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Dear Future Joy the Baker,

December 29, 2009 by Joy the Baker 118 Comments

Joy the Baker Vacation 

Dear Future Joy,

Once upon a time, probably a good handful of years ago, you took yourself on vacation.  

This was at a time before you had kids or a husband.  When you would treat yourself to the expensive shampoo and conditioner.  When you were convinced that only super rich people get to own houses.  When you couldn’t exactly afford to take yourself away on a fancy vacation… but you did anyway.  

Future Joy… you should know that the Joy of 2009 is totally cheering you on.  She wants you to have the happy husband, and the crazy kids and the mortgage and the life that makes you want to do backflips and rejoice.  But with all that… I’m sure some things will just drive you batty.  You might need to remember this time… this time that happening to me right now.  

Joy the Baker Vacation 

See… it’s quiet here.  There are little napkins with embroidered animals on them.  

Joy the Baker Vacation 

The drapes are gorgeous.. and you never even notice drapes.  

Joy the Baker Vacation 

Drawers have little keys.

Joy the Baker Vacation 

Matchbooks have little painted typewriters on them.

Joy the Baker Vacation 

You’re working on your book proposal.  Your freakin’ book proposal!!!  Yea… you’re pretty excited.

Joy the Baker Vacation 

Working in between making fires…

Joy the Baker Vacation 

and taking baths. 

Joy the Baker Vacation 

There’s art in the garden.  Art.  In the garden!

Joy the Baker Vacation 

Hot Dang!  You’re living the good life and it feels dreamy.  This is the sort of thing you’re going to need to draw upon when you’re getting a root canal, or standing in line at the DMV, or trying to wrangle toddlers into car seats.  Remember that once upon a time you took yourself on a big, fancy vacation, and you felt so blessed and enjoyed every single moment of it.  Remember.  

Love you.  Mean it.

Present Joy

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Meg

    January 4, 2010 at 10:16 am

    Wow, good luck with your book proposal!
    Looks like 2010 is kickin’ off in a spectacular way.
    Happy New Year.

    Reply
  2. Laurel

    January 4, 2010 at 7:27 am

    Hi Joy, I can’t wait til your book comes out–I will definitely buy it! You go girl!

    Love, someone who has written many letters to her future self :)

    Reply
  3. Anna

    January 3, 2010 at 7:15 pm

    I love the idea of this post….I like the idea of talking to my past and future Anna..because she IS my best cheerleader.

    Reply
  4. toni

    January 3, 2010 at 7:05 pm

    GORGEOUS PLACE! And yes, that bathtub is divine!

    Reply
  5. jennifer

    January 3, 2010 at 3:25 pm

    am whimpering at the mere sight of that bathtub. would you mind sharing the name of where you are? it sounds like such a lovely treat.

    Reply
  6. Soupdiva

    January 2, 2010 at 10:36 am

    Happy New Year Joy! I love that you wrote that note to yourself, your wisdom and insight is correct. You WILL need these memories to remind you of how simple and calm life used to be, treasure it, then move back into the chaos of a husband and kids all looking to you to make their worlds make sense and be perfect and you will realize how much sweeter the future Joy has it because the past Joy did take time to understand her life and enjoy the present. You give good advice. We all should take time to cherish our present, and leave a note for our future selves to remind us just where we were 5 or 10 years back and that poopy diapers, runny noses, neverending piles of laundry, all those things mean you have kids that you love without measure, a family. They grow fast. I did take time to soak in the past and leave notes for myself too. I keep them in a book. I remember when I was a new mom holding this tiny little person and hoping I was ready for the journey of parenthood. Funny, she went to college this fall. I cry still, because I think that they grow up too fast. So my message to future Joy is that when you are a mom someday. Don’t ever blink. YOu might miss something. Treasure each milestone. DOn’t look constantly forward to the “oh I can’t wait until they walk” and then look forward to the day they start preschool or kindergarten. Stay as you are now. Stay in the present and enjoy the hell out of it.

    Reply
  7. Tyhitia

    January 1, 2010 at 8:58 pm

    Hi Joy,

    I accidentally stumbled upon your blog and I’m glad I did. I’m going to bookmark it and come back often.

    Happy New Year and your vacation sounds awesome! :-D

    ~Tyhitia

    Reply
  8. rachel h.

    January 1, 2010 at 5:53 pm

    wow, darling girl! so lovely! i am so glad for you to have days in that beautiful place. scrumptious.

    Reply
  9. Megan Gordon

    December 31, 2009 at 11:27 pm

    Wheeee! A book proposal?! Exciting…love the letter. Inspired me to do something simlilar…Happy NYE!

    Reply
  10. Mom

    December 31, 2009 at 6:30 pm

    Joy, What a beautiful spot you found up there in San Luis Obispo. Good for you getting away while you have the chance. Dad and I are a bit envious- ok,I am. Health and prosperity in 2010 for you. Love ya!!

    Reply
  11. Dianne

    December 31, 2009 at 4:27 pm

    Hello Joy~
    I hope this note finds you nice and pruny from your long soak in the tub.. perhaps you are in the tub as I write.

    I just have to say that i finally made your banana pudding ice cream and it is amazing! I am going to serve it tomorrow on top of Belgian waffles – that i will make with my new waffle maker ;-)….. wait! stop the press! My friend just suggested serving it on hot brownies. I think I’ll make those- RIGHT NOW. I can have it with breakfast too, if there is any left- with fresh bananas and whipped cream and a sprinkling of crushed, salty macadamia nuts (cept i’m fresh out of those.. truth be told, i don’t ever have those on hand. Tho, it would be worth it to stock up now)

    Happy New Year Joy! Thank you for all your wonderful blogging- looking forward to much more and of course, your book!

    Reply
  12. kristen

    December 31, 2009 at 3:55 pm

    I love your blog.. Happy New Year

    Reply
  13. Leigh Soucy

    December 31, 2009 at 2:29 pm

    !!! Book proposal?!

    Here’s to THAT this new year! Yowie-zowie!

    Reply
  14. Carolyn

    December 31, 2009 at 1:09 pm

    Haha, I know exactly how you feel. Sometimes I wonder how I’ll ever give up the time and freedom that I have now, but I’m sure it’ll be worth it. And hopefully we’ll all still have some art in the garden. : )

    Reply
  15. Michelle

    December 31, 2009 at 12:21 pm

    Happy 2010! What a brilliant idea – the vacation and laying it to film (and cyberspace) for you to remember. Thank you for sharing it with us. You are right – it will be those moments that you can feel, smell, taste and close your eyes and see that will help you in those crazy, challenging moments to come. Enjoy!!! (I am yelling “Boys, please stop jumping” as I write this – ah, to be where you are at this moment!)

    Reply
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