ASMR.. what is it?! Sleep help here!

About a year ago I have come across something so fantastical called ASMR. This stands for

Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response.  

 ASMR is a relatively new word for a perceptual phenomenon characterized as a distinct, pleasurable tingling sensation in the head, scalp, back, or peripheral regions of the body in response to visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, or cognitive stimuli. The nature and classification of the ASMR phenomenon is controversial, with strong anecdotal evidence to support the phenomenon but little or no scientific explanation or verified data. -Wikipedia 

I remember when I was in the first grade I had a grade 7 reader helper that would come by twice a week to help me with my reading. She was so kind and soft spoken and had a voice that would send shivers down your spine. I first experienced ASMR when she would read to me. First there was a tingle on the crown of my head that would flow down my body and put me into a relaxed comatose state. She must have thought I was so weird with my droopy eyes and playing dumb just so she would read to me. Reading time was fantastical and opened me to a whole new world of, what I did not know at the time, meditation. About a year ago I was going though some slightly stressful times and I sought out reading loads of novels and watching You Tube videos to help me de-stress. When I looked up meditation videos, I came across my first ASMR artist, Maria. She has an amazing gift! She has helped me though what would have been sleepless nights and daily anxiety. Was it an escape for me? Yes and no. I found Maria of "Gentlewhispering" to be such a positive influence in my life. Her kind words and attention to detail would lull me to a deep meditative state and most times to sleep. For me it is meditation; I get to quiet the mind and to get a little boost of beautiful energy. In this past year I have come across many other ASMR artists. Some of my favorites are "MassageASMR" by Dmitri and "AccidentallyGraceful" name unknown. 

Gentlewhispers Maria https://www.youtube.com/user/GentleWhispering

She is my fave go-to ASMR artist. She is from Baltimore MD and has a lovely Russian accent. She even does some of her ASMR videos in Russian. I don't speak Russian but I love to listen to both! She does lots of role play situations and is always a boost to your self esteem. She is a super positive person! She also does massage, teaches you how to fold towels and has an amazing story of her own.

MassageASMR Dmitri https://www.youtube.com/user/MassageASMR

Dmitri is another one of my fave go-to artists. He is a massage therapist by trade and he is amazing with his taps, crinkles and his deliberate heavy breathing and lip smacking. Who knew these could be sleep-inducing noises?! He also has a lovely Australian accent which I love. He has plenty of videos some short some long and some role play. He even has videos with no talking at all with creative auditory sounds.

AccidentallyGraceful  https://www.youtube.com/user/accidentallygraceful/featured

I love this gals bath time and sleepy time video. She gives you a 30 plus minute tutorial on how to make bath salts with Epsom salts and essential oils.  More recently she has done a bit of acting in her videos. She is a very talented actor and delivers a compelling 20 plus minutes of a post apocalyptic monologue. She is even a wonderful singer to boot!

Each have amazing gifts in helping me chill out. Now I don't get the tingling sensation every time so if you don't get it at first don't worry, let your mind go and it will come. Also, you need to find an ASMR artist that works for you! Everyone is so different with techniques, styles, roles plays and sound ideas. I feel so fortunate to have discovered ASMR and so grateful for the ASMR artists who keep producing these mind tingling videos.

Other noteworthy ASMR artists:

https://www.youtube.com/user/HeatherFeatherASMR HeatherFeather

https://www.youtube.com/user/ASMRrequests ASMRRequests

https://www.youtube.com/user/OliviaKissperASMR

Happy watching and happy relaxing!

HUGS

The Momma

 

 

 

 

Full Time Parent & Part-Time at Home Business an Unofficial How to Guide

In March of 2012, I officially opened my business "Awesome Possum Tutoring & Consulting." I have to say it has been fun, a lot of hard work and worth every minute I put into the business to be at home full-time with my kids. I have written this blog entry based on my experiences starting up and maintaining a successful home business. I hope my blog can help you or someone you know along the way in doing the same. All the best to you!

Here is a super awesome helpful guide oh how to start up your home based-business in British Columbia.

Q: Do I have an appropriate space in my home or can I make one?

A: Yes, I bought the townhouse with the idea in mind that I would have a workspace for tutoring clients. I was fortunate enough to have this plan well in place before my first son was born so I was able to find a place that fit my needs. My office is on my lowest floor, it has front door entry, a good size to house my tutoring materials, desks, office supplies and books and it has an attached bathroom.


Q: How well would this type of business do in my area? 
A: Since I live in a suburban area and close to many schools I knew it would be well received. Also, I researched other tutors in my area and there are not many Orton Gillingham based tutors and the demand is high with no sight of declining.


Q: Does your home have good street parking and easy access? Is it near transit? 
A: Yes, I am fortunate I have 6 visitor spots in front of my house as well as the bus goes by my place every half an hour. I also have a corner unit so there is ample waiting space beside my unit as well.

Q: Do you live in a strata? If yes, what are their rules for at home businesses? Does your business and all activities fall under their guidelines?
A: Yes, I live in a strata and I read the by-laws before buying into it. The rules state that I can have a home-based business provided I have a reasonable amount of come and goers and I show no signs or
advertisement for my business on lawns, windows or doorways. Lastly, you must have no outstanding fines, fees or levies with the strata.  

Q: What are your city guidelines with home-based businesses?
A: I am allowed to have a home-based business if I have a limit of 5 visitors/day including clients and deliveries. I must abide by all strata guidelines or I could lose my business license. Also, I must receive an original letter from the strata counsel agreeing to the business being located on strata property to be made available when applying for a city license. (see below)

Q: What are my overheads? What do I charge for product and/or services? (Do your research on other competitive companies in the area)

A: I acted as if. I am not an accountant so made a list of all the possible expenditures I could potentially have to make in my first 6 months as well as factor in potential clients and income. I played with the numbers and found a happy budget to work with. I also picked up the phone and called competitors to see what they charge. You can also look online for these types of career job market research. Remember you may not make money in the first couple of months and that is ok! Give yourself a deadline on your financial goals. This will help your make it or break it debate. 


Q: Is the market saturated or is my product or service in need? Is it a growing need? 
A: There are plenty of websites to help you with this research and don't be afraid to pick up the phone and ask questions as a potential customer.



Q: How much time will this take away in a typical week? 
A: Map out your valuable time, do this liberally. Do not be conservative with your time allocations to tasks; you want to make sure this is an attainable business for you. Staying up all hours will only burn you out faster.


Q: Where do I start? Name Registry in BC.
A: Go to the Name Registry in BC online http://www.bcbusinessregistry.ca/nameapproval.htm
Go here to check to a see if your business name is available to use. They have great tips on this site on how to pick and name and the dos and don'ts. This will cost you under $50, dependent on your municipality. Once you have a name registered the registry will give you a business reference number. Hold on to this for the next step. This process will take approximately 3-5 business days.

Q: Then what? BC Business Registry.
A: Go to BC Business Registry online: http://www.bcregistryservices.gov.bc.ca/bcreg/corppg/companies/index.page Find your type of business and fill out the necessary paperwork either online or hard copies. Do read the fine print on this page. Depending on your business you may have to fill out additional forms or register with additional organizations based on health standards etc. This process will take approximately 2-4 weeks. Once you are approved you will then receive a business number.

Q: OMG then what? City License Registration
A:  Go to your local city hall and apply for a city business license. This will be the only license you will have to renew and pay for annually if you are simple straight forward business like mine. Most municipal licenses are under $100 for the year. This process will take approximately 2-3 weeks. Once you are approved and you meet all the regulations and guidelines you will receive a paper license in the mail. Get a nice frame and put that sucker on the wall, you earned it! The license is required to be in a conspicuous place at your business site. Also, make copies before putting up, this will help you later. Lastly, check out what your municipality does for its businesses, you never know there might be some perks!

Q: Do I need insurance?
A: You always need insurance whether it is for loss or liability. Go to your current insurance broker and try to get a rider on your current home insurance. Business policies are expensive and will suck you dry but home-based business riders are affordable and easy to do.  Let the broker guide you, that is what they are there for! Don't be afraid to shop around but not your rider has to be with your current home and contents insurance or you will have to move the entire thing.



Q: Advertising - what did you do?

A: Since I cannot post any signs on my windows, lawns or doors I turned to Facebook where I made an awesome possum consulting page. I got myself signed up on LinkedIn, tutoring email lists, contacted local resource centres and libraries with my business cards and brochures. I gave away free lessons as part of gift baskets and raffles. I had advertising magnets done up for my car. I volunteer at my son's school with the Talking Tables program and with reading. I signed up for the annual Christmas tree decorating competition between all the businesses in my home town. I participate in city events. I go to school board meetings and I am a part of my son's school PAC. I wear my Awesome Possum hoodie and baseball cap with pride. I talk about what I do. I have set up vendor tables at events such as craft fairs and marketplaces. I have posted my logo-ed items on community notice boards. I offer a free session to any current clients who successfully bring in a new client to me. You name it, I have done it!


Q: Facebook! What did you do exactly?
A: Facebook is a whole other cat. You can take classes on how to maximize the site traffic on your business page. For me personally, I know Facebook is based on algorithms so I based my posts on contests like free sessions so people would share my info. I would post random fun words facts to catch people's attention. I offer a free session to those clients who book with me through Facebook. I keep my posts fun, positive and usually with something to offer.

Q: Where did you get all your logo and all the logo stuff made up?
A: Vistaprint -they are pretty amazing. It was a one stop shop for me. I also frequent the local print shop when I need something next day.

Here are some other helpful hints:

- Take notes on everything, even it seems ridiculous
- Make a Excel spreadsheet for all your finances if you do not use a bookkeeper.
- BC business taxes are not due until the end of June.
- Always keep a stack of business cards on you; you never know when you will need one.
- Keep info on your clients/customers this will help when you offer a new service
- Save all your bills, receipts and invoices for tax time and file it all straight away.
- Do month end reconciliation, don't put it off, you want to track everything!
- If you do not have a bookkeeper Turbo Tax is an excellent program for first time business tax users.
- Document all your gas expenditures, travel and keep receipts. Credit card bills are acceptable!
- You can write off so much off at tax time... http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/tpcs/slprtnr/bsnssxpnss/menu-eng.html#expenses for a full list with guidelines. (Cell phone, bridge tolls, insurance, etc!)
- Schedule time in to work! It is too easy to procrastinate. Set boundaries with your partner and children with time and space.
- Change what doesn't work and cut the redundancies. For example I changed my pay scale six months in as it was too labour intensive for a sliding scale and I wanted more public transparency with what I charged. Having said that I can take on a student of the parents or guardians are struggling financially.
- Keep a do to list
- Dream where you want to go with the business. Write down where you see yourself in 5 and 10 years.
- Follow your instincts
- Keep a blog - if appropriate
- Participate in community events - give back!
- Try to think 2 steps ahead, never be 100% complacent, and always question things that do not make sense to you.
- Create! it is your business, have fun with it!
- Love what you do!

- Thrift shops and Craiglist are GREAT places to acquire office supplies, decor and office equipment. Don't spend all your money on super fancy office items. Go for classy with the guise of it being cheap, easy, or free!
- Keep your clients informed about new products, services and events. There are new federal laws about sending informational emails to customers. Be sure upon them subscribing they agree to you sending them unsolicited information.

- Keep relevant, move with the times, trying not to get stuck or stagnant. Attend seminars and classes, they are out there and most of them are free! Check your local library, non-profits and newspapers. "Like" Facebook pages that help your cause.


I will keep adding to this list as I go on...

I hope you find this helpful! If you do pass it along! If you don't well I can't give your your time back but I can give you a hug the next time I see you. I do not have a business degree, all this above information is based on my own personal experience. Take what you like and leave the rest!

If you have any questions feel free to email me at awesomepossumconsulting@gmail.com also, like my Facebook page for awesome possum super fun facts on spelling, writing, word origins and other wordy word type things. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Awesome-Possum-Tutoring-and-Consulting/192510507539462

Cheers!

Courtney C.
Sole Proprietor of Awesome Possum Tutoring & Consulting and CEO of the Catt household

                                                         I can't believe it is all mine!

The City of Port Coquitlam - Nominated Home-Based Business of the Year 2013 & 2014
Runner-Up Port Coquitlam People's Choice Award 2014

Why you Gotta be so Crude?

There's an evil man trying to claim the north pole
preservation? for science? oh fuck! oh hell no!

There are a couple of other countries in the frozen running
Run by the oil hungry, diggin for some money
zealous sons of bitches without a blessed soul
Harper is one of them; lets dig that fucking hole!

Blinded by the money and the thick teaxs tea
The Jebs are so long ago 1960s
Time to get with the times you thieving shitty dude
Why are you eying up Santa's secret ocean crude

Oh wait yes I said it the value and the money
raping precious earth has never been that funny
The beauty of the earth is going to slip away
so you and your golfing buddies get a payday

There are 5 power countries vying for the space
 Denmark and Norway their heart's in the right place
But the other three countries have a little learning
Russia, Canada and the States these countries are really burning
To get a big mark in international waters
No one owns that place for the sake of sons and daughters

Dropping the flag on the pristine ocean floor
Is a pathetic little show for what is in store
Canada ultimately has turned to the dark side
But this shit isn't new google Harper for the crimes

PEACE

The Momma

                                                                Classic.

Holiday Thought...

My two-bits... It does not matter to me if someone says Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas to me, I am grateful for the blessing. What bothers me is the xenophobic, ultra nationalist, far-right-tea party-Ann-Coulter-garbage of the super staunch "Merry Christmas" folks who have the inability to see it from any other side but their own. No point in getting in a tizzy about the lack of Merry Christmas's because nothing is being taken from you, in fact, you are given so much with a simple blessing. I welcome any kind of well wishes including the Christ in Christmas. 

Hugs & Shit
From the Pagan Momma!
Blessed Be!

Happy Saturnalia! Happy Christmas! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Bodhi Day! Happy Krampusnacht! 
Happy
Pancha Ganapati! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Yule! Happy Yalda! Happy Sadeh! 

Happy Chahar Shanbeh Suri! Happy Soyal! 

Many blessings to you beautiful souls around the world. 

Ass-u-me

So what do you do now that you have this free time as a stay at home mom?

I get asked this a lot.

Here is my truthful answer...

What time? I wake up to a 2 and 5 year old wanting different breakfasts, jumping on my bed, help Things get dressed, face washed, teeth cleaned (if they are lucky) and play, entertain, marble race time, find missing marbles, oh shit I lost their marbles, dominoes set up, dominoes clean up, put on bandaids, break up wrestling matches gone too far, make lunch, put on a load of laundry, clean up the spill, find out why Thing 2 is crying, read 14 books, kick the soccer ball outside, wrap presents, step on Lego, make appointments, write cards, sneak a 15 minute nap in on the floor pretending to play cars, reassemble a broken toy, turn on a show, bake a thing for that shindig tomorrow, make smoothies, make popcorn, help with child's printing sheets from school, set up painting, clean up painting, set up bubbles, clean up bubbles, pull out frozen protein from freezer, go for a walk, go on a snail hunt, make observations in the forest, buys stamps, change some diapers, potty train, oh shit feed the cat, investigate why there is a random poo nugget on the floor, wash Thing 2's hands, wash floor, submit government funding paperwork, respond to 20 knock knock jokes, praise Thing 1 for hilarity, change bed sheets, scrub the crayon off the wall, clean fridge as something has died in there, tidy up toys, make dinner, read a few more stories, have a thumb war, Thing 1's autism worker has come over. Thing 1 not in the mood today. Help ABA worker transition Thing 1 to new activities, Thing 2 wants my undivided attention, put Thing 2 on the counter and engage him in what I am doing (still making dinner), put said dinner in oven on low heat, doorbell rings, my first tutoring student, Thing 2 screams as I have left his side, put on Thomas, scramble downstairs, The hubs is late, ABA worker leaving, tutoring kid, The hubs rolls in, fill in the Hubs in under 20 seconds, hear Things fighting upstairs, 1 hour tutoring session, next kid comes in, another hour tutoring session, after work is done go upstairs, help Things tidy toys, bath time, play referee to the Things in the bath tub, help put things to bed, go back downstairs to basement, remove cat 20 times from my keyboard, do a few hours of lesson plans, admin, research tools and resources, finalize some invoices and receipts, respond to some work emails, around midnight respond to personal emails, tend to family paperwork, watch a you tube vid or two, read an article about the health benefits of having sex every day with your partner, look at partner, and go to bed around 1 AM.Get up at 7:30 AM next day and repeat.

I love my life, I really do. But when you ask that question (So what do you do now that you have this free time as a stay at home mom?) with a tone of you-have-it-so-good-you-lucky-asshole-while-I-have-to-do-a-40-hour-soul-sucking-work-week" it takes too long to explain myself so I just respond with Yoga, I now go to Yoga, watch reruns of the Oprah show, drink hot Chai Tea lattes and do Pinterest projects. It's just easier that way.

The Moral of this Cautionary Tale: Never Assume. Ever.

HUGS!

The Momma

"Being a mom has made me so tired. And so happy."   -Tina Fey

Cute: http://themindunleashed.org/2014/06/16-reasons-daily-sex.html

                                                                          Classic

Consuming the New Religon

I grew up in 80s consumption
early training for a lack of gumption
did this affect my inner function?
Damn rights, just make an assumption.
 Trayvon happens every single day
We stop and text and then it goes away
How do we let all this happen
in our modern day?
Oh  right, distraction, I just got paid.
Heading to the mall to get the latest thing
just got my newest plastic thing a ma jig
when status is wrapped up in silly little things
You are trying so hard just to fit in.
Fit into what you ask?
I'm about to put this shit on blast
The trinket you bought came from 3rd world
it came from tiny hands as young as your girl
It came from oppression, injustice and pain
and then they send this shit with no thought or blame
toxic materials raped from the earth
made by modern day slaves subjected from birth
they send it away with little to no pay and we say
hey I support their economy
wrong, you are a part of the machine
eating and consuming and creating a scene
but we hide behind that cute little screen
filled with videos of celebrity
the distracted false dream
When you buy that trinket made by tiny hands
your lining the pockets of the big white man
sitting in offices high above the city
collecting fat cheques and behaving really shitty.

Peace

Sat-Turd-Day

Hello Friends...

My day went a little something like this...

Woke up to alarm
only pressed snooze once
miracle
showered, alone
miracle #2
got ready for the work day
got Thing 2 out of bed
got Thing 2 to jump of the hubs to wake him up
classic
the hubs - sacked
Thing two 1 - the hubs nuts 0
went downstairs to find Thing 1
Thing 1 - an accomplished man
cereal check
naked - check
watching peppa pig on tablet - check
found chips and raccooned into bag - check
put his milk in a mug like daddy's coffee - check
built a train city in middle of kitchen floor - check
momma almost died tripping over train set - check
Thomas blaring in the background - check
downstairs computer blaring Calliou game - check
2 fig bars down - check
As I walk down the stairs Thing 1 casually says, "Oh Hi mom" like nothing is up
I returned his hi and kept going downstairs
Not my problem I am off to work
Commute is a bitch
the basement is so far
Tutored 4 awesome possum kids
While tutoring the 4th kid Thing 2 escapes
Thing 2 makes his way downstairs and sits on my lap
Hubs not home from bowling
babysitter can't keep him upstairs
Thing 2 is a klingon
Thing 2 poops
Thing 2 refuses diaper change from babysitter
Thing 2 screaming
I deal with thing 2's butt
I continue with Tutoring
I hate unprofessionalism
let go and let my higher power
babysitter's time is up
still trying to tutor
tutoring kid, cat sitting on kids book, babysitter gone and Thing 2 hiding behind laundry curtain
 quiet but concerned
smell of poop returns
its a poonami
hubs comes home late with Thing 1
sick Thing 2 on the hubs
The hubs and Thing 1 gag as they enter the house
Tutoring kid has lifted his shirt to cover nose
I have a scarf wrapped around my head
classic
tutoring over
Hubs claims he is tired and bolts to the bedroom
in my head I say fuck it
put down thing 2 for nap
Let Thing 1 watch the polar express, this time seasonally appropriate
and I curl up on the couch for a 2 hour sleeping extravaganza
BAM
everyone up at 5PM
everyone hangry
No one wants to cook
Load up the fam
go to sushi
Thing 2 grabs wasabi without us noticing and chows down
Take thing 2 outside for a screaming water fit
calms down after sushi lady gives him and mint candy
yay sushi lady
thing 1's new thing is knock knock jokes
Knock knock
who's there
Anita
Anita who?
Anita green wasabi like Thing 2!
Knock knock continues for 10 minutes with 5 year old hilarity
Thing 1 thinks he is the funniest man on the planet
the momma testing out her 50 different kids of fake laughs
success, I think I have found one
Thing 1 thinks I am his #1 fan
Thing 1 is right
After dinner home to bed
Thing 2 bath
shits in bath
shit #3
Thing 1 freaking out a floating poop
Thing 2 laughing
Hose down the things
wished I had my scarf
thinks to myself how I am sick of touching, smelling and breathing in poo particles
Now I sit here
procrastinating work
sore throat coming on
winter rite of passage
looking at my to do list
wanting a back massage instead
I can't wait to get up and do it all again tomorrow

Fig bar count - all accounted for
fig bars eaten by thing 1 - 3
wasabi ball challenge taken - 1
to do list items # 27
wanting a back massage - not a hubs one but a pro one
oh wait #28 get Carter's pants back to his mom

HUGS & SHIT
The Momma

                                             10 years ago in CUBA... wish I was there

I learned this shit in Kindergarten

I was witness to something not so special today. A pal of mine online cut her hair and posted a picture. The majority of comments were not too kind. When I spoke up, which I like to do, I was given a come back that I have heard way too many times before."It is just my opinion and I am entitled to my opinion."  Now, you are probably thinking, it is just Facebook, so who cares right?! I think the comments speak volumes on how North Americans have a gross sense of entitlement and that their shit does not stink. What ever happened to if you don't have anything nice to say don't say it at all? Some of the comments were, "Well it will grow back." That is a loaded statement. How is that statement kind or helpful? Does this person not know that her hair will not grow back?

I once had a (now former) FB friend write on his wall: "My pet peeves - women with skinny eyebrows and fat chicks in high heels." How is this helpful or kind? What these comments really do is shame people. We live in a looks-obsessed society and we put pressure on others to conform which makes us to be fearful and therefore we consume. We are buying into the beauty myth and distracted from the real purpose in life. To love and be loved. Am I distracted, hell yes, I am not immune to all this shit but what I can say is I am lucky enough I get to have my say and that yes, even if it is just a FB comments, I will still say something. I hope that people will think twice before spewing their projected vile out into the world under the guise of an "opinion".

BTW her hair is kick ass and she rocks it.

HUGS & spreading the love...

The Momma