IF you’re grouchy and you know it, take a nap! Kids and grandparents aren’t the only ones who need to nap. Taking a nap is like pressing the reset button on your computer. You black out momentarily and make a refreshing comeback. It can happen, even with just a 20-minute catnap.

So what’s the connection with being grouchy? I’m certain you’ve had those mid-afternoon moments when you just wanted to snap at someone or get easily frustrated with work. Perhaps you’re getting a little drowsy without realizing it. How about taking a nap? It’s a quick way to revitalize yourself from being “low batt” or turning into a monster.

20 minutes of shut-eye is all it takes. More than half an hour and you might affect your normal bedtime routine. If you’re worried about a nap overtime, set an alarm.

Don’t underestimate the power of a good nap! Not only does it refresh you, it puts you in a better mood and makes you more productive.

WHEN was the last time you chronicled your life on paper? Blogs are big and so are writing notes on Facebook, but having a personal journal in the form of a notebook or scrapbook still delivers a different joy. I count it as a more personal kind of joy.

Scribbling on paper makes me feel I’m putting more heart into what I’m writing. And I love the sound of pencil on paper, especially if it’s a freshly sharpened Mongol #2. I also enjoy attaching items that carry a special memory with them — ticket stubs, receipts, stickers. Another thing I enjoy about having an actual journal is that whenever I need to revisit an experience, all I have to do is take it out and flip through the pages. The memories become tangible, and the texture of a pressed rose takes me back to the day when those flowers came.

Don’t get me wrong, I love to blog. But for me, the charm of writing memories on paper trumps anything electronic. It looks like I’ll be passing on a bunch of scrapbooks and journals to the next generation.