I'm not sure why summer had me a bit out of sorts. Perhaps it was DD1 graduating and June being taken up with all the graduation party's. July seems like a blur and August was focused on the details of getting her moved-and worry about the reality of paying for four years. September went by with a blink, and I was a bit melancholy much of it. The confusing weather, cool for a few weeks, then wet then ridiculously hot made my body ache. I have to give a lot of credit to both DH and DD1 for putting up with my moodiness, tiredness, and lack of excitement. October starts the final quarter of a year that has been a whirlwind. It feels fitting in my slower state of being I should aim a little higher than just getting through the month and actually make some goals, or at least aspirations.
Financial
- Get the Household and Grocery (H&G) spending to $300 for October.
- Limit entertainment spending to under $80 for the month. I've got some ideas for this one without being cheap.
- Limit the eating out/take out budget to $125. This includes work lunches, but padded a bit for an anniversary dinner and an outing or two when DD2 is home for a week.
- Revisit the Baguette and Croissant fund-see where the tin is at, and use as motivation to save the change towards a weekend away.
Health and Wellness
- Increase my walking. I signed up for Denise Austin's 30 day walking group. I will get tips and such in my e-mail, along with I'm sure dozens of offers to buy her products, but I'll see what motivation that might bring.
- Get to a nature center, regional or state park each weekend for a long hike, challenging myself to different inclines and terrain. DD1 has her car back, with her state park sticker. While she hikes at a brisker pace than me, I might be challenged to try and keep up over time.
- Use the yoga videos on Fab, Fit, Fun at least twice per week
- Try a new vegan recipe-I have my mind on trying to recreate the butternut squash pizza we had at Veg Fest
Organization
- This one is a reboot from July's list that went no where! Purge at least one more bag of my clothes, two of DH's (his dresser and side of the closet have gotten out of control), two of DD2's clothes. I hope when she comes home she will bring with her items of clothing she never wore and probably won't so we can bag them up and donate. She also left a dresser full of clothing.
- Clean out my the armoire desk in the family room so it can be used as a proper work area. It has gotten to be the dumping ground for odds and end things and most everything could just be thrown.
Self Awareness/Improvement/Focus
- Add final chapter rough draft to book-yeah, another reboot from summer that just sort of sat there.
- Go out and take some pictures, just for fun
- Update our home calendar
Social
- Play trivia at least twice.
- One more attempt at the faltering book club regrouped. This will truly be my last try.
- Host friends for a football game with food and drinks instead of going out.
- Go apple and pumpkin picking with the girls. We already have October 19th picked out.
- Go the Minneapolis Institute of Art while DD2 is home-one of our happy places.
I think the change of being an empty nester is settling in and I'm not so out of sorts about this new stage of life. I have the opportunity to set my schedule as it works for me and try some new things I didn't take enough time for in the past. I also need to take this final quarter to get healthier, focus more on quality cooking and using my free time for things other than binge watching the British Baking Show, though some of that is OK too. I'm looking forward to my daughter being home and hopefully seeing a few of her friends, but have a feeling things will just feel different. No doubt she ill be happy to be home, but then happy to get back to her new life. How is October shaping up in your world? Are you setting goals or just living in the October moments?
Put me in the "living in the October moments." September did go by rather quickly, I think. We have a birthday to celebrate, and are thinking about building a barn (10 acres here). Also, we ordered a new couch which should be here sometime during the middle of the month. Beyond that, I have no desire to spend money, and am trying to do a "Stoptober." I am set for Christmas for the most part, with only youngest DS' gift (a chair for his room)left to get, and our pantry and freezer are full. If I had to nail down a goal, it would be to finish quilting a quilt I have on my quilting hoop.
ReplyDeleteOverall, I would have to say October is my favorite month--the holiday madness hasn't started yet, but the weather lends itself to staying in by the fire.
My youngest really wants to do a May trip for school. she will have between savings and earnings through the year she is within 80% of it saved. That might end up being her Christmas and birthday gifts. I too feel like a Stoptober would be great.
DeleteYou had a tough whirl wind summer, or did you even have a summer? You will get better and soon learn to enjoy the freedom.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting into a routine-but its not been a very positive or focused one yet. Way too much binge watching on YouTube and Netflix.
DeleteI really like your health and wellness goals! If I could just keep to mine I would be well set - but then I no longer really have an excuse do I! And I like the idea of hiking every weekend (particularly before the bad weather sets in). Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI figure if I focus on action rather than a result (not a goal to lose weight) that is more beneficial and motivating.
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