delight in life

resolved: december

(Warning: we're taking the scenic route to get to this one.)

Last night was one of those nights where I had so much running through my head that I couldn't sleep and I had to get up and write it all down or I'd forget everything and the world will end. Or something.

So much going on.

December 16 is my last day at my job. In June, instead of accepting my resignation when Chris and I moved from Dallas, my company did a wonderful thing and offered me the opportunity to continue working for them from Virginia. The arrangement was always meant to be temporary, so I have known this was coming for a while, but I didn't know the exact date until a few days ago. For financial reasons, I was hoping for it to stretch just into the new year at least, but it seems that was not to meant to be. Though I know we will manage just fine, the idea of having our income suddenly cut in half is a bit unsettling, to say the least.

I'm looking forward to so many things we have planned for December, but at the same time the challenge of fitting everything in has me feeling overwhelmed. That's what's bringing out the insomniac in me tonight.

I keep starting lists and not being able to remember everything that needs to be on the list. So even my plans are incomplete.

I also am doing the December Daily and of course I always want to maintain my regular documentation on this blog, and I hate how much that has been lacking lately. So much I want to say about Thanksgiving, about Potterthon 2011, about my first attempt at dress-making, our christmas tree, and on and on. 

And throughout all of this, no matter how hectic I feel, I still want to actually enjoy this season, and remember the root of it all, beneath the pretty gift wrap and the sweater sales, why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. I'd like Chris to see my smile more often than he sees my crazy, frazzled, I-can't-do-this expression.

So this is my December goal: to try to fit it all in, to do everything on all of my many lists, but not at the expense of my stress level or my husband's patience.

whoa, hi

Remember when I used to have a blog? Yeah, I almost forgot too. But hey, I remembered and here I am. 

Sooo, last time we talked it was halfway through October and I was working on some goals, as usual. You might not be surprised if I tell you that I lost focus a little bit. I did apply to a few jobs, not 5, but 3. I had one great interview, but unfortunately I found out yesterday that I did not make it to the final round. I did make it to the top ten (of 117 applicants!), which is nice to hear, but nonetheless I am pretty disappointed to be out of the running for this job. I was really excited about it.

Oh well. Onward. I'm still waiting to hear on the other jobs I applied to, and will obviously continue to search for interesting openings.

As far as the other October goals go, we did hang those curtains and I have been loving fall. Last weekend we got a little taste of winter when it snowed! If we were still in Texas I would have called it a bonafide blizzard, but something tells me it was just a preview of what's to come in a few months. I'm ok if fall sticks around for a few more weeks.

For November, I don't have any "official" goals. I have a few sewing projects in the works, a few more I'd like to get in the works, one batch of homemade t-shirts to put together for an epic family event in a few weeks, and a trip home for Thanksgiving. Plus that pesky job search. Oh, and it's about time to start thinking about Christmas gifts and plans and decorations. Lots to focus on. Time to get started!

resolved: october

Nothing too challenging this month. (Well, the jobs, that might be a tough one.) Mostly I just want to enjoy this lovely season and make lots of soups and breads.

(ps: happy birthday to my beautiful, talented, supportive, hilarious mother! I love you Mom!)

september goals, revisited

So close. Sooooo close. To recap:

1. Bedroom curtains
2. Organize kitchen cabinets
3. Take apartment pictures
4. Keep it together

I got so close to getting this all done. I didn't fall apart while Chris was gone, even more impressive when you consider that I work from home now, so if Chris isn't home, I really have to put some effort into making contact with other humans. Which I mostly did. And I also did not have cereal for dinner one single time. Amazing.

I took photos of the apartment and made our kitchen so much better. And when West Elm had a drapery sale a few weeks ago, I bought curtains! And then I went to Target and bought hardware! But I couldn't put them up because Chris was still gone and hanging curtains on a 96" window didn't sound like something you really want to do alone. And he just got home Sunday and we've been busy and tired so it just didn't happen. One tiny little task and I would have completed all my goals, not to mention we'd have pretty curtains up right now. Oh well. Next month!

resolved: september

My favorite month! I think the only one that needs explanation is #4. Chris will be out of town for two weeks and unlike last time he was gone, I want to continue to live like a human being who knows how to cook and clean. It's only two weeks; surely I can manage. ;) And number 3 will be of great interest to my mother. (Also, I hear it's National Sewing Month so an unofficial goal will be to get lots of sewing in!)

august goals revisited

My original resolutions for August were:

1. Exercise 5 times.
2. Bake 6 loaves of bread.
3. Get a haircut.
4. Be tourists. Go to at least 2 museums/sights/tourist spots.

How'd I do? NOT BAD.

1. Exercise: check plus!
2. Bread: check. I made 3 loaves of sandwich bread, one flatbread, one cinnamon pull-apart, and one loaf of banana bread.
3. Haircut: yep.
4. Be tourists: we made it to one.

I also survived a hurricane and an earthquake, spent a dreamy weekend in the mountains, completed two quilts (which I'll share soon), went to a friend's euphonium jazz fusion show (it was awesome), and fell more in love with our new city. Good month.

resolved: august

I unintentionally took a few months off and I'm a little late, but I'm back on the mini resolution train! For this month:

1. Exercise 5 times.
2. Bake 6 loaves of bread.
3. Get a haircut.
4. Be tourists. Go to at least 2 museums/sights/tourist spots.

 

resolved: june

Whoops -- a little late on this one! To be honest I've been so consumed with everything else going on I hadn't even thought about this month's goals too much. But of course there are still lots of things I need to do!

1. Get 2 humans, 2 cats, and all our belongings to Virginia in one piece. We are pretty lucky in that the Army is handling most of the moving logistics for us. We don't even have to pack! But as my to do list can confirm, there is still a lot to do. The plan is to stay organized and get it all done without panicking and doing everything at once in the last 36 hours.
2. Keep the apartment clean. Sort of related, I suppose, but not exactly the same. My mom spent a few days here last week and while I was at work, she super-womaned around this whole place and made it look amazing. I'm trying not to let it slide. It's just a few weeks; surely I can handle that?
3. Get rid of stuff. Our next apartment is significantly smaller than our current one and we just won't have room for so much stuff. I have to get rid of some of it, even if it means parting with some of my beloved craft supplies.
4. Finish the triangle quilt for real. Though I counted it done for the purposes of May's wrap-up I still have to fix that tiny mistake. It's a simple one-evening task, but it'll slip right past me if I don't write it down!

may goals revisited

End of the month already! Can't believe it. My goals this month were:

1. Make a wedding album. Check.
2. Quilt #4. Check. I haven't shared it, since the future owner doesn't have it yet, but here's a sneak peek for now.
3. NO MOPING! Check! YEAH GO ME. And it's totally worth it because I am seeing Chris TOMORROW. You guys, tomorrow. I can't even believe it.

May was pretty great, but JUNE IS GOING TO BE AWESOME.

may: resolved