Controlling What’s in My Control (y02w20)

I’m trying to muster up the energy to write, but it’s just not there. I’m going on day three of grading final projects and replying to desperate student emails about how they MUST pass this class for one reason or another.

I’m proud of myself, though. I’ve been crafting supportive but firm responses. The effort I’ve been making to call out my negativity bias is working. Yes, I have a lot of audacious, apathetic students, but I also have quite a few hard-working, attentive ones.

I’ve already received a handful of thank-you emails, and a few students stopped by my office to say goodbye. I even had one student bring me chocolate today to say I was the only instructor who gave him feedback all semester. That broke my heart a little, because we can complain about students all we want, but there are some phone-it-in teachers who need to be called out, too.

Maybe this is the stage of life I’m in right now, but I feel at peace with doing the best I can and calling it a day. I can’t explain it, but it feels like a switch has gone off in my Type-A brain… I can only control what’s in my control. The rest I need to let go.

2026 Goal Tracking

Cooking/Food

#SaladTime

Goal: Once a Week ❌ On Hold Retiring
Revised Goal: 5 Big Salads a Week ✅

STILL kicking ass here!

Let me see if I can remember them…

Top left: romaine with grape tomatoes, grilled chicken, feta, sunflower seeds, and white balsamic.

Top right: I turned BBQ chicken night into a salad by topping a big pile of mixed greens with sweet potato, baked beans, and chicken thigh meat. The kids thought that one was disgusting. lol

Bottom left: mixed greens with grilled chicken, berries, avocado, sunflower seeds, goat cheese, and balsamic.

Bottom right: mixed greens, leftover chicken, cubed baked tomato, spicy cheddar, cubed apple, walnuts, and a quick dressing made with apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and maple syrup.

Tonight I’m making salmon and rice and plan to turn that into a salad too!

Weekly Soup/Stew/Prep

Goal: Once a Week ✅

OMG, I made the best soup on a whim this week, and it was literally just to use up some aging carrots in my fridge.

That’s a pureed carrot-and-ginger soup. I sautéed onions, carrots, fresh ginger, and fresh turmeric, then added some broth and a pinch of baking soda, brought it to a boil to soften everything, then pureed it with a hunk of cream cheese and black pepper.

I learned the baking soda trick from America’s Test Kitchen. Apparently, it helps break down the cell walls of veggies to improve texture, and OMG, it worked like a charm!

Sourdough

Goal: Once a Week ✅

I didn’t take any photos, but I did record this Sunday Sourdough video, sharing a fun idea I had for a new loaf!

Homemade Pasta

Goal: Once a Month

• January 1/9 ✅
• February 2/15 ✅
• March 3/1 ✅
• April 4/18 ✅
• May

I feel like the month is already slipping away from me, and it’s only the 13th. I’m going away this weekend, then it’s Memorial Day weekend, and then… boom… June.

So I may actually make some pasta for The Husband and me tomorrow night. Stay tuned. I don’t have dinner planned anyway, so I might as well have fun!

Evan in the Kitchen

Goal: Once a Week ❌ Retired
Revised Goal: Weekly Teen Sanity Check-In

I am writing this before dinner, and he’s already scheduled to help. We’re making salmon and fried rice. YAY!

Also, this is the first piece I’ve seen from his Freshman year art class.

His art program had a showing at a local library, so I dragged him there with the promise of fast food. He is so critical of himself, but I’ve always known he has an artistic flair, and I’ve been fostering it the best I can while trying to set a good example.

I love having this little area to share at least a little bit about the adventure of raising a teen.

Oh! And I almost forgot, it was Mother’s Day this past weekend, so I got to take some selfies with the boys…

Fitness/Weightlifting

Olympic Lifting Training

I wrap up my mini three-week session this week and continue building my foundation as I work my way back to full lifts. I made a little video this week to celebrate using the heaviest kettlebell my gym owns… 105 lbs!

Handstands/Pull Ups/Jump Rope

Small progress made on all these fronts!

I have woven handstand practice back into my weekly routine. I’ve been focusing on chin-ups to improve my pull-up form. And I’m back to my weekly jump rope practice.

I’m truly testing my Bob Ross Talent is Pursued Interest Theory.

Hikes

• Goal: Twice a month
  • January 1/3, 1/15, 1/23 ✅
  • February ❌
  • March 3/21, 3/28 ✅
  • April 4/3, 4/12 ✅
  • May 5/9

I finally got out there and snapped a photo so I would remember. 😊

Hot Yoga

• Goal: Twice a month
  • January 1/4, 1/11, 1/18  ✅ 
  • February 2/1 ❌
  • March 3/1, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29 ✅ 
  • April 4/12, 4/18, 4/25 ✅ 
  • May 5/9

I got back to the studio this past Saturday, and I did not regret it!

Pickleball

We played our last official league games last week and actually won 2 out of 4!

The Husband wants to take a break, but I love it. I’m hoping to get one of the kids to join me for a few games on Friday.

Creative/Other Pursuits

Music

I’ve been pretty consistent with guitar practice, and a friend just shared another series of video tutorials I’m going to start this week.

Painting

No painting this week. 🙁

Acting Class/Drum Lessons

Acting class scheduled! Two friends are joining me on June 4th for an acting lesson, and I’m excited but terrified. If it goes well, I’m considering signing up for a month-long scene study class on Saturdays. We shall see!

Spanish

Falling short here, this is the one that always gets bumped when I get busy.

Alcohol Reduction

• Goal: No more than two days of drinking a month.
  • January 1/1, 1/31 ✅
  • February 2/1, 2/21 ✅
  • March 3/21 ✅
  • April 4/1, 4/2, 4/18 ❌
  • May

No drinking yet! I’m reserving one day for this weekend.

Looking Ahead

If all goes right this week, I will enter final grades on Friday and wrap up the presentation I’m giving next week. I’m also already setting up the summer course I’m teaching that starts June 1.

Saturday morning, I’m headed to my hometown to catch up with some high school friends. I’m looking forward to getting away for a couple of days. It’s going to be good for the soul to hang out with the girls after this extremely long semester.

Hope you are well!