It was day-two of barn renovations yesterday and know I use the term “barn renovation” very loosely. For starters, it's not exactly a ‘barn', but since this is a farm, by golly I'm going to make it a barn. When we arrived at Le Chalet Farm three years ago, we were blessed to have this large, five-bay shop to utilize for animal shelter and (let's face it) storing junk. Areas like this one take time to shape.
How are we going to use it?
What purpose does it need to serve?
IS ANYONE EVEN LISTENING TO ME?
You know. Questions like that.
So three years in and we finally found the way forward with this large shop: turning it into a “barn”. We're going to do this by extending the bay openings on both ends and resurfacing the extensions with old barn wood. Between the two extensions, we will build a corral that will serve as shelter for the animals during the winter when they're off pasture.
But anyway. This isn't the point of what I wanted to share.
Like I said… yesterday was day-two of barn renovations and I was struggling. My feet felt heavy. My heart wasn't in it – even though throwing away junk and sorting out messy areas is practically my love language. I was short tempered. I had a headache. I felt downright awful. I even stayed in my sweatpants (under my coveralls, granted) almost all day which I never, ever do.
Who is this woman? What has become of her? Where's the beautiful, vibrant, youthful Shaye we all knew and loved?
Now she's grouchy and pajama-ed. Gross.
I was lamenting my lack of zeal to my husband over supper. “Can you help me with the dishes tonight? I'm so tired! I'm so grouchy. I've been like this all day. I thought it would cheer me up to work through all the junk up at the barn and see progress on the project but I'm just not in it today. Maybe I'll try a bath. I don't know. I don't know what's wrong with me.”
AND DO YOU KNOW WHAT HE REPLIED?
Do you?
“Maybe it's because you didn't have any caffeine today.”
Pardon me, good sir? I most certainly did. I had three espressos to put the pep in my step.
“That was decaf. We were out of regular.”
…
I couldn't even speak, I was so angry. I'd been tricked. I'm still angry!
Decaf? What? What even is that? Why do we have it? Why am I even here on this earth?!?
It's complete betrayal.
That's all I wanted to tell you. I thought all day I was in some deep, dark, emotional hole and turns out, I just really needed a strong espresso. Which officially means I'm addicted to coffee. Also – I don't care about that.
Give the woman a cappuccino!
I also now know what it feels like to be betrayed by someone you love deeply.
Stuart's going to have to work out of that hole for awhile. I think I'll forgive him when the new “barn” is finished. So probably about next summer.
That is all.
And Amen.
Anajú
Hahahahaha this is gold. I was reading you and thinking “She’s SO pregnant”. The mood, the tiredness, you’re lost girl. Which makes sense, since that coffee machine probably gives you as much joy and love as your kids do.
On the good side, no new baby means no coffee restriction. Run to the store and love that barn of yours!
suzy
Uh-oh. Don’t think my husband would havd been impressed to see such bald evidence of my caffeine addiction. Just be thankful he didn’t ban coffee from your life for your own good lol. For me, coffee is as much beloved morning ritual as it is caffeine boost. Take that away from me and I can hardly cope. Thankfully 1st trimester of pregnancy is long over and I can slam my coffee each morning as before..although I do try to keep it down to one cup…????
Brandy
Love the comedic relief! You are a versatile writer and I absolutely love your tone. I’m praying to someday find my voice again!
Lea
Brandy,
I just glanced over your website and it is lovely! I am an Arizona born and raised mama but we moved to Texas after our second child was born to be near grandparents. How I miss the beauty! I hope and pray you find your voice soon, even if only for your own family and community. And, btw lavender hydrosol is my very fave mama first aid and stress hack!
Ashley Pullen
The ULTIMATE betrayal. I am so sorry. I certainly hope that today you have fully caffeinated espresso.
Jen Achondo
Haha! Death before decafe! I totally get it, my husband has done this before too. I always check the bag before I allow him to make coffee now ????
Rhonda
???????????????????? laughed as I read this. Laughed some more as I read it to my hubby, who also laughed. In the end, as he finished laughing, he said,”Yes, Stuart dig himself a big hole this time.” ????
LIsa
How could he?
Mitch
Did chuckle…. I had to give up caffeine earlier this year, most annoying but my body said nope….no more. ????????♀️ Decaf all the way. Hey ho at least I can still do my daily routine steaming milk, grinding beans just decaf ones.
Anonymous
hahahaha! This made me laugh a lot. True betrayal!
Tamara Reid
At least you figured out what was up! But that is just evil! LOL! I am sure you won’t run out of REAL coffee anytime soon!
Melissa Durham
Why does it EVEN EXIST UUUUUGGGGGGHHHHH !!!
And he didn’t even say anything until the end of the day! What is that?! Was he trying to prove a point? Is he worried about your caffeine consumption?
Because I’ll have you know, 2 cups of coffee a day is healthy for you. It helps prevent diabetes and dementia. Knowing that, my regular 4 cups a day should be twice as healthy! And bonus, they’re the 16 oz mugs. I’m going to remember EVERYTHING when I’m older.
And I’ll still shake my head when I recall this act of betrayal. ????????
susan gortva
haven’t read your posts recently. Kids have grown. you are so blessed. being a widow, you’ll never have to understand all the love and companionship a husband brings to enrich your family. have a wonderful x-mas. hope spring will be a good one too
Denise watson
Hahaha ???? sorry I’m laughing right now but, I hear ya! I always think who bothers with decaf coffee anyway? I do realize there are people out there that love coffee for its taste but can’t do the caffeine for one reason or the other but I for one am not one of them, I drink it for my energy fuel tank! I know there are much healthier ways to fill that tank but if caffeine is my only vice than so be it!, lol ☕️☕️☕️☕️????
Caitlin
HA! Oh man I don’t even know how you managed to do everything, even in your sweats! I’m DEAD when I don’t get my caffeine fix. No bueno.
And how did he just NOT tell you!? Haha
Krystal
This is frickin’ hilarious! I had no idea where the post was going. I can’t stop laughing!!
Lolly
My husband did this to me last summer, on our last day of vacation! He went down and got me coffee when I got out of bed…..and about an hr or so later, I didn’t know WHAT was wrong with me, but I just couldn’t seem to wake up or get moving….and I was soooo cranky about everything. Eventually he told me the hotel was out of regular coffee, so he just got me decaf. Murder shot out of my eyes! (There was a starbucks exactly across the street from the hotel….) Then he made me wait to get real coffee until we checked out and headed for the train station. I was crawling the walls. I wanted to just lick raw coffee by the time we got to the coffee shop. And no, we didn’t go across the street to the closest coffee shop….we had to walk two blocks and cross the street! Lol! I was kinda cranky all that day, and he didn’t seem to understand why! 😉
Also, I will say I have to be added to the list of people who thought you were preggers. Lol! 😉