taking stock

taking stock // 2018 february

DenaFebruary 15, 2018

Hello and happy Thursday, friends. I’ve been trying to write this post for three days now. But it’s been a rough week over here. I’m on day 5 of some awful flu or virus. It hit me like a ton of bricks late on Sunday and it’s been pretty relentless since. As a single mother and a small business owner, I don’t really get to be sick, there’s no room for it in my life. I have to press through and get things done no matter what.

The difference is that on an average day I have to be superhuman and when I’m sick I can only manage to be human, at best. So as my to-do list begins to rival The Declaration of Independence, and as certain areas of my house begin to make me cringe; I am trying to let go and let God. Perhaps all of the practice I’ve been having in giving myself grace was leading up to this. The ultimate trial in forgiving myself for being sick and unable to do all of the things that I want to be doing.

In any case, this post isn’t exactly what I had been planning for today, but it’s been awhile since I’ve taken stock, so maybe my fuzzy-brain, stuffed-up, achey self can manage it.

making // I have several projects going on in my home at the moment, including a beautiful plant wall going into my living room. The brackets were installed over the weekend and I was supposed to get to the wood mill this week to pick out shelves. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened with being sick, but I’m so excited to share the finished project soon.

cooking // It’s been cold, dark, and rainy a lot lately which leaves me craving comfort food — which for me is noodles. I’ve been making all different versions of soba noodles and black bean noodles sauteed with different vegetables & spices.

drinking // A cup of vanilla spice tea with a big splash of chocolate almond milk, just like I was drinking last time. I’ve stayed away from caffeine since being sick, but I’m desperately hoping that one cup will help me get through this day.

reading // Thoroughly enjoyed this post about embracing these last months of winter by Megan and this post about teaching sense of self to kids by Sydney. They are both beautiful worth a read.

hoping // That this sickness will pass soon, and more importantly, that my children will not get hit with it.

playing // Apparently a little too hard last weekend. Drinking too much and super late nights with friends are going to be a thing of the past for this Mama for a very long time. Aging is a beauty and a bitch, all at once.

enjoying // The blessings of this day and the promises of tomorrow.

waiting // Patiently for my energy to return so that I can tackle this massive to-do list. Spring is coming and I have gardens to plan, seeds to start, indoor projects to finish, business projects to launch, adventures to plan, and so much more.

loving // The fact that my sweet babies have been so into cuddling lately. Our evenings have been so sweet between cuddles and their bedtime routine.

needing // A vacation. But that’s life and I’m dead-set on remedying the situation very soon.

smelling // Nothing because my nose is completely stuffed at the moment, sadly.

wearing // Pajamas because I am getting back into bed (at least until I have to start preparing lunch for the kids) as soon as I finish writing this post.

watching // Lately it’s been my guilty pleasure, The Bachelor. Also, Divorce on HBO which I’ve been loving. And finally, I recently decided to give Black Mirror another try. I’m not completely sold on it though, I find the episodes to be hit or miss.

listening // I was recently introduced to Sufjan Stevens and I wonder how on earth I didn’t know his music sooner. Since then I’ve been obsessed with his stuff, Mercury being an absolute favorite, both the album version and this NPR recording take my breath away with every listen.