do the next right thing

This week my sweetie, our cats and I are heading to Missouri to visit my family. I’m really excited but family visits can be a little tense, and I have a lot of homework. These coming days, I have homework goals, trip preparation goals & family goals:

• Print the 4 new articles
• Finish critical review of the remaining articles (about 8)
• Review the requirements for the paper
• Write the first section
• Evaluate the essay quiz assignment... better late than never
• Begin researching this assignment

• Buy a drop cloth for the back seat
• Buy several disposable litter boxes
• Pack my clothes, supplies & homework
• Pack up hygiene supplies after my shower tomorrow
• Pack cat supplies and set up cat world in car
• Pack spa/self-care supplies to indulge myself
• Buy cheese and wine for my family
• Reprogram the thermostat to maintain 62

• Complete a sudoku every day
• Journal as necessary
• Have at least one self-care or at home spa element every day
• Get out of the house twice each day
• Get showered & dressed each day... despite being sick several days of the trip, I managed

About an hour ago, I finished up the most intense yoga class I’ve ever participated in, and it wasn’t even hot yoga… just a prep course at Core Power Yoga. Despite eating lunch, hydrating, and taking a shower I still feel as though I walked out of the studio 15 minutes ago. Anyway, it was a good feeling and once I decompress a little bit, I have get back on my A game.

• Complete critical review of 3 more articles (3 already done!)
• Put away the dishes
• Complete 1 more cleaning chore
• Ask my sweetie to complete 1 cleaning chore
• Make the bed
• Complete a sudoku to relax

So last night, I was tense after all the good times that my sweetie and I had together (dinner, shopping & snuggling) so I ended up drinking too much gin. I’m fine this morning, so I took it as a chance to start a good day. I’ve already

• Taken my car to the mechanic for regular maintenance
• Walked home from the mechanic’s shop (about 2 miles)
• Cooked a delicious breakfast – chocolate, banana pancakes
• Finished my critical review of 2 articles
• Neatened up the kitchen

My goals for today are to:

• Completed critical review of 3 articles
• Review & as necessary print the additional articles I’ve found reviewing the literature
• Completed 1 more cleaning chores
• Go with my sweetie to the kilt store
• Encourage my sweetie to do 2 more cleaning chores
• Read/relax for at least an hour

After this busy week, filled with to lists and tasks, I’m really looking forward to having a night out with my sweetie. However, there’s still a few thins that I would like to get done:

*Complete one more cleaning chore
*Make the bed
*Do a critical reading of 1 more article... I started it, that’s worth something
*Reply to the crazy prof’s question on the discussion board

Although it required this morning, I completed a lot of my to do list from yesterday! Healthy eating mindset is also taking root, which feels great. I have hope again and that will help me keep moving forward today:

*Drop off my mail at work
*Reply to 2-3 more posts on the discussion board for class
*Complete my critical review of 3 more articles
*Ask J to complete 2 cleaning chores ... he will do them this weekend
*Ask J to contact the kilt store & set up an appointment, if necessary ... also to be done this weekend
*Complete 2 more cleaning chores morning has already included: cleaning the litter boxes, washing the dishes, cleaning the counters & wiping off the stove.
*Make an appointment to get maintenance for my car before Thanksgiving

Okay, last night was kind of a bust… not entirely my fault. I really underestimated how difficult it would be to complete critical reviews of these articles – they’re very data, terminology and statistics heavy.

• Complete critical review of 3 more articles…2 down, 1 to go
• Deposit both checks at my bank
• Write up the card for my gift to Scott the wrong IT guy (long story)
• Write & address the check to Wedding Site/Reception Site
• Pester J to start researching music & groom’s dinner locations

After a tasty, nutritious dinner – I am ready for a night of dedication, which will include:

1) Finish my readings for this week
2) Complete critical review of at least 5 articles (or read until 7:45pm)... after reading until 8:30pm, I was only able to complete 4. This is a bigger project than I anticipated
Reward: Trip to the local wine store to purchase 2 bottles (No go)

3) Wash the dishes
4) Plan my lunch for tomorrow
5) Read two more articles
Reward: A glass of the wine!

Over the last few weeks, I’ve felt less & less productive. I’ve been shrugging off my homework and choosing to snack, watch TV, and mope around. I’m not sure how to rediscover my strength or groove. Today, I’ve already been a bit productive and I’d like to accomplish a bit more:

• Sweep kitchen floor
• Swiffer kitchen floor
• Clean kitchen sink
• Spot clean kitchen
• Finish reading assignments for class
• Pick out meals to cook for the next few days
• Print my Becker cards
• Create a list of cleaning chores divided between my sweetie & I for this week

The Coming Week
Work has been dragging me down. I take the stress of my work home every night, literally & figuratively. This next week will be an emotional one, and I need to take care of myself (in a healthy way) and start tackling my homework.

• Find & flag 10 more articles to read for my literature review
• Print & read those articles
• Complete my cleaning task every night
• Go to the gym 3 times

For the first time in almost 3 months, I have a day off from work, and so I have both rejuvenation and accomplishment:

• Pick up a pastry from my favorite bakery in S. Mpls ... closed so I went to another great bakery
• Go to school and print the readings for Wk 11
• Pick up tuna & crab cakes at local fish shop
• Have crab cakes & spinach from Every Day Pasta from lunch
• Read Sections 4-11 in the Stats textbook
• Swiffer the living room floor
• Buy a halogen bulb and mini-blinds from Target or Home Depot

Friday night added some additional stress to my life. I accidentally side-swiped a retaining wall next to my parking spot and that resulted in some minor but most likely expensive damage to my car. Anyhow, I’ve already reported this to my insurance company and now have to wait for them to send an agent out to inspect the damage.

Now, I have to get back to living and not let this cause me mental anguish. The next right things will be:

• Update my budget tracking for October
• Read Chapter 9 from the textbook
• Watch another episode of House
• Wash the dishes ... done but more dishes to wash now
• Clean the kitchen counters
• Read Sections 4-11 in the Stats textbook
• Swiffer the living room floor
• Ask my sweetie to sweep the kitchen
• Go to school and print the readings for Wk 11