Progress

I decided that today I would put my goals for the week in writing as then perhaps I'll make more progress with them. No, it isn't the employment goals that are the problem, it is all the other items on my to-do list!

I promised myself when I left work, that I would start exercising, catch up on all those annual doctor visits I haven't done and work on all the nasty and boring jobs that need to be done around the house, before I once again am immersed in the world of work outside the home. To give myself credit, some of it has happened (not the exercise).

The issue, as always, is that I'm really not very interested in doing those things. I would much rather read, knit, play on the computer or talk with a friend, so I do. It is so easy to get distracted. My d-i-l got me started on adopting a cyber-puppy on Facebook that I have to feed, play with and train. This weekend I discovered I can get scads of points for training by cyber-petting many other people's puppies. I hate to admit that I spent hours watching tv and doing just that. I even got points to feed a pooch someone neglected. I would think I am a hopeless techno-geek except that thousands of people all over the world are doing the same thing. But I digress. . . .

So, my goal for this week is to get the paint touch up done, the window sills painted, blinds in and the front of the house totally put back together. That doesn't sound like much but there is a lot of stuff to find homes for to make that happen. My other goal is to walk 3 times this week. That seems reasonable and the weather is gorgeous right now.

On the bright side, a friend and I went to see a local theater production of Godspell this weekend. It was mostly high school kids but the energy and quality of performance was awesome. The best part is that I actually did something with a friend I haven't seen much in a long time. I was always too busy to call her. I guess that means my priorities are getting reordered and that is progress.

Knitting progress

This knitting thing really can be addictive.  I started a wrap for my daughter-in-law which is a lovely blue and lacy.  Getting started was a challenge because I kept losing my place on the lace row and having to rip out.  Once I got past that point it actually started taking shape and I can see that eventually it will be beautiful.  

The problem is that I keep working on my knitting instead of all the other things I should be doing like a business plan and taxes.  It is so much more rewarding to work on something I can see results from.  It also gives me a good excuse not to exercise since I'm not nearly good enough at knitting yet to walk and knit at the same time.  I'm not sure my coordination would ever be that good!  Consequently my ass is spreading out of my jeans which is not a good look for me.

Did I mention that it is getting hot here now?  Summer starts in March and doesn't end until Thanksgiving so I'm already avoiding physical activity in the daylight hours.  That doesn't help the posterior spread either.  

Oh well, I'll think about that another day.  I think my burgandy cherry ice cream is calling followed by some more knitting.  Tomorrow is plenty soon to start that whole diet and exercise thing.

Life is good (at least for today)

I've now been off of work almost three months and am trying to decide whether I really want to start again. If it weren't for that retirement thing looming ahead of me, I could get used to fixing up my house, reading, sitting with the cats, playing on the computer and just generally being relaxed. I even have started knitting again after many years and finished a few projects. Of course that inspired me to buy more yarn than I can use this year. I'm afraid I've started another collection, which is the last thing my poor overstuffed house needs.

On the bright side, my painting is done except for a couple of window sills and touchups! It looks great and now I don't have to feel guilty about painting for another twenty years. I got my new carpet and no longer have to worry about the smell of dog pee infusing the room when it gets humid. That damn dog saturated the pad to the point it was beyond hope. The fact that the dog has been dead for 3 years and I just got the carpet replaced is testimony to how psycho busy I was keeping myself working for people who didn't appreciate my efforts. Once the new blinds get in the front of my house will look almost presentable. Of course now the tile and furniture look pretty sad, but that will have to wait for when I have money coming in again.

I am still investigating the possibility of starting my own business as a consultant since there aren't really any jobs out there other than Walmart or Burger King. I alternate between excitement and sheer terror but at least I'm not bored! Thank goodness for my loving hubby who is keeping the bills paid while I find myself (though he is expecting me to knit him something soon)

My cats and family love me, my house no longer looks like an annex of the city dump and I'm actually living instead of just surviving. Life is good!