It’s another edition of Shay’s Random Grab Bag!
Now, you know the drill…I pull some of your random questions and answer them all here in one little post.
~If you missed Grab Bag #1, I covered everything from Kensington’s daily g-free meals, to where Andrew buys his clothes, marriage advice and more! Catch it HERE.
~If you missed Grab Bag #2, I cover how I handle crappy days, parenting tips, how I started my travel agency, how I pack my toiletries and how I organize my closet! You can read that one HERE.
~In Grab Bag #3’s post, I shared how I plan vacations for my family, more book suggestions, house cleaning tips and more #OOTD. You can catch that one HERE!
~In Grab Bag #4, I answered questions regarding my kids’ quirks, Pinterest, what I wear on a plane and more! That post is HERE.
~In Grab Bag #5, I chatted all things technology and kids, food items I always have on hand, our home buying process, details from our trip to Mexico and my relationship with Jesus. You can read that post HERE.
This time, when I randomly picked from your questions, here is what ended up in the grab bag…
I liked this question and thought it was nice and broad. That being said, I could answer it a million different ways. Behind the scenes is well…peaceful, well-organized chaos. Ha! I don’t know how else to describe it? I like schedules, routines and calm. I like a peaceful house, an organized space, an efficient calendar, a solid process and structured day…but I also have four kids with active schedules, three dogs and two businesses so some days are peaceful and calm while other days, I feel like I’m running around with my hair on fire. I try reallllly hard to eliminate as many stressors as possible (keep my daily schedule light, a good to do list, lots of focus and not getting distracted), but let’s be real, some days are just BANANAS over here. I try to be joyous in the chaos as much as possible.
If you have specific questions, ask in the comment section! I’m happy to answer them!!
Well, you should totally listen to S2 EP32 of The Bestie Breakdown where we discuss McKinney in great depth! I also have my ALL ABOUT MCKINNEY post too where I discuss specifics like where to eat, shop, etc as well. In a nutshell though, the two central locations in McKinney for the best dining, shopping and local fun are either our historic town square or Adriatica which is a Croatian village built on a lake that includes cafes, shops, restaurants, a chapel and more. Both spots are where you should go if you ever head to McKinney.
I have had more and more fitness related questions/DMs/comments lately, so I think I’ll really try and incorporate more of this during the summer blogging months. Do you like that idea? Do you have more specific content ideas for me? I’m open! In March, I published MY WORKOUTS IN A WEEK which really does share what I do every day (and I try to workout in some way or another every day!). You should read that post for specifics, but I love running and yoga the most, try to walk as often as possible, lift weights twice a week and always stretch. Another podcast episode you could listen to would be S2 EP7 where we BREAK DOWN FITNESS! I honestly just try to be “active” as much as possible every day. I aim for 15,000 steps, I try to ride my bike with my kids, walk the dogs, jump in the pool, shoot baskets with them, etc. I really LOVE being outside! For me, consistently being active has probably made the biggest difference in my energy level and encouraged more fitness and better health.
Hi, my name is Shay, and I’m often motion sick. So many things can make me nauseous or throw up. You know how people say “I haven’t thrown up since August of 2005”, yeah…that’s not me. I’m one of those people who do this on the regular only because it takes very little to make me motion sick. If you’re a good friend of mine (scratch that, if you’re a friend who just knows me kind of well), there’s a good chance, you’ve witness me get sick. So gross, yet so true. Sigh. Lots of things can trigger my motion sickness but NOTHING more than being in a car. The car is my worst enemy.
Here is what I personally do to combat it anytime I start to feel nauseous:
1: I need cold air in my face.
2: I take off my shoes (hot feet exacerbate the situation for me).
3: I need to eat something bland (crackers are the best for me!). An empty stomach is my worst enemy.
4: I need to close my eyes.
Here is what I do to make sure I am well prepared when I travel:
1: I wear layers. I’ve been known to strip down to not much on a plane in order to keep my cool, so layers work well. I’m 100% positive the person next to me would rather see me in a tank top than vomiting.
2: I never board a plane/a boat or really even a car super hungry. Hunger makes me get motion sick SO MUCH FASTER.
3: I always keep crackers with me. Most of the time on planes, I never even need to open the cracker package (because the majority of flights are totally calm and fine), but should I start to feel nauseous, I immediately start eating crackers/goldfish/pretzels/etc.
Lovely convo for a Tuesday morning, no? 😉
Well, I could talk for days about this one. This is certainly a “in a nutshell” answer, but I start each day by reading the Bible and studying some portion of it. I follow that up with a prayer time over specific people/events/things/requests in my life. I don’t stop praying then though, I would say that I’m a big “pray throughout the day” person. Anytime I’m burdened, something/someone is on my heart/see something/hear something that tugs on my heart, I pray (including all the times I pray over YOU!). Andrew and I are always looking for organic ways to talk to our kids about our faith, our values, how Jesus loves us so that they can start identifying it in their own lives too. As far as the last portion of your question, Andrew and I made the commitment when we got married to tithe any income we bring in every month, to give over and above when we can to our church and to support many church/faith-based ministries. We love supporting several faith-based organizations/missionaries/ministries outside of our actual church too. We fully understand that God doesn’t “need” anyone’s money, but He requests we don’t selfishly hold on to it for ourselves (out of pride or fear or whatever reason one holds on to their money)/spend it all frivolously/not love and support others doing work for the Lord, etc,. so we give as often as we can. I don’t know? Our faith is the most important thing to both of us, so it’s a very conscious decision to try and live for Jesus each and every day whether in prayer, parenting or giving.
Whew! That wraps up our Grab Bag this week! From vomiting to faith, we covered it all 😉 .
Happy Tuesday, friends! xx
Erika Slaughter says
What a wide range of topics today! 🤣🤣🤣
Mix and Match Mama says
Could you even count the number of times you’ve seen me throw up? I doubt you could. Hahahahaha!
Elspeth says
I love posts when you talk about your faith! Thank you for being open about your relationship with Jesus!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Kara Dowling says
My daughter used to get car sick ALL OF THE TIME. Somewhere I read that if you hold a russet potato, not any other kind, you won’t get car sick. I kid you not…when we travel 2+ hours, both of my kids, even the one who doesn’t get car sick, are holding russet potatoes. And guess what? No more carsickness. We’ve been doing this for years and it is tried and true!
Jen W says
Ok, this is intriguing! I mean i’ll try anything for my daughter!
Dana P says
Shay. I really thought we were total besties. 😅 How did I not know about the constant vomiting?! I can’t imagine how embarrassing that must be! “Hey, are you Shay?! I love your blog!” “Just a minute…” 🤢 I’m sure it’s not funny in the moment, but I can’t imagine trying to be polite while I’m about to lose it!
I will say that my mom has always dealt with motion sickness as well and she just takes a small portion of the Dramamine non-drowsy pills. She does about a fourth of one and that usually does the trick. And the good news is that, for her at least, it has gotten better over the years. Hopefully it will for you, too!
Mix and Match Mama says
Seriously, Dana…you do not have to know me all that well to see me throw up. One of these days, Erika and I will have to discuss how one time when I was puking, all she could find to help me was a maxi pad. Next season on The Bestie Breakdown, we need to share that story.
Amanda Wilson says
I love this random grab bag! Shay you are so blessed and I love that you give back! The more you give I swear the more you receive. Thanks for sharing that aspect of your faith because it’s private but so important!!!
Joanne says
OH yes, I would rather the person next to me strip down to the bare minimum than throw up TYVM! In fact I legitimately fear that the person next to/near me in a plane or on a roller coaster or amusement park ride might get motion sick which in turn would make me get sick.
Lisa D says
Thank you for openly sharing your faith on your blog.
Kelly S says
Boats are NOT my friend. Or curvy roads. I get so so so car sick on both. I’ve thrown up off the edge of a catamaran on vacation more times than I can count. If I’m super tired from travel or HOT, those things make me super nauseous on a boat or in a car. I have to sit in the front part of a vehicle, not in the way back. And I need a breeze. That helps. Plus, icky food smells when I’m feeling nauseous already, add to my gagging. 🙂
Andrea says
Any tips for getting to 15,000 steps while working a full time job? I aim for 10,000 and struggle to get there even after taking the dog on one or two walks!
Mix and Match Mama says
Lots of little steps add up. Now, some days, I run big in the morning so it’s super easy, but other days when I lift weights (like today), I have to try harder. I’ll walk my dogs, stop at lunch and take a quick walk, play with my kids after school…every little bit adds up!
Christina says
I have similar motion sickness issues and o have done much better using these: Hyland’s motion sickness homeopathic tablets and the non drowsy Dramamine tablets. I have bottles of them in my purse, my toiletries kit, my work bag…and they have really helped me function much better! Especially with kids, I need to be able to be present…I would highly recommend trying them out!
Carly says
Ever try the acupressure bands (really good one) for motion sickness? I fly alot of bumpy air craft(especially helicopters) and often mountain ranges and wear them all the time. My kids will wear them as well and I swear by them. I agree 100% on the empty stomach carbo food. I never go on any aircraft without pretzels in a bag only because they hold up better than smashed crackers plus a bottle of gingerale. The little bit of sugar sipped slow also helps. Motion sickness emerging is so random to people. I can handle any car, truck, train, bus, etc no problem, but bumpy aircraft or worse yet ANY type boat including a cruise ship I do not do well. I can not do cruises I am so ill, even with a doctor prescribed meds.
Mix and Match Mama says
I have tried them before, and they haven’t really worked that well for me. That being said, I’m a big believer in those wrist pressure points. Anytime I start to get nauseous, I’ll have Andrew push down on my wrists and squeeze my hands really hard and it truly helps!
Laura says
I don’t get motion sick but I sure have a story about getting too hot on a plane. I was wearing a thin black cotton dress. 7 months pregnant. The dress was unlined so I had on a simple slip underneath. It was so hot I took the dress off and sat there in my slip the whole flight. The slip was soaking wet with my sweat by the time we landed. My husband was mortified.
Mix and Match Mama says
I would 100% support you doing that. 😉
Lisa says
I always enjoy your blog posts! I, too, have a horrible problem with motion sickness. Years ago, my ENT prescribed a “motion sickness cocktail” for me to use. I take dramamine the night before I’ll be traveling. About 30 minutes before boarding bus, car for long drive, airplane, boat . . .I take a dramamine and a low dose ativan. We leave for Italy/Germany/Austria in a few weeks and we will be riding on some mountainous roads so I’ve ordered a ReliefBand Motion Sickness Control from Amazon. A friend of mine, also going on the trip . . .who also gets sick, has been researching and had ordered one and he has tried it and feels like it works. I tried it out on Saturday when my husband and I were out- we had to drive about 30 minutes to a funeral and then made some other side trips. I didn’t get sick. After a morning of being in the car, I usually feel yucky! I’ll write a review of it after our trip this summer!
Mix and Match Mama says
I am going to try this!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Sheri says
Just seconding this. I use one when flying, and have for years. I turned it off too soon once (when we had landed) and immediately felt the effects of not having it turned on. It somehow blocks the signals of feeling nauseous. Now I know to leave it going for a half hour or so after we have landed! It very definitely works.
Lisa says
this is awesome – I am so looking forward to it working so I don’t have to be so “doped” up the whole time!!
Stacy says
Ooohhh… please try the relief band and update us! Kind of pricey, but if it works, it would be worth it!!!
Amanda says
The pressure point bands (sea bands) really do help. Not 100% but some is better then none. You can buy them at CVS.
Jennifer says
I always keep Dramamine with me to combat motion sickness!
Sarah Schutte says
Non-drowsy Dramamine is a great friend! ☺️ I took that everyday at Universal Studios because the 3D rides really get to me! Helped tremendously! My child takes the children’s version anytime we have to take a long car trip!
Em says
Ahhhh being motion sick/nauseous is so frustrating. I’m the same way and I also get so incredibly sick for such a long time each time I’ve been pregnant. At the risk of being TMI, I’m so curious if you have any helpful tips for after being sick to “put yourself back together”?! 😂😂 I always look like such a train wreck after being sick…I’m always so afraid of the different places I might get sick because I look just plain awful afterwards 😂 maybe you’re more graceful at being sick?? I’ll take any helpful tricks! 🤣
Mix and Match Mama says
Listen, my friends tell me all the time that I “puke and rally” so well! Seriously, it’s apparently one of my gifts. Hahaha! I keep a toothbrush and toothpaste in my totes, I wipe off my face a bit and then am ready to go. I recover well 😉 .
Ashlea Patterson says
What do you do on the boat road to Nantucket? I’m dying to go but I get so sea sick I’m too scared to try!
Mix and Match Mama says
Sometimes, I have a lovely time and can read my book, have a glass of wine and enjoy. Other times, I’m outside getting allllll the fresh air and staring at the horizon. It’s like a game…I don’t know which one I’m going to get until I get there…agh!
Becky B says
Hey Shay! Another thing in addition to all the great tips you mentioned for motion sickness is to put a wet wash cloth or even if you have to a little ice from your cup on the plane on the back of your neck. If I am close to getting sick this helps a lot. A flight attendant told me that tip!
Amanda says
Best way to avoid car motion sickness is to drive. I drive 95% of the time to avoid severe motion sickness.
Robin says
This is so true!
Kristin R. says
It’s interesting that you mentioned carb-y foods, because I’ve actually found that having a high protein meal right before traveling helps me much more. And once I start to feel sick, just eating simple carbs (saltines, etc) or something surgery, actually makes me feel much worse. So I have a good meal, take the Dramamine ginger pills, then wear the plastic acupressure bands (the stretchy fabric ones don’t do it for me anymore). Then I keep higher protein snacks with me if it’s going to bea long ride (almonds, string cheese, a sandwich if feasible). Good luck!
Kelly H says
You know you are friends, or friendly when people witness you get sick. It happens to be quite often, not from motion sickness but I totally get what you are saying and like you I rally fairly quickly from these events. Of course, it’s just part of my life so the family is beyond used to it and anyone who ever eats with me just knows I will most likely be excusing myself at some point during said meal.
Kayla says
I’ve read your blog for years and had no clue you get motion sick! I have tried many things and have found a good combo that works for me. I teach kindergarten and bus rides to field trips are not fun!
I eat something before a trip, take natural Dramamine(ginger) an hr before, eat peanut butter crackers and drink ginger ale. I have found that something in regular Dramamine makes me so sleepy I’m basically out of it and can’t really function.
I have to look out the front window of the car and the front seat is best. I can’t read or look at my phone. I agree with a previous comment that driving is the best thing when nothing else works.
I also had to strip layers on a plane. We visited Dallas in July one year and the plane was so hot. I almost puked once we landed. The poor stranger next to me probably thought I was crazy when I all of a sudden pulled my sweatshirt off and had a tank top on.
I would love to hear if any of these new ideas work for you!
Connie says
I have motion sickness at times if I don’t drive, (more so if I have to ride in the back seat-which is rare, I usually drive) ride on an train or airplane or fair rides. Or even wavy, rocky boat rides or even wave pools can make my stomach churn and/or give me a headache. I find fresh air helps also and closing my eyes. I refuse to go on any rides after getting sick once from a tilt a whirl. Ugh. I can go on the slow ones at Disney World. Haha But I do take a Dramamine before flying and it does help. It just makes me sleep. And they also sell seaband bracelets for motion sickness. They seem to work also. My son takes after me. No fun.