I'm attempting to turn over some new leaves and do a little self-improvement. Why wait for the new year when there is so much to be done??
First (these are not at all in order of importance, by the way), I got a haircut: it's short, it's sassy...no , it's not, it's basically a head full of curls, given my unruly hair. But it looks good when it air dries, which is really my only criteria for a haircut, since I am lazy in the mornings, so it's a win!
Second, I've started to exercise again. As I age, things have started to get a lot more squishy in a lot more places, so I've decided I need to do something about all this before the squishiness starts to win! Plus, I'm heading home for my sister's wedding in February, which is a nice incentive to get a bit more trim and not look so silly in my formal dress(es). So, I'm heading to the gym in the clubhouse every weekday morning at 6:45am after I see the boys and the husband off. Right now I am mainly doing the treadmill, the stationary bike, and a few weight machines. I may graduate to free weights and intervals at some point, but for now I am just trying to get in the habit of going. I mean, all my life I've wanted a free gym right next door and now I have one, so I should be taking advantage of it! Helpfully, my friend S from the compound is joining me, so I even have someone to keep me accountable! Huzzah!
Third, I am cutting out candy. So hard!! It's ironic here that the candy is generally not that tasty and yet still I am eating it right and left. I wonder how many gummy bears I can eat before I have to admit they really don't taste all that good any more! We did import a lot of candy from the States this summer, but I'm going to put it all away and save it for the boys, who really only want one piece every other day or so right now. It's pretty clear I am addicted to sugar, so I'm going to really try and rein that in and see how far I get. I'm not cutting out all sweets; with the holiday season upon us that would just make me cranky, so candy is first. I'm also attending a healthy cooking group where we are learning to cut out almost all refined foods, including white sugar, of course, and I am making small strides in this area, but I am not ready to commit whole hog quite yet. One small step at a time!
Fourth, I am trying to watch/listen to/surf to more worthwhile media. I'm listening to Christmas music in the background most of the day and to thought-producing talks or podcasts the rest of the time. I'm clicking less on inane Buzz Feed articles and more on meaningful or interesting articles from other, more high brow sources instead. I am still spending some time on Pinterest, but now I am searching for ideas for family home evening or for use in my assignment with the young women at church (why reinvent the wheel, I say). We are working on screen time limits with the boys, and they are doing a pretty good job at sticking with them, so I am trying not to be on the computer when they are home unless it just can't be helped.
Fifth, I am redoubling, tripling, quadrupling my job search efforts with the intention of finding myself a job while at the same time securing the boys spots in a better school. I am throwing myself on the alter of their education! My next step in that process may be substitute teaching (heaven help me!) and, at the same time, I am spending all free time compiling their school records and filling out the time-consuming applications, both for employment and for school places. I am an information producing machine, people!
Whew, I'm exhausted just reading all that! Better get back to it!
First (these are not at all in order of importance, by the way), I got a haircut: it's short, it's sassy...no , it's not, it's basically a head full of curls, given my unruly hair. But it looks good when it air dries, which is really my only criteria for a haircut, since I am lazy in the mornings, so it's a win!
Second, I've started to exercise again. As I age, things have started to get a lot more squishy in a lot more places, so I've decided I need to do something about all this before the squishiness starts to win! Plus, I'm heading home for my sister's wedding in February, which is a nice incentive to get a bit more trim and not look so silly in my formal dress(es). So, I'm heading to the gym in the clubhouse every weekday morning at 6:45am after I see the boys and the husband off. Right now I am mainly doing the treadmill, the stationary bike, and a few weight machines. I may graduate to free weights and intervals at some point, but for now I am just trying to get in the habit of going. I mean, all my life I've wanted a free gym right next door and now I have one, so I should be taking advantage of it! Helpfully, my friend S from the compound is joining me, so I even have someone to keep me accountable! Huzzah!
Third, I am cutting out candy. So hard!! It's ironic here that the candy is generally not that tasty and yet still I am eating it right and left. I wonder how many gummy bears I can eat before I have to admit they really don't taste all that good any more! We did import a lot of candy from the States this summer, but I'm going to put it all away and save it for the boys, who really only want one piece every other day or so right now. It's pretty clear I am addicted to sugar, so I'm going to really try and rein that in and see how far I get. I'm not cutting out all sweets; with the holiday season upon us that would just make me cranky, so candy is first. I'm also attending a healthy cooking group where we are learning to cut out almost all refined foods, including white sugar, of course, and I am making small strides in this area, but I am not ready to commit whole hog quite yet. One small step at a time!
Fourth, I am trying to watch/listen to/surf to more worthwhile media. I'm listening to Christmas music in the background most of the day and to thought-producing talks or podcasts the rest of the time. I'm clicking less on inane Buzz Feed articles and more on meaningful or interesting articles from other, more high brow sources instead. I am still spending some time on Pinterest, but now I am searching for ideas for family home evening or for use in my assignment with the young women at church (why reinvent the wheel, I say). We are working on screen time limits with the boys, and they are doing a pretty good job at sticking with them, so I am trying not to be on the computer when they are home unless it just can't be helped.
Fifth, I am redoubling, tripling, quadrupling my job search efforts with the intention of finding myself a job while at the same time securing the boys spots in a better school. I am throwing myself on the alter of their education! My next step in that process may be substitute teaching (heaven help me!) and, at the same time, I am spending all free time compiling their school records and filling out the time-consuming applications, both for employment and for school places. I am an information producing machine, people!
Whew, I'm exhausted just reading all that! Better get back to it!
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