its the small rituals that matter

The past few weeks have been pretty rough on my sanity. I keep telling myself I’m going to take a day off, or put aside time to get away, then the day comes and I’ve managed to schedule myself work, sometimes even unexpectedly. July 20^th was the last weekend I had an actual day off, and at the rate I’m going the next day I don’t have work scheduled for is September 14^th.

It all seems pretty nuts, and going at this speed will eventually kill me, but that’s what I get for owning my own business and it being the first year of operation. I need to put in the hours, do the time, and kick some serious ass. Which * wipes my shoulder * I’m doing.

While I can’t always take the time out I need to recharge, I’ve been doing a few things that are helping me to stay sane.

:: My morning coffee routine

Regardless of how crazy my day is, I try to give myself 2 hours in the morning of just me time. I catch up on any last minute urgent work needs, then spend the rest of the time not doing anything in particular. Most mornings I read a chapter or two of a book, drink my coffee, watch an episode of my latest TV show, or just mindlessly surf the Internet.

On the days I’ve forgotten to give myself this in the morning, I’ve found my days were scattered and a bit crazier than usual. It’s so important to allow yourself moments of unscheduled time. Time to do whatever you want, or nothing at all.

:: Indulging in retail therapy ::

I’m generally not one to indulge too deeply in consumerism. I am pretty frugal in my spending when it comes to my wardrobe, and just about everything else except when it comes to food. I love food. Mm.. Food..

I do a lot of online window shopping, filling up my carts and wish lists without actually buying most things. I like to wait until things go on sale, which let’s face it, that dress you’ve always wanted and finally buy is definitely going on sale the next day after you order it. Or at least, that’s how my luck goes. Recently I’ve been giving myself a monetary budget each month and letting go of my fear of spending money on things I want. To paraphrase that 1983 hit, I work hard for my money, so why shouldn’t I buy myself a few things?

I don’t go crazy, and generally my rule is anything under $20 is a fair grab without any guilt attached to it. If I buy new pieces of clothing, I go through my closet and get rid of a couple of articles of clothing I don’t wear any longer. Checks and balances, it’s working out so far.

:: Having a glass, or two, of wine and smoking a cigarette :: 

Yeah. I do it. Maybe even every night. Maybe I even switch it up and have red one night and white the next. I know, I’m living on the edge. This small little bad habit generally keeps me from wanting to murder someone after a long day. 

The cigarette I could probably cut back on again. My sense of smell is taking a hit, but ugh it’s so good. Is there anything better than sitting out on a porch at night, with a glass of wine and a smoke? Probably not. 

xo

a little indulgence

Before Kh went away for work this week, we decided to get breakfast at a cafe right down the street from our house. Followed by a quick stop at the pastry shop next door to it.

I'm in love. Lemon flaky pastry bar, where have you been all my life?

xo

fridays [mid level] five

:: I’m quite sure I went through one big bottle of merlot, and 2 smaller bottles of merlot this week. Drunk McDrunkpants.

:: It’s a good thing I don’t like my personal space. This pitbull was with me for almost an entire week and had to be up my butt the whole time.

:: I let Lucy sleep in the bed with me all week. This will stop when Kh gets home. I woke up the other morning to the sound of snoring, her head on my pillow, and her little body tucked in the blankets.

:: I wore Kh’s shirt to bed more than once.

:: I finally gave in and put some laundry away. Not before laying in the middle of it throwing a fit first. 

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Overall this week was damn boring. It doesn't really deserve a high five. I spent a lot of time writing, and generally just staring off into space. Kh got home at around 7am this morning. We napped on the couch for a while and now I have to head to get some work done. Pfft. I just want to stay in bed with her. We're going out for dinner and drinks tonight to celebrate her arrival back home, and my departure from my job. It's something worth celebrating. 

xo

coffee talk numero dos

Nemo finally hit and hit pretty damn hard.  So, my ass is snowed in. Snowed in with 4 dogs, and a stir crazy girlfriend. Do you know what that means? A lot of naps for me. Kh is going nuts trying to hook up the Wii so we can play MarioKart and I can slaughter her ass in Sonic.

I was on a roll last night and finished 3 new dream catchers, so that’s something right? Today while snowed in I’m going to link up with Natalie @ 23Seventeen for her last ever coffee talk. I’m pretty sad about this, but I’m hoping to keep up the tradition and have my own random-bullshitting posts on Thursdays. I do love a random fact filled post.

1. What’s for dinner tonight?
I’d like to say skip it and donut holes but since I’m stuck here, I might as well make myself useful and cook. I made chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, and I’m thinking vegeterian chili and cornbread is what’s on the menu tonight.

2. Top 3 tv shows you never miss.

We don’t have cable, so I miss all the shows. I do have Hulu and used to watch a couple of shows here and there. Mostly when I work or do admin things. I got sucked into Supernatural, Law&Order SVU, and Grimm for a long time.

3. What type of body wash are you currently using?

I think I’m still on a mango apricot kick, but I could be wrong. I’m horrible at keeping track of those things. Maybe its coconut? Hrmm.. I’ll tell you what right now I smell like I’ve been in my pajamas for an entire day, so it’s definitely not helping me figure out what my body wash is..

 4. Take a photo of what’s in front of you. 

 (Pretty exciting right? Kh hooking up the Wii)

5. What’s your favorite fruit?

Strawberries, pineapple, kiwi, oranges.. I like fruit.

6. Spring is almost here, show me your go-to outfit! 
What can I say? While others are loving floral prints and pastel hues, I'm sticking with my same old black on black until there's something darker. I love wearing light cardigans and blazers over tank tops, it's always to chilly to just rock a tank top here in New England during the Spring.

 :: outfit :: my profile on polyvore ::

xo

coffee talk #1

I used to blog over at marieohmarie.com. This is the new invention of myself, and I'm hoping to keep it as close to who I am as possible. 

Since it’s Thursday, and I’m still in the process of getting my new blog all up and running, I decided to keep with my Thursday tradition and linking up with Natalie for Coffee Talk. We’re starting from scratch here, so this is numero uno.

 

 : source :

1. When eating a taco, do you turn your head or do you turn the taco?
I just put my hand up to my mouth as if I had a taco, and turned my head. So, that answers that. I also want a taco really bad now.

2. Chocolate chip cookies or oreos?
I’m not one for sweets, crazy right? But I do love a soft, chewy chocolate chip cookie with (fake) milk.

3. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever been asked to do and DID?

I suppose moving to Ohio for a guy could be considered pretty crazy? Or moving to Portland for another guy? Ok, something a little less complex crazy.. At an afterparty for a punk rock show I helped host while visiting Ohio, another lady and myself were dared to run around the motel topless. And I did.

4. Never have I ever _________________.
Known what I wanted to do with my life. FTW.

5. Would you rather be broke and happy or rich and sad?

Well, if I was rich and sad I could afford to get some happy pills right? No? ok.. Well I’m already quite happy and I’m not exactly rolling in riches. It’s important to me to be able to look back on my life and say “yeah that was a good run”, not “yeah I made lotsa moolah.”

xo