to do lists – Peaceful Reader

{Xmas morn}

I can’t believe it’s here! I don’t have everything checked off my list from 2014! Do you? I still have miles to go in fact. I didn’t write enough, didn’t do enough downward dogs, and I’m three books behind on my Goodreads challenge.

I can reflect back and know that while I didn’t get everything done I did get so much accomplished. And I’m grateful for the year that I’ve had especially school-related. I didn’t think I could love kids the way I loved Highland students but Hansen proved me wrong. Grateful.

I’ve survived a year with handsome son out of the house and living in Colorado. I miss him fiercely but I’m happy he’s working on the next part of his own journey. I love to text back and forth with him and have received some amazing messages from him throughout the year. Grateful.

Groovy Girl and I have survived the first half of 7th grade together. Middle school is harsh because her elementary school was like home; filled with love and understanding. Middle school is the opposite of that. Rules, rules and more rules. She’s learning though and I’ve learned to listen as she rants about this teacher or that rule. In the long run we’ll both be better off. Grateful.

I’m happy that oldest daughter has figured out her next step after graduating in May from Oberlin. She’ll be off to Portland, ME in a week to study at the The Salt Institute for Documentary Studies. Just browsing their website makes me know she will love it. It’s good when each person knows what their next step into space is going to be. Grateful.

This new year will bring more surprises, more journeys, and more inner peace. What will the new year bring for you?

{Last night together for 2014 @Ciao Bella/Minneapolis)

My kid’s favorite month has had a tough start for me. I’ve been sick for about 4 weeks with a cold that turned into a sinus infection. I finally took myself to the doctor (which I’m always slow to do) and am now on an antibiotic (which I really dislike) but I am beginning to feel human again.

I watched copious amounts of Parenthood, making me cry, and read several books (The Wednesday Wars, The secret life of bees, The invention of wings). In all that sick time I just didn’t get any blogging done-I blame it on a the snot. Really though I was just so tired. It took all the strength I could gather just to finish a day at work.

I wasn’t writing but I did do all this:

I made this lasagna from Martha Stewart. Good flavor but a bit dry. It tasted much better the next day.

I hosted my husband’s work Christmas party so we had 11 people over for a potluck dinner; I made bread and the lasagna. We cleaned house for 2 days. It was dusty.

I went to my school Christmas gathering hosted by my principal. It was lovely and I made this artichoke dip from Paula Deen. It doesn’t have any butter in it but it was a huge hit.

I made a second artichoke dip for book club (The invention of wings) which happened on the exact same night as aforementioned school party.

I also hosted a reception for my husband’s Christmas play (A Coney Island Christmas by Donald Marguiles.) The play was a huge hit and Groovy Girl even had a good role.

In between but mostly just the last two days I’ve been able to finish Christmas shopping and prepare for our two oldest to come home. We picked up the oldest, Kaylee, yesterday in Iowa City. Tomorrow the second, Tristan, flies into Mpls/St Paul airport. Last spring for Kaylee’s graduation is the last time we’ve been together and we are so excited to be together.

You can see from my list why the writing drops off the list so easily unfortunately. Too tired, too much to do. I hope your list isn’t as long!

Tag: to do lists

2015-Happy New Year to You.

Tough beginning to December