From one week to the next, I witnessed a client’s belief completely shift from “I can’t handle this” to “I can handle this.” It was remarkable to see how quickly his anxious symptoms transformed from causing chaos to a more focused and calm state. I’d like to believe it was my magical counseling skills at work, but I couldn’t help but believe that he likely tapped into a deeper belief within himself. One where we dig deep, explore the unknown, and emerge on the other side stronger and more resilient.
As I sanded the small shards from the plywood panels, I couldn’t help but contemplate the journey I still had ahead on my shiplap project. Thoughts of tonight’s blog post also occupied my mind, wondering what I would share with you about my experience. It dawned on me that having an accountability buddy, someone who cares and bears witness to my struggles, propelled me into a “I can do this” mindset.
I dare say we may be a third of the way done with shiplapping the guest bedroom. Dave and I have established a systematic process: paint the end, apply liquid nail to the board, place two nickels as spacers in the gap, nail it down, paint, and repeat. However, the next board’s placement over a wall outlet calls for a new dance move to be added to our repertoire.
In the midst of it all, I managed to whip up a homemade Caesar dressing. Three egg yolks, a cup of avocado oil, four cloves of garlic, four anchovies, a tablespoon of Dijon mustard, a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, a tablespoon of lemon zest, and a third of a cup of lemon juice came together to create a delicious concoction. My trusty immersion blender, a long-awaited purchase from Costco, proved its worth. I must say, I’m pretty pumped with the decision to have it in my kitchen.
Instead of indulging on an inside joke of a fancy steak and seafood dinner out to spend “our billions of dollars” Dave and I opted for a homemade Caesar salad and pasta primavera.
Less than three weeks remain before we head to Georgia for a month. It might be wise for me to start labeling my plants with post-it notes as I water them, ensuring our friend Jeff can successfully care for them while we’re away. Although I wish we had a sprinkler system, I hesitate to burden him with too many responsibilities and ask him to water the grass.
Today, guest two arrived at the cabin. I hope they found the key under the doormat, are settling in , and will only reach out to express their delight with the place.
Anyway, my allotted writing time for the night has come to an end, just like Evelyn’s tablet playtime and Dave’s piano practice. Next on the agenda is teeth brushing for all of us and getting Evelyn into bed. Although I would love to dive back into room design, making cuts is a day job. Perhaps we’ll indulge in a movie instead.
I’ll be back here tomorrow. Take care and lots of love, Jaclynn
Going On 40 