Calling All Whimsy Suggestions

Go to a petting zoo and hold and pet the animals.  I find being with animals (I have alpacas, angora rabbits, chickens and dogs) lightens my load when I can spend non-responsible time with them (feeding, cleaning cages, vet care, etc). 

I find for the most part animals are just there going about their life and can be very entertaining and smile producing.

Whimsy can take on many forms...flowers on the toe or...

over the last 14 years of caregiving to my mom & dad NFCA helped me by just being there...I didn't always heed the advice...but it always made me think...the one thing that was always said..."take care of yourself"...the more I tried the more difficult I found this goal to accomplish...I would plan for my day out for my time to do what I wanted to do...yes, I would plan & plan & plan somemore...then that day would come & I was needed more as a caregiver...I would take care...it was my job & I wanted to do it...but underneath it all I would be angry that MY DAY was gone...when would I have another chance?  Poor me...then one day I was blessed with extra time & my parent/s were having a good day...what a surprise but I had a job to do...it was then that I realized a few hours away on a good day are very much like your toe whimsy...you must find it where it is...thank you for your thoughts...I am remembering what I learned from NCFA daily.

I found that even when I had downtime I was reading only books about special needs kids, autism, healthcare, and special ed.  So I still do that but only one book at a time and set a time limit.  I've started reading Jane Austen, romances, and sci fi during what is now my real downtime.  Also, if the weather is nice gardening helps too.

I highly recommend cats- for comfort and definitely whimsy. we chase around and play all the time- my little secret! It is fun for an adult caregiver and I love them dearly.

they aren't much trouble for how sweet they are.