There are so many times in our lives when we try to carve our our new normal, aren't there? When you have a new baby, a new job, some sort of big change that requires an adjustment to your routine. Some changes are welcome, and some are, well, not so much.
For the past six years, I've worked at home. Four of those as a work-at-home mom, juggling the caring of a baby or toddler with working a 40+ hour work week. And now that I work away from the home in my own shop, I'm carving out my new normal. It's a change for everyone in the family- Joe is now the stay at home parent and is caring for the house, at least until the new school year starts and he goes back to work. And once he does go back to work, James and I will carve out another new normal, which will entail juggling preschool or bringing him to work with me. I have no firm idea how that's going to work quite yet, but I know it will. Getting out the door at 6am, I already miss our sleepy mornings together before the work day starts, but there are other nice things to look forward to.
One of those things is a big cup of coffee and a cheese danish from the bakery across the street from the store. I had never had a proper, fresh cheese danish before yesterday, and it's divine. If you don't stop over there after you come here for yarn, you're a fool. Today, I treated myself to another danish and coffee, and while I know I could definitely incorporate this into my new normal, I'm going to instead reserve it for a once-a-week treat so it continues to be special.
Do you have little luxuries that you reward yourself with? A danish? A massage? Sock yarn?
Yummmmy... I would be treating myself every day if I had that across the street. Have to get a treadmill behind the register!!!
Posted by: Suellen | July 28, 2011 at 08:32 AM
Yummy,....like Suellen I'd be there everyday, only I'd have hot tea with my cheese danish.
Posted by: Virginia | July 28, 2011 at 08:37 AM
As soon as I read about your new shop, I wondered if the bakery was still there. I used to work a few blocks away and it was a constant temptation.
Best wishes!
Kathy, formerly of Fort Wayne
Posted by: Kathy | July 28, 2011 at 08:52 AM
A bakery across the street from a yarn shop ... holy cow! My willpower meter just tanked.
Posted by: Vickie | July 28, 2011 at 09:05 AM
What a perfect set up! James will adjust to his new "normal" so quickly too :) Remembering that the only thing normal in my home is the setting on the dryer :-)
Posted by: April | July 28, 2011 at 09:54 AM
Before I turned to your blog I was wondering what changes there might be to your family's schedule. How nice that your blog was about exactly that. Smart move( but hard) to limit the danish to once or twice a week.Before I lost 45 lbs,I would always reward myself with ice cream or pastry. Its very addictive for me. Now I get a massage, call a friend or buy some yummy yarn.
Posted by: Natalie | July 28, 2011 at 09:58 AM
A monthly deep-tissue massage started out as a treat but has become a necessity, especially for my knitting hands. A Danish a week sounds like a great treat!
Posted by: Abby | July 28, 2011 at 10:12 AM
mmm... that looks amazing! I love to go to Whole Foods for their Gelato. I used to limit it to once a week, but now that I'm pregnant and it's so HOT outside... all bets are off.
Posted by: Candice Hope | July 28, 2011 at 10:18 AM
Down the block from you was Abby Brown's Chocolates, which was a constant temptation when I lived in Fort Wayne as I had to pass it every day on the way to school.
Heather, also formerly from Fort Wayne
Posted by: Heather | July 28, 2011 at 10:22 AM
it depends on the week for me. sometimes it is a caramel latte. sometimes it is a cab ride home from work. sometimes it is a really nice glass of bourbon. :-)
Posted by: amanda jarvis | July 28, 2011 at 11:23 AM
Allison, that is very naughty tempting us with that pastry when we can't possibly visit that coffee shop.
Posted by: Wendy | July 28, 2011 at 05:08 PM
Mmmmmmmmm -hot tea & cheese Danish. Yummy, but I try to treat myself with non-food items. L'Occitane body washes & body butters are a favorite now. h2O Plus arevalso nice.
Posted by: Donna | July 28, 2011 at 05:22 PM
Come on, Wendy! Pack your luggage and come on over! Your danish is on me.
Posted by: Allison | July 28, 2011 at 07:04 PM
My treat to myself is sock yarn... definitely sock yarn and lots of it :)
Posted by: Renee' | July 29, 2011 at 03:44 AM
James may come to love going to the store. When I worked occasionally at my LYS I took my two (and then when the older was in school just the younger). They knew they weren't to mess up the yarn (although sometimes I would let them "shop") There were things they were only allowed at the shop and looked forward to (kids radio shows and books on tape were at the top of the list). If he could have his own corner for a few special toys and a safe place for snacks I am sure he will like the new normal too.
My special treat when I was going to the OB this past year was to stop at Panera for a Cinnamon Crunch Bagel and a decaf coffee. Usually it is a bar of good chocolate every couple weeks or Wednesday night ice cream.
Posted by: Rachel | July 31, 2011 at 05:12 PM