What Keeps Me Going

Fridays on this space are dedicated to sharing what keeps me going... A moment, a photo, an event or a memory that stands out against whatever might have gone wrong or felt dark in the last seven days.

I think I've mentioned quite a lot lately how I've been dealing with some crazy pregnancy mood swings. Throw in some sciatic pain and we have a good old fashioned mess on our hands! Thankfully, there has been a huge saving grace that takes care of almost all my worries - my garden bathtub.

You see, for the past five months or so my tub has been out of commission. It turned from a heavenly spot of respite into a storage well for paint supplies. My husband and father-in-law so graciously painted our bathroom just before Christmas and, well... it took a little while to complete the clean up process.

I think Curt noticed that I really, really needed my tub back and one afternoon he walked right in there without being asked and just took care of it. Love him. He cleaned the space and I helped him scrub it 'til it sparkled so I could soak away my aches and worries amidst a shiny spotless haven.  

This really is one of my favorite places in our house. With the painting my sister, Em did in high school (seriously, isn't it amazing???) hanging above me, just the right lighting and the scent of lavender vanilla all around, it is truly an oasis.

This has also become my choice spot for childbirth preparation. Birthing From Within is such a fantastic book that helped me prepare for bringing Addie into the world. Reading the material for the second time has an entirely different meaning for me, but I'm doing all of the exercises it recommends and feel like I'm on my way to being ready for baby #2.

Twice this week I was able to soak and read and enjoy my fake wine after Addie went to bed, and found that it made an incredible difference in how I felt and how well I slept.

However, in the spirit of full disclosure, I will share that there was a small incident one evening involving my hair and the candle at the back of the tub. When I was sort of leaning over the long side of the tub, reading away in a comfortable position, I forgot that the candle was right behind me. I stretched and tilted my head back in a moment of deep thought and then suddenly jerked forward as I remembered that there was an open flame right there.

What's that strange smell? Like burnt... feathers?

{Amy: Little Women}

I believe the only thing more disconcerting that finding someone else's hair floating in your bath water is when there is a significant amount of yours lacing the bubbles. Thankfully the bliss of the bubble bath only made me laugh at my oops, and once I realized that there was really no obvious damage done, I slipped right back into my state of calm. 

These glorious bath times, accompanied by a husband who keeps popping his head in to check and make sure I'm ok and see if I need anything (really, have I mentioned that I love him?), have definitely added fuel to the fire that keeps me going each week. But next time, I might rethink the position of my candle.  

I would love it if you joined me in sharing what keeps you going! Leave a comment to let me know you're participating and each week, I will include a list of everyone who is playing along.

**Special thanks to Whirliegig at Unearthing This Life, my cousin Lotta in Sweden, my dear friend Katie, my sisters Emily and Kate (who can be found here and here), my honorary Mother-in-Law Mary, and my ever faithful dad for sharing sweet words and stories from their weeks. Kisses and hugs...