Filling the Well (4)

This was almost two years ago but it feels like yesterday. Only now, fake Bradley is in tatters. Where have all the days gone???

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"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot."
—Michael Altshuler

You guys...happy summer! It's officially summer and whether that means good or bad things to you (and hopefully it's all good), it definitely means that time is flying! Wasn't it just St. Patrick's Day? (That what I explained to my mom when she asked why we still had our homemade leprechauns hanging in my living room).

​But really...things seem like they're moving at lightspeed lately. And as the quote above says, the good thing about this is that we're the pilots. 

And so, while I'm ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY NOT PERFECT at this, I try to make sure I'm spending my time wisely. Wisely doesn't necessarily mean getting something accomplished, though it can certainly mean that too...it really means making choices about how I'm spending my energy. AKA...less time on Facebook = more time interacting with my kids. That kind of thing. 

And so here's how I've been filling my well lately...

• Podcasts. Holy crap...it's like a whole new world. So here's the thing...I detest emptying the dishwasher. I don't know why. Everyone has their dreaded chore and emptying the dishwasher is mine (well, one of mine). Lately, though, I've been tuning into a series of podcasts that are making my chores seem positively delightful! Besides ​Serial, which I mentioned in a previous post, I've been listening to Optimize with Brian Johnson, Freakonomics, Ted Radio Hour, and The Limit Does Not Exist. Guys, it's like food for the brain without doing any work...it kind of just seeps in while you're drying dishes. Can't recommend them enough. But tell me...do you have one you love? I want to find some other really good ones!
• Books. Books are always on my list. I love to read and have for as long as I can remember, and so books are really the no-brainer for me...they're my go-to entertainment. Unfortunately, I've been reading some really sad books lately. They've been great...wonderfully written and compelling stories...but too many sad titles in a row and I'm in need of a pick-me-up! Anyone have any really funny and/or light titles to recommend? As for me, here's what I've been reading since the last time I did this: Only Love Can Break Your Heart, A Man Called Ove, Alligator Candy, Harriet Wolf's Seventh Book of Wonders, After the Crash, The Fault in Our Stars, and Everyone Brave is Forgiven. They were literally all terrific, but every one of them was either mildly sad or terribly devastating. BUT SO GOOD. Read them. But space them out.
• Family. While I always spend LOTS of time with my kids, I'm also fortunate (and unfortunate occasionally!) enough to live right around the block from my parents and my sister and her family. Lately, we've been having lots of outdoor suppers together, enjoying my mom's pool, and just hanging out! My mom is going in for a knee replacement surgery tomorrow and while she's in very good hands, it's hard not to feel wistful at moments like these, when we want to keep our loved ones close. 

Pool time includes the dog.

• Sleep. Peeps...I need my sleeps. And my kids are finally at an age where they don't need me first thing in the morning. It is GLORIOUS. I can get my work done late at night, which seems to work the best for me (although I've tried to make morning my 'work time' on several occasions) and sleep in a bit in the morning. It's perfect. It's only taken about 11 years—Simon turns 11 in August—but we're finally coming into a routine that works for all of us!
• Work. So I have to be honest, I love my job. I work from home, have flexibility, and have a terrific editor. But I'll also be honest and say that it's still work. And it's often a lot and overwhelming and I'd rather just go outside and check on the chickens. With that said, I love what I do. Every week, in addition to talking to restaurant or bar or events people, I get to talk to musicians. Musicians who are busting their asses trying to make it as musicians. They are creative, expressive, passionate, and savvy, and their energy is contagious. From Burning Bridget Cleary, Dan Marro, Hello Brooklyn, and Bastard Sons of Captain Mey, I'm inspired every time I talk to an emerging artist. 
• Chickens. Friends, we have chickens. We bought six chicks in May and adopted an adult hen from our next door neighbor and now we have chickens. Who woulda thought? Happy Pappy Beatrice (the adult), Elvis, Piggy, Rosie, Alpha, Bravo, and Macaroon are all happy and healthy, thriving and finally...outside! 

Could they be any cuter? They're so big now...they almost look like pigeons.

How about it, guys? How are you spending your time? Filling your well? 

Just remember...time is flying, but we're the pilots...

XO...Danielle

P.S. The winner of the book giveaway two weeks ago didn't respond! Who wants a copy of The Fault in Our Stars? Comment below and I'll randomly select another winner from this smaller pool. ​