So to update you lovelies on my health pain thing from last week: The doctor told me to take 200mg of ibuprofen and use a heating pad. I did this until Saturday. It felt loads better on Friday, but since I drove 2 hours to my friends house, then 45 minutes to the cabin for her birthday womens’ retreat weekend, and sat for the better part of our time there Friday, it acted up and so I used both medicine and heat. Saturday, though, it felt LOADS better and I only used the medicine. On Sunday, I took medicine only in the morning, and haven’t taken any since then. I can’t believe how quickly this whole thing turned around and how much better I feel. I’m truly grateful that I went to Urgent Care and took care of the situation.
I had one of the best weekends I’ve probably had in a very long time. Like mentioned above, my best friend’s 30th birthday was this past weekend. It was a women’s retreat that was supposed to be filled with yoga, meditation, a women’s circle, etc. However, all we did was eat a TON of food and chat nonstop. There was so much food that I felt like I was in Punta Cana again with the unlimited choices that there was. I ate as healthy as I could. I had some bananas and apples and fruit salad instead of other choices that were less than stellar. I indulged in some sweets (I mean, I had my period so I need me some chocolate), but didn’t go over the limit. But what made the weekend so amazing was that I felt like I truly connected with some people on a deeper level. I talked with two girls about things that I don’t really talk about with anyone, not only because I knew they’d understand (they are also gay), but also because I knew that they wouldn’t judge. My best friend is the kind of person that is so loving of everyone and doesn’t tolerate hate in any form, so I know that the women that were celebrating with her are an extension of that. We danced at a restaurant where a band was playing bluesy rock music, and at the end of the night, the owner got everyone there to sing happy birthday to her. It was a truly magical weekend. I left there feeling so happy and full of positivity that I’m finding all of the ways to make it last. It was emotionally overwhelming, but in the best way.
For my friend’s birthday present, I bought her cooking spoons (there’s a story behind why), and used a wood burning tool to burn a mudcloth design into the handles. I looked on Pinterest for ideas and created my own design from 3 symbols. She absolutely loved them, so much that her and her mom showed them to everyone at the retreat as they came in the door. Everyone was so shocked that I made them and they thought they were just so cool. I had a lot of fun doing them, despite how time-consuming they were (took me about 12 hours total to do). I realized that I have a hidden talent and I should use it to make other things and sell them. Lately, I’ve been feeling like, while I make enough money to get by, I don’t really make enough to be able to save up and be able to comfortably feel that I can buy expensive, but quality-made things, like well-made shoes or a beautiful blanket, etc. So over the course of the next few months, I’m planning on making things from wall hangings to more spoons, coasters, wedding things, ornaments, etc, and building up an inventory. Then I’m planning to sometime this year on opening an Etsy store to sell them. I don’t know how well it’ll work, but I know that people will buy what I create, I just need to start and not be scared of the “what if” and just do it. I also want to work on salt dough projects, too and sell those. So definitely plan to see some of that in the future!
Every time I see my best, I leave her feeling so inspired and wanting to do it all. Its like my head is in the clouds; we’re both such true dreamers. This time around, though, I felt really happy, just so insanely happy. I felt like I connected with people, I left realizing that I have the very beginnings of a small business forming, and I had this insane urge to purge myself and my life of all things that I don’t need. Yesterday, I threw out around 10 books and plan to throw out more. I told my fiance that I want to go through my things in the basement and throw out things I don’t need or use or plan to use. I want to fill my sun room with plants, on the shelves, hanging from the ceiling, etc. I want to hang up pretty lace curtains, and paint my house (I know that one will come with time). I feel like I’ve been in a rut and I’m so inspired and motivated to get out of it. This feeling of pure happiness, where my heart feels so full, is rare. And I’m going to do what I can to keep it there and never let it go.
