Earlier this weekend, I wanted to beat myself up a little, like I feel like doing to those damn kids in the Putnam County Spelling Bee. The reality for me right now is that I cannot physically and mentally do everything I want to do in the timeframe I scheduled everything. It’s a bummer because everything I want to do brings me joy. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, I checked myself and counted my blessings of which I have a multitude.
So, how do I salvage the remaining portion of what I committed to without forsaking my sanity and still gleaning some benefit? Letting go of the time lost and picking up where I am right now is my solution. I have not, I repeat, not written one word of my 50,000 word novel. However, if I start today and write every day for the next 21 days, I could still meet my November 30th deadline. Of course, that means I will need to write at least 2,381 words per day. I have only meditated once with Deepak Chopra. However, if I start today and meditate every day for the remainder of the meditation series, I will only lose one day. The series allows a five day window to catch up. Finally, I want to get back to my scrapbooking and getting my house in order. Realistically, both of those activities will have to wait until I’m on Thanksgiving break. My calendar is marked to devote some time to both. Fingers crossed that the utility room will be completed by then.
In Other News:
- I am taking an Improv: Level I Course in Metairie. This course will focus on the foundation of improv performance. It will also help me with improving my acting and auditioning skills through active listening, confident communication, and acceptance of given circumstances. It is four classes that meets once per week (two in November/two in December). The first one starts this Tuesday evening.
- As for my weight loss goal, I am down another pound which puts me at a total loss of 12 pounds since September 2nd. I have 7 more pounds to lose by the end of 2019 to reach my goal.
- There are only two more opportunities to see The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee: Saturday, November 16th at 7:30 pm and Sunday, November 17th at 3:00 pm. Tickets are still available at www.theoctavians.org.
I have NO plans today but to rest (and write/meditate), dear reader. I started feeling a little funky last night (itchy throat, dull sinus headache). I think it is a combination of weather change, staying up late, and being on the go constantly. All great components on their own; but together, they can lead to feeling run-down and depleted. I cannot get sick with two upcoming shows and everything else I want to accomplish this week. So, today will be ALL about self-care. I even got out of going grocery shopping at Wal-Mart. Happiness!
“There were two ways to be happy: improve your reality, or lower your expectations” ~ Jodi Picoult,
Last Sunday, my hubby, Andrew, and I took a road trip to Slidell to attend the HERPS Exotic Reptile and Pet Show at The Harbor Center. These shows happen a few times a year in our surrounding areas, and I have always wanted to go to check out their critters. We are animal lovers and have cared for many pets over the years with a few exotics being part of the mix. I specifically was interested in checking out the hedgehogs (learn about the breeders, touch one, and assess cost to acquire one). I have never had a hedgehog but find them fascinating, so I have joined a couple of Facebook hedgehog groups to learn more about their habits and care requirements. I even follow Mr. Pokee’s page to check out his many adventures with his owner. My guys tagged along because they were just as curious as I was, and there would be lots of snakes.
I had no idea when I went to the show that I would be leaving with one of them. We stopped at the Knockout Exotics table where Andrew spotted a Corn Snake for $25. The snake was born on June 4th where he hatched from an egg. His container had a “pet only” label on it. I inquired about it, and the breeder (Kara) told us that he was born with kinks in his spine which are medically harmless to the snake but not ideal for breeding. That was all my future zoologist needed to hear. Andrew purchased the snake, and with help from Kara, he also purchased a tank, bedding, and a hidey-hole to place inside the tank. With instructions from Kara, we left Slidell and headed back to Hammond. On the drive home, Andrew named his snake George. Before we arrived home, we had to make a quick trip to Petco to buy some frozen pinkies (sold out at the show) to feed George.
Good morning! Today is a most terrific day. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the air conditioner is running, and I got Sesame Street stamps from the post office yesterday. Happiness boost! It is also the birthday of one of my dearest friends on the planet…the fabulous Michelle. How fitting that I bought Sesame Street stamps the day before the celebration of her birth! Sesame Street is one of the many popular shows that airs on PBS.
I am definitely headed toward one of the busiest weeks of the summer. The week will consist of health/wellness appointments, work meetings, voice/acting classes, a concert, and my annual scrapbook convention with my girlfriends. What is a girl to do? Celebrate with gratitude! I am so very thankful to have the opportunities to take care of myself, stretch myself (classes), and rejuvenate myself. I am so very thankful for moments to be creative and explore my potential.
which is extremely beneficial when you want to see how you are REALLY spending your time. We all (myself included) like to say we are busy; however, that is a story we like to tell even to ourselves. I found her “three versions of the self” interesting. She describes each version: “The anticipating self is wondering about, planning, and worrying about the future. The experiencing self is in the here and now. The remembering self thinks back to the past” (Vanderkam, 70). The anticipating self sets our intentions or goals while the remembering self reflects on the fruits of our labor. Our experiencing self follows through or falls through with plans, intentions, or goals depending on the circumstances or feelings in the present moment. My experiencing self gets in my way of taking action on a regular basis. It is pals with FEAR and PROCRASTINATION which has robbed me from realizing a few goals or pursuing a couple of dreams. This is my year to COMMIT, so in order to take more action and waste less time, I need to commit to listening less to my experiencing self, plan the task/event, and execute.
No, I am not referring to my nest which is my temporary status at home this week while my hubby and I are on vacation. (Andrew is in Europe with STA.) I am referring to the spare room in my house that will soon become my scrapbook room. It is officially empty of stuff and is in the process of being rejuvenated. Today, the ceiling was repainted. Tomorrow (fingers crossed), the walls will be repainted. Instead of the off-white color which we painted the entire house when we built it 20 years ago, I chose Blue Shock to beautify my space. Crown moulding was purchased over the weekend, and my Daddy is coming over this Friday to help Barry install it. The air vent needs to be replaced, and I’m considering a new light fixture. Once the baseboards, trim, and crown moulding are spruced up, I can move in all my scrapbook supplies. The timing could not be better since I’ll be settling in my new creative digs around the outset of summer break.
Andrew is officially registered to attend Southeastern in the fall. Over the Mardi Gras break, he applied for housing and just this week selected a roommate. Thankfully, Dane is a friend from high school and someone he has known since Pre-K. Andrew also applied and was accepted to the Honors Program and scheduled his orientation for June. In four and a half months, my baby will be officially moving into his dorm and starting his college career.
The Kat Files 