How Do You Start Your Day?

Breakfast while reading the news?  Checking your email?  Getting ready for the day?  Meditation?  Journaling?



I've been experimenting with how to get my day off on the right foot.  I'm no expert, by any means, but I've found that starting my day with reflection seems to help lately.

Not sure what to reflect on?  Here are a couple resources I've found helpful:

1. Gwen Bell -- she's full of wisdom and gives you powerful daily nuggets to chew and reflect on on her blog.


2. Martha Beck -- she recently shared 20 questions that could change your life on Oprah's site.  |via Khara Plicanic|

So I'm interested... how do you start your day?  Do you consciously set aside time to reflect during the day?

|Artwork by Wendy MacNaughton via The Jealous Curator|

On the Spot

A couple random questions that I get asked all the time via conversations and random emails, I thought I'd share with you.

• What kind of camera do you have?

We have 3, actually. We have the Nikon D70 and Nikon D90, and some cheapo point and shoot that I'm always disappointed with. The Nikon D90 is our baby and is used the most. The Nikon D70 was our first digital SLR camera and we love it, but it's only used as a backup on photo shoots and for more everyday use. I bought the cheapo point and shoot to take around with me in my purse. It was the cheapest camera I could find at best buy (about $130) that seemed okay. I am always disappointed with this camera and it only gets used at events that I need to smuggle in a camera, or I just don't want to lug around all the equipment that come with the other cameras.

• What is Toolulu?

At the core, we are a marketing/public relations firm. We help individuals and companies focus on their goals and make them a reality with strategic planning. Our expertise is helping these same people create an online presence. We do this by creating a custom plan unique to each business and help them build a network online (via facebook, twitter, LinkedIn, etc). We realize that not all companies have the same goals so we tailor these to the specific needs. We also offer classes (i.e. Blogging, Using facebook & twitter, Beginner's Etsy class, etc) to help everyone the basics on using these mediums to promote themselves or their business.

• How is Jonzy?

Apparently, I haven't blogged about Jonzy in quite awhile. Soon, though I promise. He is good, and my aunt calls him the horse. Let's just say that he has filled out quite a bit. Hopefully our new exercise program will help him trim down quite a bit.

• What is Fresh Nest Design?

This is a project I started with Erin Schlosser {check out her amazing stamp line here- she is uber-talented!} We both have a thing for interior design. She's a pro, and I'm not, but we love it all the same. We teach our readers how to design their space for themselves by doing tutorials (i.e how to paint, hang a picture, etc) and also inspire by showing lovely bedrooms, stairwells, etc. We also help design spaces for anyone that wants to hire us out for their space. {Good news: we are giving two space redesigns away!!}

• You work FT too! How do you have time for it all?

It's true, I do work full time and I don't sleep. That's not totally true, I do sleep, but I'm up late and up early. I have a really tight schedule, but I prioritize everything to maximize my time. When I get home from work, until the time Caden goes to sleep, it's family time. I am home most evenings, but I do take a day or two a month as "my" evenings, but I feel to guilty to take any more.

These are a list of the most popular questions I receive, but please feel free to ask away in the comments and I promise to answer them.

Now, I have a couple questions for you...

• What is your favorite color?
• What was your elementary school mascot?
• What have you done today?

image here

Q & A

There are two questions that seems to be coming up a lot these days. And although MumboJumbo isn't necessarily a pregnancy blog, it is a blog about the happenings in my life... and pregnancy just so happens to be the main focus lately.

1. Are you going to find out if it's a boy or girl?
Yes, we are. Although my doctor makes me wait longer than my girlfriends due at the same time (see here and here), we should know sometime soon. My doctor likes to wait between 20-24 weeks so that he can also view the brain's development at the same time. I am currently 19 weeks and have my next appointment on Friday. I'm hoping he will want to schedule an ultrasound right away.


2. Do you have any names picked out?
Some, but not many. We have about 3-4 names picked out for each gender. However, we are of the philosophy to keep these names private. For the longest time, we had the name Cadence picked out for our first boy... this was one of those dating/early marriage things where we would pick out names randomly just for fun. Once we had Cadence picked out, we told everyone. Then someone stole it.... for their baby girl. Ugh, the nerve! So needless to say, the baby won't be named Cadence and we won't be spouting off any names.

Any other questions out there???