Noticing the Small Things

Today didn’t start out great. I woke up irritated because Chanel was meowing like a banshee, and I had slept later than I wanted to. When I went downstairs, my husband was already irritated too—his foot was hurting, and when he’s in pain, irritation is how he lets off steam. Naturally, that irritated me even more.

As I said, not the best start.

Thankfully, despite being annoyed with each other, we still managed to show up. He took me to the wet market, and I was able to snag some fresh produce. He even picked me up after, which I appreciated more than I probably said out loud.

While I was cleaning the produce at home, B managed to get on my nerves—but this one didn’t linger. We talked, cleared things out, and moved on. The husband had a chicken sandwich and then left for work, while B and I cooked tahong together. Pro-tip: 1 cup water and 1 cup Sprite is the perfect combination for the tahong soup. 

Later in the afternoon, I went to SM to pick up a few things we needed for the kitchen, along with some dinosaur toys that K’s grandma and uncle wanted to get for him. Of course, if K gets something, B gets something too, so B got some Lego toys of his own.

I also treated myself to new bras from Wacoal. I haven’t bought new ones in almost two years, so this felt like a well-deserved splurge. I only got two because ₱2,230 per bra is still a lot for me—but I trust the brand, and comfort is a priority.

When I got home, I cooked steamed lapu-lapu and realized I might have chosen one that was a bit too big. Thankfully, it still fit in the steamer, though it came out slightly firm. Mental note for next time: marinate the fish in sesame oil, black pepper, and salt for a few hours so the flavor really sinks in.

Dinner was a win. For the first time in a while, everything was wiped out—no leftovers at all. That made me genuinely happy, especially since we won’t be eating at home tomorrow.

I ended the night with Cinnabon and coffee. I chose to eat downstairs at the dining table instead of in my room, which is my usual habit. I just wanted a moment to myself. I felt a brief pang of guilt for not sharing with K, but I let it go. Sometimes, moms need to just be moms—and eat quietly, alone.

Today, I am grateful for noticing the small things. Fresh produce. Flowers in the living room. Food I get to cook and serve my family. Moving around with less knee pain. And being able to sit down and drink coffee in peace.

I think these are the things that make me rich in life. View my day here.