Book Polygamy Day Eight: Slowly But Surely

My reading pace has slowed down considerably over the last few days.  I’ve had less time to sit and read, which is to be expected as the summer is starting to wind down for us.  I’ve spent some time at school, setting up my classroom and welcoming some new-hires for the ELA department.  I also spent some time at Barnes and Noble as well as preparing for my sister-in-laws’ visit coming up this weekend.  But there’s more to the story than just having time taken away from reading.

I’ve noticed that I’m being torn between wanting to read two of the five books that I’ve selected for myself.  I’ve really been enjoying your continued journey through Westeros in George R. R. Martin’s A Clash of Kings and diving deeper into the complicated lives of the Pirriwee Public School parenthood in Big Little Lies.  I’m following my heart and not equally dispersing my time to include my nonfiction title, Sylvia Plath: A Biography or Literary Fiction title, Sense and Sensibility.  There are no set rules to reading more than one book at one time, but I am starting to see that my natural reading tendencies are playing a larger role than I had thought.  But like I tell my students, sometimes it’s not so important what you read, just that you’re reading in general.

Less and More in 2015

Ah, New Year’s Resolutions.  We love to love and hate you.  I love to make them, but I get frustrated because I want certain outcomes, but don’t always know how to make them happen.  For example, I am trying to lose those last few pounds and keep them off; how original.  I feel like I’m pretty healthy as it is, so what else is there left to do but stay consistent?  I want to read more books, but how will I actually incorporate that time into my day?  Create everyday.  Sooooo…create everyday?  Oy!  Aaaaaand now I’m overwhelmed.

While sifting through blog postings about New Year’s Resolutions, I came across Erika’s “Less & More in 2015” from All Things E.  Her process of developing her own resolutions led her to creating two lists: Less and More.  How simple.  How complete.  THANK YOU!

In 2015, I want less of these things in my life:

• Negativity – I want to let go of trivial things and do so in a faster, lasting manner.
• Skipping days at the gym
• Nighttime snacking
• Artificial sweeteners

In 2015, I want more of these things in my life:

• Reading time.  My goal is to read 50 books this year.
• Genuine interactions with people.  Technology is a facilitator, not a replacement.
• Gratitude Lists
• Creative Outlets – My bullet journal and new crafting room will make this possible.
• Cooking at home
• Daily flossing – time to be an adult, I guess

Resolution Week One Check In

Raise your hand if you’ve already found your Resolution Eyes to be larger than your Get it Done Brain?

I created five resolutions for myself, five that I thought to be very achievable.  I purposely didn’t make them quantitative because I usually over-stretch with the figures, leaving me feeling depressed and discouraged.  So this year, any improvement that I see in the five areas will be a boost to my motivation.

1.  Quality workouts – SUCCESS!

I have run everyday since January 1st, even on Friday after I skipped my morning workout (see above statement).  I ended up having more time than I thought before heading out for some dinner and cosmic bowling with friends, so I did a quick 5 miles on the treadmill.  I’m also preplanning my workouts, at least for the week ahead.  The changes in my body have helped to keep me motivated.

2.  Reading to Replace TV – Iffy

I have been doing more reading, but it’s all school-related, which isn’t bad because I’m test-driving some novels for the fourth quarter group work.  I broke down and downloaded the third season of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on iTunes, so I don’t know if you would call that a step forward or not.

3.  Take better care of the house – Check

Laundry was done, which included sheets.  For some reason, I really REALLY despise having to wash sheets.  It’s probably because I hate making up the bed.  I can already hear my husband saying, “Then why do I have to do it every morning?!?!?”  There’s a difference between making and bed, and making UP the bed.

Making the bed = pulling the sheets and comforter back into place after a night of sleeping

Making up the bed = putting the sheets on a mattress, followed by comforter and pillows.

Mind blown?!?!  Oh yea!

4.  Slowing down to enjoy the present and

5.  Be Happier- mostly yes

While I’ll never be one who can ignore the urge to plan and preplan my life, I have found small ways to enjoy the “now” more than I was.

Example:

• Last night, Dan and I helped to chaperone the Homecoming dance at our school.  Instead of looking at my watch and counting down to how soon it would be that I could be back in my natural state of pajama pant-ness, I enjoyed the time with my students, appreciating that this was a time in their lives that they would look back at as a peak, not something they wished would hurry up and be done with.

How are your New Year’s Resolutions going?