Post something, already!

I have started posts at least twice, then abandoned them. I had an inkling to do the whole big 2019 Review post, but I guess I decided against, since I never did it. I did do a final review in my planner, in which I said these things:

• I enjoyed having a paper calendar/planner again
• I loved Golden Coil, but over-estimated how many pages I would need, esp. re: goal-setting.
• Goal-setting still makes me feel more shame/guilt than control/productivity
• I'm proud I was gentle with myself about the goals, but don't feel like I want to continue with them, at least not on paper so much
• Gratitude journaling remained constant, all year long
• I chose a Rifle Paper Company planner for 2020 and think it will serve the purpose just fine, for about half the cost

Best things about 2019:

• 10 years at my company (!!), which means more days OFF going forward
• Some workout success, both in January (30 days of yoga w/Adrienne) and July - Nov (150 minutes/week, 17 consecutive weeks)
• Marching Band Mom-hood! Discovered which volunteering I like and don't, made new friends, took a trip
• Quitting gymnastics (Kate) and choir (me)
• Experience gifts for the kids (a gaming "homestand" for Alex and Shawn Mendes concert for Kate)
• Gardening more thoughtfully
• Jilly's (my sis) happiness, engagement, and the family meeting her fiance last week in P'cola (New Year's Day and weekend)

In general I think I was more calm in 2019, refusing to let being busy stress me out so much. Relative to that, I didn't even want to consider the "worst things" of 2019. Didn't bother. No need to think negative thoughts. 

So, here we are in 2020! Twenty-twenty! Can you believe it?? We have a lot going on already. 

• Doctors, ahoy. Starting last month, I visited the eye doctor, my primary care doc, and this morning, the dentist. Kate went to a dermatologist and has a follow-up in 2 weeks. The kids both have dentist appointments as well, in January, and I get to have 2 cavities filled. Ugh. But thankful for insurance.
• We bought a Sleep Number bed and it will be delivered in 3 days. Shawn and I and our aching backs are very excited about this development.
• The painting crew is coming later this month to fix the hole in the kitchen ceiling and also paint the entry/walls of the stairs/upstairs hallway. Eeeee! Been wanting to paint those scuffed up walls since we moved in almost 5 years ago! Choosing a grey soon. Any suggestions are welcome.
• We also hope this will spur us to paint other rooms in the house, not to mention redecorating the guest room, but I'm not expecting it to happen right away.
• Kate's middle school semi formal dance this Friday, for which we are still looking for a dress and shoes, eek. Going at lunch today with fingers crossed.
• Kate's first drama club performance on the 24th-25th! So far she isn't in love with the preparation process, which includes rehearsal nearly every day for the next 3 weeks, but I hope the performance weekend will be fun for her. 

Posting our weekly menu is still so fun, somehow. It taught me last year that I am prone to taking the easy way out (hot dogs and fries, tra-la!) but also that the kids' palettes are slowly growing and more able to try new things. I have another Hello Fresh box arriving tomorrow, with Parm Crusted Chicken and Lemon-Tomato Spaghetti one night, and Cajun Blackened Tilapia with Red Beans and Lemon Rice the other. Yummy! Just noticed the 2 lemon sides, oops. However, those are probably not getting made until the weekend because my darling husband made the menu and did the grocery shopping this week while I was out of town, thank you, Shawn! and it's all of his family faves:

• Sunday: Spaghetti with meat sauce and garlic toast
• Monday: Cheesy baked chicken breasts, steamed broccoli, salad
• Tuesday: Chili
• Wednesday: Hot Dogs and Fries!
• Thursday: Pork chops (breaded) (okay, Shake n Bake), rice and field peas

Finally, I will tell you my plan for detoxing from the holidays, or should I call it All-Cookies All-The-Time. It is thus:

• WATER, lots
• 150 minutes/week (also good for carpal tunnel management)
• no second helpings
• no candy
• no sugar
• no dairy
• no extra bread (meaning, if pasta is on the menu I can eat some pasta, but no roll. And choosing salads for lunches instead of sandwiches, etc.)

Those last 4 are just for a week or two, hopefully to remove the feeling of bloatedness that has become permanent lately. Ugh. I was thwarted this morning: my coffee from home tasted terrible, so I went to the Dunkin drive-thru and ordered plain black coffee with vanilla flavoring (I know there's sugar in it). They handed me a full-cream, real sugar hazelnut latte. Oh well, I'm taking it as a loving gesture from God. :)