Random Joy
Drinking an Eggnog Latte.
Listening to Christmas music.
Organizing stickers + colouring books + toddler craft supplies.
Sorting through Briony's artwork so we can 'close off' her Age One memories folder.
And just kind of generally loving my life in this moment.
I am oh so very grateful that our house is full of pink-and-purple glittery chaos, because that is exactly what helps to makes it a HOME. I'm admittedly emotional about having a two year old, but feeling so blessed that we've been able to enjoy two whole years of Briony already.
Labels: Random Joy
Random Kindness
What a gong show week.
I'm up to my eyeballs in work projects and we're slowly getting used to life without Libby again. We're managing. I'm just EXHAUSTED from all the juggling - and praying that I'll be able to make this weekend a real, work-free weekend so that I'm ready to tackle an even crazier week next week.
This morning, I skipped MOMs group (BOO) to work and try to fend off a flare-up, then made lunch and rushed off to an afternoon of meetings at the office. I stopped at Starbucks to quarantine myself for 90 minutes in hope of hitting a few deadlines today before I need to go home and manage dinner, family time, and bedtime.
I made it to the front of the line and barely had my order out of my mouth - a Gingerbread Latte and Cranberry Bliss Bar - when I realized that I had left my wallet at home. No one had even marked my drink on the cup yet, so I quickly explained the situation and said I'd run home and come back. The barista (not the one from the other day) looked at me and said, 'Don't worry about it. I hate when that happens to me. No charge. If you really want to, you can pay for it next time. Or just leave a good tip when you stop by again.' And without another word, he made my latte and grabbed my snack from the case, handing it to me with a smile and a wish for a good day.
I'm sitting here now, trying to work, and trying even harder not to cry. What a simple little act of kindness in a crazy busy day.
Labels: MOMs Group, Random Joy, Starbucks, Working Girl
Day At A Glance
Stopped at our friendly neighbourhood Starbucks today, and our 'regular' barista came around the counter to shake my hand and introduce himself. 'I want to know your name. Right now, to me, you're Double Tall Nonfat Vanilla Latte Girl - and you're married to Scooter Guy.' It made me smile. And the smile turned into a full-fledged grin when he gave me my Double Tall Nonfat Vanilla Latte for free. My usual. I have always wanted to have a usual somewhere. Given how I'm *so* much a creature of habit, I suppose it was just a matter of time before someone caught on :)
Took Geoff for his follow-up appointment with the surgeon today. He got his staples out and the surgeon is super happy with how it's all looking. Geoff got permission to increase the angle of his leg brace. It will be sloooow and steady process, but today was a step forward.
While I was sitting in the waiting room during Geoff's appointment, someone came out of the clinic area holding his leg brace (he's gone in a few minutes earlier wearing it). He had the biggest smile on his face. He walked right past me, then turned around and came back to tell me that we'd make it - that my husband would be the one walking out of there holding his brace before we know it. Kind of random, but it totally made my day.
Woke up more tired and in pain than usual today. It feels like I've been trudging through quicksand as I've been working through my to-do list. I HATE THAT.
Tomorrow is our last day with Libby here. I drop her off at the airport EARLY on Wednesday morning. It's going to be sad to say goodbye... We've had a great time with her, and she's been such an incredible support for us over the last two weeks.
As I'm sitting here, I can smell beef barley vegetable soup in simmering in the slow cooker and an apple pie baking in the oven. I AM A DOMESTIC GODDESS. Even if the soup is pretty much just last night's leftovers repurposed and the pie was totally just pulled from my freezer ;)
And speaking sarcastically of my Domestic Goddess title, I hit up M+M and Safeway with Geoff today to pick up some prefab meal components to help get us through the next couple of weeks. And another salad kit (turns out they're actually kind of good... and Safeway sells organic ones!). I'm done apologizing. It's not like I'm running through the McDonald's drive-through every night to feed my family. Some chicken breasts that have been pre-stuffed by some factory machine rather than yours truly will probably not kill us.
All my clients collectively decided to wallop my inbox today. It's going to be a crazy week. OF COURSE.
An eNewsletter that I've been working on launching for MONTHS finally went out on Friday and it felt GOOD. Just about ready to wrap up the content for Issue 2 and it's going *so* much more smoothly so far. That makes me happy. New projects are fun, but so is finding your groove.
Briony's been tippy-toeing around the house in her ladybug tutu off and on all day today, waving her wand and twirling around. And wearing my cat ears. I love her.
I was Bitchy Paranoid Mom today and cancelled Girls Night because my friend's daughter (who was going to tag along) was sick yesterday. Crazy? Maybe. Responsible? I like to think so. I was super sad to have to reschedule but I cannot imagine dealing with ANY of us being sick right now on top of everything else I'm attempting to balance this week. Seriously. CAN YOU IMAGINE?!
We totally bought some discount Halloween candy today. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but now I have a bowl of candy on my dining room table. And a few leftover cupcakes from yesterday. And the aforementioned PIE. I have a sneaking suspicion that this won't be my best-ever eating week.
Brainstorming ideas of things that Libby could take back as a little treat for her family that would be distinctly Winnipeg-ish. Any ideas?
Labels: Being Domestic, Briony, Food is Yummy, Going Rogue, Libby, My Friends, My Life, Random Joy, Starbucks, The Boy
The Day of Tiny Miracles
Today was kind of extraordinary, in that super special ordinary way. You know what I'm talking about. It was one of those days where it felt like the whole universe was conspiring to just kind of lighten my load a little bit.
Geoff forfeited sleep after a night shift to let me sleep an extra two hours this morning.
My clients were surprisingly non-needy today.
I got THREE amazing leads for casual childcare this year, all in the last 24 hours.
I found the boots I'd been coveting last winter on sale for 60% off - IN MY SIZE.
The upcoming scary day in Geoff's schedule that I'd been panicking the most over in terms of not having any help with Briony (and me needing to work) got covered today.
Briony went to sleep easily tonight. THANK YOU, GOD.
Josy was here and cleaned my house today. I still have a hundred things I feel like I need to take care of, but just knowing that my floors are all clean and my bathtub has been scrubbed is kind of incredible.
I found some new glasses frames that I like, and I'm ordering them tomorrow. WOOHOO!
I got to sneak in an hour with friends who I love - not nearly long enough, but enough. I don't think they have any idea how much it helped me for them to just spend some time loving my daughter (and helping me load up my car after).
A client who's behind on payments finally touched base with me today and is taking care of things.
I had a TWO Pumpkin Spice Latte day today.
Oh, and Katie's back in Manitoba again! YAY!
It was a remarkable day, but I didn't know that it was going to be while I was living it. In fact, today also contained some terribly low points - including my attempt to give Briony a bath by myself for the first time in months. Let's just say that there are compelling physical reasons why I don't usually handle bath duty. And I'm not likely to try again for a very long time. I ended up crying on the bathroom floor.
As I write this, I'm fighting pain along with waves of nausea and a little bit of a fever. Healthwise, today was incredibly difficult. Making it until my appointment in October is going to be really, really hard. But it's these little moments and random pockets of joy that make me believe that we can do it.
Labels: Amber, Arthritis/Fibromyalgia, Briony, Christine, Dolly, Going Rogue, Katie, My Friends, Random Joy, The Boy
Random Acts Of Awesomeness
Are you sick of hearing me brag about my friends? TOO BAD. Because I'm nowhere near finished.
I woke up bitchy today. Well, it's true. I was mad about how lousy I felt, mad at Geoff for not being able to read my mind, mad at the world for being so annoying... But it's kind of amazing how a day can turn around.
Today, I received a random surprise delivery of flowers + a caramel macchiato from a friend who knows what a tough week it's been around here. This delivery occurred while I was out with another friend who knows what a tough week it's been around here (while Geoff watched Briony for a couple of hours because he knows what a tough week it's been around here).
It's incredible how these small, spontaneous gestures can so absolutely and completely turn a frown upside down.
Labels: Emily, Kathy, My Friends, Random Joy, The Boy
Random Joy
Geoff and I spent our Sunday at the lake with my parents. The end of my mom's first chemo cycle was awesome... I don't know how to say this without sounding strange - but this past week, I felt like I kind of had my mom back. And that time was so special to me. Missing that day at the lake was not even an option for me, because I wanted to soak up some more of that 'normal' time before the next round of chemo happens this week.
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The Boy scooped up two passes for the advance screening of the new Batman movie this Wednesday. I'm *so* excited...
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I visited Cafe Kohler and had brunch with my Aunt Verna on Saturday morning, which was ridiculously long overdue (both time with her and the cafe's verrry yummy food). It was also her first-ever visit to our house - which is shameful, I know. Bad Lindsay.
She brought these gorgeous roses as a housewarming gift - yellow with orange-tipped petals. They are the epitome of happy :)
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In anticipation of my prenatal yoga class that starts next week (yay!), I used some birthday gift money and treated myself to a pretty new yoga mat and bag. Thanks, Mom & Dad!
Labels: Family, Random Joy, The Boy
Random Joy
I managed to read FOUR books in the last THREE WEEKS. That never happens anymore.
- Love The One You're With (Emily Giffin)
- Raising Baby Green (Alan Greene)
- The Happiest Baby On The Block (Harvey Karp)
- Chasing Harry Winston (Lauren Weisberger)
And even better, they were all GOOD. If you aren't already reading Emily Giffin, please do yourself a favour and start. Just pick up the first book - Something Borrowed - and work your way through 'em all :)
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My co-worker Jason's girlfriend - Ashley - stopped by with Vanilla Bean Frappuccinos from Starbucks for the whole gang this afternoon. Mmm...
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Tomorrow is Friday, which makes tomorrow my birthday party, which makes Saturday my birthday, which makes Saturday & Sunday our weekend at the lake. I am so in the mood for anything that brings JOY and FRIENDS and LAUGHTER into my world right now - I am so excited.
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Baby has learned a new trick. This morning when I was getting ready for work, Baby was kicking away furiously - including a little moves I hadn't felt before. They were some pretty serious kicks! I felt like I was getting body-slammed from the inside. This child cracks me up... Geoff called right in the middle of The Attack, and I could hardly stop giggling for long enough to tell him what was going on. I don't know how I'll be a good parent - I think I'll just be busy laughing at everything Baby says or does.
Labels: Random Joy
Random Joy
Got an email the other day to let me know that there's a spot open for me at a new Prenatal Yoga class at Moksha, starting July 22. Woohoo! It's not a full course - they created this new condensed class because there were so many people having babies before they made it off the waiting list - but I'll be going on Tuesday and Thursday nights for three weeks. I'm verrry excited.
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Actually made it to band practice last night, which might not sound like that big of a deal - but it was the highlight of my week so far. It's just one of those things in my life that makes me happy. It's partially the music and partially the people. I left there feeling like I'd been hugged. And actually, I had been. Many, many times. From people who love me unconditionally and have showered me with happy hugs, sad hugs, and every other kind of hug over the years.
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Tried a new recipe for dinner last night, and it was amaaaaazing.
Skillet Lemon Chicken with Asparagus 1 bunch asparagus (about 1 lb/500 g)
1 lb (500 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/4 tsp (1 mL) each salt and pepper
1 tbsp (15 mL) vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp (1 mL) dried thyme
1 cup (250 mL) sodium-reduced chicken stock
2 tbsp (25 mL) lemon juice
1 tbsp (15 mL) cornstarch
1 tsp (5 mL) grated lemon rind
Cut asparagus on diagonal into 1-inch (2.5 cm) lengths. Set aside.
Cut chicken into 1-1/2 inch (4 cm) cubes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
In large skillet, heat half of the oil over medium-high heat. Brown chicken, about 5 minutes. Add remaining oil to pan. Fry onion, garlic and thyme, stirring occasionally, until onions are softened, about 3 minutes.
Return chicken and any accumulated juices to pan. Add asparagus and chicken stock. Cover and simmer until asparagus is tender-crisp, about 2 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk together lemon juice, cornstarch and lemon rind. Add to pan and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 1 minute.
Serves 4.
I served it with organic brown rice, but I think it would have been good with pasta too. You could probably swap the broccoli for the asparagus, but why the heck would you pass up an opportunity to eat asparagus? :)
Labels: Random Joy, Recipe
