me this year because it stated and was highlighted in yellow that you had to have a blog to participate this year.
So, I just wanted to mention this is why the lack of my comments for this year. Or maybe I have misunderstood the rules and if so, please clarify. Possibly others may have not understood totally as well?

Ginny G. said...

I always take time to call my mom each day. Some days five minutes turns into thirty but I cherish every minute.

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

I like to take 5 minutes to look through a quilting magazine. It takes a few minutes of time but it relaxes me for quite awhile.

Karen said...

I love to take 5 minutes every hour or so and just walk around the house, the yard, the office, wherever I am just to get my mind away from the computer which I sit at all day long.

OhioLori said...

What a great idea you have started! Love it! Now it's nicer out...and flowers are wakin' up...I like to ramble our yard... Today I noticed the Lilac buds are just about to burst open! Love them! Our Peach trees have been bloomin'...awesome sight! (we have 260 Peach trees! lol)

Quiltsmiles said...

Good For You! Sounds splendid. I have been trying ot be kinder to myself recently too so appreciate this May Play theme. Today I turned of all the electronic noise in the house and enjoyed the quiet for about 30 minutes, pure Bliss! Jane

Valerie the Pumpkin Patch Quilter said...

I am in. ;) I haven't found my May minutes yet - but I will soon, and I will be blogging about it!

Tjtruesdale said...

I linked up!!!! I enjoy the process of reading and sewing and creating! 5 minutes leads to 10 and then an hour for me!

Deb@asimplelifequilts said...

Sometimes it IS the little things that make a difference. 5 minutes a day... the only thing that comes to mind is taking time to do nothing... just sit and enjoy quiet thoughts. Sometimes it leads to an idea, other times it calms my mind.

ThreadCatcher said...

On sunny days I like to find a sunbeam to sit in while paging through a quilting magazine, dreaming of future projects. Thanks for the chance at your giveaway.

robin said...

Once our deck doors off the dining room are unfrozen each spring, I "Greet the Morning" each morning when I first wake up. Just step out onto the deck, breathe in the fresh air, and savour the sights, sounds, and smells! Ahhhh! Starts my day off right! :)

Noreen said...

I can think of a hundred things! But number 1 on my list would probably be a candlelit bubble bath

Unknown said...

I love to take a daily stroll around the yard and see what flowers have bloomed, then let the chickens out. They're fun to watch. Thanks for the giveaway!

pupton said...

I can make a yoyo or two in five minutes. I am preparing to make a yoyo coverlet or wall hanging. Thank you!
pupton58 at gmail dot com

Pamela said...

What a wonderful practice! I enjoy looking at quilting blogs and seeing what other quilters are doing. But if I only five minutes, that could be dangerous, because it's hard to pull my eyes away!

KatieQ said...

I like to take a few minutes to email my daughter who is away at graduate school. She is always busy with school and work so it's hard to find the time to talk on the phone. A short email message to connect with her really makes my day.

Linda Crosby said...

Good for you Marcia. I like to make myself a cup of tea and call my daughter who is a stay at home mom with her third child coming anyday now. Thanks for the chance to win that lovely fabric.

Busy Quilting Mama said...

Sounds like you will have a great May. Mine will be a little hectic with a daughter graduating. The thing I like to do that only takes five minutes is turn on the sewing machine.