Tuesday Tally and the Timeless Smell of Sawdust

Hello, friends. I’m sitting here at the kitchen table in our little blue house, the late afternoon sun spilling across the linoleum, just waiting for the sound of Mark’s truck to pull into the driveway. He should be home from the job site in about twenty minutes—he left early this morning at 5:30 as usual—and there is something so grounding about this specific slice of the day. The house is momentarily quiet while Noah is sprawled on the rug finishing a dinosaur puzzle in his velociraptor pajamas and Emma is busy in the next room, likely sketching more horses onto the back of her summer math packets.

Today was a Tuesday, which meant my shift at Miller’s Hardware from 11:00 to 3:00. I walked in and was immediately hit by that familiar, comforting scent of fresh-cut pine and sawdust. Mr. Miller was in a particularly chatty mood today, telling me all about the new shipment of weather stripping coming in. As I sat at the back desk tallying the invoices and balancing the books, I couldn’t help but think about how much my confidence has grown in this little office. There was a time when looking at a ledger made my stomach flip, but now, the math feels like a puzzle I’ve finally learned how to solve.

Watching those numbers align gives me a quiet sense of pride. It’s not just about the numbers themselves, but about the financial independence they represent. Every hour I spend there, and every 'Lucy’s Little Light' candle I sell on Etsy, feels like a brick being laid in the foundation of my own self-worth. I’m finding that being a good wife and mother doesn't mean I can’t also be a woman who understands her own value in the marketplace. It’s a slow growth, a quiet victory, but it’s mine.

I took a short break around noon to run over to Sweet Magnolia. Megan had a fresh batch of lemon poppyseed muffins coming out of the oven, and the air in her bakery always feels like a hug. We only had ten minutes to talk, but we managed to confirm our pickleball match for this Saturday. She’s much more competitive than I am, but the sweat and the laughter are exactly what I need to stay in shape. She gave me a quick squeeze and told me I looked 'radiant,' which stayed with me all afternoon.

When I got home, I felt that itch to get moving again. With the Cedar Falls Harvest 5K coming up in October, I knew I couldn’t skip my training today. I laced up my sneakers and headed out for a three-mile loop. The humidity was a bit lower than yesterday, thank goodness, but my legs still felt heavy for the first mile. I had to remind myself that progress isn't always linear. Some days we fly, and some days we just endure. By the time I turned onto Sycamore Street, I had found my rhythm, and Biscuit was waiting at the gate, wagging his whole body to welcome me back.

While I was stretching on the porch, my neighbor Joanne came down her steps in that signature pink bathrobe of hers. She was deadheading her petunias, snipping away with such focus. She looked up and gave me a little wave, shouting over that she loved the scent of the citrus candle I gave her last week. It’s the little things, ladies. Knowing that something I poured by hand in my own kitchen is bringing a little light to a retired teacher’s afternoon... it makes the late nights worth it.

I’ve been thinking a lot about desirability lately, and not just in the way we look in a mirror. It’s the energy we bring into our homes when we feel fulfilled. When I’m taking care of my body and reaching my personal goals, I find I have so much more to give to Mark. Speaking of my handsome foreman, we are coming up on nine years of marriage soon. Nine years! It feels like a lifetime and a heartbeat all at once. I want him to come home to a woman who is tired from a good day's work, but who is also happy with the person she is becoming.

Tonight is a simple dinner—I’m thinking chicken tacos because they are Emma’s favorite and easy on the budget. My mom, Diane, sent me a text earlier asking if she should bring over some garden tomatoes when she visits this Sunday. I’m looking forward to that call with her later; there’s something about a mother’s voice that still centers me, even at thirty-four. I’ll probably spend an hour or so after the kids are down doing some light journaling in the robin-egg-blue book Megan gave me.

If you’re feeling a little stuck today, or like your progress is moving at a snail’s pace, just remember that the smallest victories are often the most significant. Whether it's running that extra half-mile or finally balancing a difficult checkbook, you are building something beautiful. Trust the process and trust yourself. The 'sawdust' of our daily lives eventually clears, leaving behind a structure we can be proud of.

The clock is nearing six, and I can hear the rumble of the truck now. It’s time to put the phone away, kiss my dinosaur-loving boy, and start the evening routine. Thank you for being here with me, for listening, and for walking this path of small, steady growth alongside me. I hope you find a moment of peace tonight to celebrate your own milestones, no matter how tiny they may seem.

I love you. — Lucy