Stillness Saturday: A Reflection

If stillness had a competition, I’d be disqualified before breakfast. My Saturday started at the lovely hour of 5:30 a.m., fueled by sheer willpower and an oversized mug of coffee. Breakfast? A blur of scrambled eggs before I was out the door, chauffeuring my high schooler to a 7 a.m. swim practice. It wasn’t glamorous, but it got the job done.

As much as I wanted to crawl back into bed afterward, I had a mission: to finish the family calendar I mentioned in Tuesday’s blog. Spoiler alert: I crushed it.

In what might be a personal record, I managed to pack 236 photos into twelve months, spotlighting the incredible memories our family made in 2024. But wait—there’s more! I also ordered holiday cards and upheld the sacred tradition of creating the annual Christmas tree ornament featuring my two teenagers. By 1 p.m., there wasn’t a shred of stillness to be found, but the satisfaction of checking off that to-do list was worth it.

After powering through the morning, I rewarded myself with some “meditation” time, which—let’s be honest—looked more like me lying in bed with a blanket over my face for 45 minutes. No napping, just a blissful escape into a world of nothingness. Let me tell you, that 45-minute reset had me recharged and ready to tackle Boutique Target.

Target’s cap aisle displays? Pure temptation. They had everything I didn’t know I needed, beautifully curated to snatch every penny from my wallet. Somehow, I resisted buying anything for myself (self-control level: Jedi Master). But I did pick up a holiday gift—a KitchenAid pasta rolling attachment—for my daughter, who just happens to share my love for fresh pasta.

Before you judge, let me clarify: this was not a sneaky self-gift. (Or was it?) My daughter genuinely LOVES making pasta. This girl can roll out a hundred gnocchi pieces with laser focus and the patience of a saint—all while simmering a homemade sauce. Credit where credit is due: she honed her skills in cooking classes at Sur La Table. (Side note: if you’ve never taken a knife skills class, do it! Knowing how to julienne without losing a finger is a life skill everyone needs.)

Back to Boutique Target. Can we talk about the $100 Stanley lunch bag? Is it lined with gold? Don’t get me wrong—it’s a nice bag. But unless it comes with a complimentary sparkling rosé or some artisanal snacks, I’ll pass. That bag has “makeup holder with a secret champagne compartment” written all over it—not “leftover gnocchi in marinara.”

Reflecting on the day, I’m feeling pretty accomplished. While my Saturdays are usually all about pacing myself, today felt productive yet oddly balanced. Tonight, we’ll wrap things up with pizza, beer, and hopefully an early bedtime. After all, I’ve been up since the crack of dawn, and my alertness is starting to fade.

Here’s to making the most of our Saturdays—even if stillness comes in small, well-earned doses.

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