A new year

Old freight train trip to New Orleans, then Kansas City

Looking back:

I began this blog to help me track what I am doing and how my time is being spent. It has started to fail in that. It is now short reminders to my future self about little this and thats. It has been tougher than I thought to keep up with myself, and push myself to write it all down. Maybe the thrill has left the process and I am working toward what it will actually be. Something between an all the time journal/account of my life and a once in awhile thing. I am getting to where I can keep it going in that style for the future. This will be a year old in March, that is something.

Looking at the blog, it seemed like a pretty standard year. My mom died and things fell apart a bit at the end.

Looking ahead:

We are getting started on our house remodel. I believe that when it is all done, the house will be much more livable and comfortable, and all the dead space will be gone. I hope it inspires us to take the garden seriously (lots of outdoors projects to make the front yard livable, and garden centric). I have a goal to really concentrate more on my health. I am starting to eat more raw greens, drink more water and kombucha. I have also started taking supplements (multivitamin, kinko, and omega 3). I am considering a green tea supplement, but haven't decided yet. The plan is to get to the gym at least 3 days a week, and I have been doing pretty good (holidays aside). I am also starting a workout routine in my office. I just went through a process of looking at lots of our stuff and getting rid of a bunch. This also served as a reminder of projects that need working on.

I have been thinking about getting out to the woods and walking with the boys. I just ordered this fun drawing book, and maybe we can do more drawing art this year. I want the kids to feel like they can be creative, and that other things matter outside the digital. One of the goals of the house remodel is to get the tv out of the living room. It was brought to my attention that my posture sucks. I will work on that.

Every year I make a resolution to hang out with friends more, but this year I mean it. I will also make art, and try to do some activist work. I want to start including design projects for the community into my life. I am also kicking around an idea to start a radio show for Grow radio. I don't know if I will have time for that or not. We need to get better at single parenting, so that we can each get more of our personal stuff done.

I have started a long awaited project to scan old photos. I am also getting ready to post lots of photos from my phone. I need to start archiving the family better.

Geez, I guess that is enough.

Holiday season

We did thanksgiving you know. It was nice to get out of town, have a little alone time on the beach. Get away from the things at home that fill my brain, watch the kids get extra happy.

I am working on a plan for a radio show with GROW radio. I think it is going to work out and soon. We are also figuring out lots of plans. Next weekend is a memorial, and shortly after that is Christmas. I am doing a bit of leg work for the memorial and trying to figure out how Christmas is going to work out. We are suppose to be starting the house at Christmas break.

Had a date night. Dinner and a movie. feels good to get away from the kids sometimes. I mean both of us. Realizing how well we are getting along lately. How we are usually on the same page, and usually supporting each other. I am getting ready to review last year's resolutions and deciding new ones.

I am setting up a workout schedule at the office. Twice a day I am doing push-ups, and dumbbells, and drinking lots of water, and using therabands, and a hand exerciser. Also, trying to get up and walk around.

Thinking about process at work. Thinking about time at home.  I have started taking the kids with me to the gym on weekends, and going at night.

I have been reading more at night. I have been listening to books on tape at work... always trying to keep my head busy and active.

We have a big yard sale happening tomorrow. It is nice to go through all of these belongings to pick out what we should be getting rid of. I am looking forward to getting rid of stuff. The  bottom line is to simplify and reset how we live. This will go well with our home redesign. It will all feel new soon. Still feeling like I am moving... not standing still.

Feeling all mixed up

The neighbor cut down a big tree that was going to fall soon

Had a good home renovation meeting today. It looks like we are going to maybe get started soon.

This weekend is looking a bit weird. We have some vague dinner plans for Saturday. That is about it. Maybe we will just be mellow. I want to work in the kitchen a bit (make hot sauce, breads). It could be nice to spend some time outside, and work on a plan to empty the garage room before the renovation begins. I guess I should be happy with a mellow weekend. Next week is Thanksgiving, and that will surely not be mellow. Virginia and the kids are leaving Tuesday, and me on Wednesday after work. It is making more and more sense to conserve my vacation time. I will surely need it in the upcoming year.

I found a book that I am desperate for, called the Professional Chef. It is the textbook for the Culinary Institute of America. It is available for the Ipad and has been made very interactive. It is a complete cooking course, and so interesting. I got a free chapter about soups, and have already learned so much. It is pretty expensive at $50, so it isn't an instant purchase. I have been thinking about things I want to buy, and bought myself a Jawbone Up band. It is a bracelet that keeps track of your movement. It gives a graph of steps taken and hours slept each day. I think of it as a little friendly reminder to be healthy. It vibrates to remind me to be active, if I sit still too long. I am wanting to get a pedaling thing that goes under my desk at work, so that I can pedal while I work.

I have been trying to stay active, going to the gym every couple of days and using therabands and taking push up breaks, and drinking lots of water, and taking some supplements. I don't want to be obsessed, just healthy. I have several pounds to lose and I like the way this is feeling.

I am feeling happy and very sad. It is a tough mix to come to terms with. I've got to get my head straight.

Go get it. It is ready to be picked. (Henry's fortune)

There have been a lot of changes lately. I will simply leave it at that and talk about now. I am taking health very seriously now. I mean thinking about it. Trying to not neglect, or think about my days in retrospect (I should have ...).  I have been thinking about people and relationships, and appreciation for others and situations. I am pretty young. I have time to enjoy everything and if I realize that, I will love it all the more. I have been running and walking, with my eyes closed just to think.

I was out of the office last week, on bereavement leave. The time to myself and with family was very good for me. I have been crying but also laughing. I visited an old friend at his house with his sweetie and there garden spot in the middle of a rough city. I am making some homebrew and some kombucha, and doing things that make me smile, and playing with the kids.

The photo is of one of the first houses that I lived in. I lived there from when I was two until I was about ten years old. I shared a room with my sister and had friends around. Now that neighborhood is full of strip clubs.  I recently visited a bunch of houses that I grew up in. I think this one holds the most fun memories. I am trying to think of the fond past, and concentrate on that.

I am sad right now, but I am going to be alright, and I am learning a valuable lesson about appreciation, and doing what I feel to do.

Halloween is over

So many costume events, and the party - this has been our busiest Halloween ever.
Tonight will be clean up, and getting back to normal.

The kids have loved it, but the candy is definitely getting to them. Honestly, it is getting to me as well. Last night, I could not sleep at all. Today I am surviving on coffee.

Things are still busy. This weekend we have dinner plans and a date night. Next weekend we have a big yard sale planned. I am super busy in many ways and not much time for posting. I will say that I am smiling quite a bit. We had a really nice time at the Halloween party, and also with trick or treating. I don't want to make it seem like things did not go well. We are just left a bit tired.

The weekend is here

Toby, a photo by Hamstocks on Flickr.

The weekend is afoot. Virginia planned a date night for us this evening. I get out of work early and plan to put my bike in the shop for a tune up. Then it is movie time (the film 50/50), and dinner at Liquid Ginger). Saturday we are going to the Coon Hollow Corn Maze and then to Joey and Melissa's wedding. Can't wait for that. Open bar and old friends. On Sunday, we have brunch with friends and then the Asian festival at the Thomas Center. It is a pretty busy weekend, and fun too. Hopefully, I can find time to start getting the house ready for next weekend's Halloween party.

This all makes for a pretty busy weekend, and it is beautiful out. The Fall is here and it is so nice to be outside. I have been listening to lots of audiobooks and talks lately. It makes my days seem like growth, even when I am just working.

Great cover

They Might Be Giants covers Chumbawamba